Mobile ESPN launches Samsung ACE

It's thin, but not too thin; chic, but nothing your butchier friends are gonna call you a metro for having one;, it's got features, just not many, and none are really all that impressive. Yes, that's right, it's Mobile ESPN's second cellphone, the Samsung ACE, otherwise known as the A900. Expect the same set of features (Bluetooth, swiveling camera, EV-DO, audio and media playback) as its counterpart, but with a $99 price tag, a black paint job, and ESPN logos all over the damn thing. So thank you no, we'll continue holding out for Mobile ESPN2 to launch so we can catch some real football games (and spelling bee championships, etc.).

[Zadillo @ Jun 29th 2006 8:04AM]

Is there any chance at all that the software of these ESPN phones might end up on other phones? I played around with one of these at BestBuy, and I have to say that the actual mobile ESPN stuff is really nice and slick (the grid for seeing sports scores and live game updates, the scrolling ticker, etc.). Compared to getting sports scores off of a WAP page, I really like it. But at the same time, I'm not going to cancel my current phone contract just to get an ESPN phone.

[Steve K @ Jun 29th 2006 8:39AM]

Call me when they have PBA video on their phones :cool:

[brandon @ Jun 29th 2006 8:50AM]

I only watch the ocho! Can you handle it?

[Gio @ Jun 29th 2006 8:53AM]

I thought ESPN Mobile was going to shut down this Quarter Season.

[Galley @ Jun 29th 2006 8:59AM]

Yeah, I've never understood why they don't sell the service for $10/month. True, it might only run on a handful of phones, but their userbase would probably increase 10x. I've already got a two-month old A900; why would I want to buy a new phone, and have limited web access with the ESPN phone?

[Brett @ Jun 29th 2006 10:07AM]

I have the Mobile ESPN service on the first phone (Sanyo MVP) and it's AWESOME! The application is rock-solid (much better than ANY app on my Treo) and the phone features are great. The speaker phone on the MVP was worth the sign-up. The pricing plans are so cheap it's worth it if you are a sports fan. If you really want one, email me at [e-mail] and I'll do everything possible to hook everyone up with a VIP discount!

[chlorine @ Jun 29th 2006 10:52AM]

you mean lame football right? Vamos Argentina!

[PPC @ Jun 29th 2006 3:09PM]

PLEASE DON'T BUY THIS PHONE!!!!!!!!!! I had it for SPrint and all it gave me was problems. Too many resets throughout the da y and poor battery life.

[Ryan @ Jun 29th 2006 6:03PM]

It mentions that a difference between this phone and the A900 is the black paint job. The A900 is exactly the same color. At least the one in my pocket is.

Just get a real A900, it is a great phone, and it isn't covered in ugly logos.

[flamer's grill @ Jun 29th 2006 6:29PM]

The ESPN black-and-red paint job made the MVP look sexy. It makes the A(900)CE look like ass.

[Rom @ Jun 29th 2006 7:08PM]

@Brett -

Nice shameless plug!
Invalid application comparison.

[Deluxe @ Jun 29th 2006 8:15PM]

Brett, have you no shame?

Nasty looking branded phone with nasty looking tiny stream, doesnt look to be much bigger than the navipad, and that's about the size of my thumb.

Now a D902iS, that's a spicy 2.8" Wide QVGA meatball.

[Jay @ Jun 29th 2006 11:28PM]

You guys want some numbers? ESPN Mobile is just hemorrhaging money at this point. They've spent ~ $30 million on just advertising the service so far. You wanna know how many subscribers they have? Just 2400 people have signed up for it.

OWNED.

[Brett @ Jul 10th 2006 10:02AM]

Yup - no doubt that's a shameless plug; I'm willing to put my name out there because I believe int he product! I'm a sports nut, and I use this phone like crazy. You can complain all you want about the phone not being the best gizmo out there (btw, there's always something better about to be released in a week, so the best gadget is only the "best" for a weekend...) the bottom line is this SERVICE is awesome. If you like sports and want to keep up with scores & news then this is the best service you'll find. If you don't like sports and are only concerned with a trendy phone, then this clearly is not the way to go. :)

[Brett @ Jul 19th 2006 5:30PM]

Hey, I'm back... and I actually have the go-ahead from the powers that be to be offering folks a crazy discount on the phone. Hell, I don't even work for Mobile ESPN and I'm willing to put my butt out there to promote this product. I gotta tell you about the Game Casts... those are a lifesaver. My wife wanted to see that Jennifer Aniston movie "The Breakup" the same night as the FIFA WC final and a Yankees game... needless to say I watched the entire thing using the game cast on my phone. I'm HOOKED! I have a Treo with web access and it's NOWHERE close to the features Mobile ESPN service has.
Oh, here's the deal: as an ESPN employee I can get you a mad deal for the next month or so. I've hooked up a BUNCH of folks that have emailed me from this site with the phones (thanks Engadget) let me know: [e-mail] and I'll hook you up!

[Brett @ Aug 4th 2006 3:47PM]

I'M HOOKED ON THE ACE! I tried to fight it for a while because I wctually WAS happy with the MVP, but I activated my Samsung ACE on Tuesday and I'm in love. All the talk about the battery life being horrible is bunk. I've turned off the full-time GPS feature and I shut off the Bluetooth when I'm not using it and the phone lasts all day no problem. At least it's not a concern for me. The ACE also ships with a car charger free, so any commuter should be all set. The friends & family deal is still on untl September 30, and I can get anyone who's interested 3 months of FREE service, 3 months FREE of the Total Sports package... email me at [e-mail] if you have any questions or are interested.

[Jose Rodriguez @ Aug 8th 2006 5:18PM]

Im very interested in this product...

[nuttypro @ Sep 7th 2006 6:16AM]

It's a pretty slick phone, great concept too. I've had the phone for about 3 weeks now, and I'm thinking about keeping it. They said they'd even give me 150 bucks to stay on. Hmm, almost covers the termination fee my carrier will charge if I leave. Heck, I'll do it. The phone's awesome. They even let me use mini opera to browse the internet. See ya T-mo, thanks for the memories and crappy service!