New cell phones for the holidays

Both Sprint and Verizon Wireless this week launched some new phones just in the nick of time for the holidays.

Sprint launched the Samsung VI660, which includes voice-activated commands (from Voice Signal) that let users dial the phone and perform other operations (such as signal strength and battery life). The phone includes a "voice-activated phonebook" (VAP) that lets users dial any contact in the phone's phone book with their voice. The Digit Dial feature lets users dial any phone number simply by voicing the phone number.

Other features include a 65,000-color screen, support for the PCS Game Pad accessory (turns the phone into a game machine) and a WAP 2.0 Web browser. The clamshell-design phone weighs 3.17 oz., offers up to 3.4 hours of digital talk time and up to 7 days of standby time.

The phone works on Sprint's PCS Vision network, so applications like ring tones, screen savers, multimedia, and games are supported. The VI660 is available at Sprint Stores (or online) for $79.99 (with a two-year agreement), or $229.99 retail without the agreement.

Verizon Wireless launched the Audiovox CDM-8900, a cell phone that includes a built-in digital camera and 65,000-color screen. The phone measures 3.3- by 1.6- by 0.9-inches, and includes photo features such as a self-timer, brightness control and self-portrait reflector. Users can send images to any other Verizon Wireless customer or any e-mail address, the company said. Picture messages can be sent at $0.25 per message (sent or received), or through a package deal ($2.99 per month for 20 messages, or $4.99 per month for 40 messages).

The phone supports Verizon Wireless' Get It Now service of downloadable applications, and also has 32 polyphonic ring tones, a blue backlit keypad and Short Messaging Service (SMS) support. The phone costs $99.99 (after $70 mail-in rebate) with a two-year agreement. Go to the Verizon Wireless Web site for more details.

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