Verizon Wireless launches the Motorola Z6c World Edition phone

Verizon Wireless and Motorola have introduced the Motorola Z6c, a new dual-mode CDMA/GSM world phone. It's the second such offering from Verizon (RIM's BlackBerry 8830 was the first), and you can use the Motorola Z6c with Verizon Wireless's CDMA network while in the U.S., but once you're abroad, you're free to pop in any SIM card of your choosing to access the phone's GSM functionality. This is a huge boon to Verizon customers who wish to use their phones internationally, since GSM is much more accepted worldwide.

But you won't want to go GSM all the time with the Z6c--there are features that are only accessible via the CDMA network, such as e-mail, IM, the Web browser, and multimedia messaging (text messaging is accessible on GSM, too). Of course, you'll also only be able to access Verizon's V Cast Music and V Cast Video if you're on Verizon's CDMA network. Other features of the phone include a 2.0-megapixel camera, a microSD card slot, and stereo Bluetooth.

The Z6c is available now for $179.99 after a $50 rebate and a two-year contract.