Samsung teams with Eidicom for EW-700 WiFiFONE

It looks like the Samsung design kids took a breather here, since this new "WiFiFONE" EW-700 from the Korean giant and VoIP manufacturer Eidicom isn't quite as sharp or skinny as we've learned to expect from Sammy. Still, the EW-700 packs quite a punch, especially for a smartphone that appears to be all WiFi when it comes to radios. The EW-700 is built for VoIP, but includes a whole lot of frills like a web browser, messenger client, multimedia player, 2 megapixel camera, video and audio recording and even Outlook data sync. It all looks to be based on a custom OS, and under the hood is a "PostPC" mobile multimedia processor which Samsung and Eidicom joint-developed. We're a bit slim on deets, but we're not arguing at all with the big-screen, feature rich tact that these guys are taking -- though we suppose a bit of 3G data still wouldn't hurt.

[Gerald @ Oct 23rd 2006 11:55AM]

Wow, this phone sure looks... gross.

the top portion looks good untill the BIG WHITE WIFIFONE LOGO THAT LOOKS SO UNFASHIONABLE.

AND LOOK AT THAT KEYPAD, BY GOOLLY! IT IS A PIECE OF CRAP. THE MULTIDIRECTIONAL KEYPAD LOOKS SOOO OUTDATED AND THE BUTTONS, I DONT EVEN HAVE TO COMMENT ON THEM. HAHA.

8 MINS TO THE END OF CAPS LOCK DAY! HHAHAHA,

[apeguero @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:05PM]

Interesting. It has that sort of Geekiness look to it that I particularly enjoy. I like how they also included the numberpad. The media player window shows the Windows Start menu flag. You sure this thing isn't Win Mobe 5 for PPC? Could it be WinCE?

[Rohit Kapur @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:08PM]

Horrible looks... But if it really does everything it says WELL, I'll buy it. I'd love to have VoIP and a regular phone all in one (yeah Engadget, I've seen the Netgear, etc phones that you've reviewed) from a reputed company with the other basic features included. Looks aside, I like.

[james @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:09PM]

WOW THE ZUNE!

[JB @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:10PM]

Looks more like a hand held GPS than a phone.

[A Dude @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:14PM]

"It all looks to be based on a custom OS"

Actually it (the screen shot) looks like it is based on Qtopia, which would mean that this thing runs Linux...

[A Dude @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:21PM]

Actually it is pretty weird 5 of the visible screenshots on aving.net show a QTopia screen, while two seem to run a mobile windows... (windows media player is visible)...

Can't they decide on one? ;-)

[Ian Jardine @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:21PM]

I think most people don't understand how big the market is for such a device IF the price is right.

I uses a wifi PSP at home to control my HiFi/MP3 files and play through my main home system. On the road I prefer NOT to have the bulk of a laptop but use a USB storage device by Lexar (Lightning drive) which has the Power-to-Go technology and basically replicates my desk top when hooked up to any PC. I also use a Creative Vison M for Mp3 and video play back.

I had considered a Nokia 770 as an all round device but decided it was too crippled.

Thus Samsung seems headed in the right direction with the stuff they have incorporated into this. I hope it is also touch screen and I hope the price can be held below $500.00 device

[Nick @ Oct 23rd 2006 12:57PM]

Yeah for Linux! QTopia with linux kernel would be an excellent stable platform for this, not to mention lots of hacking the core OS. This looks similar to Trolltech's green phone developer model. May this be the first fruits?

[Indy Steve @ Oct 23rd 2006 1:10PM]

Interesting names on the contact list in the screen shot

[Jim Jolo @ Oct 23rd 2006 1:16PM]

I use a Nokia E series phone which covers all of these features as well as being a stable regular cellphone. I use VOIP when at home or at work and make cellular calls when I am driving or out of the office. Cost was $369 unlocked.

[Gerald @ Oct 23rd 2006 1:17PM]

The top portion reminds me of my old nokia 3230.

the bottom is very similar to the LG 5mp camera. same keypad layout.


humph. this should not be made by samsung, its too geeeeeky/notnice

[Chris @ Oct 23rd 2006 4:50PM]

This looks like something that people will look back on in 20 years and be like "omg it's so big", like we do with VCR's and such now.