| Windows phone sports "optical mouse" |
Oct. 21, 2008
 AT&T has announced a new Windows Mobile 6.1 phone that offers both a touchscreen and a built-in "optical mouse." The Samsung Epix also includes a 2.5-inch display, QWERTY keyboard, GPS, WiFi, stereo Bluetooth, a two megapixel camera, and a microSD expansion slot, according to the company.
(Click here for a larger view of Samsung's Epix)
Samsung's SGH-i780
(Click image for further information) |
Though new to the U.S., the Samsung Epix is apparently a modified version of the manufacturer's SGH-i780 (right), which was launched onto the European market last year. The SGH-i780 first introduced Samsung's "optical mouse," actually a small touchpad that lets users start applications and manipulate a mouse pointer onscreen.
A Windows Mobile Professional 6.1 device, the Epix also has a 2.5-inch touchscreen display that may be used either with fingers or with a supplied stylus, according to AT&T. In addition, there's a full QWERTY keyboard built into the top of the device, giving users a total of four different ways to interact with the phone.
AT&T touts the Epix's ability to make voice calls in more than 200 countries, and data calls in more than 150 countries. The device's "world phone" capabilities are provided by 850/900/1800/1900MHz (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) and 850/1900/2100MHz (UMTS/HSDPA), according to the company. It's said the Epix can download data at up to 3.6MBbps on HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) networks.
Other wireless capabilities for the Epix include 802.11b/g wireless, GPS, and Bluetooth. Unlike the majority of phones, the Epix is said to include an A2DP (advanced audio distribution profile) as part of its Bluetooth stack, allowing it to stream music in stereo to compatible headphones.
According to AT&T, the Samsung Epix has 150MB of RAM and 250MB of flash storage, expandable via a microSD expansion slot. Neither AT&T nor Samsung reveals what processor the Epix (or its transatlantic cousin, for that matter) uses. However, third-party reports have claimed the SGH-i780 uses a 624MHz Marvell PXA310 CPU, which has presumably been retained here.
Definitely carried over from the SGH-i780 to the Epix is the device's dimensions, which, at 4.6 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches (116 x 61 x 13mm), make the phone one of the slimmer smartphones on the market. According to AT&T, the phone has an 1800mAh battery which provides up to seven hours of talk time, and up to 14 days of standby.
Michael Woodward, vice president, business mobility products for AT&T's wireless unit, said "AT&T and Samsung have had a very successful history of bringing innovative smartphones, such as the Blackjack [link] and Blackjack II [link], to market."
Features and specifications listed by AT&T and Samsung for the Epix include:- Processor -- n/s (but believed to be Marvell PXA310 clocked at 624MHz)
- Memory -- 150MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage
- Display -- 2.5 inch display with 320 x 320 pixel resolution
- Camera -- 2 megapixel
- Keyboard -- QWERTY keyboard and optical mouse
- Wireless:
- WAN -- 850/900/1800/1900MHz (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) and 850/1900/2100MHz (UMTS/HSDPA)
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- GPS
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP profile
- Other I/O -- not cited, but presumably includes headphone and USB ports
- Expansion -- microSD slot
- Battery type/life:
- 1800mAH battery
- Talk time -- 7 hours
- Standby time -- 14 days
- Dimensions -- 4.6 x 2.4 x 0.5 inches (116 x 61 x 13mm)
- Weight -- 4.4 ounces (125g)
AT&T did not specify an exact release date for the Epix, but said the device will be available for a post-rebate price of $200, with a two-year service agreement. More information may be available on the company's website, here.
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