By Andrew Berg
Verizon Wireless today announced the addition of the HTC Ozone to its portfolio of devices. The Ozone features a BlackBerry-like form factor with Qwerty keyboard on the front. Unlike the recently released BlackBerry Tour, the Ozone includes WiFi as well as global roaming.
The Ozone will cost $49.99 after a $70 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement and will be available on June 29 at Verizon Wireless retail store or online.
While the Ozone runs on Windows Mobile 6.1, the new device comes amid rumors that Verizon will soon begin carrying phones that run on the open-source Android platform. HTC is the noted OEM responsible for T-Mobile's Android-based Google phones, the G1 and myTouch G3. Verizon currently carries the HTC Touch Pro, and the HTC Touch Diamond.
Rumors surfaced on Tuesday that Verizon Wireless is looking at an Android-based phone from Motorola. However Verizon's CEO Ivan Seidenberg, in an interview on Tuesday night with Charlie Rose, would not confirm or deny rumors of an Android-based phone from Motorola, saying instead that it might be true.
Verizon has a diverse device portfolio and has been embroiled in the handset soap opera for the past few months as analysts and bloggers wondered whether talks with Apple might result in a CDMA version of the iPhone. Apple's exclusivity contract with AT&T is set to expire next year.