Sprint, Samsung launch new cell phones

Sprint and Samsung this week launched two new cell phones, just in time for holiday shopping.

The PM-A740 is a lightweight phone that includes voice, data and imaging services, aimed at the trend-setters out there who want to use their phone as a fashion accessory. Features include a VGA camera (with built-in flash and 2x and 4x digital zoom), a slide show screen saver that rotates up to 10 pictures, voice recognition features (from VoiceSignal), a 65,000-color STN display, and a clamshell frame. The phone costs $229.99, or $79.99 after rebates and service agreements.

The RL-A760 is a cell phone with Sprint PCS's Ready Link feature, which lets users communicate with one another in a walkie-talkie style. Other features include a built-in speakerphone, a clamshell form factor, Voice SMS (via Core Mobility), voice recognition (from VoiceSignal), a 65,000-color TFT screen, GPS and E-911 functions, high-speed Web access, and an internal phone book with 300 entries available (each entry can have six numbers, e-mail and Web addresses). The phone is expected by the end of the year, and pricing has not yet been announced.