The Genus has Windows Mobile under the hood, and given the release date, Q1 2010, will have the latest, greatest version of WinMo. Expect Microsoft Exchange to be hyped as one of this phone’s selling points. The device looks a lot like the wide Blackberry from a few years ago. It sports a 2.6 inch touchscreen, a full QWERTY keyboard, and the de facto track button in the center. The device connects to Wifi– no word on 802.11n support– Bluetooth, and GPS, of course. Along with supporting nearly all modern cell networks (GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA), the phone can directly connect with AT&T satellites to make a call where cell towers aren’t available. For now, the satellite option only works in the United States, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and surrounding territorial waters.

This phone could be a dream come true for certain types, such as contractors and political figures that make their business in the developing parts of the United States and its surroundings. However, this initial version of the Genus is aimed at business-types and government workers, with a seeming preference for those who spend a lot of time in the territorial waters of the United State. But AT&T has said they are working on a consumer-aimed version which, giving the race to market on this first Genus, could happen by the end of next year.