Sneak peek at Pantech Link, Pantech Pursuit
CNET takes a quick look at the Pantech Link and the Pantech Pursuit, two new messaging phones for AT&T.
LAS VEGAS--Even though AT&T announced the Pantech Link and the Pantech Pursuit prior to the start of CTIA, we managed to get a quick hands-on with both phones at the show. As we mentioned in the announcement of the two phones, they are both messaging handsets with the addition of AT&T's new cloud-based services like AT&T Address Book, AT&T Mobile Share, and the Online Locker that'll let you easily update your Facebook, Twitter, and more. Unfortunately, we were only allowed to snap pics of the Pantech Link, but we'll be sure to put up photos of the Pursuit once we have them.
The Link is a slate-style messaging phone that reminds us a lot of the Pantech Slate, only a lot thinner and sleeker (about 10mm thin). It has a nice texturized grip on the back of the phone, which gives it a great feel in the hand. The keys have a nice domed feel to them as well, and were responsive to our presses. The Link's features include the typical messaging options plus e-mail, a 1.3-megapixel camera, a music player, a microSD card slot, GPS with AT&T Navigator, and a mobile Web browser based on Opera. Though there's no set date for availability, Pantech did say it hoped it would be out in early Q2. Pricing is yet to be determined.
The more exciting of the two devices is arguably the Pantech Pursuit. The Pursuit is an attractive and rather adorable thing, with rounded corners all around. It has a small but usable 2.8-inch touch screen, which is resistive, but still quite intuitive to use. It has a vibration haptic feedback setting if you want as well. The Pursuit slides out sideways to reveal a full four-row QWERTY keyboard, and again the keys are raised so it's super easy to type by just feeling your way around. The features of the Pursuit are a tad more high-end than the Link; it has a 2-megapixel camera and is blessed with 3G, which might mean it'll have access to AT&T's broadband services like AT&T Mobile Music. Of course it also has a music player, a microSD card slot, GPS with AT&T Navigator, and all of AT&T's recently announced online services. Again, availability will be in Q2, and pricing is still unknown.