(Click here for larger view of the Samsung Blackjack)Touted by Samsung as having particularly loyal fans, the
Blackjack was introduced in November 2006. One of the thinnest smartphones of its time, the Blackjack still compares favorably in that respect, as the following specifications released by the company show:
- Processor -- not specified
- Memory -- 64MB RAM; 128MB flash
- Display -- 2.3-inch QVGA TFT LCD, 16-bit color
- I/O port -- USB 2.0
- Expansion -- microSD slot
- Wireless:
- Quad‐band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
- UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Bluetooth Profiles -- A2DP, Headset, Handsfree, Serial Port, File Transfer, Object Push
- Camera -- 1.3 megapixel, video-capable
- Dimensions -- 4.45 x 2.32 x 0.46 inches (113 x 59 x 11.8 mm)
- Weight -- 3.4 ounces (95g)
Samsung's downloadable upgrade now adds the features typical of
Windows Mobile 6, whose key enhancements include an email client compatible with HTML and push email, and better support for Microsoft Office documents. Security features were also upgraded, with new Exchange Server policies and certificate options, and storage card encryption.
Available from a Samsung webpage, the upgrade, which the company says will only function with Windows 2000 or XP, could be too complicated for non-technical users. It requires the following steps, according to Samsung:
- Download and unzip the software upgrade
- Install ActiveSync 4.2 or higher on a desktop computer, if not already present
- Back up all data, which will be erased from the Blackjack as a result of the upgrade
- Download and install Samsung modem drivers
- Change the phone's USB connection from "ActiveSync" mode to "modem"
- Connect the phone to the PC, which will install the Samsung Mobile Modem Diagnostic Serial Port (WDM) into its copy of Windows
- Disable USB connections in ActiveSync on the desktop
- Run the unzipped "upgrade.exe" on the desktop, which requires entering a supplied ID and key
- Put the Blackjack into special USB downloader mode
- Continue running the desktop update program
- Connect the Blackjack to the PC and wait while its software upgrades
- Reboot the handheld to its Today screen, then enter the code "*2767*3855#" to format its embedded file system
- After the phone has rebooted again, enther "*#1234#" to verify its new software version
Samsung says there are no plans to roll out Windows Mobile 6 on newly produced Blackjacks. Therefore, even those who buy a phone subsequent to this release will have to perform the above upgrade steps.
The upgrade will remain on Samsung's website for an unlimited time, but there are no plans to update it incrementally to Windows Mobile 6.1, according to the company. To download the Blackjack upgrade, go
here.
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