Samsung unveils swiveling 3G, digital TV phone

Samsung this morning released one of its more advanced feature phones to date. The W2400 exploits its unique middle slider design to offer maximum control over the phone while allowing for just as much control over the display. The directional pad sits below the number pad and remains accessible while the phone is completely closed, as with most sliders; its fixed position, however, lets the main display extend and swivel 90 degrees without forcing the user to adjust to a new layout. Watching digital TV through built-in DMB broadcast support is easier than with many phones, Samsung says.

The handset also sports the faster variant of HSDPA for 3.5G-level wireless and includes a front camera for video calling as well as a 2-megapixel camera on the reverse side for general video capture. Other near-ubiquitous features of Samsung's latest phones also come standard, including Bluetooth as well as MP3 playback from microSD cards and TV output for playing videos on a larger screen.

Sales of the W2400 start soon through Korea's KTF and should be available through SKT as the W240. Built as a tri-band GSM device, it will support most networks worldwide but will have only limited support in North America, likely reducing the chances that it will be converted for use in the Western continent.