Pantech Announces 'Pursuit' Messaging Device

Pantech Wireless, Inc. and AT&T on Tuesday launched a messaging device called Pursuit. Panatech's first touchscreen handset has a sliding QWERTY keyboard.

The touchscreen menu gives users the ability to surf the Web, update a status, send messages, listen to music, watch video clips and get directions without having to slide open the phone. The device's keyboard slides down from behind the large touch screen, giving users quick access to send out texts, emails, picture mail, video messages, voice notes and IMs.

"Pursuit combines the best of both worlds," said Dave Ronis, CMO of Pantech Wireless in a statement. "AT&T's quick messaging customers can now have all of the fun that comes with a touch screen and also the ease of a full keyboard."

The 3G Pursuit comes in lime or blue and also features a 2.8-inch touch screen display for access to a 2 megapixel camera, as well as social media accounts, music and video library and messaging. It also has multitasking capabilities so users can launch another feature while on the phone to browse the web or send and receive messages.

The device also features Drawing Commander, which dials contacts and activates apps by touching the display screen; Graffiti, which gives users the ability to draw on images by touching the screen; and Face Tag, which adds contacts directly from camera phone pictures.

The device weighs 4.58 ounces and is 3.67 x 2.51 x 0.58 inches. It comes with Bluetooth connectivity and 32 GB of memory. The Pursuit is available at AT&T retail stores and online for $49.99 including a two-year service agreement and a minimum $20 per month messaging plan.

Panatech Wireless is the U.S.-based subsidiary of Pantech Group, one of Korea's largest mobile phone manufacturers.