LG Versa Officially Debuting Next Week

Verizon Wireless has announced plans to release one of the most anticipated smartphones of this season: the LG Versa. This is the first time Verizon has said anything about model on the record, but details on it have been slipping out for weeks.

The carrier has confirmed the earlier rumors: the Versa will have a tablet shape with a 3-inch, 480-by-240-pixel, touchscreen interface with tactile feedback.

What will set it apart from other LG smartphones is an attachable QWERTY keyboard. The goal of this device is to allow users to carry around a relatively small phone, but have the option to covert this into a larger but more capable unit for writing emails and text messages.

With the keyboard attached, the Versa will look and act like a clamshell, and even include a small (56 x 120 pixel) external display.

According to unconfirmed reports, a  second module with additional gaming controls will be released later, but nothing was said about that in Verizon's announcement.

Beyond the Clip-On Accessories
The Versa will use a proprietary OS with a 3D interface -- not LG's S-Class UI which will appear on many of this company's other upcoming smartphones.  

It will come with a variety of entertainment and phone-related software. Among the most important of these is its web browser, which will include Flash and RSS feed support, and customers can keep up to three windows open and switch from one window to the other.

This LG phone will include an audio and video player, and support Verizon Wireless' V CAST Music and V CAST Video services, allowing users to download DRM-free songs and watch streaming video.

When the hardware keyboard isn't attached give users the option of entering text with an on-screen keyboard or handwriting recognition.

This model will also Verizon's mobile broadband service EV-DO Rev. A and Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR.

Other Details
The Versa will have a microSD memory card slot -- with support for up to 16 GB cards. It will also have a 2 MPx camera capable of recording images and video.

Verizon Wireless' VZ Navigator will turn this phone into a navigation device with turn-by-turn directions.

LG says this device's 1,100 mAh battery will be good for up 5 hours of use or 430 hours of standby time.

Overall, it will be 4.2 inches tall, 2.1 inches wide, 0.6 inches thick, and weigh 3.8 ounces.

Pricing and Availability
The LG Versa will be available online at verizonwireless.com and in Verizon Stores beginning March 1.

It will sell for $200 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

Additional Images

• Front View
• Hardware Overview
• Rumored Game Controller

Source: Verizon