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.



Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Sprint, Samsung UpStage, iPhone alternative

Save To del.icio.ous

enV and UpStage -- alternative to iPhone? pt1

In anticipation of the iPhone's debut, two companies released their own entry in the "next evolution" of mobile technology. The Samsung UpStage through Sprint and LG enV through Verizon are here as alternative to iPhones for those who aren't presold to the iPhone yet.

Both companies are aggressively pursuing the market through incentives and bonus. Their rebates are practically giving these phones away.


LG enV (Verizon)



Forget for a second that this is a nice phone. The LG enV gives you access to all kinds of multimedia functions that could make PCs extinct.

Inside the fold, you get:
- a QWERTY keypad with
- a large screen (240x320 pix) screen for viewing CNN, ESPN, or E channel programs from Verizon's VCast. Sesame Street is also available for kids.

The video transmission is well-supported by Verizon's EVDO high speed data. Which makes playing enhanced 3D games a great experience.

The slim packaging is not too shabby either. It's about the size of a standard iPod. Which by the way, the enV comes with
- an advanced MP3 player and
- dual stereo speakers.




Remember my post on cell phone bans while driving? The LG enV is completely hands free ready:
- voice command activation for many of the phone's function, including dialing
- text-to-speech ability so that you may hear emails to you, and
- Bluetooth enabled so that you can use your favorite headsets.

Lastly, the camera can capture videos for about 15 secs. The camera also has a 2 mega pix resolution.


As of 4/13/07, there's a mail-in rebate for $150 USD which would eventually give you the phone for free. Don't forget to read the reviews. There are plenty from Amazon customers.

I noticed a negative review worth mentioning, but it's regarding the rebates.

Hence, I'm including a link to LetsTalk.com as an alternative. This site also has rebates that would eventually be FREE to you. More importantly, LetsTalk.com has an order / rebate status page for easier management.


LG enV (Verizon Wireless)

Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Verizon, LG enV, iPhone alternative, free cellphone

Save To del.icio.ous

The basic Black: Sony Ericsson W810

Ever notice that the color black is a fashion statement? You see 'em in black tie affairs of the wealthy and even in the eclectic world of goths. Also, black sports cars are preferred by many. A black sports car does not scream, "Look at me!!", but it nevertheless attracts attention. A black cell phone can do the same. Pullout a black cell phone and your likely to catch the eye of onlookers and subtlety pique their interests.

Here's a black cell phone to look at:

Sony Ericsson W810

A great cellphone that doubles as a powerful walkman. In fact, it comes with the Disc2Phone™ program so that you may easily copy music from your CD or PC. The Sony Ericsson W810 already has a fan base. It's predecessor is the successful Sony Ericsson W800.

The W810 comes with a 2 megapixel camera with an autofocus; just in case you see Paris Hilton walking down the street. By the way, top selling digital cameras are in the 5-10 megapixel range. So this camera is not groundbreaking, but it's not bad for a cellphone. You may also take videos with this cell phone. The screen is large enough.

Here's an interactive video for you to see.

So if you're a music lover who's always out and about, this is the cell phone for you.

Be sure to read the Amazon customer reviews for the Sony Ericsson W810.

Summary

• Disc2Phone™ music copying software is supplied in the W810 kit and it’s easy to copy songs from your favorite CDs, and PC music folders
• The built-in W810 2 megapixel digital camera with autofus takes excellent photos and when you need to catch some action, W810 has video too
• Sharing images and other phone content is easy. Use Bluetooth™, or Multimedia messaging when you want to send images and video
• Wherever you are, you have high speed access to the internet with EDGE technology
• A full-function email client in your W810 gives you access to your inbox wherever you go

Dimensions

• Size (LWH): 3.54 inches, 1.85 inches, 0.96 inches
  
• Weight: 3.31569664902998 ounces

Product Features

• Network Compatibility: GSM
• Phone Book Capacity: 250 Entries
• Minimum Rated Talk Time: 450 minutes
• Minimum Rated Standby Time: 275 hours
• Battery Type: Lithium Ion

Buy the Sony Ericsson W810i Phone from Amazon under Cingular.

Buy it unlocked from Amazon.

Customize your Sony Ericsson W810: http://www.myw810.lasyk.net/

Technorati Tags: cellphone, cell phone, Cingular, Sony Ericsson W810, Ericsson, black cell phone

Save To del.icio.ous