AT&T Releases the Samsung Jack

[Jason Dunn]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/spt/auto/1242318844.usr1.jpg" style="border: 0; float: left; margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px; margin-top: 2px; margin-bottom: 2px;" />The new Windows Mobile Standard 6.1 smartphone from Samsung is here...and it looks a heck of a lot like the Motorola Q, doesn't it? That's not a bad thing, mind you, but it's still somewhat surprising to see. Dubbed the Samsung Jack, this phone has the same name as the <a href="http://www.rogers.com/web/link/wirelessBuyFlow?forwardTo=PhoneThenPlan&amp;productType=normal&amp;productId_Detailed=I616R" target="_blank">Blackjack II in Canada</a>. That's right, Samsung decided to give it the name of a previously released product. Maybe they thought no one would notice. I predict they'll do something crazy like call it the Jack II in Canada, further confusing anyone that does a search for this phone. But hey, enough harping about the name - what's it got under the hood?</p><p>It's not radically different from the Blackjack II: the Jack has more RAM, 256 MB to be precise, and an unknown amount of storage ROM (I suspect 256 MB as well). Why all the RAM? Because it's going to support Windows Mobile 6.5 when it comes out later this year - Samsung's exact wording from the press release is <em>"The Samsung Jack will also be upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5."</em> Note that Samsung stopped short of committing to offer a free 6.5 upgrade as HTC has done - so it's anyone's guess as to whether or not Samsung will release an upgrade. We know how often the OEMs change their mind when it comes to upgrades.</p><p>Other hardware features include a 3.2 megapixel camera (no mention of a flash), 802.11b/g WiFi, aGPS, 3G GSM, and a microSDHC card slot for expansion. Nothing very exciting hardware-wise, and other than WiFi (which is great!) no fixes to the hardware limitations from the Blackjack II. There's still no 3.5mm headphone jack. It still uses the proprietary Samsung power/sync connector. There's no mention of the screen size or screen resolution, but it looks like it's the same as the Blackjack II.</p><p>So if you're a Blackjack II owner, unless you really want WiFi, there's nothing much new here - once Windows Mobile 6.5 is released, presuming Samsung offers an upgrade, this phone might get more interesting. I'm a fan of my Blackjack II - it's a great workhorse - but it sure doesn't have the "wow" factor that the newer touch-screen phones from HTC have. After the break there's a YouTube video from an AT&amp;T employee that shows you what the phone looks like. I've also screen-capped an image that shows that the Jack is shorter, and perhaps a bit thicker than the Blackjack II. <MORE /></p><p><object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="600" height="360" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0"><param name="src" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/KAKV1ikLBoY" /><embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="600" height="360" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/KAKV1ikLBoY"></embed></object></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/spt/auto/1242320712.usr1.jpg" style="border: 1px solid #d2d2bb;" /></p><p>The Jack will be available from AT&amp;T on May 19th for $99.99 USD after a mail-in rebate with a two-year contract. No word on the pricing of it without a contract - I suspect somewhere around $399. The full press release can be found over on <a href="http://mobilitysite.com/2009/05/att-unveils-the-samsung-jack/#more-25414" target="_blank">MobilitySite</a>.</p>

[ucfgrad93]

I thought that in order for a phone to be eligible for 6.5 it has to have a dedicated Windows button. The Jack doesn't have this so how is Samsung claiming it can be upgraded to 6.5?

[Jason Dunn]

I thought that in order for a phone to be eligible for 6.5 it has to have a dedicated Windows button. The Jack doesn't have this so how is Samsung claiming it can be upgraded to 6.5?

Yeah, someone else I know asked that same question - I have no answer for you, but if I do learn the answer, I'll pass it along.

[Stinger]

Any idea what the AT&T key does? Bring up a branded menu of services?

I've never seen an operator key on a UK phone before.

[Jason Dunn]

Any idea what the AT&T key does? Bring up a branded menu of services?

Unknown, but I suspect that's the case - possibly AT&T voicemail? Carriers in North America looooove to brand phones. :rolleyes:

[questionfear]

Any idea what the AT&T key does? Bring up a branded menu of services?

I've never seen an operator key on a UK phone before.

Usually the AT&T key (I assume you mean the little AT&T world logo button) leads to Media NET, an AT&T portal. It is really just a custom homepage for IE, and you can remap it in settings. At least that's what it was on my Samsung Epix.

[marlof]

I seem to remember that Eric Lin of HTC stated in that Akihabara set of interviews also couldn't state if the HTC Snap would be upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5 (as was confirmed about the touch screen devices Diamond 2 and Touch Pro 2 that are released about the same time).

[Fritzly]

I seem to remember that Eric Lin of HTC stated in that Akihabara set of interviews also couldn't state if the HTC Snap would be upgradable to Windows Mobile 6.5 (as was confirmed about the touch screen devices Diamond 2 and Touch Pro 2 that are released about the same time).

It seems that WM 6.5 will not be a big deal:

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/05/windows-mobile-65-widget-details-no-silverlight.ars

[Phillip Dyson]

It seems that WM 6.5 will not be a big deal:

http://arstechnica.com/microsoft/news/2009/05/windows-mobile-65-widget-details-no-silverlight.ars

The main thing that I want out of 6.5 is the browser and the marketplace.

As to the Jack, I love it. My only comment that I think I may need a bigger battery. I will admit that I'm using it pretty intensively, but I can barely make it through my work day.

[Jason Dunn]

As to the Jack, I love it. My only comment that I think I may need a bigger battery.

I'm recharging mine about every three days or so...which is about average for this type of device. If you're recharging it every day, you must be using it a LOT. :D

[Phillip Dyson]

I'm recharging mine about every three days or so...which is about average for this type of device. If you're recharging it every day, you must be using it a LOT. :D

Every three days! I don't get anything near that. I can't imagine that I use my mine too much more than you.

Of course I'd guess you're using Edge and not 3G. And I have push email turned on.

Come to think of it, there was a program installed when I app unlocked my device. Someone mentioned that it affected their battery life. I'll uninstall it and see.

Tomorrow is going to be crazy long day as I'm getting married. So we'll see if it lasts the day.

Update: Have you seen a pecurlarity where the SD card is not visible on occasion?

[Jason Dunn]

Every three days! I don't get anything near that. I can't imagine that I use my mine too much more than you.

Oh, you might be surprised. There are days when I don't leave my office all day, and the phone just sits there not being used, though it is turned on.

Of course I'd guess you're using Edge and not 3G. And I have push email turned on.

I'm on 3G. We have that up here in Canada. :D I don't have push email turned on - that's a definite drain on battery life, and in general I think push email is evil from a societal point of view. :D

Tomorrow is going to be crazy long day as I'm getting married. So we'll see if it lasts the day.

Wow! Congratulations! I hope it went well. :)

Have you seen a pecurlarity where the SD card is not visible on occasion?

No, I haven't seen that - I have an 8 GB Sandisk microSD in there.

[Phillip Dyson]

Everything went well Sunday. And I'm also on my second day without a charge. I think it was definitely something that I had installed killing my battery life. I even left my Wifi on last night. I'm still running with 3 bars.

[Jason Dunn]

Everything went well Sunday.

Good to hear! Remember: never go to bed angry. :)

And I'm also on my second day without a charge. I think it was definitely something that I had installed killing my battery life. I even left my Wifi on last night. I'm still running with 3 bars.

Could be. I'm doing a battery test myself just to see how long it really does last - I'll let you know what I find out.

[ARW]

Do we have a full on review to look forward to?

I have the Blackjack II and am wondering if it's worth upgrading. Probably with 6.5, but not so sure with 6.1.

[Jason Dunn]

Do we have a full on review to look forward to?

Yes, I'll be doing a video review - likely next week.

[ARW]

Great to hear. I've enjoyed the videos you've done and look forward to more.

[Jason Dunn]

Great to hear. I've enjoyed the videos you've done and look forward to more.

I'm glad to hear you like them - when I first started there were some complaints from people who preferred written articles, but I honestly find the videos so much easier to do. There's only so much I can write, but talking on camera? That's pretty easy. :D

[Jason Dunn]

Just as an FYI: I started my battery test with a full charge at 8:28 AM on July 7th. Today, more than 48 hours later, I still have three bars of battery life. Keep in mind though that I don't do many phone calls on it - maybe 5 minutes total in the past two days. I have my Exchange email set to sync every 4 hours, and yesterday I used it for a fair bit of email.

So, all in all, I'd say the battery life on the Jack is pretty darn good. :) I'm continuing my test of course and will report the final battery life I got with it...

[ARW]

Haven't seen a video review/comparo of the Jack. Did I miss it some how or did you decide against it? :confused:

[Jason Dunn]

Haven't seen a video review/comparo of the Jack. Did I miss it some how or did you decide against it? :confused:

I've shot the video, but I haven't edited/uploaded it yet. Expect it next week.

[ARW]

Great news! Thanks for all your hard work.