Today, regional wireless provider U.S. Cellular announced the availability of a new, mid-range, Android smartphone, the LG Apex. The Apex, which will hit sales channels on the 19th of November, sports a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, full-QWERTY slide-out keyboard, 3 megapixel camera, and Android 2.1. The device will retail for $79.99 with a signed two-year contract and $80 mail-in rebate. Hit the jump for the full press release.

LG APEX THE LATEST ANDROID-POWERED PHONE TO LAND AT U.S. CELLULAR NOVEMBER 19

CHICAGO (Nov. 17, 2010) – Riding a wave of industry recognition for wireless innovations like “no contract after the first” with faster phone upgrades and Overage Cap, U.S. Cellular continues to bolster its expanding smartphone portfolio with the LG Apex, the carrier’s latest high-performance, Android-powered device. The phone will be available in U.S. Cellular stores and at uscellular.com starting Nov. 19 for $79.99 after an $80 mail-in rebate. The LG Apex, with its vibrant 3.2” touchscreen and sleek, slide-out QWERTY keyboard, joins a string of cutting-edge products recently launched by the carrier, including the HTC Desire, Samsung Acclaim, Samsung Mesmerize (a Galaxy S smartphone) and the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Tab, slated to arrive in stores this month. The LG Optimus U will debut in December rounding out U.S. Cellular’s Android-powered offerings for 2010.

“Phones powered by Android are perfect for customers looking for high-performance devices that help them stay productive, entertained and connected on the go,” said Edward Perez, vice president of marketing and sales operations for U.S. Cellular. “The LG Apex is backed by the tremendous value of The Belief Project and our high-speed nationwide network, making it a great gift this holiday season.”

U.S. Cellular’s growing catalog of Android-powered, BlackBerry and Windows Mobile phones is a key part of its strategy to deliver cool devices while elevating the customer experience through industry-leading initiatives. Launched in October, The Belief Project is an array of innovative initiatives like “no contract after the first” with upgrades to the newest phones at promotional prices every 18 months. Customers automatically get valuable rewards just for being a customer that can be used for even faster phone upgrades in as little as 10 months depending on their Belief Plan. Rewards can also be used to get additional lines, phones, accessories, and ringtones.

U.S. Cellular’s new bundled National Single Line and Family Belief Plans offer affordable voice, text and data packages. Customers who text, e-mail and download more than they talk may prefer the new Primary Plus Plan for $69.99 per month that comes with 5GB of data, unlimited text, picture and video messaging, free GPS Navigation and 450 voice minutes with unlimited incoming calls, nights and weekends and mobile-to-mobile. Customers also can opt for the Premium Plus Family Plan for $179.99, which includes two lines with unlimited minutes and messaging, 5GB of data per line, Phone Replacement and GPS Navigation.

For more information about the LG Apex and The Belief Project, visit uscellular.com.
About the LG Apex
The LG Apex is a cool productivity tool that runs on Android 2.1 and features a 3.2-inch durable tempered glass touchscreen that responds to a feather touch with vibration feedback. The screen also boasts luminous sensors that adjust brightness depending on light conditions and shows off the dynamic, animated live wallpaper. Five customizable home screens allow customers to create shortcuts to their favorite apps and widgets.  Its stylish and functional design offers a QWERTY keyboard that slides out to make typing and texting easy.

Backed by U.S. Cellular’s high-speed nationwide network, customers can browse and download thousands of applications in Android Market that allow users to customize their phone to fit their lifestyle. Customers can also access popular Google applications, including Google Maps™ with its turn-by-turn directions and Google Voice Search™ that helps them locate anything without a single key tap. The LG Apex’s 3 megapixel autofocus, flash-ready camera/camcorder comes with a panorama mode that lets customers take up to six side-by-side shots to build a sweeping view.

The Wi-Fi enabled phone also comes with an MP3 player, and customers can easily organize their music library, repeat and shuffle their favorite songs. They can even multi-task, playing music in the background while simultaneously e-mailing, texting or downloading videos. A video player is included for WMV, MP4, 3GP and 3G2 formats.

The LG Apex will retail for $79.99 after an $80 mail-in rebate and will be available Nov. 19 at U.S. Cellular locations and at uscellular.com.

One of our trusty ninjas just hit us up with a couple details on some of Verizon’s upcoming products and product offerings. First off.. Netbooks. We’ve been told that Verizon Wireless will 100% start selling Netbooks in stores around May of this year. The first one looks to be a 10-inch HP Mini which should go for $99 on a 2-year agreement (with BroadbandAccess plan). On a related note, we’ve been told that AT&T is in the process of setting this up as well (selling Netbooks in stores).

The hate-it-or-love-it Verizon Hub home phone will be getting an upgrade to enable streaming radio on or around February 22nd.

There’s a new feature for Verizon Wireless subscribers rolling out called Media Manager. What we’re told this does is enable you to backup all your ringtones, games, and phone content to one location for free as long as you use the My Account feature online. Basically think of it as a free backup assistant, rumored to be rolling out momentarily.

The BlackBerry Apex (BlackBerry 8230) we’re told was removed from Verizon’s data devices road map. Our contact doesn’t know why or what it possibly means, but he said it either means it is coming very soon (likely) or not being released at all (unlikely).

Finally, the BlackBerry Niagara. We showed you the first photo of it, and it turns out it is pretty much spot on. We do have some more information, however. You can definitely think of it as a cross between the Bold and the Curve 8900. It’s bigger than the Curve, but smaller than the Bold. It has the same 480×320 screen resolution as the bold, and thankfully we’re told rocks the same processor as well (624MHz CPU). Lastly, it runs the 4.6 OS but you didn’t really need us to tell you that. In terms of release date, you’re going to be a little disappointed — we don’t have one. We were originally told by our original tipster that the Niagara would launch in May of ’09 on Verizon, and darn it, that looks pretty accurate. When we have something confirmed, we’ll obviously share that news. Below is a recap of the information we reported on the Niagara when we broke the news:

• “Large screen family”
• QWERTY keyboard
• 480×360 LCD
• EV-DO Rev. A
• aGPS
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• 4.7 OS platform
• BES 5.0 support (HTML email, etc)
• Qualcomm MSM7600 processor

Pretty good, eh?

Thanks, NotHTCKid!