AT&T to offer smart Matrix from Pantech

AT&T Mobility will offer Pantech Wireless’ Matrix Pro – a smart version of last fall’s dual-sliding messaging phone – on Feb. 24 for $180, with a service contract and a $50 mail-in rebate good only for AT&T service.
The handset runs Windows Mobile 6.1, offers assisted-GPS for AT&T Navigator and suites of messaging and entertainment functions.
AT&T has been Pantech’s largest American patron and currently offers a half-dozen other handset models ranging from $20 to $80 from South Korea’s third-largest mobile-phone maker.
The two parties touted the Matrix Pro’s sleeker design, larger screen, higher memory and speedier processor; the device sits near the high end of AT&T Mobility’s portfolio by price, close to the $200 iPhone 3G and $300 models by Research In Motion Ltd., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., HTC Corp. and Motorola Inc.