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Cingular Wireless this week began carrying the Siemens SX66 Pocket PC Phone, a variation on one of the most talked about smartphones of the past six months.

Based on Taiwanese OEM High Tech Computer's BlueAngel/XDA III Design, the Windows Mobile for Pocket PC Phone is known around the world by a variety of different names—T-Mobile MDA III, Vodafone VPA III, O2 XDA III, Sprint PPC-6601, and Audiovox XV6600, to name a few.

Unlike smaller smartphones with thumb-keyboards, this handset's keyboard is cool because it is retractable. That's a good thing, because no one will ever confuse the 4.92 x 2.83 x 0.75 inch and 7.4 ounce smartphone with one of its more compact Windows Mobile for Smartphone brethren, such as Motorola's Mx220.

The Federal Communication's Commission approved the Pocket PC Phone for release in the United States back in August. Sprint became the first carrier to deliver a version of the smartphone with the PC-6601 in November.

Cingular's SX66 integrates both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth in addition to its quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM/GPRS radio for worldwide compatibility.

Keyboard Exposed

The SX66 also features a 400MHz CPU, integrated VGA camera, 128MB of RAM, 96MB of ROM, and an SDIO Secure Digital slot. The smartphone's display measures 3.5 inches diagonally and supports the Pocket PC standard 240 x 320 pixel resolution at 65,536 colors. Its lithium ion polymer battery should deliver 4 hours talk or 7 days standby time.

Cingular sells the Siemens SX66 for $550 with a 2-year service contract.