Samsung's SPH-M7000: Another Landscape Keyboard Unit

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobile-review.com/news.php?year=2005&month=May&day=29&language=ru' target='_blank'>http://www.mobile-review.com/news.p...=29&language=ru</a><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.expocomm.com/asia/">EXPO COMM Wireless Korea 2005</a> is on right now, and unsurprisingly, a number of hardware vendors are showing off cool new mobile devices. One of the more interesting ones is this Samsung unit, the SPH-M7000. For those of you who know what the T-Mobile Sidekick (Danger Hiptop) is, the screen design looks suspiciously like it.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050531-SPHM7000.jpg" /><br /><br />Mobile-Review states, via <a href="http://www.cetizen.com/">Cetizen</a>, that the device will be (is?) running 2003SE, has a 520MHz PXA270, has WiFi, a 1.3MP camera, and measures 4.92" x 2.47" x .96", and has CDMA 1xEV-DO. It doesn't look groundbreaking, but I really think the form factor is pretty cool. Of course, the likelihood we get a device like that here... well... you know the drill.

[andydempsey]

You know, that could be a form factor that would beat the HTC universal from the standpoint of useability and longevity. Don't get me wrong, I love the HTCU form and am anxiously awaiting it. I'm just concerned about the screen fold and twist mechanism wearing and breaking, I have several co-workers who have the sidekick and after a long period of abuse, they are still working fine.

[d-roC]

You know, that could be a form factor that would beat the HTC universal from the standpoint of useability and longevity. Don't get me wrong, I love the HTCU form and am anxiously awaiting it. I'm just concerned about the screen fold and twist mechanism wearing and breaking, I have several co-workers who have the sidekick and after a long period of abuse, they are still working fine.

I see what you are saying there; but wouldnt you think that the screen would be flipped less often because the device is more usable in portrait mode than the S2 is? I have quite a few friends with the S and S2 and that is one complaint that they have with it.

I have to say that if they have the swing motion down, that alone makes it a cool device to whip out during a meeting.

[ricksfiona]

That's pretty slick. I still prefer the Universal though... If I wanted a device with a built-in keyboard....

[griph]

Mobile-Review states, that the device will be (is?) running 2003SE, has a 520MHz PXA270, has WiFi, a 1.3MP camera, and measures 4.92" x 2.47" x .96".

Disappointing that it wont have WM5 on it - and at that size!!! M-O-O-N ... that spells brick! 45% bigger volume that my MDA Compact! Dont want it!

[Darius Wey]

Is that the furthest the screen will extend? That top row of keys looks awfully hard to press. :|

[saru83]

samsung's suff are always stylish, but this one looks AWFUL , its sick.... i like the idea though but they could make it much much better looking and then again i cant imagine that it will have WM 2003se and not WM5 thats freaking weird, i wouldnt even think about getting it. I am waiting for the lovely UNIVERSAL :D

[TheZodiac]

This is a sliding screen I would think - since Danger has a patent on all things swiveling and revealing a screen, (haha) anyway, this is smaller and more powerful, and from myself, who has been a sidekick user from day one (2002) this is something I would LOVE. Only, if it does come to the states, it will more than likely be with SPRINT or Verizon. More likely Sprint.

Personally, I am waiting to see what the HTC Wizard beholds :)

[Jonathon Watkins]

2003SE? No thanks. :?

[Scott R]

I think this is the best of the bunch, personally. This is the only one that allows easy access to the D-Pad while using the thumbboard. How much you want to bet that those four blue-colored keys on the right
are highlighted differently for gaming purposes? I also like the design of the keys better as there's some space between the keys.

All that said, it's still not perfect. What I'd really like is something more like the Nokia Communicator design (only smaller). This design (and the HTC one) leave the touchscreen exposed and you also don't have user-friendly big-button numeric keys. With a Communicator-style design, you'd take care of both issues.

[ikesler]

loving the form factor........ a lot!