Verizon officially announces the Ozone

Verizon Wireless today officially announced the HTC Ozone (a variant of the Snap). We're not learning anything, really, that we didn't already know, but official is official, and that's a good thing.

  • Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard.
  • 1500mAh battery.
  • WiFi
  • Visual Voice Mail, for $2.99 a month.
  • VZ Navigator, for $9.99 a month (no word yet on whether the GPS will be slaved to it).
  • The Ozone will cost $49.99 with a two-year contract.

Full presser after the break. As we already knew, the Ozone will be available online and by phone on June 29; in stores July 13.

BASKING RIDGE, NJ, and BELLEVUE, WA — Verizon Wireless and HTC today introduce the Verizon Wireless HTC Ozone™. This easy-to-use smartphone combines a simple design with a host of connectivity options that include the nation’s largest wireless 3G network, global roaming and Wi-Fi, making it a smart option and, at $49.99*, a great value for first-time smartphone users or savvy business professionals.

Available color: Black

Key features:

* Ergonomically-designed QWERTY keyboard for fast and easy typing

* Flexible connectivity options with Verizon Wireless’ 3G network, global roaming capabilities and support for Wi-Fi

* 1500 mAh battery delivers extended operating time

* Includes international charging adapters to stay powered up while abroad

Lifestyle features:

* VZ Navigator(SM) – get audible turn-by-turn directions to more than 15 million points of interest and share the directions with others

* Visual Voice Mail – view, delete, reply, listen to and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions

* Mobile IM – connect with friends on AOL® Instant Messenger, Windows® Messenger and Yahoo!® Messenger

* Mobile Email – access to popular e-mail services such as Yahoo!®, Hotmail®, AOL® and Windows® Live Seamless Microsoft® Exchange synchronization with Microsoft® Office Mobile for maximum productivity

* Access to most frequently used features with a simplified “sliding panel” user interface

* One-touch messaging key for quick connection to friends and family

* Price and availability:

* The HTC Ozone will be $49.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement. Customers will receive the rebate in the form of a debit card; upon receipt, customers may use the card as cash anywhere debit cards are accepted.

* VZ Navigator is available for $9.99 monthly access, and Visual Voice Mail is available for $2.99 monthly access.

* Customers can purchase the HTC Ozone beginning June 29 online at www.verizonwireless.com, by calling 1-800-2 JOIN IN, or through business sales channels. It will be in Verizon Wireless Communications Stores on July 13. For additional information on Verizon Wireless products and services, visit a Verizon Wireless Communications Store, call 1-800-2 JOIN IN or go to www.verizonwireless.com.

Phil Nickinson

Phil is the father of two beautiful girls and is the Dad behind Modern Dad. Before that he spent seven years at the helm of Android Central. Before that he spent a decade in a newsroom of a two-time Pulitzer Prize-finalist newspaper. Before that — well, we don't talk much about those days. Subscribe to the Modern Dad newsletter!