Samsung A950
January 5th, 2006 - Posted in Samsung
The hot, red Samsung A950 will have you moving with the latest wireless technology. With a 1.3 megapixel camera and camcorder, Bluetooth, an integrated MP3 player, TransFlash memory storage, a stereo speakerphone, and support for Verizon’s V Cast service, this phone is a stylish companion with all the trimmings.
Design
The A950’s internal 176 x 220 screen sports a whopping 262,000 colors for viewing high-resolution video and games. The full-color, supplementary external display shows incoming call information, picture caller ID, signal strength, battery life, current time and more. Controls for the phone’s MP3 player are placed below the external display and they include a handy rotating jog wheel for selecting tracks quickly. Meanwhile, the phone’s camera is housed above the external display. The A950’s antenna is housed internally — nothing to snag or break off, and there’s a TransFlash/microSD memory slot for storing pictures, videos, music and other media. A standard 2.5mm stereo headset jack is present, as is a USB port for synchronizing data. Most of the phone’s features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset’s control pad.
Calling Features
The A950 boasts powerful calling functions, like an integrated speakerphone that makes it easy to converse without touching the handset– a big plus for car users. Meanwhile, voice dialing makes it easy to call contacts by simply saying their names. And because the A950 is Bluetooth enabled, wireless headsets can be configured with the phone for total handsfree operation.
The A950’s internal memory can hold up to 500 contacts for quick access to email addresses and phone numbers. The phone lets you easily assign pictures to your most common callers. In addition to vibrating alerts, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones. A number of ringtones come preloaded on the phone and more ringtones can be downloaded from Verizon’s Get It Now service. The A950’s GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools
The phone’s support for multimedia messaging means that text, photos, video and audio can be sent with ease (Verizon messaging charges apply). When used in combination with the A950’s built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. There’s also a built-in web browser for downloads and mobile web browsing. Verizon’s optional Mobile Web 2.0 package allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your e-mail, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit– a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, the A950 is fully compatible with Verizon’s V Cast service. With V Cast, you can download and stream high-quality video. Need news and weather? Get the latest Accuweather forecast delivered right to your handset, or stream CNN news headlines. ESPN sports updates, entertainment news from E!, and even Sesame Street content for the kids, are all available. V Cast also serves as a portal for enhanced 3D games. Have more fun with a new breed of realistic games.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the A950 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a calendar and an alarm clock.
Imaging and Entertainment
Plenty of good times are built right into this handset, and that fun is expandable thanks to the A950’s TransFlash/MicroSD memory slot. The phone’s 1.3 megapixel camera with flash makes getting great shots easy. As mentioned, it’s also designed to capture high-quality video. Video capture length is only limited by the amount of available flash memory.
And don’t forget that the A950 makes a great MP3 player; load up your favorite tunes and use the phone as a portable jukebox. The phone also supports V Cast 3D games, as well as other 2D-based games, which are available from Verizon’s Get It Now service.