Photos: Smartphones at CTIA 2008

Alltel and U.S. Cellular are adding a twist to its smartphone offerings with a lime-green Motorola Q9c. However, both carriers will also offer a more traditional black version if you don't feel like getting too wild and crazy with your phone colors.

Good news for us here in the United States. HTC announced that it will start selling unlocked versions of the HTC Touch Dual at Best Buy in second-quarter. The Dual is similar to the HTC Touch, except it features a slide-out keypad. The Dual will also ship with the latest Windows Mobile 6.1. Pricing has not been set.

As expected, Nokia officially unveiled the Nokia N810 Internet Tablet WiMax Edition here at CTIA 2008. It's a slightly revamped Nokia N810 that adds, obviously, WiMax support and several other enhancements, such as an improved QWERTY keyboard and the latest Internet Tablet operating system. Pricing has not been set at this time, but Nokia said it wouldn't be much different from the current N810, which is priced at a costly $479.99. The new N810 will launch later this summer when the WiMax network is expected to be available in the United States.

In case any T-Mobile customers were frothing with jealousy over AT&T's next-generation RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8120, you can rest easy knowing that you'll be able to get your hands on one starting April 14. The upgrade to the original Pearl brings integrated Wi-Fi, which you can use for Web surfing as well as voice calls since it's compatible with T-Mobile's HotSpot@Home service. It's priced at $149.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates and discounts.

Sprint also got its own RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330. The smartphone has integrated GPS, Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2DP and DUN support), a 2-megapixel camera with video recording capabilities, and a microSD/SDHC expansion slot. In addition, it's compatible with the carrier's various add-on services, including Sprint Navigation, Sprint TV, and the Sprint Music Store.

Research in Motion went crazy at CTIA 2008, releasing several products including the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8330 for Verizon Wireless. It's the first Curve to hit the CDMA carrier and is similar to the RIM BlackBerry Curve 8310 for AT&T in that it offers integrated GPS. The smartphone will work with Verizon's location-based service, VZ Navigator, and also one-ups the GSM version with EV-DO support.

Verizon Wireless also announced the addition of the Motorola Q9c. Unlike the multimedia-centric Motorola Q9m, the Q9c goes after the road warriors with its integrated GPS and VZ Navigator support. The Windows Mobile smartphone will be available starting in April for $249.99 with a two-year contract and after rebates.

In related news, Verizon Wireless landed its own version of the HTC Touch. The Verizon Wireless XV6900 similar to the Sprint model, but comes in a vibrant white. The XV6900 will be available in April for $349.99.

Velocity Mobile is a new smartphone manufacturer that debuted at CTIA 2008. The company aims to attract more consumers to Windows Mobile smartphones by creating an interface that it hopes will make the devices easier to understand and use right out of the box. The Velocity 103 is one of two devices it announced at the show. It has a 2.8-inch, 262,000-color touch screen, Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional Edition, and a 2-megapixel camera among other things. The 103 is expected to ship in Q2 as an unlocked GSM phone.

The second smartphone Velocity Mobile introduced is the Velocity 111. With a full QWERTY keyboard, it's obviously aimed more toward the messaging fanatic. It will also ship with Windows Mobile 6.1, integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, and GPS. The Velocity 111 has an expected availability date sometime in the third-quarter.

At CTIA 2008, Microsoft announced the latest version of its mobile operating system. Windows Mobile 6.1 includes new features, such as a revamped Home screen for simpler set up and ease of use; zoom in-out on Internet Explorer Mobile; and threaded text messaging. The update should roll out to devices in Q2.