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The Pantech Duo 2 has recently made its FCC appearance and despite not having an official announcement we can tell you that (when released) it is expected to be available with AT&T.  The Pantech Duo 2, which is also known as the C820, will be the successor to—you guessed it, the Pantech Duo.  The C820 is a dual slider handset with a numeric keypad as well as a full QWERTY keyboard.  The handset will feature dual-band 850/1900 GSM/EDGE/WCDMA radios, a 2-megapixel camera with video recording, Bluetooth and a microSD card slot for additional storage.  It will also be running Windows Mobile 6.1.  Currently there is no info on when this phone will ship, nor is there any price data.  When we find out, we’ll let you know.

Read [FCC]  Via [PhoneScoop]

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They are going to sell bunches of these.  Debuting as the world’s thinnest QWERTY phone, the new Pantech Slate is available now on AT&T.  This phone is one of many AT&T is launching to address the heavy-messaging market segment.  Phones like the Pantech Matrix (a take on the Duo without Windows Mobile), Samsung Propel and now the Slate, AT&T is covering the bases with a variety of styles to fit, well, your style.

The Slate’s claim to fame is its less than 1-centimeter thickness.  That is super thin and AT&T claims it can fit into your skinny jeans; though, clearly, they’ve not tested my skinny jeans.  Continued after the break.

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According to a recent study conducted by Nielsen, cell phone users are becoming more active in using their mobile phones for texting rather than calling.  And in AT&&‘s second quarter earnings report, it was found out that the volumes of text messaging done by its subscribers have tripled from the same period in 2007.

Seeing an opportunity, AT&T has just added four text-friendly mobile phones which are all equipped with a full-QWERTY keypad.  These mobile phones are, the Pantech Matrix, the Pantech Slate, the Samsung Propel and AT&T’s own Quickfire mobile handset.  AT&T said that all four mobile phones’ QWERTY keypads allow for easy sending of text messages, MMS for both picture and video, and even instant messages.

If you’re keen on getting one or two of these mobile phones, there’s a quick rundown of each of their key features after the break.

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Having converted to smartphones with a candy bar form factor years ago, I was certain I couldn’t be swayed by this cute, light, small Pantech C610.  That was until Pantech sent me one.  Not only does the phone feel great in hand, its list of features would make my smartphone drool.

Check out this smart flip phone - hit the jump for follow.

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Pantech has released a new Windows Mobile phone called the C810 Duo. Unfortunately, it was released only in Mexico and no words yet as to whether this phone will be released internationally. Just in case Pantech decides to bring the C810 Duo to the US market, here’s what you can expect from its features.

This dual-slider is a Windows Mobile 6.0 phone featuring quad-band GSM frequency (850/900/1800/1900 Mhz), EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, a 2.2-inch QVGA LCD, 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth as well as an MP3 player and a micro SD card slot for additional storage.

Via [Akihabara News] Product [Pantech]

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Aside from the obvious upcoming release of the iPhone 3G, it looks like AT&T customers will have a good remainder of the year device wise. Based on a recently leaked 2008 roadmap there is a nice selection of phones that will soon be available.

It looks like the upcoming 3rd quarter is going to be dedicated to the BlackBerry with an anticipated release of the Curve 8320 with Wi-Fi and the Bold. In addition it looks like the updated BlackBerry OS will also be released during Q3, which will put the 8820, Pearl 8120, Curve and Curve 8310 up to version 4.5.

Then for those who are not quite as excited by the BlackBerry, it looks like Q4 will be the time for you, of course its almost like a flip with the 4th quarter focusing a little more on Windows Mobile 6.1 goodness. Expected to be released is the Pantech Duo, Samsung Blackjack 3, AT&T Tilt 2 and also a still unknown handset from Samsung. Of course that unknown handset is rumored to be the Samsung Omnia. The four handsets that are on track for the fourth quarter release are all going to be running Windows Mobile 6.1.

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The FCC was kind enough to show off another mobile phone today, this time it was the Pantech UTStarcom TXT8010, which just happens to be going by the code name of Elvis.

Elvis will be a dual band (850/1900Mhz) CDMA handset with a slide out (from the bottom) QWERTY keyboard. Other features are expected to include Bluetooth, 1.3-megapixel camera and a microSD slot. Based on the image from the FCC, Elvis appears to be very short and wide, but a slightly wider phone may make for a slightly better keyboard. As usual with details found courtesy of the FCC website, there has not been any mention of a release date, pricing or carrier that will pick it up. Keep reading for more one pic of Elvis…

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You got to give credit to these guys who have such sharp eyes that they can see even the smallest details of approval documents coming to the FCC. These guys must have really sharp eyes or the FCC is intentionally disregarding confidentiality of information with regards to documents submitted to them by manufacturers seeking their approval.  Thus, we keep on discovering information about new devices even before they are released for official announcement by their manufacturers.

The latest of these FCC sightings is an entry bearing the mark OZ2, and the manufacturer happens to be Pantech, who is the maker of the Helio Ocean. The Ocean had the same mark when it its prototype was submitted before the FCC prior to its release as Helio Ocean. Naturally, we can’t help but deduce that this FCC entry is for Helio Ocean 2.

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Korean mobile phone manufacturer Pantech recently organized a contest in which students from Korean Universities were asked to create design concepts for cellphones that can be made available by 2010. And in its conclusion, five dazzling mobile phone concept designs were released. Pictured here is the Cell Dot cellphone design, featuring a very minimalist overall look and feel, plus it’s seriously slim. Other designs include the Tower Lily, Wavy Stream, Waterfall Fish, and Simplice Section.

With the way things are working right now, it’s a little hard to believe that phones just like this one will be available in just two short years. Well, although I’m certainly up for something like this, at this point in time I just don’t see where a device like this would be coming from. But then again, I could be wrong. Any student who took part in Pantech’s design contest could stand up and bring his/her concepts to life. You never know.

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Products: Samsung Blackjack II; Pantech Duo
Price: $99 from AT&T with contract
Ratings: Blackjack II 8/10; Pantech Duo 7/10
Pros: Blackjack II: Decent update to a good phone.  Lavish new finishes, wider and brighter screen.  Internal GPS.
      Duo: Smaller LxW form factor, double sliding keypad and QWERTY is just plain fun.  Gaming is fun on wide screen
Cons: Blackjack II: Software bug turns backlight on, led flasher added to front is uncontrollable.
      Duo: Slow to type on wide QWERTY slider, Can’t get to messages sometimes?
Overall: Two decent phones for different folk.  I couldn’t get typing fast on the Duo, and that hurt its performance for me.  The Samsung would be the phone I’d reach for first between these two.

For the past month, I’ve had the privilege to get some quality hands-on time with the Samsung Blackjack II and the Pantech Duo, both offered by AT&T right now for just $99 (terms, conditions, first-born rules apply).  It is one thing to play with a phone for a minute in the store, it is yet another to live with and rely on one.  For me and my usage style, this test comes down to 3 big things: input, battery, livability.  The rest, again to me, is all wants - not needs.  So how did these two big guns fair?

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