AT&T picks up $29 Pantech 3G phone

AT&T this morning set a baseline for its faster 3G network with the launch of the Pantech C610. The clamshell gets faster browsing and access to music downloads, media streaming and one-way video calls through HSDPA. In return, Pantech uses a handful of minor hardware choices to save on the final cost. A 1.3-megapixel camera and assist-only GPS help keep the price down, though the C610 still supports stereo Bluetooth audio and microSD Storage.

The resulting phone sells for about $29 on a typical two-year plan with AT&T and should be available later today; contract-free pricing hasn't been made public as of press time.