The quad-band t719 supports SureType predictive text entry, EDGE high-speed data transfer, voice recognition and Bluetooth. It comes with a rotating 1.3-megapixel camera, camcorder, media player and speakerphone. It's due out in the third quarter of this year.

Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) technology that will enable mobile phones to switch seamlessly between Global System for Mobile Communications and Wi-Fi networks was among the hot topics at CTIA. Samsung's t709 and Nokia Corp.'s 6136 which were showcased at the trade show, both support UMA. These phones could find a following among corporate users looking to Wi-Fi to improve coverage in dead spots and download content at broadband speeds, but with carriers and handset manufacturers still figuring out strategy and pricing, who knows how soon that will happen.

Interestingly, Kyocera Corp., traveling down another path at the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association event, showed off a prototype of a unit that can switch between Code Division Multiple Access and Wi-Fi.

RIM, meanwhile, announced a collaboration with Yahoo Inc. to bring real-time delivery of Yahoo mail to BlackBerry users. Future plans will tack on the ability to wirelessly import and synchronize Yahoo address-book and calendar entries, as well as Yahoo Instant Messenger.

VeriSign used CTIA to tout Backup Plus, a new service that will back up your cell phone's address book to a secure server. If you wipe out your data or fry your handset, you can download a backup to your existing phone or a new one . Cincinnati Bell Inc. will be the first carrier to roll out Backup Plus. Later this year the service will expand to include calendar, pictures, videos and audio backup.