AT&T announced availability of Quickfire, a new GSM quad-band “world phone” designed for texting, e-mail, video playback, Internet/Web surfing, and other multimedia functions. It comes bundled with AT&T’s (News - Alert) Navigator service, along with Napster Mobile and eMusic Mobile for on-device media downloads.

 

Quickfire is a consumer-oriented rather than business-oriented phone, intended for individuals who want to access POP3 and Webmail accounts on-the-go, and to engage in instant messaging and texting conversations.

 

The phone is compatible with AT&T’s messaging plans that offer 200, 1,500 and unlimited messages for $5, $15 and $20, respectively.

 

AT&T’s Quickfire switches between portrait and landscape modes, and is bundled with MEdia Mall for browsing and purchasing thousands of apps, games, ringtones, graphics and other mobile content.

 

Quickfire features touch screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, full QWERTY keypad, Bluetooth support, 35MP of built-in memory, and microSD memory card slot.  The phone was designed for AT&T by Personal Communications Devices LLC (PCD).

 

“The AT&T Quickfire is perfect for texting fans who let their thumbs do the talking and want the benefit of a full keypad but don't need corporate e-mail access or other business features,” said Mark Collins (News - Alert), vice president of voice and data services for AT&T’s mobility and consumer markets division, in a statement.

 

Quickfire is the newest addition to AT&T’s line of quick messaging devices, introduced to after its text messaging services became very popular popular. Other phones in this category include  the Pantech Matrix, the Samsung (News - Alert) Propel and the Pantech Slate.