Verizon Wireless adds Samsung’s Glyde, with touchscreen, to its quiver

Taking aim at rival AT&T Mobility and its iPhone subscriber magnet, Verizon Wireless today said it would bring Samsung’s Glyde — a touch navigation device with QWERTY keypad — to its customers tomorrow.
The Glyde offers a 2.8-inch touchscreen with tactile response at a price of $250 with a two-year contract and $50 mail-in rebate. Verizon is touting its $80-per-month Nationwide Premium calling plan as the best for the device.
The multimedia and messaging device, with an HTML browser accessible by touch navigation, supports Vcast Music and Video and VZ Navigator, provides a 2-megapixel camera and support for an 8 GB memory card.
The device reflects efforts by Verizon Wireless to cut into AT&T Mobility’s iPhone drawing power by providing consumers with affordable, large-screen, iPhone alternatives that overcome iPhone shortcomings such as tactile feedback on the touchscreen and a physical QWERTY keypad.
The device also reflects the degree to which Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Co. Ltd. have rivaled each other to deliver touch-based devices to their top carrier clients in the United States, capitalizing on the iPhone’s popularity and the touchscreen craze. LG recently introduced its touchscreen Voyager at Verizon Wireless.