I've just left a ritzy Sprint-Samsung lunch where journalists were invited to check out the Instinct handset announced earlier in the day by Sprint CES Dan Hesse, and here are the main talking points about the most serious iPhone wannabe to date:
1. It's a true 3G phone, with support for Sprint's high-speed EVDO Rev. A data network. It doesn't support Wi-Fi, but let's face it--cellular coverage tends to be a lot more ubiquitous and you don't have to deal with setup whenever you're connected. I personally didn't even consider getting an iPhone because it doesn't support AT&T's fastest (HSDPA) data network.
2. It's got real GPS and a real navigation application. Apple's cell phone tower triangulation with Google Maps is better than nothing, but it's not GPS. Here's an image of the Instinct's navigation app:
3. It's almost certainly going to be cheaper than the iPhone--even if you have to pay to bump up the included 2GB Micro SD storage card to the maximum supported 8GB model, which I see being sold online for under $50. Sprint didn't announce pricing, but I'm hearing it will be $200-$250 or thereabouts (with a two-year contract, of course) when it ships in June. And Sprint will support it with Simply Everything plans offering all data services (including GPS) on top of voice service starting at $70 a month with limited minutes and $100 a month for no limit on voice calls.
4. It's highly customizeable. You get to create a startup screen of favorites, and can also swap out entries on the icon-driven main screen. Below are images of both.
5. Third-party apps are supported. It's a BREW/Java phone, so developers who've created BREW/Java apps for other phones should be able to easily port them to the Instinct.
I could add haptics feedback for the touch-screen interface to the list, but then I'd have to point out that the resistive touchscreen on the beta units lack the iPhone's smoothness of response.
Really, it's a strong package. But I feel a little sorry for the designers who've put together this admittedly interesting handset, because in the end, everyone will simply see it as an iPhone knockoff, no matter how well it performs. Whether you're an Apple fan or foe, it's difficult to see the Instinct as anything but validation of the iPhone as the gold standard for contemporary handset design.
Interesting comparison. Your analysis makes deciding what to buy easier - thanks. One thing I'd say however is that I do really appreciate WiFi-enabled cellphones. This can be faster (when cell reception is poor) and can save people like my self an arm and a leg when it comes to paying for overage charges on my data plan. Thanks for all the other well made points. - SB
Thanks for the insight and it is great to finally see that there is something coming out that compares with THE PHONE, and on another carrier. AT&T's coverage is miserable so I am willing to give Sprint a go to have another coverage system, and given that Verizon completely dropped the ball not carrying The PHONE, Sprint deserves the shot. Besides, my best past phones were made by Samsung, so this is good news x 2.
If it runs on BREW/Java and not Steve Jobs loctite software, does this mean it is completely open source? Will anyone be able to customize (and potentially screw up) their own phones? If you have a 3G connection, do you really need WiFi? (remember, this is a phone; not a media-rich laptop computer) The concern that has been popping into my mind ever since the iPhone was realeased ... what about security on all of these devices? Will I need antivirus and antispyware software to protect me from malicious websites? Another big question ... iPhone's success is, in part, because it syncs with iTunes. Will this phone be able to play content from iTunes? Good article. Thank you.
Another iPhone copycat HAHA! Well I have an iPhone & so far... got no problema & very satisfied & happy with it... it's indeed a great revolutionary mobile phone that allows one to make a call by simply tapping a name or number in one's address book, a favorites list, or a call log. It automatically syncs all contacts from a PC, Mac, or Internet service. It lets you select & listen to voicemail messages in whatever order you want -- just like email. It also can play your favorite music (with built-in iPod functionality), search anything online (using Google search), directions (using Google maps), surf the internet (Wi-Fi networking or EDGE) -- where ever you are, & much more! What more else do one need?
One made a comment & said that AT&T's coverage is miserable so he is willing to give Sprint a go to have another coverage system... well, who said Sprint has a great converage? AT&T, I believe is a better system than Sprint as it's GSM... well, cannot please everyone :)
This going to be the best phone ever, it will complete the iPhone.
Best fans website for the samsung instinct is at http://www.instinct-samsung.com
check it out folks.
So whoop dee doo Samsung as this instinct phone coming out in june. They may be two steps ahead of the game with 3g and gps navigation, but lets be real about this how long before apple comes out with 3g and gps navigation. I do know that 3g will be out before the end of the year and with apple's team of developers it won't be long before we see gps navigation as well. Lets just face reality Apple is so far ahead of technolgy that no matter what any one else does they will be clearing dust to keep up with Apple's team of developers. Besides when you can just plug an iphone to your pc and update to the latest software and never have to buy a new phone to keep up with technolgy it just makes every one else behind the times.
draymonroe April 15, 2008
Will we be able to view email attachments like pdf files, excel or word files?
Bill V April 21, 2008
Will we be able to view email attachments like pdf files, excel or word files?
Bill V April 21, 2008
Okay let me clear up somethings for all of you. First things first since I see that supporters of the Instinct's main arguement that it is better than the iphone is that the iphoen doesnt have 3g and gps, well the new version that is set to release this summer has both and it also include a better enterprise for business users. So that arguement is now invalidaged. I am neither an Iphone fan or foe but the iphone has set the mark in cellular phones and will be the bar that every other phone manufacturer attempts to reach. The Instinct is a very nice phone and priced resonable which makes it attractive. However, people will not be switching over to Sprint to get this phone as so many did to get the iphone. Yet agan, I am not hating on the Instinct it is just a great attempt to reach the greatness of is the IPHONE.
Okay let me clear up somethings for all of you. First things first since I see that supporters of the Instinct's main arguement that it is better than the iphone is that the iphoen doesnt have 3g and gps, well the new version that is set to release this summer has both and it also include a better enterprise for business users. So that arguement is now invalidaged. I am neither an Iphone fan or foe but the iphone has set the mark in cellular phones and will be the bar that every other phone manufacturer attempts to reach. The Instinct is a very nice phone and priced resonable which makes it attractive. However, people will not be switching over to Sprint to get this phone as so many did to get the iphone. Yet agan, I am not hating on the Instinct it is just a great attempt to reach the greatness of is the IPHONE.
I find it hard to put a lot of stock in anything that 1dymepeice has to say, because it looks like he/she (it?) has the grammar and spell-checking level of a challenged second-grader. Would I put a lot of confidence in the technical advice of a D-average (because those would be the grades he'd be getting with THAT grammar and spelling) second grader? I think not. The iPhone might have some greatness, but this guy sure doesn't...unless maybe he repeats grade school.
okay this is all very interesting, but im just gonna say this...at&t SUCKS when it comes to coverage...ooooommmmmmgggggg!!! im very excited with this new instinct phone only cuz it is with sprint, i want a iphone BADLY but i hate the at&t coverage and i have been stuck with it for 2 yrs now if you think it has good coverage its cuz uve never had a sprint phone and you think the way the voice sounds over your at&t phone is normal "news flash" that bubbling voice tone on the other side of ur call is NOT normal *wink* anyway im looking forward to checking out this instinct phone i agree that the IPHONE is the best phone ever and i promised i would get it as the LAST PHONE ILL EVER HAVE TO BUY but now this instinct has me thinking and wishing its all it seems to be...
okay this is all very interesting, but im just gonna say this...at&t SUCKS when it comes to coverage...ooooommmmmmgggggg!!! im very excited with this new instinct phone only cuz it is with sprint, i want a iphone BADLY but i hate the at&t coverage and i have been stuck with it for 2 yrs now if you think it has good coverage its cuz uve never had a sprint phone and you think the way the voice sounds over your at&t phone is normal "news flash" that bubbling voice tone on the other side of ur call is NOT normal *wink* anyway im looking forward to checking out this instinct phone i agree that the IPHONE is the best phone ever and i promised i would get it as the LAST PHONE ILL EVER HAVE TO BUY but now this instinct has me thinking and wishing its all it seems to be...
APPLE missed the mark in creating such an amazing device and only making it GSM capable.......If they were smart like we all already know they can be, they should've made the iPhone a DUAL technology device ..... GSM & CDMA capable. This would have made the coveted phone accessible to all people and all service providers worldwide. I'm a dedicated Apple/Mac user and have been for many years but have not purchased the iPhone because of its monopoly contract with AT&T......who truly does provide less than stellar service. I have been with Sprint for a long time and have been very satisfied with them.....Finally i can have an iPhone-Like device that has improved upon Apple's revolutionary device......I'm truly excited about the Samsung Instinct thru Sprint !! J-NYC
You guys are fighting over the instinct and iphone as if they were really revolutionary....check out the nvidia apx 2500 if u want to see revolutionary....it'll make the iphone look like a child's toy.
QUOTE - "It doesn't support Wi-Fi, but let's face it--cellular coverage tends to be a lot more ubiquitous and you don't have to deal with setup whenever you're connected."
Typical of a pc user who's accustomed to pummeling through a nightmare of setup options when dealing with any sort of wifi. The mac, and the iphone, auto-discover and configure themselves for wifi. And to imply that this is not an important piece of the smart phone technology lineup is to show how unprepared you are to discuss the issue to begin with.
FAVORITE QUOTE: " it will be $200-$250 or thereabouts (with a two-year contract, of course)"
iPhone 3g = $199, no contract required to get that price, full gps support, full exchange/push technology support, completely customizable, third party apps available, and the list goes on and on.
SCOREBOARD:
Apple = 2 (iphone & iPhone 3g)
Sprint (and this reviewer) = 0 (still)
actually the iphone 3g does require you to sign a contract with at&t when you purchase your phone so that is the reason for the price cut. You will no longer be able to own an iphone without having it activated with at&t.
actually you need to sign a contract with at&t when you purchase the iphone 3g, you wont be able to get it unless you do, thats the reason for the price cut
Recent posters: Please look at the date of the original. It was written in early April, long before we knew when a 3G iPhone was coming, much less how little it would cost. Also, my post was not a review--just a product announcement.
I posted an actual review (that took Apple's announcement into account) a few days ago. http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,147354/article.html
And kokorotto is absolutely right -- you must sign a contract. AT&T is subsidizing the new iPhone (the traditional U.S. carrier practice) because it expects to make up the subsidy on the service you have to buy. I wrote about why the new iPhone is so much less expensive than the old one here: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,146894/article.html