Flip phones, much like standard keypad sliders, don't count for much in my book.  Nokia's 7205 Intrigue for Verizon looks pretty good, however, for those who enjoy these types of handsets, like maybe your grandmother.

Nokia is prepping it as a hip phone, as if rhyming with flip made it a natural adjective for the Intrigue, but I digress.  Putting aside my dislike for phones that travel an entire arc before letting you access the keys, it does look like an eye-catching phone, especially with its all-black facade when closed.

The stark black can be a totally blank slate until it lights up with messages or calls.  You can also waste battery and have it show the clock if the recession has forced you to pawn your watch in the meantime.  Music playback is  similarly available while the phone's flap is completely shut.

It includes an odd Habitat mode that displays contacts in chronological order, so you can see the number that the drunk girl typed in while you were out of it yourself at the bar last night.  If only it can also show you what she looks like!

There's no real rhyme or reason as to why Nokia is billing the display mode as "Habitat" - they're likely just hoping they can market this as an eco-friendly handset.  It comes with a no-load charger (doesn't use up power when plugged in but not charging) and is packaged in a 100% recycled container.

Other specs of the Nokia  7205 Intrigue include a 2.0 megapixel camera with flash and a dedicated button, social networking integration and Bluetooth.  Keypad comes in his and her finishes, either in silver or pink.  Price seems a bit hard to swallow - $180 with a two year contract before a $50 mail-in rebate.

Photo Credit: Gizmodo