Comments on: Samsung Announces Palm OS 5 Smartphone

Samsung SGH-i500 Palm OS 5 Smartphone ~ Click for Larger

CeBit 2003: Samsung has unveiled the MITs SGH-i500 Smartphone which runs Palm OS 5.2, has a high res screen, SDIO and a integrated CMOS camera. The SGH-i500 is similar to the SPH-i500 already announced, but operates on GSM/GPRS networks instead of CDMA, and packs in a number of feature upgrades.

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Its finally here! or is it?

i2oadi2unnei2 @ 3/12/2003 10:43:15 AM #

Woo hoo!!! Just what I have been waiting for! Although I am not getting it yet, I am sure I am going to get one of these soon. I'm going to dig for more info about this phone and I'm hoping this phone supports my current carrier if not, then maybe its time to switch. The only thing I have to get used to is the 320x320 screen since I got the NX and that extra 160 does make a difference...very sweet phone...

...|3eep |3eep!!...

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

hawkspy @ 3/12/2003 10:54:30 AM #

Awesome.

Where do We Go Nowwwwwww?!

- Sir Axl de Rose, 1986

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

johnwong @ 3/12/2003 10:58:47 AM #

This is exactly what I am waiting for too!
-OS 5
-Fast processor
-HiRes
-SD expansion
-Small size
But I am afraid it would be difficult reading eBooks.

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

rsc1000 @ 3/12/2003 11:16:30 AM #

>>But I am afraid it would be difficult reading eBooks.

why?

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 11:27:31 AM #

YES!!!! I posted this in the forums earilier but no one believed that this thng could be true!!! HAHA!! It's sooo nice to see OS 5(.2) smartphonse finally arriving! Here are some additional specs, AFAIK they're accurate:

OS: Palm OS 5.2
CPU: Intel PXA262 (200/300(?)Mhz)
GSM/GPRS Tri-Band
Main 65K+ TFT Color screen
256 Color OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) Sub-Lcd
330K+ CMOS Camera with Embedded Flash
SD I/O, USB, IrDA
MMS/WAP 2.0
Palm Media Pack (Plays Video and Audio)

Specs:

Size
Dimension: 88 x 54 x 26mm
Weight: 150g

Screen
Internal: 65K+ color, 324 x 352 support
External: 256 Color, 96 x 64

Platform
RF Band: 900/ 1800/ 1900 Mhz
GRPS: Class 8 (1 Tx, 4 Rx)
Palm OS 5.2

Memory
ROM 32MB, RAM 32 MB

Messaging
MMS
SMS
E-mail client: SMTP, POP3, IMAP

Syncronization
Palm Hotsync

Camera
Built-in 330K+ Pixel
VGA(640 x 480)

Polyphonic ringtone
Standard MIDI

Application
PIM
Palm Applications
Games
Enterprise

Battery
Standard (1100mah)
Extended (1700mah)
Talk time: 200min (on standard)
Stand-by time: 100hr (on standard)

Connectivity
SD I/O, IrDA, USB

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

johnwong @ 3/12/2003 11:57:04 AM #

>>But I am afraid it would be difficult reading eBooks.

>>why?

Not many PDA-Phone using a flip-top. We can compare this to Treo series and PPC series.

HERE ARE SOME MORE PICS!!!!

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 12:05:51 PM #

Here ya go!!

http://www.howardforums.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=836864

http://www.howardforums.com/attachment.php?s=&postid=836870

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

EdH @ 3/12/2003 1:15:06 PM #

>Memory
>ROM 32MB, RAM 32 MB

About time. 32MB ROM? Does it have a large flash ROM storage area for files and data? On the 32MB RAM, did they work around the 16MB address limit imposed by the OS4 PACE environment, split the RAM into two 16MB sections, one for RAM, the other acting as a storage card or did they just say the heck with it and not worry about how OS4 apps see it - or was the 16MB issue a dragonball issue and not OS4 per se?

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

JKingGrim @ 3/12/2003 2:50:53 PM #

I am a programmer and my guess is it is divided into two cards. When adressing databases, you must pass an argument for what card you want the data on. It is common knowledge to pass 0 for this argumment, because there is only one card, but I wonder what the Samsung SDK will say.

I was waiting for the OLED for a long time! Its here!

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

I.M Anonymous @ 3/12/2003 3:18:33 PM #

But why have the OLED screen when a clear window would do the same job?!?!

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

ganoe @ 3/12/2003 3:48:33 PM #

A clear window where, onto the back of the LCD or onto the back of the keypad?

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

hotpaw4 @ 3/13/2003 2:41:44 AM #

>But why have the OLED screen when

The OLED screen probably draws *much* less power.

Samsung SGH-X410 PMG Phone Unveiled at Cebit

pdangel @ 3/13/2003 5:03:31 AM #

-Samsung SGH-X410, the world's first PMG Phone, is tri-band GSM/GPRS with 65K colors, Bluetooth and 40 polyphonic ring tones.
-BenQ unveils smartphone with Bluetooth at CeBIT show.
-Imri's (Korea) "Smart PDA phone" called Lenio with Bluetooth
-Invair Technologies Announces PDA with GSM and Bluetooth

Other Cebit announcements/demos
http://makeashorterlink.com/?Q17036AC3

"There are 2 kind of people my friend....those with wires and those without"

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

jgp @ 3/13/2003 12:52:49 PM #

Well, sorry to disapoint you, but, as I like to read those stories first-hand, I went to Samsung's german website, and the press release (http://presse.samsung.de/shownews.asp?nid=697) mentioned "162 x 176 Pixel".

So, I dug further and, in the flash cebit site (www.samsung.com/cebit2003), in the press releases section (this time in English), they have "162x176 pixels (324x352 support)".

I'll leave it to you to guess what this all means...

BTW, I also saw both PXA261 & PXA262 mentioned amongst the various sites... guess they'll get their act together in a few days...

And the memory also goes from "32MB Rom, 32MB Ram" to "Speicher PDA: ab 16 MB + 32 MB DRAM Telefon: 32 MB + 4MB SDRAM"...

Oh yeah, check out the brochure at http://makeashorterlink.com/?T13961BC3, it's got all the new phones.

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

karrock @ 3/13/2003 2:22:20 PM #

The way the specs read to me, only the tiny front display is OLED. The larger display is listed as TFT. If all they put in was a clear passthru window, they couldn't put any electronic components at all in that space and it would reduce its angle of visibility (tunnel effect).

RE: Its finally here! or is it?

JKingGrim @ 3/15/2003 7:58:37 AM #

>>The OLED screen probably draws *much* less power.<<

Thats an undder statement. OLEDs are great! Less power, cheaper, don't need a backlight, brighter, thinner than paper. I want an OLED as my main screen. I heard that there were lifespan issues. Has this been resolved? If it is used as an always on screen, maybe it has. Even if they still don't last as long as conventional ones, I wouldn't mind going to Circuit City to buy a new screen.

Maybe ugly?

NikMan @ 3/12/2003 10:49:17 AM #

It's nice with all features only without GPs and radio. And maybe deisgn isn't so great. And antenna?

RE: Maybe ugly?

elo @ 3/12/2003 11:28:38 AM #

All Samsung phones have antennas. And they all get better reception than nearly anything else out there. Coincidence?

Besides, this weekend's NYT reported that the trend to phones without external antennas has contributed to a noticable drop in the quality of reception across different brands.

The antenna, for now, is the right choice. In a year, who knows?

elo

RE: Maybe ugly?

i @ 3/12/2003 11:53:08 AM #

One thing to say to that antenna comment.

N105. On T-Mobile.

RE: Maybe ugly?

MJGunn @ 3/12/2003 4:57:46 PM #

Actually samsungs DON'T have that great a reception. In my experience (and....I've owned just about every phone worth owning), Nokias (all of them without protuding antennas), generally have the best reception.

The "antennaless phones" HAVE antennas, they're just flat against the back of the phone, instead of sticking up 3/4" off the top. Do you really think it makes that much of a difference? In my experience, it doesn't.

RE: Maybe ugly?

kevdo @ 3/12/2003 6:59:19 PM #

I too had reception issues with the Samsung phone I owned. My Kyocera does much better.

-Kevin Crossman

RE: Maybe ugly?

jjsoh @ 3/12/2003 7:47:17 PM #

: Do you really think it makes that much of a difference?
: In my experience, it doesn't.

Of all the cell phones that you've tried, maybe you missed the Motorola v60i model then. :) I've had one that had to be replaced because the antennae was just a tad bit loose. All it did was jiggle slightly, but one false touch would mean the difference of either all reception or none. Without this antennae, there is definitely no service anywhere.

Anyone else have this problem, or was mine just a fluke?

Jim

RE: Maybe ugly?

MJGunn @ 3/12/2003 8:08:37 PM #

Oh, with the antenna being damaged, definetly make a difference. What i was saying (about whether or not it really makes a difference), is if its located on the top of the phone, or the back.

btw, was that v60i on verizon?

RE: Maybe ugly?

dsm363 @ 3/12/2003 10:17:47 PM #

I think the antenna location makes a big difference. The T68i with the internal antenna has horrible reception compared to some larger phones with either the small antenna or the larger ones you can extend.

RE: Maybe ugly?

jjsoh @ 3/12/2003 10:19:35 PM #

MJGunn

No, ATT wireless. Hmm.. having reread my post, I guess it does sound like I had a defective one. Still, what was weird to me was that the drop in calls and service came all of a sudden; practically overnight. Before it got extra sensitive to the touch, I've had about 10 months of good service.

Well, I can say that even my current phone (the replacement) is the the same way. It jiggles slightly, but I don't seem to have any reception problems like I did before, which is why I was curious if anyone else with my model had the same problem.

Jim

RE: Maybe ugly?

MJGunn @ 3/12/2003 10:47:39 PM #

dsm363, the problems with the t68's reception have nothing to do with the location of the antenna. Its ericsson, they haven't made a phone with decent RF quality in years. If you don't belive me, check the ericsson t39. Its got an antenna, and the RF on it is as bad as the t68's

RE: Maybe ugly?

sr @ 3/13/2003 4:25:50 AM #

My T39 reception always beats my friend's Nokia, hands down. Same network.

Whoa!

kevdo @ 3/12/2003 10:48:32 AM #

I like many others have been im-patiently waiting for the Kyo 7135.

This device looks like it may top the 7135, given OS 5, Hi-Res screen, and Camera.

I presume that as an OS 5 device it can also play MP3s?

Am looking forward to playing with this thing... it looks pretty cool!

-Kevin Crossman

RE: Whoa!

maao @ 3/12/2003 12:49:59 PM #

One bad thing: GSM/GPRS. It's not very fast for data, unlike 1XRTT. Too bad Samsung didn't make this their 1X smartphone. 50-80Kbps throughput would have been nice for this phone.

RE: Whoa!

sr @ 3/12/2003 2:46:39 PM #

For me GSM/GPRS is definitely A Good Thing. 1X IMO has come to market a little too late and for those of us that need our phones to work in more than one/two countries this phone is the answer! Just pointing out that one person's deficiency is another person's feature. [:)] And don't forget that most of the world uses GSM - Samsung was smart to go with GSM/GPRS.

RE: Whoa!

treo007 @ 3/12/2003 3:09:12 PM #

Samsung is a Korean company. My guess is that we'll see a CDMA flavored version of this phone shortly after the GSM release. Impressive phone no doubt. First OS 5 smartphone and, I think, the first phone or PDA with OLED. I need the keyboard, so here's hoping Hanspring incorporates most of what Samsung has done here.

RE: Whoa!

robrecht @ 3/12/2003 3:54:32 PM #

Wasn't there supposed to be a full-size folding external keyboard to go with the SPH-i500? Personally, I would rather have an accessory like the Palm XT keyboard that would allow touch typing then a built in thumboard.

Thanks, Robrecht

RE: Whoa!

treo007 @ 3/12/2003 4:15:31 PM #

I should have read the story a little more carefully. I thought the OLED was on the main screen as well. No wonder people weren't going nuts about that aspect. Oh well, still looks like an impressive device.

RE: Whoa!

maao @ 3/12/2003 4:59:23 PM #

I'm glad it's GSM/GPRS, since I have a T-Mobile account, but if it was on Sprint's network, then I'd rather get it as a 1X phone over GPRS, since the average data rate is much higher. I'm more interested in the data capability than voice. That's the only reason why I'd even look into a smartphone over a voice-only cell phone.

RE: Whoa!

Fly-By-Night @ 3/13/2003 5:14:50 AM #

Actually, being Group 8 GPRS, this phone should reach speeds of about 80-90kbps. It is current Group 4 GPRS (1 transfer channel, 2 receive channel) that operate at around 40-50kbps. Of course, this relies on the network carrier supporting Group 8 GPRS.

FBN

-----
Ceci n'est pas une signature.

RE: Whoa!

Tony_ensemble @ 3/14/2003 8:36:45 AM #

$800 is not an unreasonable theroy for the SGH-i500 given that the retail price for the less beefy SPH- i500 is $700. (pardon me $699)

RE: Whoa!

ha-me3 @ 3/14/2003 7:37:45 PM #

if its more than $500, i'm not getting it.

Yo!

Wow...

AYung @ 3/12/2003 10:50:17 AM #

32mb ROM and 32mb Ram, SD slot, and a camera with a flash...that's pretty amazing!

I wonder how big is the screen and battery life.

RE: Wow...

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 4:45:15 PM #

quote: "32mb ROM and 32mb Ram, SD slot, and a camera with a flash...that's pretty amazing!"

Gee, I wonder why the heck Sony couldn't figure out how to do this on the NZ90! Sigh...

RE: Wow...

maao @ 3/12/2003 5:04:50 PM #

We don't know how much this smartphone will cost. For all we know, with all the features, it's going to retail for $800.

32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

Geste @ 3/12/2003 10:55:35 AM #

Looks like future palms are going to have 32mb inbuilt! :) Way to go!

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

NikMan @ 3/12/2003 10:59:19 AM #

Way to come? They sucks with RAM. they must integrate 256minimum. 32ram, yeah that a lot!!!

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

AYung @ 3/12/2003 10:59:19 AM #

Yeah, I agree. I think with the new patch of these palm coming to market, I can't wait to see what these will do to the price of current handhelds.
Maybe I could snatch a Tungsten at a bargain price...currently the low is just over $300. Once it gets to around $250, I may just upgrade to OS 5. Gotta love competition.

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

bobes @ 3/12/2003 11:00:51 AM #

I wonder if the 16MB barrier was fixed in 5.2

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

jpfeiffer @ 3/12/2003 11:04:59 AM #

Well there are apparently 32MB upgrades for the Sony N-series, which run 4.1 and use use Dragonball VZ processors, so I don't know that there was/is any hard/fast inbuilt limitation on RAM. Though it does seem like its taking people quite a long time to move past 16MB.

I'm pretty excited to see Samsung step into the Palm space. They've made a point of producing some high quality, innovative devices over the last couple of years.

Sony needs another high rolling innovative Japanese electronics whiz to keep them competitive.

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

rsc1000 @ 3/12/2003 11:06:40 AM #

>>I wonder if the 16MB barrier was fixed in 5.2

With the Garmin having been announced months ago with 32MB and with 3rd party 32 mb upgrades announced for OS4 units yesterday, i'm not convinced that there ever was a 16MB limit.

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

i2oadi2unnei2 @ 3/12/2003 11:10:17 AM #

I am pretty sure Sony will come out something better, they always do... I think their motto is "You build it, we'll re-engineer it and make it better" =]

...|3eep |3eep!!...

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

RoelvdV @ 3/12/2003 11:49:20 AM #

This 32MB under OS 4.x is more like using an SD-card or like using RAMdisk, which uses and SD-card as if it were RAM. I think 16 MB is the limit under OS 4.x

I still don't know if the Tungsten T can handle more than 16 MB. Not a problem at the moment with almost 5 MB free...

Greetings, Roel.

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

techai @ 3/12/2003 1:09:36 PM #

Sony, are you listening? I'm not upgrading from my T615 until you have a 32MB model.

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

Tere @ 3/12/2003 1:46:33 PM #

Err... Samsung is Korean.

>> Sony needs another high rolling innovative Japanese electronics whiz to keep them competitive.

- Tere

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

ewl @ 3/12/2003 3:43:07 PM #

I posed the question to Palmsource who stated that there was no 16 meg RAM limitation in OS5. It was only the licensees that decided that was the standard amount. I assume this would be the definitive statement since it is from Palmsource (although granted, the email reply was rather generic "webmaster")
Good thing that the 16 meg barrier is being broken; I would have jumped to the Pocket PC camp if the barrier remained. Too many apps are coming out that require several megs each. (i.e. epocrates pro ~ 3 megs)

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

Jejoma @ 3/13/2003 4:56:18 AM #

They already have! It's called the Sony Ericsson P800 and is simply quite stunning.

Jejoma

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

mstur @ 3/13/2003 2:50:22 PM #

The SonyEricsson is much less than stunning, actually it is last years technology to this years price. It has a display smaller than the Tungsten T with less colors (only 12bit). It has a crap quality camera, and it has only a memorystick slot, not SD. And its software (Symbian7) is bug ridden and incompatible.

It will be dumped soon at amazon or bestbuy, for 199.- or less ;-)

The new think from SonyEricsson is the Z1010, whci is a dual UMTS/GSM phone. It will come as always, too late...

The question is: Why is Sony not dumping Ericsson, and transfering the mobile phone business to the Clie group, which is so much more productive ;-)

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

JonathanChoo @ 3/13/2003 3:55:21 PM #

No...the question is why isn't Ericsson dumping down Sony. Ever seen a good Sony phone before they joined Ericsson? The popular T68 was created by Ericsson before Sony came on board and till today is yet to be matched over its bluetooth simplicity.

I am glad that Sony Ericsson has kept the connectors from previous Ericcson phones though since I can use my MMC mp3 player on their new mobiles. Hopefully Ericsson will see sense and force Sony to dump MSDuo.

Current PDAs: Palm Tungsten T, HP Ipaq h5455

Past PDAs: Palm V, Palm m505, Palm m515, Sony Clie N770C/U, Sony Clie T625C, Sony Clie NR70V, Toshiba e310, Sony Clie NX60

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

Jejoma @ 3/14/2003 6:13:30 AM #

Actually, for mobile connections Symbian 7 is far less bug ridden than my Clie 675's Palm 4.1 and is much better geared to use on a mobile phones; particularly for ease of use.

I have to agree about the Duo Memory Stick though. Sony have got themselves into a real mess with their memory sticks.

Jejoma

RE: 32mb in Palms....Good things to come?

JKingGrim @ 3/15/2003 7:47:59 AM #

>>Way to come? They sucks with RAM. they must integrate 256minimum. 32ram, yeah that a lot!!!<<

Have you had your head in a hole while this has been debated countless times? Let me refresh your memory. Palm OS does not need 256 MB to run. Get an SD card. Maybe at the most 64mb, but 256 is absurd! Why make a device with RAM guzzling the battery when the average user won't use half of it? I haven't even filled up my zip disk on my PC! Palm OS applications are small and efficient. Come the day when they grow large, then lets put more memory.

beautiful convergence device

robrecht @ 3/12/2003 11:01:41 AM #

This is a beautiful convergence device that does not sacrifice much to either component.

Need CDMA triband version on Verizon ...

I assume this has a user removable battery because of the optional longer lasting battery, therefore battery life is not as critical as with the Treo models.

Thanks, Robrecht

RE: beautiful convergence device

alexp @ 3/12/2003 1:53:13 PM #

It certainly is. I'll be intrigued to see how pics come out, and I want to see how audio and video output are.

Here's hoping we see a CDMA of this on Sprint, but if it's a nice enough device, I just might consider breaking my PCS contract and switching wireless providers.

CPU spec

RedSavina @ 3/12/2003 11:06:20 AM #

According to Samsung's site, the SGH-i500 will use the Intel PXA261 (200Mhz).

Will also include "Palm Media Pack (Audio/Video Player)". Wonder what that is...

RE: CPU spec

Admin @ 3/12/2003 11:13:39 AM #

the flash demo lists it a 300mhz, so that's what I'm going with. I'm still trying to get the official press release for confirmation.

RE: CPU spec

Sonic Boom @ 3/12/2003 12:00:04 PM #

I went to www.samsung,com and did a search for SGH-i500 with no luck.
Could you please direct me to the location you mentioned.

RE: CPU spec

Admin @ 3/12/2003 12:06:12 PM #

the link is in the third paragraph of the article.

Bluetooth would be nice.

Leech @ 3/12/2003 11:22:04 AM #

With all of the new bluetooth headsets out there and OS 5 I'm surprised they didn't include this. Although with the SD I/O I suppose you could use a bluetooth card, though the current one might stick out too much (I haven't seen in person) the other obvious downside being this occupies the slot, eliminating the ability to have music or files stored on a card there.

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

elo @ 3/12/2003 11:34:30 AM #

I agree. For me, Bluetooth is the big omission here (and it's too bad, because I love this phone otherwise).

elo

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

robrecht @ 3/12/2003 11:36:49 AM #

BT headsets, ok. BT keyboard, maybe. But the main need for a BT connection between phone and PDA is obviously not needed here.

Thanks, Robrecht

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

TypeMRT @ 3/12/2003 2:44:22 PM #

Every time I see a smartphone I just just diappointed that there's NO BLUTOOTH! Top 3 uses for BT: Wireless sync, Wireless Headset, & Wireless laptop modem.

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

palm_pilot_guy @ 3/12/2003 4:32:25 PM #

were u really gonna go out and buy this? and now that it doesn't have b/t, you're not?

----
two sl10s in the hand don't make an sj30 in the bush.

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

dsm363 @ 3/12/2003 6:29:08 PM #

I have the Sony T68i with bluetooth and love it. I can sync with my Mac and even use it as a remote for giving powerpoint presentations with SonyClicker (very cool). Plus, I have a bluetooth headseat for driving. Why woulndn't they include it?
Can't it be added with one of those upcoming memory/blutooth SD cards?

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

Slam @ 3/12/2003 6:42:47 PM #

Yes. I would trade off the camera features for bluetooth, to use a headset, hotsync and possibly keyboard
This device seems perfect if it had BT.

I've been using the 3 peice solution (PDA, BT headset, BT phone) for 4 months and I'm starting to see the advantages of a combined device, but this phone only needs BT for a slam dunk for me.

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

dsm363 @ 3/12/2003 10:27:15 PM #

From the link about the Intel chip:
"A variety of communication ports, including Universal Serial Bus (USB), Infrared (IrDA), I2S and AC’97 audio codec interfaces, high speed Bluetooth* and Baseband interfaces, Universal Asynchronous Receive and Transmit (UART), and Synchronous Serial Port (SSP) enable fast synchronization and communication with other devices. "

Notice they talk about bluetooth. I wonder why it wasn't implemented if it appears to be support by the chip?

Dave

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

ConceptVBS @ 3/12/2003 10:48:34 PM #

Maybe its because of this...

"Sneaky Wave might be the next big thing in wireless communications

Philips, Texas Instruments and Samsung are among the other companies flexing their muscles as part of the IEEE 802.15 Working Group for WPAN, which is meeting this week in Dallas to settle on a new standard technology for wireless personal area networks, or WPANs.

Such networks create high-speed wireless connections over short distances to allow for synchronization between a personal digital assistant and a computer, say, or to connect a television to a cable TV box, and so on. The winning technology behind the standard, which will bear the name 802.15.3a, is expected to generate $1.39 billion in revenue by 2007, according to projections by Allied Business Intelligence. More from News.com... "

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

Norm @ 3/13/2003 3:09:49 AM #

"were u really gonna go out and buy this? and now that it doesn't have b/t, you're not?"

That's exactly my position. Before I buy a smartphone, there are 4 absolute requirements - PalmOS5 (or above), triband, BT and not MS. This phone looks great. I'm not to keen on the antenna because I always found they catch in my trouser pocket. This one looks very short so I might be prepared to go with if I can see one before I buy.

But, sorry, no BT, no buy.

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

Palm_Otaku @ 3/13/2003 4:41:47 AM #

I'm surprised about the lack of Bt as well, particularly because Samsung is showing off 3 (!) Bluetooth headsets at CeBit

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

crogs @ 3/15/2003 2:38:37 AM #

ummmm....bluetooth SD card. not that difficult to figure out.

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

crogs @ 3/15/2003 2:47:42 AM #

sorry. was reading from the bottom up and came off rude. there's a lot of double duty cards coming out such as memory and wifi combined. I'm sure bluetooth will be combined with memory as to not restrict use of the SD slot. By the time this phone is a reality I'm sure a dual BT card will be also. Then again, who knows what else will be available at the time.

RE: Bluetooth would be nice.

moofie @ 9/18/2003 1:20:32 AM #

A bluetooth card sticking out of the phone, that needs to go in and out of my pocket, is simply not acceptable. I can't understand how people put up with 802.11 antennae sticking out of their laptops, and I can not imagine having a BT antenna on my phone. I really don't want to break that $100 card, and I CERTAINLY don't want to break the slot on the phone.

Bad engineering.

Input Method

Mandroid @ 3/12/2003 11:23:08 AM #

When you mentioned that unlike its CDMA cousin, it doesn't include a dedicated graffiti area, in the next sentence you said that Palm OS 5.2 includes the Graffiti 2 input system.

I'm probably missing it, but by this did you mean that this new Samsung will just use a virtual graffiti area (I think that was one of the features of graffiti 2). Or was the put about Palm OS 5.2 including Graffiti 2 just a separate statement? If so, what is the input method?

I'm assuming you did mean to imply that this would have virtual graffiti, but I just wanted to make sure, since it didn't come out and say that, just that Palm OS 5.2 includes Graffiti 2.

-Mandroid

RE: Input Method

Admin @ 3/12/2003 11:28:29 AM #

With the lack of a dedicated silkscreen for input, I would assume that you can enter input directly on the screen, not with a virtual graffiti area.

RE: Input Method

bcombee @ 3/12/2003 11:30:04 AM #

It doesn't have virtual graffiti -- the screen is only 320x320. Since Graffiti 2 is based on Jot, I'd expect it to support writing anywhere on the screen to input characters, at least in the Samsung implementation. It may also have a popup graffiti area, similar to the new Sony CLIE TG50. I'd hope it also would support T9 or some other keypad-assisted text input method -- since it has a GSM focus, I'd think this would be a requirement.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

RE: Input Method

Leech @ 3/12/2003 11:31:45 AM #

I believe Graffiti 2 can operate like Graffiti Anywhere, allowing you to write anywhere on the screen.

RE: Input Method

rsc1000 @ 3/12/2003 12:49:55 PM #

After reading this thread i can imagine how some might be confused as to the difference between "popup graffiti area" and "virtual grafiti". Put simply: virtual graffiti relies on a 'longer'/'taller' screen, and pops up below the normal Palm app area of the screen - functioning just like normal graffiti but also allowing apps to take advantage of the extra space when graffiti is not needed. A "popup graffiti area" would work on normal sized screens and replaces the app screen with a seperate input form (like the on screen keyboard does in standard palm OS) while the user is inputting.

RE: Input Method

cbulock @ 3/12/2003 2:07:13 PM #

Based on the PalmSource website, Graffiti 2 still requires a dedicated Graffiti area, but licenses could still make it work without it, (maybe by using Graffiti Anyhere or Jot).

RE: Input Method

kev @ 3/13/2003 6:07:03 AM #

will it support T9-predictive text as an input method?

Upgrade SPH-i500 Specs?

zigzago @ 3/12/2003 11:31:09 AM #

Anyone know if they are going to go back and upgrade the SPH-i500 to OS 5.2, hi-res screen, etc? The new model looks great, but I'm on Sprint, so I can't use a GSM phone.

RE: Upgrade SPH-i500 Specs?

Moose Man @ 3/12/2003 2:08:49 PM #

Can't be done the dragonball processor isn't designed to handle anything other than OS 4.1 or earlier versions. Principle reason for OS 5.0 devices is the difference in processors and things such as bluetooth.

A Palm wannabe fanatic

RE: Upgrade SPH-i500 Specs?

yOyOYoo @ 3/12/2003 2:42:57 PM #

RE: Upgrade SPH-i500 Specs?

PDA Jedi @ 3/12/2003 4:47:52 PM #

Hopefully a CDMA version will be released. Although, with the SPH-i500 not even out, who knows when that will happen.

RE: Upgrade SPH-i500 Specs?

Palm_Otaku @ 3/13/2003 4:43:06 AM #

Is the SPH-i500 actually shipping anywhere? It was shown off last September but I haven't actually heard of it "on the streets" anywhere.

I've heard that the SPH-i330 is in production but don't know if it is "out" either.

Anyone know?

Love it...

smiley1081 @ 3/12/2003 12:36:39 PM #

Anybody has the Muppet Show them on polyphonic MIDI?

Very nice looking phone...

Marshall Flinkman @ 3/12/2003 12:43:49 PM #

any word on what it'll cost?

RE: Very nice looking phone...

TypeMRT @ 3/12/2003 2:48:32 PM #

I knew someone was going to bring it back to reality ;)
My guess: $499 w/ 1 yr contract (depending on what the Treo-replacement from Handspring looks like)

SICK OF WAITING

gidora @ 3/12/2003 12:46:12 PM #

The Kyocera 7135 -- where is it? The SGH1500 -- where are they? These were all previewed last August. Now when the heck is THIS thing going to be available? Next fall, with a CDMA version the following Spring? I almost don't care unless it's actually going to be available somewhere in our hemisphere with nation wide coverage soon. Like before Palm goes v6.

RE: SICK OF WAITING

BlueAnon @ 3/12/2003 1:16:20 PM #

you can have the T|W.

RE: SICK OF WAITING

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 5:17:51 PM #

I think I read somewhere the 7135 would be available on Verizon by April 2003...

Only for Europe

Marty1781 @ 3/12/2003 1:16:36 PM #

I don't remember where I read it (I know, a lot of good that does me/you) but I seem to remember that this phone will only be released in Europe, at least initially. The good news is that that it is tri-band so it should theoretically work on US GSM networks and that there are several online retailers who specialize in selling European GSM phones to the general US public. I'll try and see if I can relocate the article that states this will be a European phone only.

RE: Only for Europe

MJGunn @ 3/12/2003 5:03:20 PM #

It will work, its tri-band. Whether its officially released here or not, if you want it, you can use it :)

RE: Only for Europe

karrock @ 3/13/2003 2:47:48 PM #

Both Cingular and T-Mobile use GPRS/GSM phones.

Here's the Samsung link

gadgetguy @ 3/12/2003 1:23:12 PM #

It shows all the new phones at CeBIT. My question is, I can't find the embedded flash or the lens for the camera. Is it an aftermarket camera you put in the SD slot? Also, does anyone know if there are any 3G capable GSM networks?

http://www.samsung.com/Features/TechnologyLeadership/Exhibition/cebit2003/

RE: Here's the Samsung link

Palm_Otaku @ 3/13/2003 4:45:25 AM #

Wow, Samsung sure has a broad range of phones and accessories on display!! Did you see the D700 Symbian series 60 with the "Twist-and-Fold" form-factor like the Clie NR/NX/NZ? Or the phone-watch? Or download the brochure and look through it - a TV phone?? Are some of these vapor-ware or what? :)

This is most powerful PalmOS device yet!

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 1:25:24 PM #

I think its pretty amazing that this smartphone from Samsung will be the most powerful PalmOS deivice out there (for now)!

RE: This is most powerful PalmOS device yet!

Fammy @ 3/12/2003 2:01:53 PM #

Sadly, this does look more impressive than most OS5 devices. Palm, ever care to release a second OS5 unit?

_____
Fammy

Can You Use it on a Plane ?

stepshows @ 3/12/2003 3:21:35 PM #

I love using my NX on flights as my business requires a lot of travel. But would one be in violation of FCC regulations if one used this device on a plane? I wonder if you can disconnect the Celluar feature to use the PDA ?

Aric
www.STEPSHOWS.com

Aric Tucker
Stepshows.com

RE: Can You Use it on a Plane ?

ConceptVBS @ 3/12/2003 3:26:39 PM #

Actually, I've seen a few US Samsung phones that did this (was it the i330,i300 or A500?).

If you tell the stewardess that your phone is completely shut off from receiving and tranmitting phone calls, do you think they will really believe you? How can you convince these people?

RE: Can You Use it on a Plane ?

kilo94 @ 3/12/2003 4:25:45 PM #

All smartphones to my knowledge (T|W included) have a "mobilie off" function that allows you to use the PDA portion while flying. I did this routinely with the I300 with no problems.

--------------------------
I support PIC and Palmvenue; Visit http://www.palmvenue.com/Forum/

More pictures

ConceptVBS @ 3/12/2003 3:24:13 PM #

More pictures of this PDA/Phone can be found here:

www.pdafrance.com

Camera?

PDA Jedi @ 3/12/2003 4:57:05 PM #

And where's the Camera that everyone's talking about?

RE: Camera?

ConceptVBS @ 3/12/2003 10:46:16 PM #

It's probably on the back side with the flash right next to it.

Absolutely Brilliant

sandys @ 3/12/2003 5:02:31 PM #

I have been mulling over the purchase of a P800 or Orange SPV for the past few weeks and had just made my desicion to drop my treo 180 for the P800, it was a tough one to make as I would be dropping my excellent software collection (mainly games with a few good apps I use daily) I was going to put and order in Friday, guess I can now unmake those plans and stick with what I know, it better be released in the UK or at least somewhere sim-free soon, I have got money burning a hole in my pocket.

Size of the machine looks good, the treo will look like a brick in comparison.

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

sandys @ 3/12/2003 5:10:55 PM #

All it needs for me now is a decent web browser like Opera on OS5 and that would be moe sorted.

its a bit of the fat side at 25mm but with the other dimensions being so small I doubt you would notice it too much, still smaller than my wallet.

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 5:11:10 PM #

I have a Treo 300, and I agree that the SGH-i500 looks alot smaller and sleeker. But FYI, all the news blurbs seems to say that this thing will be out by 3rd quarter 2003!! That means like September/Ocotber at earliest if true!! By then, I imagine HS will come out with their new Treo anyway (this summer if I'm not mistaken)! I personally think I'll wait to see what HS comes up with, I really don't want to give up the QEWRTY keypad...

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

sandys @ 3/12/2003 5:20:38 PM #

Didn't know HS had any phone coming out, the treo has been an excellent product, the only let down for me being the paint, finish in that mine has scratches and stuff like that in the paint makes it look cheap, and the odd echo complaint from people but I have been dead happy with it, I am a patient man (sort of :) ) I'll wait and see, my treo is a 180g so the thumboard is not something I have used but reckon it is probably perfect for this sort of device what with typeing email and stuff, I am always making graffiti errors and often resort to using the pop up keyboard and tap typing :D

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 5:29:52 PM #

Sandys,

Here is a link to report about HS plans for a new Treo...

http://www.brighthand.com/article/RumorMill_New_Treo_Coming_This_Summer

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

sandys @ 3/12/2003 6:22:11 PM #

Thanks for that, looks like 2003 is going to be an interesting year for the smartphone let hope PalmOS devices can play in this game up against the likes of Nokia/Series60 and Microsoft/PocketPC who appear to me to have the better the better hardware on the UK market at the mo but don't yet have the PalmOS software base, or I should say the titles comparable to what I have on my device, at least if its a few months away I can save some cash up, Idoubt these beasties will by cheap even with carrier subsidy.

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

Scott R @ 3/13/2003 11:01:24 AM #

I have a Treo 300 and love it. This device looks amazing, but I'm concerned that the screen will be too small, resulting in poor usability. My Samsung i300 had a smaller-than-normal screen which allowed them to make the device nice and small, but the reduced-size screen resulted in the buttons being smaller, etc. making it less efficient to use. I think the Treo 300's screen size (not resolution mind you) is just about right.

Scott

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

sandys @ 3/13/2003 5:34:29 PM #

To be honest I thought the same thing about the Treo when I switched ( I came from a IIIx )and it wasn't a big deal, think of how usable most new phones are they have nothing near that sort of screen real estate and are still good to use

RE: Absolutely Brilliant

Scott R @ 3/13/2003 9:17:28 PM #

"think of how usable most new phones are they have nothing near that sort of screen real estate and are still good to use"

That's apples and oranges. You don't need to use a stylus on a typical phone. With a Palm OS device, you need a stylus to tap buttons, position the cursor on a line, etc. The smaller screen size will definitely decrease usability.

Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

MJGunn @ 3/12/2003 5:13:05 PM #

I would have figured they would have used 320x360 or something, so there would be a seperate spot at the top of the screen that would always be used for battery, signal strength, etc.

Ryan, is that screen resolution correct?

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 5:23:09 PM #

Some other sites are reporting the main TFT LCD screen resolution at 320-by-353 pixel? Which is correct here?

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

Admin @ 3/12/2003 6:17:00 PM #

The document I have states it's a 324x352 screen. However, thoose extra pixels are probably reserved for the phone status, and all palm os apps will likely only access the standard 320x320.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

CameraAssistant @ 3/12/2003 6:33:24 PM #

Take a look at the picture on this page and you will see that the top of the screen has Battery and Signal strength meters.

Also, take a look at the pictures at www.pdafrance.com and you will see that there is extra sreen space below the DateBook view.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

gfunkmagic @ 3/12/2003 6:42:35 PM #

Thanks for the explanations... :)

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

MJGunn @ 3/12/2003 7:11:44 PM #

>Take a look at the picture on this page and you will see that the top of the screen has Battery and Signal strength meters.

At the top of this page, theres signal/battery on the top, but then, in this pic http://www.pdafrance.com/img/pdanews2003/DSCN2316_s.jpg theres nothing.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

CameraAssistant @ 3/12/2003 7:50:45 PM #

I know. I just said that there is extra space below the Datebook view. Take a closer look.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

MJGunn @ 3/12/2003 8:19:42 PM #

Extra space with nothing in it, theres no indication it will be used for battery/signal strength. Also, that would be kind of annoying if it keeps moving from the top of the screen to the bottom.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

CameraAssistant @ 3/12/2003 11:08:06 PM #

What do you mean that there is no indication that the extra will be used for Battery and Signal Strength Meter. Take a look at the picture right in this article. As far as the picture of the datebook view: Yeah, I have no idea why the extra space is blank.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

Admin @ 3/12/2003 11:17:39 PM #

I assumed that it couldn't as that was the case with previous palm os samsung smartphones, but I may have been off as the pictures show otherwise. Unfortunately, I am not at CeBit and can't confirm anything on it.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 162x176!

JonathanChoo @ 3/13/2003 3:40:13 PM #

http://presse.samsung.de/shownews.asp?nid=697

unfortunately Samsung's website states that the display will feature a 162 x 176 display. Remember, OS 5 actually still supports the original native 160x160. In order to make this phone small, I guess they had to use the original 160x160 display plus extra pixels for the phone information. Now, if this is true Tungsten W still have an edge.

Current PDAs: Palm Tungsten T, HP Ipaq h5455

Past PDAs: Palm V, Palm m505, Palm m515, Sony Clie N770C/U, Sony Clie T625C, Sony Clie NR70V, Toshiba e310, Sony Clie NX60

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

Admin @ 3/13/2003 3:53:09 PM #

No, the resolution is indeed at least 320x320, you may be confusing that with a different samsung phone.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

JonathanChoo @ 3/13/2003 4:13:20 PM #

Not really, if you visit their German site that I just posted they stated under the heading SGH-I500. A post earlier by Jgp made me curious and I checked Samsung's Flash Cebit site www.samsung.com/cebit. Under the press release section titled "Samsung Electronics Introduces Range of Smart Phones". The specs for the SGH-I500 reads as:

BAND: GORS Tri-band 900/1800/1900 Mhz
DIMENSIONS: 87x54x26.9 (mm), 150 (g)
PLATFORM: Palm OS 5.2
DISPLAY: 162x176 pixels (324x352 support), TFT 64k colour
CAMERA: CMOS: 300k pixels
BATTERY: 1100/1700 mAh
MEMORY: Memory 32Mb DRAM
LAUNCHING: TBC

Now, I don't know what it meant by 324x352 support with a 162x176 display, but I am just trying to draw attention to the press release inconsistency. Many conclusions can be drawn from here. Is the OS doing 160x160 on a 320x320 display? Or is the 320x320 display an 'emulation'. (Like those PPC devices using JS LandscapeX). It maybe even Samsung's PR officer is confused with the SPH version. Or the phone software might be using 160x160 while the PalmOS mode will be switched to 320x320. Until someone has an actual screen capture of the SGH-I500 or Samsung's release a press release stating the res as 320x320 (or 324x352), I don't think we can really state 320x320 as a fact.

However I don't think we should distract from the fact that this phone is still a pretty damn device and my assumption is it does have a 320x320 display with a normal Samsung phone software (PalmOS switched off) running at 160x160 (standard Samsung colour phones runs at a similar res). this probably explains why there are reports of two separate flash ROMs/RAMS. In the German site it states that the PDA has 16Mb Flash ROM and 32Mb DRAM while the phone has 32Mb+4Mb SDRAM. I suspect for the phone function to work it required a further 4Mb SDRAM untouched by PalmOS while still able to access the PalmOS 32Mb DRAM.

Current PDAs: Palm Tungsten T, HP Ipaq h5455

Past PDAs: Palm V, Palm m505, Palm m515, Sony Clie N770C/U, Sony Clie T625C, Sony Clie NR70V, Toshiba e310, Sony Clie NX60

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

bx10 @ 3/13/2003 10:50:09 PM #

The display is 320x240, the 324x352 mentioned covers a dedicated area of the display which shows phone status.

RE: Surprised the resolution is only 320x320

Jarrod Cifer @ 3/16/2003 3:02:09 AM #

@ JonathanChoo

The people at the German PUG meeting in Hannover got to see the prototype, and although they couldn't use the camera (Battery was too weak), they were able to confirm the high-res screen. The sreen size is supposed to be about the same as an m105.

For the German capable among us here's the URL

http://www.nexave.de/news/more.php?news_id=741

--
J. Cifer

$10 vs $99 (or more)

drw @ 3/12/2003 6:31:23 PM #

I'm biased toward SPCS not because of reception or speed, but because of the unlimited data plan. As I read the the article my jaw kept dropping lower as the features were listed. Then came the "GPS/GPRS" :-( I frequently load pages that approach 100k, therefore the only prices I look at are for plans that offer unlimited data.

---
David

What nobody here seems to realize...

druce @ 3/13/2003 2:21:22 AM #

is that we ain't gonna see this phone for quite some time. For those of you that may remember, the Samsung I330 was first unvailed at the 2002 Winter Olympics, and it has only just started hitting shelves in February. Mid summer, pics started showing up about the SPH-I500, and it ain't here yet.

I remember when I first heard about the I330, I wanted to upgrade immediately. It was the coolest thing out their (I had the I300 at the time). I got tired of waiting, and upgraded to the Treo 300, and now that the I330 has hit the shelves, it already looks long in the tooth compaired to the Treo, the Kyocera, and even the Tungston T.

The SGH-I500 would be very cool, if they were talking about delivering it during the first half of this year. I suspect that nobody will actually get their hands on this device until the first quarter of 2004. By then, who knows what will be around. It's easy to boast about such great features, when you can wait around until the features are old hat.

I am not quite sure what Samsung is doing by preannouncing stuff this early. Don't they realize that they are making products that they haven't aready released yet (like the SPH-I500) look obsolete?

RE: What nobody here seems to realize...

hkklife @ 3/13/2003 9:33:38 AM #

I agree...I've still yet to see the Kyocera 7135 *anywhere*, including Alltel. I did see an Alltel kiosk at the mall with a brochure and sign promoting the 7135, but the salesman (otherwise knwoledgeable) said he had never seen one, never handled one, and never known anyone who had purchased one--but if I signed up for a new account with them and pre-paid for the phone, he'd get it shipped to me in a few days' time. I was like "buddy, you've got to be kididng me" and he was like "nah, seriously, look at this screen from these pictures--it's gonna be killer!" I didn't even attempt to tell him that those screenshots were simulated. I just thanked him and walked off.

Palm is really going to start losing ground rapidly to MS on all fronts (PDAs, smartphones etc) if this trend continues. Products with moderately reasonable feature sets are announced (T|W, Kyocera), months pass, then the product finally is released, only to suffer from half-baked quality control and/or bundled software (T|T), rapidly underwhelming tech specs, or some other easy fixable yet semi-crippling design flaw (Sony buttons & up/down rocker)

I'm really holding out hope that the majority of devices announced at CeBit and released in the 2nd half of '03 will finally show some serious thought put into design and the benefit of user complaints/feedback.

RE: What nobody here seems to realize...

JonathanChoo @ 3/13/2003 3:49:53 PM #

Actually PalmOS devices still have an edge over PocketPCs - the variations. PPC has become so predictable over the past year that currently almost all PPC has the same specs. 64Mb RAM, 32Mb ROM, PPC 2002, 240x320 res. The only one worth mentioning would be the h5455 with biometric scanner and both WiFi and Bluetooth and the Toshiba e550c with flash camera and 128Mb RAM. I am glad the PalmOS market are full of PDAs at different people with different needs.

Current PDAs: Palm Tungsten T, HP Ipaq h5455

Past PDAs: Palm V, Palm m505, Palm m515, Sony Clie N770C/U, Sony Clie T625C, Sony Clie NR70V, Toshiba e310, Sony Clie NX60

NOTICE THIS!

glennmarclee @ 3/13/2003 6:35:47 AM #

hey did anyone notice that its got two battery icons on the top? i'm sorry if some one posted this already..sorta just browsed thru..oh and in this picture there arent any screws at the top on opposite sides of the microphone... the pictures from pdafrance.com and the ones posted here are slightly different.. guess the ones posted here are just the pre production pictures eh? anyway still a great looking thing...looks like the best thing around since bread came sliced.. cheers

you laugh at me cause i'm different... i laugh cause you are all the same...

RE: NOTICE THIS!

karrock @ 3/13/2003 2:52:34 PM #

One battery icon is part of the phone's dedicated status area, the other is standard in the PalmOS Applications interface.

I Wonder....

ozz @ 3/13/2003 9:31:30 AM #

....if Samsung could make this with dual GSM AND CDMA all in one smartphone? Now THAT would be cool!

RE: I Wonder....

maao @ 3/13/2003 8:03:09 PM #

You'll never see a dual mode phone, unless a carrier supports both GSM and CDMA technology infrastructures. Why? Because they have to buy the phones to sell, which means they have to have a reason to buy dual-mode phones. If you as a carrier knew that this phone would be supporting both yourself and a GSM competitor, at your expense (since you paid for the phone), then why would you want to do this? You wouldn't, therefore dual-mode phones won't be supported by any carrier. They have enough trouble keeping people from switching as it is now.

RE: I Wonder....

bx10 @ 3/13/2003 10:53:01 PM #

Its called GAIT technology and Nokia has one, the 6340 and it is available on Cingular although lots of people have them working in dual mode here in canada

http://www.nokiausa.com/phones/6340

RE: I Wonder....

MJGunn @ 3/14/2003 12:31:21 AM #

Gait is actually tdma + gsm, not cdma + gsm

RE: I Wonder....

ozz @ 3/14/2003 1:04:26 AM #

What's the difference between TDMA and CDMA?

Finally, hope this is just the beginning

screwtinize @ 3/13/2003 10:23:29 AM #

Tungsten Who?

RE: Finally, hope this is just the beginning

BlueAnon @ 3/13/2003 2:40:53 PM #

Tungsten | Whatever

RE: Finally, hope this is just the beginning

JonathanChoo @ 3/13/2003 4:33:05 PM #

T/W has already been released to consumers, this hasn't.

Current PDAs: Palm Tungsten T, HP Ipaq h5455

Past PDAs: Palm V, Palm m505, Palm m515, Sony Clie N770C/U, Sony Clie T625C, Sony Clie NR70V, Toshiba e310, Sony Clie NX60

SpeakerPhone

Tony_ensemble @ 3/13/2003 11:12:25 PM #

Has anyone noticed that they never mentioned a speakerphone? I would assume that this is one of the easier things to add to the phone. I hope this just an oversite.

RE: SpeakerPhone

ozz @ 3/13/2003 11:41:08 PM #

Also, I didn't see Voice Memo mentioned as a feature. Or did I miss it? That would be a MUST feature for me, anyway.

Wheres the Grafitti input?

Xizor @ 3/14/2003 12:32:23 PM #

Any details on whether we enter on the screen or a virtual grafitti area? Very nice looking device besides. The other question is how do ebooks read on this thing?

RE: Wheres the Grafitti input?

skytraveler @ 5/4/2003 5:12:21 AM #

This device will use Graffiti II, which means you can write directly on the screen. No dedicated Graffiti area is required.

The SkyTraveler

palm/sprint users get screwed yet again

crogs @ 3/15/2003 2:19:26 AM #

why is it that palm users on sprint get the bottom of the technological barrel? The Samsung SPH-I330 and I500 are the lowest end palm smartphones on the market and always will be. We have no options of external LCD's, multimedia capability, expansion slots, cameras. All of those features are reserved for pocket pc users and subscribers of other mobile carriers. Sprint has already denied palm users of a top flight smartphone in the Kyocera 7135, and now Samsung is giving us a smack in the face saying we should be content with I500 which is showing itself to be somewhat obsolete or useless before it's even hit the market by showing us what their design team can really come up with. Samsung should live by the modified Nike motto, "Don't Just Do It. Do It Right!"

palm/sprint users get screwed yet again

crogs @ 3/15/2003 2:19:26 AM #

RE: palm/sprint users get screwed yet again

crogs @ 3/15/2003 2:40:42 AM #

sorry for the double entry. hit the refresh by accident.

RE: palm/sprint users get screwed yet again

ConceptVBS @ 3/15/2003 5:59:48 PM #

If Samsung goes back and changes the SPH-i500 with the CDMA equivalent of SGH-i500, then it would take them an additional 6 months for the product to pass FCC certification, Sprint's testing and finally be on the market for sale. Would you want to wait that long? Besides, Samsung's responsibility of developing the SPH-i500 is done. Sprint now has the baton. We all knew that didnt we? So to blame the delay of release on Samsung isnt quite logical. I think people should realize that as time passes, things get better. Thats a fact and it aint changin.

BTW, one crucial feature that the SPH-i500 has over the SGH-i500 is high speed data connectivity, specifically, Vision for Sprint PCS; up to 144kbps compared vs up to 56kbps.

stylus

harbik @ 3/16/2003 4:43:39 AM #

Is there a Stylus bin with SGH-i500 or not??

RE: stylus

ConceptVBS @ 3/19/2003 10:28:05 AM #

There is.

Picture of the camera on the back

ConceptVBS @ 3/19/2003 10:27:20 AM #

http://www.cetizen.com/forum/attach/download/1048071742_sm07.jpg

RE: Picture of the camera on the back

glennmarclee @ 3/22/2003 11:31:04 AM #

thanks a ton..have been dying o see it would look like..anymore pictures??

you laugh at me cause i'm different... i laugh cause you are all the same...

T9?

kev @ 4/2/2003 10:51:25 AM #

so does this puppy do t9 (predictive text) entry?

Why no swivel hinge like on their EPOC-based phone?

diment0 @ 4/22/2003 7:15:15 AM #

Hello, has anyone been able to figure out why Samsung decided to go against a swivel hinge (open, swivel by 180 degrees, fold back functionality)? As it is now, I imagine actually using the stylus with the touch screen is going to be a bit awkward. And even if it does support T9 predicitve text entry, nobody wants to enter an a new address or memopad entry using only the number pad. Afaik, Samsung has decided to go with the swivel hinge for their EPOC-based phone. I wonder what the rationale behind those deicisions was.

If the PalmOS-based Samsung phone had a swivel hinge, I think it would be close to perfection for a flip-cover phone/ stylus-based handheld combo. Best, Chris.

RE: Why no swivel hinge like on their EPOC-based phone?

ConceptVBS @ 4/22/2003 3:03:33 PM #

http://www.pdaclub.nl/cebit2003/samsung_scherm.jpg

RE: Why no swivel hinge like on their EPOC-based phone?

ConceptVBS @ 4/22/2003 3:06:25 PM #

They actually have a proprietary OS phone with a swivel screen that rotates 180 degrees in their home market. It is operated by the use of a stylus and uses the whole screen as a "grafitti" area.

RE: Why no swivel hinge like on their EPOC-based phone?

ConceptVBS @ 4/22/2003 3:10:21 PM #

More pictures:

All kinds of info - Except how to find one!

emhcee @ 6/6/2003 9:35:13 PM #

I'm a newbie to the site, but everyone sure seems to be up on their tech/phone knowledge...

I want to know the meat and potatoes though, enough beating around the bush... Where does one go to buy this phone?

Mike

RE: All kinds of info - Except how to find one!

mitec @ 7/18/2003 10:53:15 AM #

No Bluetooth ???

(")SADDLY("), the TREO 600 will be better...

AJSB @ 8/15/2003 5:57:14 PM #

1st things 1st...this is my 1st post here so,
be easy with me ;-)

Why is the Treo600 better ?
1-NO fragile clamshell
2-thumb keyboard...its gonna be interesting
w/o a graphiti area in the lower part to input
data with the stylus in the upper part w/o pressing
lower part keys, with accuracy and all this w/o
getting too tired at same time...trust me, its gonna
be *VERY* interesting...
3-the lower LCD resolution of the Treo600 is actually
an advantage...HUH ?!?...trust me, when you
gonna try to play that "standard" OS5 action game
made for 320x320 LCDs with a *bigger* dot pitch
in mind (that cant play in the Treo600),
you will find the pixels actually too small
in the SGH and soon will drop the game...and i could
give more examples.

Why SADDLY did i say ?
1- TREO's 600 darn hardwired battery...i hate toose
darn non-replaceable_by_the_user batteries...
Maybe the Treo610 got it right...yeah, right...
Now you know im still using a TRGpro...

RE: (

AJSB @ 8/15/2003 8:02:08 PM #

Just to clarify...in point 2 of why the Treo600
is better, i meant that the thumb keyboard is better
because thanks to it, you avoid as much as possible
to use the stylus wheres with the SGH, you gonna need
to use the stylus alot to input data (forget T9...its
c**p)...

RE: (

moofie @ 9/18/2003 1:29:06 AM #

Yeah, it's much better if you can't play the game AT ALL than to have the game be perfectly playable if you were to, say, move the thing a few inches closer to your nose.

Your reasoning is flawed. The reason I won't be buying a Treo 600 is the lack of the high-res screen. This was a huge gaffe on their part.

Wow

arielex @ 11/3/2003 6:49:37 AM #

Wow. *drool*

Hopefully Samsung won't do the infamous "Announce really great product, but let people wait 6 months for it, and release it when it's old news"-trick ;-), as so many manufacturers do.
And why did Samsung already announce this phone, while it's 'predecessor', the SPH-I500, wasn't even for sale? Doesn't make sense for me.

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