US : AT&T and Samsung announced the availability of the Samsung SGH-a717 ( inset ), a clamshell-style phone, on June 4, and the SGH-a727, a bar-style phone that will be available in the coming weeks. Both devices offer a rich multimedia experience in an ultra-slim form factor. The a717 (12.9 mm) and a727 (8.9 mm) are currently the slimmest 3G phones available from AT&T.

They also offer a multitude of services a customer would want in a device, including AT&T Mobile Music, Cellular Video, access to MobiTV(TM) and MobiRadio(TM), Bluetooth(R) technology, a microSD(TM) memory card slot and multiple messaging options. "The a717 and a727 are packed with the advanced features our customers demand and are stunning additions to our growing portfolio of 3G devices," said Carlton Hill, vice president of product management for AT&T's wireless unit. The phones will also support AT&T's forthcoming Video Share service, launching this summer. Video Share allows users to add a live, one-way video stream to a standard voice call, allowing the called party to view what the caller is seeing during a voice call.

Both customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone. AT&T Mobile Music features connectivity that allows customers to use Napster or Yahoo! Music to load music onto the devices, and also includes Music ID, XM Radio, music videos, The Buzz music news portal, and more. "The a717 and a727 are our slimmest handsets optimized for AT&T's 3G network," said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president, Samsung. "Both devices embody Samsung's commitment to developing slim, stylish devices that boast a number of multimedia, messaging and music capabilities."

Additional features of the a717 and a727 include: -- 2.0 and 1.3 megapixel cameras, respectively -- Quad-band GSM technology (1900/850/900/1800 MHz), which allows AT&T customers to make calls in more than 190 countries and to download data in more than 125 -- Dual-band 3G (850 MHz, 1900 MHz) which provides average download data speeds between 400 and 700 kilobits per second with bursts of more than 1 megabit through AT&T's HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) network -- Bluetooth 2.0 and a microSD(TM) memory card slot -- SMS, MMS, Instant Messaging and Mobile E-mail -- MobiTV and MobiRadio Pricing and Availability The SGH-a717 is available June 4 through select AT&T retail locations, formerly Cingular Wireless, or via http://www.att.com/wireless. The SGH-a727 will be available soon. The a717's and a727's suggested retail price is $149.99 and $99.99 respectively, after a two-year contract activation and a $50 mail-in rebate.