The smartphone, which will be launched by Verizon Wireless and LG Electronics, was unveiled on Thursday. It features a 3-inch LCD TFT 480 x 240 touch screen with tactile feedback and an attachable QWERTY keypad.

 

Verizon officials said they plan to make the LG Versa available beginning March 1. The multimedia device is the first smartphone on the U.S. market that features an attachable QWERTY keyboard, said LG. The QWERTY keyboard covers the touchscreen when closed and has its own LCD display, send/end keys and a speaker.

 

The smartphone, which is made by LG Electronics MobileComm USA, also features an accelerometer to rotate images on the touch screen from portrait to landscape, which enables users to use rotation movements to steer games. The home screen "is transformed into a sizzling, animated 3-D interface and customers can quickly customize three different home screens with their favorite shortcuts," LG said.

 

LG Versa’s Web browser features Flash and RSS feed support and also allows up to three windows to stay open at once. The device has Verizon Wireless' V Cast Music with Rhapsody and V CAST Video services if you want some music or video. Customers can use Visual Voice Mail and VZ Navigator for GPS and the LG Versa can also be used as a modem because it is compatible with Mobile Broadband Connect. 

 

The LG Versa will reportedly have the price of $199.99 with $50 mail-in rebate and two-year contract through Verizon-owned stores. The price includes the attachable QWERTY keyboard, which is estimated to be worth about $100.