The D-Link V-Click is an unlocked GSM phone with built-in WiFi that essentially paves the way for mass market phones like, drumroll please, the iPhone. D-Link isn’t in the “business” of making and selling phones, obviously, which is what makes this tri-band device so interesting. It costs about $599.99 and can receive email, has a web browser and a single button for switching from GSM to WiFI.

While I’m almost certain this thing will disappear in the dustbin of electronics history – there’s just no demand for this phone outside of certain business applications – this, along with Nokia’s efforts at sneaking their GSM models into the market by avoiding carriers entirely, means that cellphones are no longer tethered to a service plan and that slowly but surely the America will figure out that phones aren’t the things you get at the T-Mobile store for $29.99.

D-LINK ANNOUNCES ENTRY INTO MOBILE PHONE MARKET WITH V-CLICK™, AN UNLOCKED, DUAL-MODE GSM / WI-FI® PHONE [D-Link]