G-A on Akihabara News has just posted pictures of Samsung’s new UltraSmart F700, an obvious answer to the iPhone’s full screen design.
He rightly says, ” I must admit that your iPHONE gave other manufacturers a kick in the butt that awakened them. And thanks to the future availability of your iPHONE, others will really have to work hard to maintain their market share. ”
I don’t know if the Samsung will be a solid answer to the iPhone or not, but it is a very interesting design.
According to the press release he has posted:
Seoul, February 8th, 2007 – Samsung today announced a new addition to its Ultra portfolio with the introduction of Ultra Smart F700. This revolutionary mobile phone will be showcased at 3GSM World Congress, the largest telecommunications event, next week. The F700 features unrivaled design and brings a superior range of multimedia experiences to consumers.
The Ultra Smart is a part of Samsung’s Ultra portfolio which boasts a full touch screen as well as QWERTY key pad. It reflects the recent trend in telecommunications industry of touch screen user interface and, for users who are not yet familiar with a touch-screen-only user interface, it also implements a QWERTY key pad and VibeTonz technology which allows them to feel the buttons accompanied by responsive vibrations. A “Drag and drop†method of touch screen was adopted for easier menu navigation along with music play list control for an expanded multimedia experience. Volume, play lists, brightness of screens as well as other menu control can be controlled utilizing the touch screen.
As speed is becoming crucial for data communications, Samsung has included the latest trends in mobile to the Ultra Smart F700. The Ultra Smart reflects the latest speed of 7.2 Mbps under the High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) network. Once the 7.2 Mbps HSDPA network completely deployed, F700 users can download an mp3 song (about 4MB each) in 4.4 seconds. A full HTML browser along with the QWERTY key pad enables easy access to the internet for e-mail and data services. Using the new F700, business and creative professionals are able to view content on a stunning 2.78″ color display. The device features first class entertainment with a top-of-the-line 5 mega-pixel camera with auto focus and Bluetooth. With 7.2 Mbps HSDPA, it makes it easier to watch videos, listen to songs, share high-quality photos, or catch up on email on the move.
“The introduction of our Ultra Smart F700 reflects the needs of today’s consumers by including features such as touch screen, enhanced connectivity to mobile internet, and access to an array of multimedia content,†said Geesung Choi, President of Samsung’s Telecommunications Network Business. “The Ultra Smart F700 is a good example of how mobile phone will evolve in the future. Samsung will focus on bringing products that reflect and pursue our position as a premium leaderâ€.
its very cool, its a copy of the iPhone other then the keyboard, which i think is cool, but look at how thich the phone is, like 16-18mm, compared to the 11mm on the iPhone. The interface is the main thing, i dont think anyone will catch up to the iPhones interface for a while
I have to admit that at first glance – I like the idea of the keyboard, even if it adds a little bit more thickness. I still have a problem with sticking my thumbs all over my phone’s screen to type…but that may change once I have an iPhone in my hand. We shall see. ;-)
I still have a problem with the slide-out keyboard form factor. Which is one of the main reason why I don’t care too much for the Cingular 8525 (HTC Hermes).
The fact that it has a 5mp camera, and Samsung are usually pretty good with them swings it for me.
The camera on the D900 is pretty much the most underrated gem on the market today imo.
Looks Good. However, with the iphones larger screen, thinner design, WIFI built in and ability to sync with itunes it is a major selling point. Also, does this have video conferencing with the camera on the front near the screen? I hope there is another camera/lens on the back how is one supposed to frame a picture without knowing what you are shooting…I guess you are only supposed to take pictures of yourself.
Samsung just put Apple iPhone out of business before it even began.
What was apple thinking? There are many major well funded cell phone companies out there…..Apple didnt stand a chance.
This isnt just sony they are dealing with .
“apple didn’t stand a chance”?
the damn iphone isn’t even released yet.
cool your jets overreaction-boy.
Does anyone know which OS the f700 is running? What about storage and whether there will be 3rd party apps?
The benefit of a thinner phone is limited. For you little people out there perhaps smaller is better, but I have big hands. I don’t want some rinky dink Zoolander phone. Function is most important, then ergonomics, and then style. Oh and you might want to put durability near the top of the list with these new phones. If neither the iPhone nor this Samsung can handle multiple drops from 6 feet onto concrete like my older Samsung S105 of Moto v600 then forget it, these will fail imo.
Apple and LG deserve credit for overhauling the form factor of the modern cell phone. Touch screen is in. But there is a lot more coming. For starters, you gamers out ther keep your eye on 3rd party vendors who will be developing mobile-specific titles that integrate GPS technology into the game experience. Imagine playing a 1st person shooter with your real neighborhood as the background, or real-time poker with actual neighbors you haven’t even met? It’s coming friends. The stakes are raised and it’s going to be great.
Scot Cerullo
For you APPLE lovers and APPLE haters let me add a layer to your product evaluation toolkit. Apple has never been about the numbers. Apple’s focus has always been to create an EXPERIENCE. A pleasure and joy of use that elevates their products to more that just tools, they become part of our lives. Try forgetting the numbers for a moment and consider how this product will make people FEEL….
Experience, you say? I do agree – there is a coercive experience that seems to radiate from Apple. I am looking forward to the iPhone, but with the emergence of Samsung’s alternative, I am now waiting simply for the next generation of cell phones and handheld electronics in general.
Like… I have an iPod Nano, 1st Gen. I only got it because .. well almost everybody has one, and I don’t mind the clickwheel system. But it runs Rockbox. I don’t like Apple, but I like their products. Hehe. (sure, I sacrificed iTunes, but OC Remix isn’t on there anyway :P).
2007 ought to be a good year.
This is fantastic but does anyone know when it will be on the market?
“iPhone…U DON’T ANSWER”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0loo3330as
just because iphone released first doesnt mean that they made the touchscreen phone first…