Samsung Announces Cell Phone With Hard Drive

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/09/06/samsung_hdd_handset/' target='_blank'>http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/0...ng_hdd_handset/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Samsung has shown what it claims is the world's first mobile phone that incorporates a hard drive. The SPH-V5400, unveiled today in Japan, includes 1.5GB of hard disk storage. That's barely more than you can get from a SD or CompactFlash card, but it's a start, presaging the day when handsets are as much iPods as phones...The Samsung handset also features an FM radio, 64-voice polyphonic ringtone support, a 240 x 320 display and TV output - again, preparing the way for the day when mobiles incorporate Microsoft Portable Media Center-style functionality."</i><br /><br />Engadget <a href="http://www.engadget.com/entry/6562347367956546/">linked</a> to <a href="http://gallery.cetizen.com/index.ctz?MODE=bbs&cp=cetizen&no=41617&kfild=subject&id=gallery&category=0201&list_type=1&nowpage=1">a few pics</a> of the unit:<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20040906-SamsungSPHV5400.jpg" /><br /><br />I believe it's slated to be a Korea-only release, so we won't be seeing it here anytime soon, but it raises some interesting questions. We've been having <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=31869">an interesting little discussion</a> on the boards as to whether hard drives should be <i>integrated</i> in Pocket PCs, and Samsung has just pushed the integration bar, although it's slated to cost $800. 8O I'm not convinced this is currently a good idea as opposed to, say, a 1GB flash solution, but let's take a poll of your opinions.

[ghostppc]

$800!!?!???!?! 8O I think I'll be using a couple paper cups and a string!

[Jonathon Watkins]

Hmm, a HD in a PPC I can see, but a phone? I know they are after the iPOD music market, but still........

[welovejesus]

Flash memory is much more stable. My Dell Axim X5 Basic has experienced many drops that a device with a HD would not sustain. Flash memory is probably not as power hungry either.
My primary choice for the Pocket PC has to due with portability, speed (turning the device off and on frequently), durability , and longevity (battery life). The latter of the two only avaible in a Pocket PC device.

[Jonathan1]

I'll never purchase a phone or Pocket PC that has a HD in it. I don't want it. I don't need it. I don't trust it. And frankly I'll take better battery life over a spinning disk any day. :|

[Ryan Joseph]

I have to admit...that phone is so shiny! :D

That really is a slick looking display on the front.

And I'm not going to comment on hard drives in devices. I'll wait until we see some performance specs before passing judgement.

[Dave Conger]

Recently I have seen so many people with harddrive related problems (mostly in the laptops) that I would hate to have a moving hard drive in my phone.

Plus 1.5 GB? Unless I am using my phone for music, I don't know what the heck else I would put on it.

[jimski]

Had to answer maybe. The HD would have to somehow be user servicable, maybe like the way SIM cards are installed/removed. I would have no interest in send out my PPC when (not if) my hard drive failed. Also, if I am going to dump 2-5 (10 8O ) GB of data onto a hard drive, I am going to need a fast way to do that, like maybe firewire.

I am not worried about losing the data from a failed HD as most likely it would all be copied from a location on a laptop or desktop which would be backed up regularly.

[ctmagnus]

&lt;drop>

&lt;head crash>

Or that would be my experience. ymmv.

[surur]

This is just an example of the vortex that is the cellphone. They are sucking up every other mobile electronic gadget and intergrating them.

This is obviously a go at the Ipod market, and when the HDD reached 5GB will be a worthy competitor. I believe it has USB already, and as Jimski said, your media data is usually not important, as its just copies from another hard drive.

Any objections to this device has already been addressed by the Ipod mini, and I would not expect it to have more failures and problems than that device. Its pricey now, but its for early adopters.

HDD in pocketpc's have a role, as long as they are confined to media storage, not data or programs, which should go into flash. That way it will only suck your battery when you intend to, when listening to music or watching a movie.

1.5G is too small, but Im sure the next generation will have 5 G. This phone just serves to show what is possible, and in a very small package.

Obviously the engineers in Korea thinks they have overcome the biggest objections to a HDD in a mobile device that needs to rugged, always available and small. Maybe they should talk to HP?

Surur

[don dre]

3 years and counting with my 1 GB IBM microdrive. no complaints. I think flash is a better choice unless, of course, they got a much better deal with the hdd. I know at the time I bought my md it was hald the price of a 512MB CF. who knows but it's definitely a swipe at ipods. and I think 1.5GB offers a good amount of storage for many. unless you want to carry your collection around with you, it's enough storage for a substantial amont of music.

[jweisz]

I'd be happy as a clam if the phone manufacturers concentrated on perfecting the phone portion and leave all the other stuff (particularly cameras) out.

[surur]

I have been googling around for news about this phone, and came across an interesting article in the Korean Herald (http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2004/09/04/200409040029.asp).

Apparently there there is no subsidies to handsets allowed. This of course means consumer features (or cost) were the paramount driving force for OEM's.

This has led to a large market for very high end handsets, such as the 3 megapixel cellphone with optical zoom, and the 2 megapixel cellphone camcorder.

The phone this one succeeds has 512Mb flash memory, but flash memory increases in size slower than hard drives, so they saw it more profitable and future orientated to go with the HDD.

Apparently the high-end handsets (with big prices) are very profitable, and its driving innovation very fast. Makes me wish I was in Korea.

Surur

[lapchinj]

I'd be happy as a clam if the phone manufacturers concentrated on perfecting the phone portion and leave all the other stuff (particularly cameras) out.
YEAH! :mrgreen:

I would rather see better service than the other attached gizmos. But then again I have separate 4 mp camera, iPOD, iPAQ (with a MemPlug sleeve) and a cell phone and each one is great at what it does except the cell. My cell service is OK but attaching a hdd or camera to it isn't going to make me by one at any price and for sure not at $800. I would spend a little more (maybe an extra $50) if they would add a memory card slot. (I'm happy as punch with the ones I have in my camera and iPAQ.)

Now I would be willing to plunk down a lot more money if they would give me great cell service. But until that happens I'll stay with a phone that I can get for way under $100 on eBay.

Jeff-

[maximus]

I have to admit...that phone is so shiny! :D


Shiny, yes.
Ackward dimensions, yes.
Strangely shaped, yes.

Harddrive on handphone ? Drop the handphone while the harddrive is spinning ? whirr whirr click click click whirr ...