Samsung BlackJack II Unveiled -- a Serious iPhone Killer?
The juggernaut of new iPhone-killers continues on a pace with today's official unveiling of the Samsung BlackJack II, which will be out for AT&T by the end of the year. None other than Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer walked his audience through the super-slim smart phone's first public appearance.
The first BlackJack was super-slim and sexy, but ran on that pesky and sometimes glitchy Windows Mobile 5 operating system. The BlackJack II is just as slim and sexy (and comes in two different, two-toned color schemes), but runs on the more powerful and stable Windows Mobile 6.
Compared to the iPhone (and the original BlackJack), the BlackJack II boasts a seriously impressive list of features, including:
- AT&T Video Share, which lets you do live, one-way videoconferencing with other AT&T-Video-Share-enabled phones.
- Built-in GPS and TeleNav GPS Navigator software that can reroute you if you get lost.
- A 2.0 megapixel camera that doubles as a camcorder.
- An RSS Reader
- World-phone high-speed 3G capability (UMTS/HSDPA) for data, downloading, and Web surfing.
- An improved speakerphone.
- Microsoft Direct Push with Outlook Mobile, for faster reception of most types of e-mail (plus over-the-air syncing of contacts, tasks, and calendar appointments).
- XM Radio Mobile (requires $8.99 per month subscription)
- AT&T Mobile Music (direct-to-phone Napster, eMusic, and the like)
- AT&T's TV streaming service.
The BlackJack II -- out by the end of the year for $149.99 (with a two-year AT&T contract) -- is just one of many new smart phones to hit the market, but it's the second major one to include Windows Mobile 6, which we have to say we've been enjoying with the HTC Touch we're testing out. More smart phones will be announced in the days to come, no doubt, from the CTIA conference in San Francisco. We'll keep you posted.
How about you? Would you buy this phone over the iPhone?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Jackie Jackson @ Oct 24th 2007 3:48AM
I love my iphone. Never had one problem with it and wouldn't trade it (for now anyway). I love it's features. I love watching youtube videos when I'm bored or waiting in the doctor's office & enjoy texting now, whearas before I could take it or leave it. Maybe I'm a simple girl, but I think my iphone was the best purchase I made all year. I feel I got my money's worth.
KC @ Oct 24th 2007 7:43AM
I have a Blackberry curve I think it's the 8300 (whatever the newest one is). I've used it only a couple of times. I love this phone it's really pretty awesome but I still want an iphone (I'm just an apple person). Anyone that wants to trade new for new email me :).
KC @ Oct 24th 2007 7:45AM
oops. My email is ocpdv0709@aol.com
th @ Oct 24th 2007 4:02PM
@Jackie
Just because it is a new smartphone for AT&T doesn't mean it should be automatically compared to the iPhone.
I'll be the first to admit that the iPhone is quite the media phone, but the Blackjack II is completely different. Windows Mobile 6, full QWERTY, video share, 3G, etc. The Blackjack II isn't even in the same category as the iPhone.
It's like an automobile reviewer comparing a sedan to an all-terrain vehicle to a motorcycle. It just doesn't happen.
-- Travis Hudson, MWW Group on behalf of Samsung
Chris Calvin @ Oct 25th 2007 9:57AM
It will take ALLOT to get me to give up my Iphone. I am completly satisfied with it. Apple has a HUGE advantage in IPOD type devices, and has crossed that barrier into cell phones/mp3 players/wireless internet devices market. I don't care what other cell phone makers come out with, having an Ipod along with a cell phone etc... WILL NOT be easy to compete with, just ask mp3 makers. Only problem I have with APPLE is they know they are number 1 in the mp3 market, and make it impossible for competition with other music services..They at this point don't want competition and can get away with it.
Jane @ Oct 25th 2007 10:46AM
I personally think that there are better phones out there than the iPhone. The Blackjack is one of them. The iPhone doesn't have a qwerty keypad built in and it has no camcorder. And you couldn't even download your own ringtone until recently.
I'd choose the Blackjack.
Kevin McCubbin @ Oct 25th 2007 11:09AM
I have an IPhone and there is no phone on the market that can compare to it. Sure it doesn't have a movie camera, but who really uses 2" x 2" cell phone movies? They are useless. Further the IPhone is 100% touch screen. This Blackjack is not even comparable, it looks like a Black Berry Pearl knock-off. Also, and finally this black jack 2 doesn't have Wi-Fi which I use on a daily basis on my IPhone. I am not giving up my IPhone any time soon for this peice of junk.
jm corley @ Oct 25th 2007 11:19AM
Did you notice in the comments that the only people who prefer the new Samsung phone are people who don't own an iPhone. I've had an iPhone for two months and I love it in every way. It had a 175-page downloadable owner's manual and I never even read it. Like all Apple products, it's completely intuitive.
don jackson @ Oct 25th 2007 11:21AM
All these new phones are better / great / Outstanding and we all love them. The real difference and problem is SERVICE!!! Your cellphone provider is what's in question. Recently I had a real problem with my Alltel phone. After 3 trips to try and resolve my problem, I was informed that although I had been paying the for the Insurance from the getgo...I would now!!! need to pay a $95.00 deductable to get my phone repaired or replaced. I was never told this prior to the third visit. The Store Manager would not help and said there was no one else to talk with, or resolve my complaint with. When you call ALLTEL Corporate you must have a complete NAME first...before speaking to anyone at Alltel Corporate offices about customer service complaints.. This is a disgrace and is really wrong when companies say Customer Service is what they stand for. Today they do not want to repair or deal with Customer complaints!!! They just want to sell you a phone,or phone plan and not worry with you when problems arise. It's a throw away system now, after the one year manufacture warranty is over. They sell you insurance that is useless, unless you then pay the high cost of the deductable that may be hidden in the fine print. This of course will hopefully get you to purchase a lower priced phone and resign a New two year contract. New phone technology is great, but what is really needed is better Customer Service complaint systems that work. GOOD LUCK!!!
Connie Brotzman @ Oct 25th 2007 11:25AM
My husband gave me an iPhone for my 55th birthday. Steve Jobs should hire me to do phone commercials!!!!!!. My iPhone and I are inseperable. If you haven't owned an iPhone for two weeks or longer....you have no business doing a review of any kind. The simplicity of use and the phone features are unbelievable. Daily I find some new trick it can do for me. My motto is, "Never under estimate Steve Jobs!!!"
Jared @ Oct 25th 2007 11:35AM
I think it's kinda weird that AT&T is the exclusive company for the IPhone and now it's going to start carrying a phone that the media is calling an iphone killer. I don't personally think that they really compete against each other all that much, but if I were Apple I'd be kinda upset agreeing to reduce my sales by agreeing to sell the iphone through only one cell company, and then hear AT&T is going to start pushing something even occasionally referred to as an iphone killer.
t-man @ Oct 25th 2007 11:47AM
I also own the IPhone and It has been a real pleasure! most of you know that everytime someone great such as Steve Jobs creates a new world wide used device,Others try to duplicate it
However the Iphone will always remain the king!!Remember first came Michael Jordan Them came Kobe!
ME @ Oct 25th 2007 12:02PM
WHAT????? Who ever wrote this article is not a wireless savy person. You cant go around touting that their is another iphone killer and here is why...
1. Att sold their soul to get the exclusive rights to the iphone.(5yr exclusivity)
2. The att(htc) 8925 is a more capable device than iphone or blackjack.
3.besides quirky os that windows smart phone 5 or 6 is its web content is terrible.
4. the keys are too small the buttons are too close together
5. the web is not "true" internet (reason iphone is as "revolutionary" as it is)
6. Although the I personally dislike the iphone b/c of its lack of ability to anything other than what apple wants you to do, the content for the windows mobile 6 os is lame and still doesn't allow you to enjoy the same rich content as the iphone.
7. it is not a pocket pc it limits you to reading documents no ability to edit which is a draw back and still requires you to lug a laptop around.
8. it is not a touch screen which i personally think has pro's and con's but your average tech geek love the touch screen
9. it is not as user friendly as iphone
10. the marketing is not there. I mean i must see 10 iphone commercials a day! when bj1 was launched i would see maybe one every few days.
in closing the BJ2 is gonna be a huge disappointment to who ever wrote this article. Not to mention that the next gen blackberries will destroy both iphone and pocket pc/ windows smart phone. Blackberry is everybit as user friendly as an iphone and every bit as adaptable as a pocket pc... iphones lack content and the ability to tether. pocket pc's lack battery life and ease of operation. BLACKBERRY IS THE FUTURE
no phones for me @ Oct 25th 2007 12:40PM
well i guess i'm just plain old! i don't even have a cell phone and could care less to have one. i see people with them constantly glued to thier ears and have seen too many accidents because of them. it's amazing how people got along before cell phones and call waiting all all that stuff...busy phone, call back; emergency, operator would cut in; ughhh...cell phones!
Keri @ Oct 25th 2007 12:42PM
I love my iphone.
iPhone lover @ Oct 25th 2007 12:52PM
I can not imagine anyone not loving the iPhone. It is so easy to use and entertaining when bored, like waiting in dr office etc. it has neat features. I show people my iphone all the time and you can use the satelite and I can see the statue of liberty and people on the ground! along with my house and my car in the driveway and someone in the pool! its cool! i love it. nothing compares to it!
hahahaha @ Oct 25th 2007 12:54PM
I'm going to bide my time and buy one in 2 years when all the glitches are worked out and they cost $50.
Flairchairs @ Oct 25th 2007 1:06PM
I really enjoy reading the feedback and comments. I'm a bit old fashion myself. I REALLY just want a telephone that can actually allow you to communicate with someone without any disruption. That's all I want. Now if Microsoft, Apple, Alltel, AT&T, Virgin, and others could dance around on stage and claim - OUR PHONES NEVER DROP CALLS, EVER! That's the phone for me. Thanks!
Mike @ Oct 25th 2007 1:26PM
One big advantage I see of the Blackjack II is the ability to send picture and video text messages, like traditional camera phones...something my iPhone isn't capable of and I'm very disappointed about that. When a friend sends me a picture msg, I have to logon to "viewmymessage.com" (an at&t site), type in a newly generated (and unique to each pic msg) username and password before I can view the picture message. Cannot do this while driving!
Otherwise, the iPhone has more pro's than con's.
Michael Kelly @ Oct 25th 2007 3:10PM
I had a blackjack for a year, and I just traded it in for my iPhone last month. I think the Blackjack has some features that are better such as outlook integration, MMS texting, and being able to SMS text multiple people at once.
The iPhone does allow Outlook integration but it's not as friendly as the blackjack.
That being said, there will be a software download for the iPhone soon that will include the video camera and other things. I do like both phones and yes the Blackjack has some better features than the iPhone.
But after all that, I wouldn't trade my iPhone for any other phone on the market right now. The things I love about the phone totally outweigh the things I don't like. And it will only get better as more updates come through iTunes!