Samsung SGH-i500
14 April 2003
Written by Kinny Cheng
The Samsung SGH-i500 will be Samsung’s first smartphone using the Palm OS 5.2 operating system, and will include features enabling multimedia communications (alike other MMS-capable handsets) on top of the basic PDA functionality found in Palm OS based devices.
Something different about the i500 being a Palm device is its physical design. Instead of having a simple, large screen design, the entire user interface is actually all packed neatly into a standard clamshell. A high-resolution 65K-colour TFT LCD screen is used to display the traditional Palm OS interface. Whenever the i500 clamshell is closed, the external 256-colour OLED display will keep you posted on the current date and time, and any awaiting messages or missed calls.
What differs the i500 from the rest is its integrated GSM radio with tri-band compatibility. This GSM 900/1800/1900 smartphone can be used on most GSM networks throughout the world, while the built-in 300K CMOS digital camera will allow still images to be taken and sent to other MMS-capable handsets or as an email attachment.
A media pack is included on the i500 allowing its user to playback audio and video clips, as well as managing still images. Up to 32MB of memory is available internally, while an SDIO slot will cater for SD-based memory cards should you ever need more space.
Other practical features includes a built-in WAP 2.0 browser, Java application compatibility (abiding by MIDP 2.0 specifications), GPRS Class 8 data connectivity in addition to standard GSM Data speeds, and the ability to utilise SDIO expansion cards designed for Palm OS devices.
No exact date has been announced for the i500, but we are expecting it to hit markets sometime during or after the third quarter of 2003.
|
FYI .:. the
Samsung SGH-i500
(ETA to be confirmed by Samsung) |
| Basic
specifications
|
| Network system |
GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz
(supports GSM networks in Europe/Asia-Pacific/Americas) |
| Form factor |
Clamshell |
| Size |
87 x 54 x 26.9 mm |
| Weight |
150 grams |
| Display |
Internal
|
| External |
|
| |
| - 65K-colour TFT LCD @ 162 x 176 pixels (324 x 352 support) |
| - 256-colour OLED screen |
|
| Battery
type used |
Lithium-ion @ 1100 mAh (standard) / 1700 mAh (extended) |
| Talk/usage
time* |
n/a^ |
| Standby
time* |
n/a^ |
| Accompanying
features
|
| Connectivity options |
Data cable (USB), IR, SDIO |
| Camera support |
Integrated, 330K CMOS camera (pivots 180 degrees) with embedded flash |
| Data support |
CSD, GPRS (Class 8) |
| Exchangeable covers |
No |
| Internet applications |
WAP 2.0 |
|
|
| |
| - Yes (up to 32MB) |
| - Yes (SD memory card) |
|
| Messaging capabilities |
SMS, MMS |
| Ringing tones |
Polyphonic (MIDI-based) |
| Synchronisation with PC |
Yes |
| System for... |
Add-on applications
|
Gaming
|
| Phone |
|
| |
| - Palm OS compatible, Java/J2ME (MIDP 2.0 compliant) |
| - Palm OS compatible, Java/J2ME (MIDP 2.0 compliant) |
| - Palm OS 5.2 |
|
Extras supported
(not listed above) |
 Basic Palm OS PDA functionality included
Palm Media Pack (audio/image player)
SDIO expansion slot included
|
* As per manufacturer’s specifications (with supplied battery)
^ Final specifications to be confirmed
|
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