Microsoft and SFR are launching a new messaging device in France called Messenger Edition 251. The phone comes with a full QWERTY (actually that’s AZERTY) keyboard, email software and pre-installed Windows Live Messenger client. In addition, there’s a QVGA landscape display (touchscreen?), 2-megapixel camera, web browser, music player, FM radio, Bluetooth connectivity support and a microSD memory card slot.
We’re not sure which company made the device, but it is thought to be Chinese ZTE, since the device resembles the company’s X990 model.
The strange thing about the Messenger Edition 251 is that it doesn’t run Windows Mobile, but some proprietary OS that only works with Microsoft’s IM service.
As for the pricing, SFR asks 79 EUR for the phone with its “SFR La Carte” prepaid plan, which costs 10 EUR and comes with unlimited SMS and Windows Live messaging for 10 days. Alternatively, you can grab the unlocked Messenger Edition 251 for 109 EUR.
For the record, SFR is France’s second largest mobile operator, after Orange.
[Via: Unwired View]