New Verizon Wireless Phone Lets V CAST Music Customers Rock

Jan. 25 /PRNewswire/ - Verizon Wireless and UTStarcom Personal Communications announce the availability of the CDM8945 Music Phone. The Music on Demand (MOD) and Video on Demand (VOD)-capable handset features Verizon Wireless' newly launched V CAST Music service, which runs on Verizon Wireless' EV-DO broadband network, the most award-winning wireless broadband network in the nation, available to about 150 million people in 180 major metropolitan markets.

Using the Verizon Wireless CDM8945 Music Phone, V CAST Music customers can download music directly to the phone or transfer it from a Windows XP PC. With additional memory of up to 256 MB available on an easily-accessible TransFlash card (not included), consumers can have instant access to large playlists of their favorite tunes from V CAST Music anywhere, anytime they carry their shiny, black CDM8945 handset. Songs purchased from V CAST Music from the PC cost $0.99 and may be transferred to the phone via USB cable. Song purchases made from the handset cost $1.99 for a copy sent immediately to the phone and a second sent to the PC for download.

The phone is also capable of streaming mobile video and 3D gaming, available through Verizon Wireless' V CAST service, the nation's first wireless broadband multimedia service. In addition, the phone features a built-in 330K pixel digital camera with flash that can take still images or capture video. Photos can be stored on the TransFlash card and downloaded directly to a PC with a card reader.

"The CDM8945 Music Phone is as innovative as Verizon Wireless' new V CAST Music. This stylish handset will enable Verizon Wireless to make V CAST Music available to more of its existing and new, music-loving subscribers," said Philip Christopher, president of UTStarcom Personal Communications Division.

The distinctive-looking handset features dual color displays. Its 260K- color TFT LCD main screen measuring two inches, provides easy reading and a rich, full-color experience for optimal viewing of playlists, videos, games, photos, text messages and Web pages. Its one-inch 65K color CSTN outer display allows for easy viewing of incoming caller ID, analog or digital clocks, and message alerts.

Additional features of the CDM8945 include:

* Dual Band (800/1900 Mhz, CDMA)
* 64MB Flash / 32 MB RAM with TransFlash expandable memory up to an additional 256 MB
* Mobile Web 2.0
* Supports CMX 4.3 (72 Poly)/EVRC/MIDI/AAC/AAC PLUS/PMD/WMV/WMA audio formats
* Supports JPEG/GIF/PNG image formats
* Supports MPEG4 and Windows Media video formats
* Supports Get It Now and TXT, PIX and FLIX Messaging
* T9 Predictive Text
* Phonebook with 500 entries
* TTY-capable
* MSM6500 chipset that is E911-capable
* Voice activated dialing
* Built-in speakerphone
* External volume controls
* 330 pixel digital camera with external shutter button
* Dimensions: 3.5" (h) x 1.9" (w) x 0.9" (d)
* Weight: 4.0 oz.
* Battery: 1000 mAh Lithium Ion

The CDM8945 is available today to new and existing Verizon Wireless customers for $129.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year customer agreement. For more 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.

SOURCE Verizon Wireless