08-19-2005, 11:51 PM
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Executive Editor
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Samsung Kills i645 CDMA Smartphone
"A Samsung spokesperson today confirmed that Samsung no longer plans to release the i645 CDMA smartphone. The i645 was to be the first Windows Mobile Smartphone with EV-DO high-speed data, and was slated to be offered by Verizon Wireless. According to the spokesperson, the decision was made jointly by Samsung and the carrier. It is believed the i645 has been replaced on Verizon's device roadmap by the Motorola Q, which also runs the Windows Mobile Smartphone platform, and is also expected in an EV-DO version."PhoneScoop reports some grim news for those of you waiting for a new CDMA Smartphone: the Samsung i645, the only CDMA Smartphone I was expecting to see anytime soon, has been cancelled. This is fairly grim news, because people on CDMA networks have had essentially no choice when it comes to Smartphones: it was the Samsung i600 or switching to a GSM network. I got to use the i645 at CES in January of this year, and it was quite a nice phone. If the reason Samsung cancelled this phone is that Verizon didn't want to carry it, the future of the CDMA Smartphone is even more grim than I thought.
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08-20-2005, 12:35 AM
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Editor Emeritus
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This is unfortunate. The main reason I left Verizon for Cingular was the lack of good devices. If there is a bright side the Q was mentioned as coming out in a CDMA flavor but this is not certain. Verizon is definitely NOT on the cutting edge when it comes to new devices.  As an aside I always like to point out that Verizon used to be GTE (General Telephone) here in the states on the west coast at least. They were notorious for the worst service and equipment in the landline world. Perhaps some of that dinosaur philosophy remains with them today.
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08-20-2005, 01:45 AM
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Editor Emeritus
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That's too bad. The CDMA market is in desperate need of a good Smartphone and Samsung was on track to provide that.
A little more concerning, is the rate at which we are seeing Windows Mobile devices get cancelled before they see the light of day. Motorola has had 2 device for sure - MPx100 and the MPx, and then there was that Nextel phone Motorola was working on. Now Samsung cancels this phone. Those are just the ones we know about. :?
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08-20-2005, 02:14 AM
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Editor Emeritus
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I wonder if the support issues are just scaring these carriers off.
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08-20-2005, 02:43 AM
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Thinker
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jerry Raia
I wonder if the support issues are just scaring these carriers off.
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What support issues? I've only called Verizon about my i600 once and they didn't have and clue and had no trouble brushing me off.
As for a replacment, when my i600 dies I'll simply move to Cingular despite their shortcomings in coverage. Reason? I'm betting that Cingular covers the gaps in their network sooner than VZW decides that they need to provide current handset technology. |
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08-20-2005, 02:57 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jerry Raia
... If there is a bright side the Q was mentioned as coming out in a CDMA flavor but this is not certain. ...
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Trust me, it's certain. :wink:
It's the GSM/EDGE version that is not certain - they may skip it and roll out a 3G WCDMA version later instead. |
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08-20-2005, 03:13 AM
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Editor Emeritus
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ARW
I'm betting that Cingular covers the gaps in their network sooner than VZW decides that they need to provide current handset technology.
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I think you are right about that. 
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08-20-2005, 05:20 AM
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Thinker
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by rbrome
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jerry Raia
... If there is a bright side the Q was mentioned as coming out in a CDMA flavor but this is not certain. ...
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Trust me, it's certain. :wink:
It's the GSM/EDGE version that is not certain - they may skip it and roll out a 3G WCDMA version later instead. |
CDMA w/ EV-DO is certain? I'd like to believe it but it seems counter to how things have worked in the industry til this point. If it does make it to market I can't imagine VZW will sell it until the end of 2006 at the earliest.
But please...surprise me Moto/VZW! |
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08-20-2005, 02:02 PM
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Contributing Editor
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 5,160
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by rbrome
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Jerry Raia
... If there is a bright side the Q was mentioned as coming out in a CDMA flavor but this is not certain. ...
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Trust me, it's certain. :wink:
It's the GSM/EDGE version that is not certain - they may skip it and roll out a 3G WCDMA version later instead. |
NOOOoooooooooooooooooooooo o o o....
Why can't they have both? I don't want to switch to VZ. :-( |
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08-20-2005, 02:05 PM
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Contributing Editor
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And I don't think I understand what is going on in VZ (and Samsung's) think tank. The Moto Q and the i645 are different form factors. And serve different sets of people. I am sure a lot of us don't want keypad on our Smartphones. It is bad to stereotype Smartphones as something that require a keypad. :evil:
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