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i am thinking about switching to verizon in the fall (works much better in dc than sprint) and am looking for a similar concept in a phone--one that either slides or flips open to the keyboard but on its face has the regular number keypad. does anyone have any suggestions?

d in dc - I've personally seen a couple of cool ones. My new top-of-my-list-when-my-contract-renews is the LG enV, which flips open long-ways to open to a keyboard.

The Samsung SCH-u740 opens both clamshell-style and long-ways, seems fun but not sure if the keyboard style was something I'd want for myself.

Let us know on the open thread what you end up getting!

For some reason the links didn't work...let's try that again...
Samsung:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=2869

LG enV:
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/store/controller?item=phoneFirst&action=viewPhoneDetail&selectedPhoneId=2694

Wow! The LG enV is exactly what I am looking for. Thank you very much!

After accepting (begrudgingly) the reality that the iPhone I covet will require me to plunk down about $1500 (phone cost, service cost, data plan cost, etc.) I spent the weekend looking for alternatives since my current phone/pda (Samsung i500) is on its last legs. Being an Apple user, I avoid products that use Windows. That doesn't leave much else - basically the Palm lineup and I find the Treo hideous.

I was liking the Helio, but it seems more Microsoft than Apple-friendly. I found a new Samsung (F700http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/samsungf700/876553), which initially gave me hope, but I cannot find any information indicating that it might be available in the US any time soon and I am sure it carries a hefty price tag as well. Sigh.

At least with the introduction of the iPhone, the gauntlet has been thrown down. Hopefully the resulting competition will end up producing more affordable options for those of us who need to use our money to eat and pay for gas.

oops, put the opening paren in the wrong spot and messed up the link. here it is in working order: http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/samsungf700/876553