Samsung OMNIA Videos from MobiFrance

[Jason Dunn]

<embed width="425" height="349" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/-_xZFsyYJus&amp;hl=en&amp;border=1"></embed><br /><br />My friend Nghia from <a target="_blank" href="http://www.mobifrance.com/">MobiFrance</a> attended the global launch for the Samsung OMNIA in Singapore and he captured a couple of great videos. The video above is your typical marketing fluff (complete with some rather cheesy dialogue), but it shows the capabilities of the device - the OMNIA has some very interesting features, and in many ways, it doesn't even look like Windows Mobile. Samsung obviously picked up the glove HTC threw down with TouchFlo over a year ago and they've put some serious effort into customizing the user experience.<br /><br />The <a target="_blank" href="http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=Lek6IOjHK_c">other video</a> that Nghia published shows a live walkthrough of the user interface on the OMNIA - a must see if you're interested in this device (embedded after the break). <MORE /><br /><br /><embed width="425" height="349" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Lek6IOjHK_c&amp;hl=en&amp;border=1"></embed>

[Frankie1]

I'm so happy I feel like crying right now, This is how WM is supposed to be. I don't care if this device is $1,700 I'm going to do everything I can to get this device. I'm speachless.......

[efjay]

There, there Frankie1 have a virtual tissue! I echo your sentiments, this is the only WM phone I am remotely interested in today, the hardware specs are great and the UI enhancements look to make it a lot easier to use. Only negative is the screen resolution but for me this is make up by the screen size and hopefully overall quality. Cant wait!

[whydidnt]

It still looks interesting to me, but seems to suffer from some of the same issues as Touch Flo - namely it seems in the MobiFrance hand's-on they had to repeat swipes and gestures before the phone would respond. I suspect this is an issue because the screen isn't "multi-touch", but perhaps it's just early firmware related.

Let's see how long it is before we can actually purchase one of these though. I'm not holding my breath. :(

[mhynek]

In all fairness, I thought he did rather well, considering he had a video camera in one hand and did all navigation "one handed" with his THUMB. However, the home screen, although interesting, looked convoluted and a little too "busy" for me. So, in regard to the home screen, I believe Apple has done something good by keeping the graphics simple and finger friendly. Speaking of the iPhone, even during the demo, he tried using multi-touch to enlarge the picture he was viewing. So it shows how prevalent the iPhone has become and and it's influence on how we perceive devices might work. In other words, I think he was testing it to see if someone else tried the multi-touch approach and was hoping for a "nice surprise". Also, is it me? or has there been an onslaught of devices (well maybe 3) with accelerometers coming to market since the introduction of the iPhone? It seems to be a frivolity that is morphing into a "must have" component in the ever progressing market of technology and the increasingly tech savy consumer's desires. I think the OMNIA is a nice phone, and I'm interested, but as said before...I won't hold my breath. Who knows what will be available, at that time, when and if it comes to fruition. It may not be enough by the time it comes to market.

[gmontem]

Which 3 devices did you have in mind? I think the Nokia N95 came out with the accelerometer first, so you should add the iPhone in that list and make it 4. ;)