In stores on July 19, the Nokia Surge is aimed at consumers who want to stay connected via IM, text or e-mail; update social-network status; and send multimedia messages to friends and family.

"Launching at $79.99 with a complete e-mail solution, downloadable applications and full HTML browser with Flash support, Nokia Surge hits the sweet spot between a quick messaging phone and a smartphone because of its low price and strong feature set," said Michael Woodward, vice president of AT&T's Mobile Phone Portfolio.

Update Facebook on the Go

Nokia's social-media-driven device is equipped to help its user keep in close contact with a social circle anywhere. It comes with a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard and runs on the Symbian S60 operating system with multitasking.

Is Nokia betting on the right market? The company thinks so. A recent survey commissioned by Nokia revealed that people are so hooked on staying in touch that they would rather give up coffee and sweets than live without their mobile for two weeks.

The Nokia Surge allows users to post messages, images, videos and comments to Web sites like Facebook with the preinstalled JuiceCaster application.

"Designed in the U.S., this socially charged smartphone comes in a sleek slide form factor that supports social networking and messaging -- and all on an open platform," said David Petts, a Nokia vice president. "Together with AT&T, we're excited to address the increasing demand for smartphones with a device that's as attractive to the customer as it is to his or her wallet."

Competing with the iPhone

The Nokia Surge isn't all about socially connected multimedia, though. The device also offers a browsing experience that includes Flash support to view most Web sites in full HTML or watch YouTube videos. There's also a 2.0-megapixel camera, and it comes with AT&T Navigator to offer turn-by-turn directions and monitor traffic. The Surge also comes with AT&T Mobile Music.

The Surge is a step in the right direction for Nokia, according to Avi Greengart, an analyst at Current Analysis, but it's late to market. The Surge would have been more competitive a year ago against the Samsung Blackjack 2, he said. Now the Surge has to contend with a $99 iPhone -- and in order to get it down to $79, consumers have to sign up for a $30 monthly data plan.

"This is definitely one of the best phones Nokia has brought to the U.S. It was designed in the U.S. for the U.S. market, and it shows," Greengart said. "The Surge, along with the E71X, are competitive devices. But they are not as competitive as they would have been if Nokia had been on its game a year or two ago."

"You can spend $50 less and get an LG Neon," he said. "If you are doing text messaging and not mobile e-mail, then the Neon is enough. If you are doing full e-mail, then this device is certainly capable, but there are a lot of other options. There are RIM BlackBerry Curves. There's the Samsung Jack. There's also the iPhone."