enV and UpStage -- alternative to iPhone? pt.2

(link to pt1)

Samsung UpStage

Music continues to dominate our lives. Maybe because listening to music is a choice that we personally make, only limited by a handful of restrictions, mainly the lack of music at the time we want it. The convergence of cell phones and walkmans (iPods for the hipper crowd) chips away at another restriction for instant music satisfaction. You shall no longer be inconvenienced with carrying 2 gadgets (cell phone or iPod) when you jog, grocery shop, etc. Most of us just carries our cell phones, neglecting iPods for more leisurely time. But if the cell phone also plays music as well, we will use it.

Meet the new Samsung UpStage, a two-sided mobile device that's both a phone and a music player.

• Music can be downloaded from your PC or from the Sprint Music StoreSM - then listen to it all through the stereo speaker or a stereo Bluetooth headset
• With the big, beautiful, 262,000-color display so you can watch music videos or Sprint TVSM. Just hit "play.
• The UpStage has a sweet 1.3 megapixel camera and camcorder so you'll never miss a photo op again
• Connecting to Bluetooth-enabled headsets, hands free car systems and compatible printers sounds good, doesn't it? Well, connecting to your music with a stereo Bluetooth headset sounds even better

The Samsung UpStage is very convenient to carry around at only 0.4 inches thick. To be exact, the weight and dimensions are 4.1 x 1.7 x 0.4 inches; 2.6 ounces.

Be sure to read customer reviews. They caution on the inconvenience of having a 2-sided cell phone. Mainly, it's bothersome having to flip the phone around when dialing because the touchpad is on the other side of the screen (see above).





As of April 2007, the UpStage is heavily promoted with a new plan purchase that will make it FREE to you after rebates.



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Samsung SCH-u340 (Verizon)

A scene from "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" (1986):

[faced with a 20th century computer]
Scotty: Computer. Computer?
[Bones hands him a mouse and he speaks into it]
Scotty: Hello, computer.
Dr. Nichols: Just use the keyboard.
Scotty: Keyboard. How quaint.

I always thought that some things from sci-fi movies eventually become reality. In one of the Star Trek films, the crew of the Enterprise travelled back in time to save the Earth. In one scene, Scotty, the engineer from the future, was trying to use a 20th century computer (an Apple Mac of all things) by simply giving it a voice command. When the computer wouldn't respond, Bones picked up the mouse and handed it to Scotty to speak into. It was a classic scene that remained burned in my head.

Twenty years later, voice commands seem to be nearing practical stages that it permeates everyday use. Because of the "No-cell-phone-while-driving" laws being passed by many state and local governments, voice activation should really be considered by cellphone users or face stiff penalty. I'd be really embarassed if I get a ticket because I was dialing my cell phone while driving. And would feel like a complete loser if I get in an accident as I dialed.

Here's the Samsung SCH-u340 - a cell phone with voice activated commands. It can be dialed using only your voice. I'm sure there are other cell phones out there that have the same features, but it might cost you money even after rebates. The SCH-u340 will cost you $0.01 from Amazon if purchased with a Verizon plan, shipping included.

Here are the quick specs for the techy minded:

• Integrated VGA Digital Camera to capture those unexpected moments
• Integrated Speakerphone for conference calls or hands free operation
• Personal Organizer: Calendar w/ Scheduler, Note Pad
• Phone book with up to 500 Entries with multiple contacts
• Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4

Don't forget to read reviews.

You can browse for more free promotional or cell phones for $0.01 from Verizon or buy the Samsung SCH-u340.

Happy hunting!

Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Verizon, Samsung SCH-u340, voice activated phone, hands free phone

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