Motorla's MING series of Linux-based, touchscreen smartphones have been pretty popular overseas but never really seen the light of day here in the US.  Sure, you could pick up an unlocked GSM MING via CompUSA or an importer, but without carrier backing most Americans had no idea that MING was a phone and not *just* a dynasty from their history books.

Looks like Verizon Wireless is aiming to change all of that with the introduction of the Krave ZN4 sometime between now and the end of 2008.  The Ming-styled ZN4 has been spotted by PhoneArena in a VZW ad that shows a launch price of $149.99 after rebate with a two-year contract.

Your buck-fitty will get you a unique-looking device with a clear plastic flip cover and touchscreen underneath, and all sorts of features.  There's a 2MP camera, VCast Mobile TV, HTML browser, VVast Music with Rhapsody, VZ Navigator, and EV-DO Rev A data speeds to power all of those services.

So stop complaining about this "lack" of Verizon devices, everybody!  There's all kinds of stuff coming from Big Red this holiday season, don't you worry ;-)