Samsung BlackJack II Available Now Online, In Stores on Friday

[Kris Kumar]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=BlackJack(TM)+II+by+Samsung&q_sku=sku1140027' target='_blank'>http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=BlackJack(TM)+II+by+Samsung&q_sku=sku1140027</a><br /><br /></div><p><em>&quot;Introducing the triple threat - the Blackjack(TM) II by Samsung. It's sleeker, smarter, and easier to use than ever. With Windows Mobile&reg; 6, faster 3G downloads, a larger 2.4&quot; display, and a stylish look, it's the device all other smart devices want to be. It supports multiple email programs and has AT&amp;T Music and Cellular Video capabilities. Navigate easily with the front jog wheel. Roam internationally with quad-band GSM, or get ultra-fast downloads with tri-band HSDPA. Take pictures and video with the 2 MP camera, listen to music, and stay in touch with instant messaging. With a full QWERTY keyboard and GPS support, the Blackjack(TM) II truly has it all!&quot;</em></p><p><img border="0" alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1195744489.usr266.jpg" /></p><p>AT&amp;T Wireless has released the Samsung BlackJack II, it is available now online and will be in stores on Friday. It is on time for the holiday shopping season. According to some reports, some stores have already started selling them. So if you find time during the busy Thanksgiving holiday, take a walk down to the local store. This smart phone I am sure will be very popular because of the inclusion of GPS. I feel tempted to upgrade to this device but the lack of Wi-Fi is holding me back. If you get hold of this device, please post your thoughts here. Before I close this post, would like to mention that the Boy Genius Report has posted some unboxing photos <a target="_blank" href="http://www.boygeniusreport.com/gallery/handsets/samsung-blackjack-ii-unboxing/?page=1">here.</a></p>

[twestley]

I was all set to buy this phone. And, I still would if AT&T would provide a $20/mo unlimited data plan. Apparently, they've learned nothing from the iPhone. People will buy the data plan if it is a reasonable price. I consider $40/mo unreasonable, but I'd pay $20.

[Kris Kumar]

I think AT&T is dumb and they have double standards!

For iPhones and phones like 3125/2125 they have $20 price plans. And for QWERTY devices and touch based Pocket PC devices they have $40 plan. The usage will be the same. Why do they think a QWERTY device or touch based device (except iPhone) leads to more data. Have no idea who makes pricing decisions. At least Apple got a favorable price plan otherwise at $40 they would not have had the same success.

[twestley]

1) Many say WM smartphones are more suited to business customers than to consumers.
2) Many say the iPhone is more suited to consumers than to business customers.
3) Likely the iPhone does not cost any more to build than other WM phones such as Q Global, Tilt, and Blackjack II, yet retail cost is quite a bit higher. This likely means that AT&T does not have to amortize the cost of a subsidy over the two year plan.

QED: AT&T can maximize revenue by pushing consumers, who likely won't pay $40/mo for a data plan, but who have paid full retail for the phone, towards the iPhone and business customers to WM phones.

When I recently walked into two different AT&T stores to upgrade my Cingular 2125 on a personal plan, reps in both stores had their own iPhones and gently steered me to the iPhone, even when I specifically asked about the Blackjack II.

[Kris Kumar]

I am not sure if AT&T is making money with the iPhone. They are gaining subscribers. But there is some kind of revenue sharing in place, where AT&T is supposed to pay Apple a percentage of the monthly voice+data plan.

But you are right, for some reason the QWERTY and touch based (PPC) devices are being branded business class devices, hence the fleecing.:mad: Bottomline it is dumb, because they can gain more customers if they don't have confusing/greedy data plans and one flat fee.

And I believe now on the iPhones folks can decline the data plan. I believe I read that some place. So it seems AT&T is bending backwards to use this particular product to gain subscribers, which can only make Apple happy.

[mbranscum]

I was all set to buy this phone. And, I still would if AT&T would provide a $20/mo unlimited data plan. Apparently, they've learned nothing from the iPhone. People will buy the data plan if it is a reasonable price. I consider $40/mo unreasonable, but I'd pay $20.

A. Calm down. ;)

B. Go to AT&T and get the phone with the $40 data plan. (Be sure and say "thank you for screwing me" to the sales rep on the way out the door! :) )

C. Drive home and log into your account. Change the $40 plan to the $20 plan!

D. Enjoy!

[twestley]

A. Calm down. ;)

B. Go to AT&T and get the phone with the $40 data plan. (Be sure and say "thank you for screwing me" to the sales rep on the way out the door! :) )

C. Drive home and log into your account. Change the $40 plan to the $20 plan!

D. Enjoy!

Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't think this would work since the AT&T data plan summary page no longer mentions either the Media Max 200 Bundle (what I have now) or the Smartphone Connect plan. So, I logged into my account to read the definition of these plans.

On the AT&T website, the Media Max 200 Bundle description says, "MEdia Net and MEdia Bundles are not available on PDAs/Pocket PCs, RIM® devices or LaptopConnect cards." The the Cingular 2125/3125, Moto Q Global, and Samsung Blackjack (I and II) are not PDAs, Pocket PCs, RIM devices or LaptopConnect cards. They are Windows Mobile Smartphones, though MS now calls these phones "Windows Mobile Standard" devices.

The description for Smartphone Connect says, "Smartphone Connect Data plans are applicable on Windows Mobile Smartphone devices only, which are the Cingular 2125, Audiovox SMT5600, and Motorola MPx 220." This clearly states that this plan is designed for smartphone devices. The reference to the actual phones is simply outdated.

In spite of what the AT&T store reps are saying, I am becoming more confident that I can get either the Media Max 200 Bundle or the Smartphone Connect plan for a Windows Mobile smartphone. I am tempted to go get the Blackjack II today. When they try to charge me $40, I will point to their own pages and show them that they should be charging me $20. If that doesn't work, I'll just refuse the plan and log into my account and add the correct plan. If that still doesn't work, I have 30 days to return the phone.

[randalllewis]

Setting aside all these data plan concerns, I just picked up the phone today. Here are my initial thoughts:

The II is ever so slightly taller than the original but does not feel bigger in your hand. The screen is noticeably larger. The new jog wheel has already rescued me from my biggest beef with the original click wheel: accidently hitting the End key. The jog wheel allows easy navigation through the menus (though not as cooly as on the new Zunes) or you can click your way around as always. The wheel is just enough larger than the old one to keep my fingers in place.

Shortcuts for menu navigation now involve letters rather than numbers. Why? I assume this is a WM6 thing.

Those attached covers for the MicroSD slot and the power/headset connector are now silver. These things seem so fragile but the ones on my original Blackjack are still intact. Let's hope these new shiny ones are as sturdy. And speaking of shiny, the biggest disappointment to me is the new slick and shiny black body. The matte finish on the old BJ meant the phone never slipped in my grip. Why in the world did they change that? The phone is slick and I struggled trying to get the battery cover off the slippery devil.

And speaking of the battery. The battery that comes with the phone is called the Standard Battery, but it is the same size and shape of what was called the Extended Battery on the original. There is a different model number, but is there any reason the old extended batteries won't work in the BJ II?

One other annoyance, I would like to decide which programs are highlighted on the home screen. For example, I use Xpress Mail and Calendar which appear on the screen, so I don't need the regular calendar reminder there as well. Any tools to take care of that out there?

One other complaint:The power supply/headset port has been slightly changed so, of course, all new accessories will be in order. The phone comes with a sync cable and AC power supply, but my car power adapter no longer works. I would be really angry about this if Samsung was the only one to do it, but still.

I have loved my original BJ and was hoping the II would simply improve on the original and not introduce new problems such as slippery grips. I can adjust for that issue with a case, so I expect to continue to be a fan of the Blackjack family.

[twestley]

I looked at the BJII today at the AT&T store, but didn't buy it. My credit card was burning a hole in my pocket, as they say, because I thought this phone had all the features I want in a phone.

But, I didn't get it. Why? Once I had it in my hands, it just seemed that, other than GPS, it is not that big an improvement over my Cingular 2125. The screen is still pretty small and I know that I will continue to use my Toshiba PDA with the 4in VGA screen and WiFi. Still can't get down to that elusive one device.

So, I'll hang on to the Cingular 2125 and Toshiba PDA a little longer and see what's available in the next 6 months or so.

[Kris Kumar]

Thanks randalllewis for posting the observations, I am tempted to get the BlackJack II for the jog wheel. The menu shortcuts is a QWERTY thing with WM6 I believe. Surprised that Samsung changed the connectors.

I would like to know how is the battery life with 3G, and then does GPS work with freebie programs like Google Maps and maybe Nokia's Smart2Go?

[xyphos]

I would like to know how is the battery life with 3G, and then does GPS work with freebie programs like Google Maps and maybe Nokia's Smart2Go?

I heard it does. Haven't tried the device out myself, but I am still using an s620 so I'm thinking its probably worth the upgrade. So randalllewis, right now your biggest gripe is about the finish on the phone? Yeah, I think that would kind of bug me to, but like you said a case should solve that. How does the screen look? Is it washed out or crisp and clear? Any other thoughts would be great as I am looking to either purchase this phone of the Q9h, how would you say they compare?

[encece]

got one on friday because I wanted to move back to Smartphones fro PPCs and I wanted the GPS. GPS works well now that there is a fix for it...though I have yet to try it using a FULL navigation app like TomTom or CoPilot.

Beautiful phone tho...but if you're not interested in the GPS, and slightly updated specs...stick with the original.

[randalllewis]

The BJ II screen is very good. It is bright and clear. In my side by side observation with the original BJ, the new screen is superior. It may just be that it is bigger, but the wallpapers appear brighter, though it seems to me the text is actually a bit brighter on the original. All of these differences are so subtle they may be individual preference questions. I am liking the jog wheel more and more. It is very easy to use for navigation, plus it has a smart feature to help with the battery. I've noticed that simply spinning the wheel will not turn on the backlight or revive the phone from sleep. Clicking the wheel will revive the phone, but not a simple spin as you might accidently do while it is in your pocket. I installed both the XM Radio and TeleNav features that come with the phone. I don't know if I will keep XM, but it sounds better than you'd expect coming through the speakerphone. I haven't tried the GPS with another program because I am still learning TeleNav. Interestingly, you can set up XM without contacting AT&T, but to set up the GPS features of TeleNav you have to give them a call....and the phone number you are given on the TeleNav screen is no longer in service. Dial it and they'll give you another number to try.

[redbluff]

The GPS is a real problem on this device. Even with the Modaco fix you still cannot get it to work with Googlemaps, Windows Live, etc. It wont even work with the GPS test file in the Windows Mobile directoy. Without the GPS it is not work upgrading for the price.

[Rocco Augusto]

Shortcuts for menu navigation now involve letters rather than numbers. Why? I assume this is a WM6 thing.

Correct. This is one of my biggest annoyances with WM6 when I use it via the Microsoft created device emulator :(

[billcalle]

My wife's 2125 died on Thursday so Friday she inherited my BJ and I ran by and picked up a BJ II for myself (only $99 after rebate!). I didn't think it would be much of an upgrade, so I probably wouldn't have bought one had the opportunity not presented itself in terms of the wife's dead phone. Overall, I'm very happy. Obviously WM6 is a big improvement (I wasn't ready to run the leaked rom on my BJ). Above and beyond that though, the screen is better, the keyboard is better, the jog wheel is nice and the GPS is great. It worked right out of the box with Google Maps 2.0. What sort of problems are other people having with the GPS? What is the Modaco fix all about?

[billcalle]

I was just perusing the Getting Started Guide and noticed that the inside back page has a list of icons and applications. The last icon has the following text associated with it "Select APPLICATIONS to view a list of entertainment applications such as Camera, Speed Dial and Voice Command." Voice Command? I don't see that anywhere on my phone, am I simply missing it?