Alltel introduced CellTop, a new user interface running initially on the Samsung SCH-U520 handset. Alltel plans to extend the UI to all of its new handsets by the end of the year.

The interface, is offered free to Alltel subscribers except for data charges while roaming, consists of a series of 'cells' laid out in two vertical columns per screen, with a maximum of 10 cells. The user launches the UI with one click, then navigates with a series of side-to-side clicks to avoid excessive vertical scrolling. The technology runs on the BREW uiOne platform and was developed in partnership with frog design; the content provider is Motricity.

Alltel said the offering makes it easier to access content such as news feeds, sports information, stock updates and ringtones. Other cells include a call log and a text messaging inbox. The data can be automatically or manually refreshed, and is free so long as the customer is within the Alltel network.

Alltel compared the cells to “widgets” in the desktop computer environment and added that the UI is open to the developer community to create new cells.

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