Attention Europe: The SGH-i780 is Coming

[Jon Westfall]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.theunwired.net/?item=availability-samsung-confirms-european-launch-and-availability-of-the-sgh-i780-update' target='_blank'>http://www.theunwired.net/?item=ava...sgh-i780-update</a><br /><br /></div>"In a meeting with Samsung Europe, the Korean mobile phone manufacture confirmed that the anticipated Samsung SGH-i780 Windows Mobile 6 Professional smartphone got its European launch this week.<br />While carriers like Orange UK and Telefónica Movistar are confirmed to carry Samsung's latest smartphone, other carriers will follow but Samsung didn't disclosed which carriers these are. Nevertheless, Samsung also confirmed that shipments to the open market has also started which means you should be able to get a localized i780 from carrier independent mobile phone shops in your country soon as well."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/westfall-samsung_sgh-i780_front_small.jpg" /> <br /><br />The i780 is certainly an interesting looking device, from the Smartphone-esque look (a la no-touchscreen days of Smartphone) to it's optical joystick (however (well) that works)). Anyone lining up to grab one of these (for around 490 - 600 Euro?)

[Menneisyys]

it's optical joystick (however (well) that works)).

Thoroughly tested it on MWC. Didn't like it - turned out to be even worse than that of the HP iPAQ hx4700. For example, the latter can be controlled by both just touching the touchpad - and by strongly pressing it too. With the Samsung, you MUST just touch it - any stronger impression &amp; movement just won't be registered.

Furthermore, the active touchpad area is even smaller than that of the hx4700.

All in all, the touchpad idea has turned out to be a loser one even on the, technically (in this wise) superior hx4700. And the i780 is even worse.

Anyone lining up to grab one of these (for around 490 - 600 Euro?)

In no way - at least me. I'll wait for the S-E X1, I think. If it indeed delivers (among other things, 3D hardware acceleration, nice drivers etc.), then, it'll be a killer.

[heliod]

Interesting, I have a completely different opinion.

I have been working for 3 hours last month with an engineering sample that is being use to get the MOC (our parallel to the FCC) approval here, and simply loved the device.

First of all, it has touch screen and you can use it if you want.

Second, it took me about 20 minutes to get used to the touchpad and after that time I could do everything and get everywhere with the touchpad very fast, extremely faster than I can do things with the non-touchscreen blackjack, and around the same speed (a little slower) than I can do it with the stylus.

So it takes some time to get used to it, and maybe you haven't had enough at MWC.

In general, I think they did a good job in making a comfortable Pocket PC at the size of a smartphone, and will surely consider one whenever it is available at my area.

[Menneisyys]

First of all, it has touch screen and you can use it if you want.

Second, it took me about 20 minutes to get used to the touchpad and after that time I could do everything and get everywhere with the touchpad very fast, extremely faster than I can do things with the non-touchscreen blackjack, and around the same speed (a little slower) than I can do it with the stylus.

So it takes some time to get used to it, and maybe you haven't had enough at MWC.

Yup, probably. And I also need to factor in that, after my (and that of the vast majority of the community) very bad experiences with the hx4700 touchpad, I'm pretty much biased agains any touchpad-based solution.

Hope the touchpad on the new Samsung indeed turns out to be much more usable than that of the iPAQ. (One thing is for sure, however: it won't be a(n action) gaming / emulation machine where D-pad is needed &amp; used.)

[gavinfabl]

Interesting, I have a completely different opinion.

I have been working for 3 hours last month with an engineering sample that is being use to get the MOC (our parallel to the FCC) approval here, and simply loved the device.

First of all, it has touch screen and you can use it if you want.

Second, it took me about 20 minutes to get used to the touchpad and after that time I could do everything and get everywhere with the touchpad very fast, extremely faster than I can do things with the non-touchscreen blackjack, and around the same speed (a little slower) than I can do it with the stylus.

So it takes some time to get used to it, and maybe you haven't had enough at MWC.

In general, I think they did a good job in making a comfortable Pocket PC at the size of a smartphone, and will surely consider one whenever it is available at my area.

But most games use the dpad left,right,up, down movement. Can you with this optical control pad?

[Menneisyys]

Interesting, I have a completely different opinion.

I have been working for 3 hours last month with an engineering sample that is being use to get the MOC (our parallel to the FCC) approval here, and simply loved the device.

First of all, it has touch screen and you can use it if you want.

Second, it took me about 20 minutes to get used to the touchpad and after that time I could do everything and get everywhere with the touchpad very fast, extremely faster than I can do things with the non-touchscreen blackjack, and around the same speed (a little slower) than I can do it with the stylus.

So it takes some time to get used to it, and maybe you haven't had enough at MWC.

In general, I think they did a good job in making a comfortable Pocket PC at the size of a smartphone, and will surely consider one whenever it is available at my area.

But most games use the dpad left,right,up, down movement. Can you with this optical control pad?

The Samsung, just like the hx4700, has two cusros control mode: the classical 4-directon mode and the touchpad mode. I've also tested the former. Wasn't really impressed by the reliability: again, it was like the hx4700. (Read: awful in games.) Helio may, however, have been right: after a little bit getting used to, it may turn out to be actually usable in games.

Furthermore, I don't know whether the built-in thumbboard can be used (without third-party hacks / additional keyboard drivbers - don't forget most GAPI games just disable any keyboard / button input) for controlling the cursor in games - just like, for exmaple, Opera Mini / Mobile / Internet Explorer.

[gavinfabl]

Interesting, I have a completely different opinion.

I have been working for 3 hours last month with an engineering sample that is being use to get the MOC (our parallel to the FCC) approval here, and simply loved the device.

First of all, it has touch screen and you can use it if you want.

Second, it took me about 20 minutes to get used to the touchpad and after that time I could do everything and get everywhere with the touchpad very fast, extremely faster than I can do things with the non-touchscreen blackjack, and around the same speed (a little slower) than I can do it with the stylus.

So it takes some time to get used to it, and maybe you haven't had enough at MWC.

In general, I think they did a good job in making a comfortable Pocket PC at the size of a smartphone, and will surely consider one whenever it is available at my area.

But most games use the dpad left,right,up, down movement. Can you with this optical control pad?

The Samsung, just like the hx4700, has two cusros control mode: the classical 4-directon mode and the touchpad mode. I've also tested the former. Wasn't really impressed by the reliability: again, it was like the hx4700. (Read: awful in games.) Helio may, however, have been right: after a little bit getting used to, it may turn out to be actually usable in games.

Furthermore, I don't know whether the built-in thumbboard can be used (without third-party hacks / additional keyboard drivbers - don't forget most GAPI games just disable any keyboard / button input) for controlling the cursor in games - just like, for exmaple, Opera Mini / Mobile / Internet Explorer.

I had an hp 4700 and it was impossible to play my fav shootem up games. Hence my worry. If it works well, then this device could be for me.

The other concern I have is over the resolution, and whether qvga 240 x 320 will work or not.

[Menneisyys]

Interesting, I have a completely different opinion.

I have been working for 3 hours last month with an engineering sample that is being use to get the MOC (our parallel to the FCC) approval here, and simply loved the device.

First of all, it has touch screen and you can use it if you want.

Second, it took me about 20 minutes to get used to the touchpad and after that time I could do everything and get everywhere with the touchpad very fast, extremely faster than I can do things with the non-touchscreen blackjack, and around the same speed (a little slower) than I can do it with the stylus.

So it takes some time to get used to it, and maybe you haven't had enough at MWC.

In general, I think they did a good job in making a comfortable Pocket PC at the size of a smartphone, and will surely consider one whenever it is available at my area.

But most games use the dpad left,right,up, down movement. Can you with this optical control pad?

The Samsung, just like the hx4700, has two cusros control mode: the classical 4-directon mode and the touchpad mode. I've also tested the former. Wasn't really impressed by the reliability: again, it was like the hx4700. (Read: awful in games.) Helio may, however, have been right: after a little bit getting used to, it may turn out to be actually usable in games.

Furthermore, I don't know whether the built-in thumbboard can be used (without third-party hacks / additional keyboard drivbers - don't forget most GAPI games just disable any keyboard / button input) for controlling the cursor in games - just like, for exmaple, Opera Mini / Mobile / Internet Explorer.

I had an hp 4700 and it was impossible to play my fav shootem up games. Hence my worry. If it works well, then this device could be for me.

The other concern I have is over the resolution, and whether qvga 240 x 320 will work or not.

If gaming is important, then, I think you can forget this model right away. (Unless, again, they provide a thubboard-based D-pad emulation working under all games.)

As far as running originally hard-wired QVGA titles on its 320*320 screen, I don't know - haven't tested it in this regard. You MAY encounter problems like those of the WVGA Toshi G900 with the same titles - see for example the related XDA-Devs thread for the list of problematic, non-compatible titles.

[gavinfabl]

I had a feeling this would be the case. Shame because I really like the keyboard form factor.

I sold my Samsung i600 in Jan, and now have a MDA Touch 256mb (really like this) and an HTC Vox. (I also have 2 vga handhelds). Using WM Standard is not for me as it lacks some functionality that is only available in WM Pro. But I grew to love the thumb keyboard on the front of the machine. What I want is this but with a 240 x 320 screen. So far only the new i-mate does this.

[stylinexpat]

"In a meeting with Samsung Europe, the Korean mobile phone manufacture confirmed that the anticipated Samsung SGH-i780 Windows Mobile 6 Professional smartphone got its European launch this week.
While carriers like Orange UK and Telefónica Movistar are confirmed to carry Samsung's latest smartphone, other carriers will follow but Samsung didn't disclosed which carriers these are. Nevertheless, Samsung also confirmed that shipments to the open market has also started which means you should be able to get a localized i780 from carrier independent mobile phone shops in your country soon as well."

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/westfall-samsung_sgh-i780_front_small.jpg

The i780 is certainly an interesting looking device, from the Smartphone-esque look (a la no-touchscreen days of Smartphone) to it's optical joystick (however (well) that works)). Anyone lining up to grab one of these (for around 490 - 600 Euro?)

When they start buying and importing non-Korean products then I may consider buying their products.

[birick]

When they start buying and importing non-Korean products then I may consider buying their products.

Who is "they"? Samsung? Samsung is a Korean company so of course their products are Korean made.

[stylinexpat]

When they start buying and importing non-Korean products then I may consider buying their products.

Who is "they"? Samsung? Samsung is a Korean company so of course their products are Korean made.

They is the Korean consumers :wink:

[heliod]

But most games use the dpad left,right,up, down movement. Can you with this optical control pad?

You are probably right, I believe you can't. I am not much of a gamer, so I haven't thought of testing this.....

[tw]

The i780 is certainly an interesting looking device, from the Smartphone-esque look (a la no-touchscreen days of Smartphone) to it's optical joystick (however (well) that works)). Anyone lining up to grab one of these (for around 490 - 600 Euro?)
Actually you can get it for about 415 Euro here in the free market since several weeks.

But as anybody found out how to do a hardreset?