Verizon launches 3-megapixel Samsung FlipShot phone

Verizon on Wednesday rounded out its line of holiday phones with the Samsung FlipShot. Known under its final name as early as October, the device also known as the Ultra U900 centers primarily on photography with a 3-megapixel camera and a swiveling design that serves up a better grip and LCD view similar to a pocket camcorder. Accordingly, it can record not only video but create panoramic shots and adds PictBridge support for printing photos directly from a photo printer. Its Bluetooth is useful not just for hands-free calling and stereo music but wireless photo printing as well, Verizon says.

Samsung's latest phone also features "living" wallpaper that changes with the time, uses microSD for storage, and allows assisted GPS mapping through Verizon's VZ Navigator service. Unlike the shipments of the LG Venus and Voyager touchscreen phones this week, the FlipShot is on sale today but will only be available online at a price of $200 with a two-year contract in black and red versions.