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Samsung Almost Tempted Me

The full page ad for the new Samsung SCH-i730 caught my attention. This is a Windows Mobile™ 2003 Pocket PC device, slightly smaller than the Treo 650, but with a larger screen thanks to the slide out keyboard, Bluetooth, integrated WiFi … oh yeah! … until I noticed that it is a CDMA device only, no GSM, which means that it is a Verizon only device for now, and not really useful for anyone who travels much. Grrrrrrr!

8 responses to “Samsung Almost Tempted Me”

  1. Mike Rankin Avatar
    Mike Rankin

    Not to mention the problems you may have with the sound quality.
    http://mrmx.blogspot.com/2005/06/sprint-vs-verizon-wireless.html

  2. Roland Collins Avatar
    Roland Collins

    Thankfully, I rarely travel, so this device was perfect for me. I love it – the bluetooth and WiFi support are fantastic, and Verizon’s high-speed EvDO network lets me surf (and use the phone as a modem) at broadband speeds! It’s extremely well made and Windows Mobile 2003 is actually very stable and for the most part pleasant to operate 🙂

  3. Ben Forta Avatar
    Ben Forta

    Gee, thanks Roland. 😉 Well, if they end up creating a GSM version (quad-band) I’ll definitley give it a try.

  4. Dave Barnhart Avatar
    Dave Barnhart

    Strangly enough, you can connect via WiFi only by disabling the rest of the phone. Yes, that’s right, even though it has aWiFi interface, you cannot talk on the phone and surf via WiFi at the same time.

  5. Ben Forta Avatar
    Ben Forta

    Dave, how nice, so this one belongs in the another-not-quite-there device list. Shame.

  6. Nick Kwiatkowski Avatar
    Nick Kwiatkowski

    Never will I ever buy a Samsung Windows Mobile device again. I was forced to switch from ATT Wireless (Moto MPX220) to the Samsung i600. Both run Windows Mobile 2003, but the Samsung for some odd reason crashes more often then my old ME box. Random hang-ups, missed calls, loud ringing while I’m on the phone, on top of VZ’s find "quality" network.
    Ben, I know your not a fan of Moto, but I’d stay clear of some of the Samsung Smart Devices…

  7. Dan Skaggs Avatar
    Dan Skaggs

    If you’re not tied to Verizon, the Siemens SX-66 available through Cingular is, in my opinion, a very good all-in-one device. It has WiFi and Bluetooth and is a GSM phone.
    I owned a Samsung SCH-i700 while on Verizon and I like the features and functions of the SX-66 better. The SX-66 also has the slide-out keyboard, but I don’t use it much as I got accustomed to writing with the letter recognizer when I had the Samsung.
    I even use mine to listen to MP3s with as I’m on the riding mower cutting the lawn.

  8. Steve Avatar
    Steve

    Dave,
    My guess is that the WiFi signal might cause problems with the cellular signal and that is why they have a one or the other approach. Similar discussions have come up when people asked why the Treo 650 did not have WiFi. I believe PalmOne mentioned interference problems.
    Steve

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