iRiver Wave phone launches ahead of schedule

Korea's ReignCom, which makes iRiver-branded personal media players, has released its first cellphone in its home market ahead of the promised March 2009 launch. The iRiver Wave handset sports a 3-inch, 480x272 touchscreen that is capable of recognizing handwriting and will connect to the Internet via its built-in Wi-Fi connection or over wireless data networks, provided by exclusive carrier KT. The handset will also support VoIP calling to reduce airtime costs. Initially, the Wave will be offered in just ten iRiver stores in Korea.

The asymmetrical Wave will play back MP3, OGG and WMA audio files along with MPEG 1, 2, 2.5 and MPEG-4 video files at 30fps and 480x272 resolution. Built-in storage is fixed at 4GB and expandable with miniSD memory cards. Users can also download audio files via the supported Bugs Music Service. An FM radio tuner is built-in, along with electronic dictionaries, in typical Korean device fashion.

The handset was unveiled at the start of the year at the CES expo. Pricing for the Wave in Korea is not known, and neither is whether or not it will come to North America or markets outside of Korea. [via AVing]