(Click here for a larger view of AT&T's Samsung Jack)
Samsung's Blackjack II
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AT&T's new Jack is the latest in a line of QWERTY phones from Samsung that are reportedly among the best-selling Windows Mobile devices, starting with the original
Blackjack, and continuing on with the SGH-i617
BlackJack II shown at right. (Confusingly, Samsung has already marketed a SGH-i616 "Jack" in Canada, which is apparently similar to the Blackjack II, but with just dual-band (900 and 1800MHz) GSM and 2100MHz UMTS capabilities.)
The SGH-i637 Jack follows the formula of these predecessor devices faithfully, combining a similar QWERTY keyboard with a non-touchscreen display and a centrally mounted pointing device. A key addition, however, is the new phone's WiFi capability. Meanwhile, the camera's resolution has been upped to 3.2 megapixels, and RAM is now 256MB. As before, however, the 2.4-inch screen has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA).
AT&T says the Jack runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard, and promises that the device will be upgradeable to
Windows Mobile 6.5 later this year. In addition to WiFi and stereo Bluetooth, the phone also includes a GPS receiver, though this has apparently been locked so as to require a subscription to the carrier's AT&T Navigator service.
As is too often the case with carriers, AT&T doesn't reveal what processor the Jack employs, so we can't tell you whether those switching from the Blackjack or Blackjack II will enjoy a speed upgrade. (The Blackjack II employed a 260MHz TI OMAP2420 CPU and had 128MB of RAM.) Operating frequencies, battery type, and dimensions also weren't released. However, the Jack is touted as having "world phone" capabilities, and likely includes tri-band 3G UMTS/HSDPA and quad-band EDGE/GPRS, as did the Blackjack II.
AvailabilityAccording to AT&T, the Jack will be available on May 19 for approximately $100, following a two-year service agreement and a $100 rebate.
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