Telecom Okta takes tilt at the iPhone

It may not actually be an iPhone, but Telecom is inviting comparison between its latest handset, the Okta Touch, and the much-hyped Apple handset.
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The Okta Touch, priced at $799 at aimed at the consumer market, combines the functions of a camera phone, Windows Mobile 6.0 computer and an MP3 player.

Like the iPhone, it features a touch-screen interface. This lets customers to switch between different applications and scroll through websites, menus and e-mail inboxes by touching and dragging their finger across the screen.

Consumer marketing head David Craig says the Okta Touch is an important addition to Telecom's line-up, "given the buzz overseas around all-in-one touch screen devices."

"Most New Zealanders won't have seen anything like this before."

Unlike the iPhone, the Okta Touch features a removable battery and it can run third party applications, but it does not support WiFi connections.

The phones are made by Taiwanese handset maker HTC.

Telecom is also selling a clamshell version - the Okta Agent - without the touch screen, for $599, and a model with a slide-out keyboard, the Okta Boss.

The phones go on sale on Thursday.