News - Samsung i900 Omnia Just Launched, photos & Specifications: Is the an iPhone 3G killer

Rumours are great of they are true and this time the Samsung i900 Omnia / Instinct  has finally been revealed by Samsung themselves. The Samsung i900 Omnia is a Windows Mobile Pocket PC and apparently seems a great competitor of the Apple 3G iPhone which we doubt very much but hey we have to go on what a lot of people are saying, but an iPhone 3G killer cannot be true surely?

It does however put it up against the HTC Touch Diamond but then again the HTC device has the HTC TouchFLO 3D which in our eyes seems a little stronger than that of the Samsung i900. Anyway we will give you the details of this new mobile phone, the Samsung i900 Omnia will be first displayed at the CommunicAsia expo which is in Singapore from June 17th to June 20th even though all the details and specs have been announced.

It is based on Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro and the specs include a 3.2-inch Wide QVGA display (240 x 400 pixels) plus an optical mouse, it offers a 5 megapixel auto focus camera with face and smile detection plus auto-panorama shot, built-in GPS receiver and Geo-tagging, the Samsung i900 Omnia is only 12mm thin with a stunning brushed metal casing that does look hot, the i900 is the same as the iPhone when it comes to storage seeing as it will come in either 8GB and a 16GB versions and will be available with microSD.

The Samsung i900 has quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support plus HSDPA 7.2Mbps and like the iPhone it also has the built-in accelerometer and Wi-Fi support, other specs include FM radio with RDS, stereo Bluetooth (A2DP), USB port and TouchWiz user interface. The Samsung i900 Omnia will go on sale from June 2008 and in Europe July 2008, you know around about the same time as the Apple 3G iPhone, wonder who will win.

Now check out the photos: -

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News - Samsung Instinct A Likely Competitor to Apple iPhone

Following Apple's release of the iPhone last year at an initial price of $599, major phone manufacturers scrambled to utilize innovative ideas and new technology to keep up with the competition.



Popular competitors like Samsung, the second most successful handset-maker in the world, have jumped in the market to compete efficiently with Apple, releasing phones similar to the iPhone this year.

Apple's recent upgraded version of the iPhone, the iPhone 3G, is expected to be released July 11. It encompasses more features and technical attributes including 8GB of memory and a GPS system, as well as familiar programs found on the Apple computers. Its biggest upgrade is the rapid speeds of Web-surfing, which allows users to browse desktop versions of the Internet rather than mobile versions.

The phone is also more than half the price of its predecessor.

According to research firm iSuppli Corp., this version of the iPhone's manufacturing costs totaled $173 per phone, and the phone will be sold for $199 when it hits shelves. Perhaps the most expensive parts of the device include the touch screen and underlying display, costing $20 per phone.

"I really wouldn't upgrade my [iPhone]," senior computer engineering major Derrick Rumbolt said. "I would try to manipulate it like it's a 3G phone and upgrade it myself. The only difference is the faster Internet, but the applications are pretty much the same. So if I didn't know how to [upgrade the phone myself], I still wouldn't shell out more money for the new phone."

Despite the publicity surrounding the debut of the iPhone, Sprint's Samsung Instinct may provide worthy competition to Apple. With some of the features the iPhone has faltered in delivering, Samsung's replica of the smartphone includes that and then some. Its mobile radio and live TV services sets it apart from the iPhone, as well as its expandable memory and video-recording capabilities. Sprint distributes spare batteries to its customers as well.



Though its browser is not yet advanced for optimal Web-surfing, the Instinct brings together an abundance of features and a slim design on sale for $129.99 with a two-year contract.

Its wallet-friendlier price has been a common factor in customers purchasing the Instinct, which has become the fastest-selling Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) handset in Sprint history. The award-winning phone was sold out temporarily this week at various locations.

"We had high expectations going into the launch so our initial order to Samsung was the largest for any Sprint EV-DO handset to date," John Garcia, President of Sprint's Wireless Division said in Market Watch, a Wall Street Journal publication.

"The strong early response tells us that wireless customers recognize Instinct…In the first few days of availability, many Instinct devices were purchased by existing customers upgrading their wireless device," Garcia told Mobile Magazine.

The Korean-based company recently debuted a similar device in Europe, the Samsung OMNIA, a more advanced device than the Instinct. The OMNIA may be released later this year in the United States, giving Samsung an edge over their competition.

Winning the "Best in Show" award at the latest Emerging Technology (E-Tech) award competition and being named "First Place" in the Mobile CE- Phones/Smartphone category has solidified Samsung's position in the market with the Instinct.

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Codes - Samsung Secret Codes *Updated*

(WARNING: SOME OF THESE CODES HAVE NOT BEEN TESTED ON EVERY SAMSUNG PHONE, ALTHOUGH THEY MAY NOT BE HARMFUL)

Samsung Secret Codes

#646# then press the Call button: T-Mobile Customers only, shows minute usage.
*#06# : Show IMEI
*#9999# : Show Software Version
*#0837# : Show Software Version (instructions)
*#0001# : Show Serial Parameters
*#9125# : Activates the smiley when charging.

*#9998*228# : Battery status (capacity, voltage, temperature)
*#9998*246# : Program status
*#9998*289# : Change Alarm Buzzer Frequency
*#9998*324# : Debug screens
*#9998*364# : Watchdog
*#9998*377# : EEPROM Error Stack - Use side keys to select values. Cancel and ok.
*#9998*427# : Trace Watchdog
*#9998*523# : Change LCD contrast - Only with version G60RL01W
*#9998*544# : Jig detect
*#9998*636# : Memory status
*#9998*746# : SIM File Size
*#9998*778# : SIM Service Table
*#9998*785# : RTK (Run Time Kernel) errors - if ok then phn is reset, info is put in memory error.
*#9998*786# : Run, Last UP, Last DOWN
*#9998*837# : Software Version
*#9998*842# : Test Vibrator - Flash the screenligth during 10 seconds and vibration activated.
*#9998*862# : Vocoder Reg - Normal, Earphone or carkit can be selected
*#9998*872# : Diag
*#9998*947# : Reset On Fatal Error
*#9998*999# : Last/Chk

*#9998*9266# : Yann debug screen (=Debug Screens?)
*#9998*9999# : Software version

If the up Codes doesn't work, you should change *#9998* to *#0. i.e. *#9998*523# change to *#0523#. An other thing that will help is to remove your SIM card. *0001*s*f*t# : Changes serial parameters (s=?, f=0,1, t=0,1) (incomplete)
*0002*?# : unknown
*0003*?# : unknown

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Review - Samsung F480

Samsung F480 review: Touchdown!

To pick up where we left, prepare to meet the next bestseller by Samsung. If you think Samsung F480 is not up to such a challenge you might want to think again. The compact touch-operated handset has every chance of becoming the next best thing since sliced bread. It is extremely pocket-friendly but its own pocket is bulging - so to say - the little fella has it all. Plus, the looks are fantastic, so only one important question remains - is the performance on par with the marvelous specs. Luckily we are just about to answer that question, so sit back and enjoy.

Key features

• Ample 2.8" 262K touchscreen color display of QVGA resolution
  
• Touch-operated flash UI
  
• 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash
  
• Camera comes with face detection and wide dynamic range
  
• 3G with HSDPA
  
• Great design and high quality construction
  
• 228MB of internal memory
  
• microSD card slot
  
• Widgets
  
• Excellent haptics
  
• FM radio with RDS
  
• Great camera interface
  
• EDGE, Bluetooth and USB connectivity
  
• Great web browser

Main disadvantages

• Tri-band only
  
• Display legibility suffers under direct sunlight
  
• No landscape mode and no virtual QWERTY keyboard
  
• Fingerprint magnet
  
• Inadequate flash for the camera
  
• Video recording capabilities max out at QVGA resolution

The Armani phone is probably one of the bitterest rivals of Samsung F480. As we see it, the … well… designer handset has very little chance against the F480. The device we are currently reviewing is far more capable and its interface is well above the Armani. The difference in specs is also important. So much so that, if it wasn't for the haute couture engraving, the Armani phone would have been nothing more than the goofy sibling.

Samsung F490 is also taking part in this race but despite that its name suggests higher class than the F480, its functionality is not speaking of anything like that. The Croix interface may be an award winner, but is not nearly as nice to use as the flash UI of Samsung F480. Besides, the F480 definitely looks better and is more compact.

The LG KU990 Viewty is another similar handset in terms of functionality but of a significantly larger size. Still, it may seem as a good alternative for those who insist on good camera and video recording capabilities in their handsets.

So, crowded as it is in the touchscreen non-smartphone market, Samsung F480 seems to have good chances of success.

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News - AT&T to Launch Samsung Omnia in Q3 2008

AT&T is not only focusing on the inevitable release of the 3G iPhone, but they are setting their sights on both the 3G iPhone and one of its possible competitor, the Samsung Omnia / Instinct  (SGH-i900). Word came out that AT&T is also preparing the new Samsung Omnia for later this year. Earlier in June, news of the Omnia came out and its features are quite impressive.

The SGH-i900 features a 3.2-inch touchscreen, Divx certification (with H.263, H.264 support), 5 megapixel camera with face-detection and geo-tagging, quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) radio, HSDPA (7.2Mbps), GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, and FM radio (with RDS). Looking at the picture, one might also say that it could give the iPhone a bit of a fight. But until it is released, we’ll never know.

You could probably call this device an iPhone clone with its TouchWiz user interface and its 8GB and 16GB variants, but some people are already giving the device such high praises - let’s just hope they won’t get disappointed.

AT&T will probably fit the Omnia with their AT&T Music, Video, Navigation, and Mobile TV service. The Samsung OMNIA was unveiled at CommunicAsia, Singapore and was commercially launched in the Southeast Asian market that same week. The phone was targeted to be available in the European market starting July.

Samsung Omnia Features:

* 3.2-inch touchscreen,
* DivX certification with H.263, H.264 support,
* 5 megapixel camera with face-detection and geo tagging,
* quad-band GSM (850/900/1800/1900Mhz),
* HSDPA (7.2Mbps),
* GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0,
* FM radio with RDS,
* 8GB and 16GB versions,
* Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional.

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VS - Comparing the Samsung Omnia and HTC Touch Diamond which is better?

Comparing the Samsung Omnia and HTC Touch Diamond which is better

So just how well does the HTC Touch Diamond and Samsung Omnia match up against each other in the mobile GSM arena? GSMArena got hold of the HTC Touch Diamond and the Samsung Omnia mobile phones and compares them to see if one can actually out match the other.

So, firstly let’s take the Omnia over the Diamond: The Samsung Omnia has a better, more solid build and finish, almost double battery life, Better CPU performance, a bigger, though lower-res display (3.2″, 240 x 400 pixels), Quad-band GSM support, 8 or 16 GB of storage memory, microSD card slot, a much better 5 megapixel camera (better processing, higher resolution, face and smile detection, geo-tagging), landscape QWERTY keyboard, auto screen rotation is available in all applications and can be switched off, comes with DivX video support, TV-out, and has pre-installed a custom Alarms app, a Video editor and a unit converter.

Now the reverse, the Diamond over the Omnia: The HTC Touch Diamond has VGA display (2.8-inch, 480 x 640 pixels), TouchFLO 3D Home screen, a more compact body, a nicer design with a lighter weight, Touch-sensitive scroll wheel, better sunlight legibility, Active magnetic stylus, Dedicated graphics chip with 64MB memory, a standard miniUSB slot, pre-installed YouTube client and MP3 Trimmer application for ringtones, better video playback performance, and comes with the amusing Teeter game.

The HTC Touch Diamond and the Samsung Omnia differ slightly but both are top-of-the-range mobile handsets. The Samsung Omnia is still a beta version while the HTC Touch Diamond is a retail version, but apparently dozens of bugs have been reported on the Diamond recently.

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Download - Wares for your Samsung Phones

Some Recommended Freewares for Pocket PC:

Desktop Components
ActiveSync Toggle - Enable/Disable ActiveSync. Disabling ActiveSync will remove the icon from system tray on PC.
Remote Display Control - Control Pocket PC from the PC (Refer to this thread for VGA mode)
Remote Keyboard - Input using keyboard from a PC via ActiveSync connection
Theme Sync - ActiveSync extension which rotates your themes.
MobSync 0.9.4 - Sync folders other than "My Documents"; Old version
ActiveSync Backup File Restorer - Extract files from backup file created by ActiveSync Backup/Restore.
WM5torage - Make your WM5 Pocket PC act like a USB Card Reader.
My Mobiler - View your mobile screen and control your mobile on your desktop.
Desktop SMS Manager - Manage device's SMS on the PC
Mobile Registry Editor - Edit registry from the PC side

File Explorers
GSFinder+ - File Explorer
Voyager - File Explorer with Encryption Capabilities.
Total Commander - File explorer with ZIP, ACE and RAR support.
UKLauncher - Cascading Start Menu which shows all folders on Pocket PC
OpenWith - Add "Open With..." support into native file explorer.
WinXplore - Simple and fast file management tool for special folders

Document/Image Viewers/Editors
Adobe Acrobat Reader - View PDF Files.
DAVA picture viewer - Image Viewer
XnView Pocket - Image Viewer & Editor
lgtEditor - HTML Editor
Nyx Hex Editor - Hex Editor
PHM Notepad - Notepad for editing text files with unicode support.
UKNote - Notepad for editing text files with unicode support. Nicer font rendering for Japanese characters than PHM Notepad
PocketPicture - Paint application

System Tools
CABInstl - Allows installation of CAB files to custom folders.
CicleBT - Bluetooth Toggle
ezyUnZIP - Compression Utility
File Dialog Changer - Replace the "Save As" dialog which many apps use so you can save in any folder other than My Documents. This is to be used together with GsGetFile.dll. Download Links: GsGetFile.dll | File Dialog Changer
HardReset - Hard Reset Tool for your Pocket PC (WM2003SE and below)
NewMenu - Add New Menu for Windows Mobile 5.0
OzBT - Automatic Bluetooth Switcher.
PHM PowerToys - Collection of useful utilities
PHM Pocket PC Plus! - Collection of useful utilities
PHM Registry Editor - Registry Editor
Pocket Multi Partnership Sync - Create more than 2 ActiveSync partnerships
PowerOff - Turn off the Pocket PC with a tap.
ScreenToggle - Toggles the screen on/off without turning off the Pocket PC
SoftReset - Soft Reset utility for your Pocket PC
TwkCL - Activate ClearType in Landscape Mode for WM2003SE Pocket PC.
UI Tweaker - Theme Manager and Utilities for customising theme/system colors.
VJBaseHue - Change Taskbar & Soft Keys Color in WM5
VJBlueSync - Enable BlueTooth and Start ActiveSync with single tap
VJSmallIcons - Shrink Icons (List View) in Start Menu=>Programs.
WinRAR - WinRAR (handles RAR files) for Pocket PCs.
moBlue - Save files received via BT in user selected folder.
QuickMenu - Cascading Start Menu

Calculators, Units Convertors & Currency Convertors
ConverterCE - Units Converter
Currency Converter - Currency convertor which allows downloading of currency rates.
Engineering Calculator - Scientific Calculator
CurrencyConv - Simple Currency Convertor which allows downloading of currency rates

Security
CryptoCard - Electronic Wallet
Mobile Encrypter - Files/Folders Encryption/Decryption
Nyx Password Storage - Password Manager
Passman - Password Manager
Secure Notes - Store notes in a secure place

Multimedia
Please refer to this thread for the list.

Input Methods and Related Tools
Japanese SIP + Dictionary - Japanese Input using strokes & Japanese-English Dictionary
Smilies Input Panel - SIP to input smilies. Useful for chatting in Internet Messengers.
DictMgr - Modify Word Completion List, PhonePad's T9 Dictionary, Spell Checker Dictionary, Auto-correction dictionary and Acronym Reference
得意10键输入法 - Chinese Input Method
TenGO Free - Free version of TenGO Keyboard (virtual QWERTY Keyboard)
TouchPal - SureType keyboard with T9 predictive text.
ZTA4 - Chinese input method
NullKeyboard - Prevents unneccessary SIP popups when using physical keyboard

Others
EasySMS - Simple SMS utility to work with your IR/BT enabled phone
HandCalendar (掌心万年历) - Lunar Calendar Application with Today Plug-in
Notes Explorer - Notes Application
SIManager - Transfer Contacts between Pocket PC and Mobile Phone
TKCreater - Theme Editor
VJTrayLaunch - Place shortcuts in System Tray
SSnap - Saves state on the device. Good for troubleshooting by comparing states saved.
IdiffCE - Comparison of text and binary files to track differences/changes.
WakeApp - Add scheduled tasks.
PHM Sleep Timer - Start timer to set device to auto turn off music and shut down after certain time
NS Contacts Backup - Contacts backup/restore for WM5
Shortcut Creator - Create/Edit shortcuts and their icons
QDz - Tabbed-based contact application
Export Contacts - Export Contacts to file
deltaLock - Lock hardware buttons and turn off display or suspend.
KeySwop - Change softkey mappings in WM5 or above
MailAccountRepair - Restore missing e-mail accounts


Desktop Utilities & ActiveSync Components
Duplicates Remover for Outlook - Scans & Removes duplicate Outlook entries.
Outlook Contacts Scrubber - Scans & Removes duplicate Outlook entries.
SyncExpress - Synchronise with Outlook Express on the PC.
PocketCopy - Export PIM data from Palm Desktop to Microsoft Outlook
MightySync - Sync any location on Pocket PC with any location on PC
ManyPartners - Break the ActiveSync Partnership limit. Sync with more than 2 PCs.
PocketMac - Sync Pocket PC/Smartphone with PC on Mac OS
The Missing Sync - Sync Pocket PC/Smartphone with PC on Mac OS
MobSync - Sync folders other than "My Documents"
SMS Cool! - Send SMS from the PC via the connected PPC-Phone
Easy Sync - Sync with Storage Card or custom folders

File Management
Resco Explorer - Popular, powerful & user-friendly File Explorer; with today plug-in for launcher and battery/memory status, registry editor, FTP client, in-built file viewer, etc.
Advanced Explorer - Another powerful File Explorer; with recycle bin, network browsing, registry editor, FTP client, etc
PPXplorer - File explorer with Registry Editor, FTP Client, Network Browser and security folder
Double Explorer - File explorer with 4 windows view.

Registry & Overclock
Tweaks2k2.Net - A big collection of ready-made registry hacks for the Pocket PC.
Pocket Hack Master - Overclocking tool for X-scale Pocket PCs.
RegKing - Collection of ready-made registry hacks for the Pocket PC.

PIM Solutions
Pocket Informant - Popular & powerful PIM solution.
Agenda Fusion - 2nd most popular PIM solution.
Ulti-Planner - Simple & affordable PIM solution.
SuperCalendar - Calendar Application
PhatNotes - Notes Application
Confidential Notes - Notes Application with Strong Encryption

Chinese Language Support
CE-Star Suite - Chinese Input/Reading
Monster Chinese - Chinese Input/Reading

Input Methods
Calligrapher - Advanced Features of Transcriber
TenGO Keyboard - Qwerty Keyboard with T9 prediction
Decuma - Handwriting Recognition
TouchPal - SureType keyboard with T9 predictive text.

Input Helpers
TapText - Enter commonly used sentences with just a few taps!
Kaisoft's ABC Editor.Net - Saves the word completion list for native input methods.
TextPlus - Predictive Text

Travel & Transport
Singapore Transport Guide - The one & only Singapore Transport Guide on the Pocket PC
Pocket MMSD - Map Viewing Software for Mighty Minds Street Directory Digital Edition 2004/2005
My Streetdirectory.com - Street Directory
Worldmate - Useful travel guide with weather forecast & Currency Convertor, etc.
Spb Traveler - Provides info like world time,weatehr forecasts, clothing size etc when you are overseas travelling.

Phone/SMS Applications
mPhone - Phone/SMS management utility.
Simple SMS - SMS Manager Software
SMS Manager - SMS Manager Software
Running Voice GSM - Phone/SMS management utility.

Backup/Restore
Sprite Backup - Backup/Restore quickly and allows compression/encryption of backup file. Most feature-packed Backup Manager but no trial version. v5.x is able to backup/restore SMS.
Sunnysoft Backup Manager - Backup/Restore Utility
Spb Backup - Backup/Restore quickly and allows compression/encryption of backup file. Higher compression ratio for Backup file. Able to backup/restore SMS. Works well with Windows Mobile 6.

Image Viewer
Spb Imageer - Includes simple image editing features as well
Resco Photo Viewer - Includes simple image editing features as well; Plays GIF animation and MPEG files

Calculators/Units Convertors
1-Calc - Calculator with units & currency convertor.
XConverter Pro - Calculator with units & currency convertor.
HiCalc - Advanced Scientific Calculator with units & currency convertor.

Misc Softwares
SafeMode - startup in Safe mode
Spb Pocket Plus - A collection of many useful tools and support for Extended Themes. Works well with Windows Mobile 6.
Phatpad - Scribbling/Drawing Pad
Double Launcher - Assign up to four applications to each hardware button.
Card Export II Pocket PC - Use your Pocket PC as USB Storage Device on any PC
Nyditot Virtual Display - Change Screen Resolution/Orientation, Change System Colors, etc.
eReader Pro - eBook Reader
SKHexEd - Hex Editor
SKScheMa - Schedule Tasks/Macro
SKTracker - Track Changes on your device. Good for troubleshooting.
SK Shortcut Manager - Create/Edit Shortcut and their icons.
Seymour - View 2 windows at the same time.
Smart File Acceptor - More control over BT file transfers

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