Samsung u620, VCAST TV details go up on Verizon's site
By Chris Ziegler 
posted March 1st 2007 4:03PM
posted March 1st 2007 4:03PM
As expected, Verizon has launched its MediaFLO-capable SCH-U620 slider from Samsung today, the first device to support its VCAST TV mobile television service (the arguably cooler LG VX9400 is still waiting in the wings). Besides the productivity-sapping teevee, the diminutive slider offers up Bluetooth, EV-DO (naturally), microSD expansion, 1.3 megapixel cam, and QVGA display (gotta have some clarity while you're watching MTV, right?). Launch markets (see the u620's product page for the full listing) can get their hands on the phone today for $150 after contract and discounts.
I tested this camera for a client. I didn’t have the light running for more than 15 minutes. The battery lasted approximately 6 hours before recharging. The LCD, however, had a few dead pixels - never saw this before. Tried returning for exchange and had to put up quite a fight. Anyone else seen this? http://www.batterylaptoppower.com
the LG is for sure cooler. but you can't argue, whether people want to watch TV or not, this is a major step in cell phones. again verizon is first out the door with new technology. they were first to 3G and first to this. very exciting times.
I want the Razr Maxx Ve!
IIRC, AT&T actually rolled out with 3G in the US well before Verizon. I think they had it in Seattle, San Diego and a couple of other markets. I think they only had two phones that were total clunkers (1 Nokia & 1 Moto), but they were 3G. It was not too long before Cingular bought AT&T.
#3, You are so totally wrong. Verizon had 3g about 1 1/2 years before cingular. At that time Cingular was still converting to to G.S.M. And you cant get 3g out of T.D.M.A
Trying to find out whether this will be WiMAXable, or is that still too far off?
My review of the new VZW Samsung SCH-U620
Samsung engineers, GO BACK TO SCHOOL!
I am a business owner in Northern NJ and a VZW customer since 1997 with 24 Verizon Wireless phones (on 5 accounts). Many of them are or were the Kyocera SE47 Slider which I think is one of the best phones that Verizon had discontinued.
I was waiting for a long time for Verizon to come out with a new compact, durable slider.
I did not like the Chocolate and was happy to see the U620 with all of its features.
After reading the following review you can decide if having a TV on your phone worth having this phone and I'll be glad to answer question via email Ori@InteriorArt.com
I would like to thank Rudy the VZW manager of GSP store in Paramus NJ for his help.
Pros:
• Well built slider with spring action.
• Many tasks that do not require keyboard or digits can be done without opening the slider. This is an advantage over the limitation of the SE47. These tasks includes: Answering calls, dialing to recent callers, view Text message (see negative comment about “direct view”), watch TV, view missed calls and even taking pictures and more. You must “unlock” before performing these tasks to prevent accidental operation.
• Nice display and vibrant colors. (Battery drainer)
• Live streaming TV - (Battery drainer) this is a great feature and the picture quality is excellent. (I own 2 HDTV large screen TVs and I can clearly say that the picture quality on this phone is excellent).
• TV Reception in the NYC area - I know that the signal in NYC area is not yet at full strength but I get good reception in many places in Northern NJ except no signal inside the Verizon wireless store on Rt. 4 west in Paramus. Best reception outdoor but I also got a good signal inside some stores and buildings in NYC area.
• Loud speakerphone and sensitive microphone, HF conversations are loud and clear.
• Nice large keypad compared to the Kyocera SE47, easy TXT
• Large fonts to dial out
• Easy to navigate the menu and get used to the features.
• Fairly good reception but not as good as the SE47
• Side buttons are easy to operate and do not interrupt normal operation if accidentally pressed.
Cons:
• No "Backup Assistant" in Get-It-Now so you can't transfer you phonebook that you saved online (I had 250 contacts and more that 800 saved numbers. Thanks to Darryl at the Paramus store the took my advise to use the data cable from the A930 and my old SE47 they were able to transfer all my contacts and most of my numbers.) This is a major screw up of whoever put the software inside this phone, GO BACK TO SCHOOL!
• While charging the phone the display is always on, this slows down the charging time and possibly prevents the phone from ever reaching a full charge. The display is so bright while charging that I had to turn the phone over so I can darken my bedroom at night.
• Extra small font when browsing the net with MobilWeb compared to the large fonts on the same page if you are using the Samsung U740, (Thanks again Rudy) I am 44 years old and see 20/20 but the fonts are too small to get used too.
• Many “security error” on the browser while viewing my “Mobil Mail” on Go Daddy’s secure site. I view the exact same page with the 740 and did not get even one error. It kept on coming over and over and only after refreshing 3 times per email for the first 5 emails the problem was gone but kept coming back every time I check my mail.
• No external buttons for music players. Only the standard Vcast music player.
• While playing music the V-Cast red screen is on at all time and drains the battery.
• There is no way to turn it off so expect less that 2 hours of playing time before you need to recharge.
• The menu lacks basic features like “Direct View” for text msg; this is a slider with one front display so why not make a direct view like the one on the SE47.
• Weird icons that are not in the icon glossary – this morning I setup the phone for Data call, while setting it up a text appeared explaining that the phone will switch to data mode for the next 10 minutes only. When the call was done I had on the front display an icon that looks like AA for about 3 hours and then it was gone. ???
• Battery life is bad. Even though it says 1000ma on the battery, it holds less charge than the 800ma of the U740 and much less than the SE47. In today’s technology world, when a company comes out with product for people “on-the-go” they need to accommodate those users. By selling a phone with a battery life of less than two hours of use (calling, Mobil Web, Text message & music playing) and less than one hour of TV with no extended battery offered is irresponsibility to their customers. Extended battery is not officially sold by Verizon; eBay has them under other Samsung but not the cover.
• My biggest disappointment came Tuesday night at 8pm when I was away from home and wanted to watch American Idol on this gadget but all I found on FOX was LA law re-runs for the next 2 hours. I checked the guide and there was not even a scheduled America Idol show.
• On the “send Text Message” screen when selecting “Add” with the soft key one of the option is “Recent calls” but not “recent Messages” as I was used to from the SE47. So you can only see those who called you last or outgoing calls but not any of your recent text message transactions. I sometime send text to emails and those SMS did not show in “Recent Calls” so if you want to send an SMS to the last person that sent you SMS you have to find that person again in the contact list or go to the “inbox”, find the sms, open it and “Reply” (So much troubles for a simple task). It is so simple on the SE47.
My overall impression of this phone is that it was well built, well equipped, but poorly planned, poorly engineered, poor battery life and an overall disappointment.
Ori Katzin
Interior Art & Design, Inc.
Hackensack, New Jersey
Cell Phone 201-694-8855
W- 201-488-4488
1-800-CALL-IAD
Email: Ori@InteriorArt.com
I have backup assistant on my u620..and it is located in get it now where it was on all the other phones under business tools....
You can set your shortcut keys to the inbox and see your last message there...no problem.
Just a couple comments on that long review.
1) There is a way to turn it off. Just hold down the end button just like every other phone ever in a world.
2) Fox showing LA Law reruns is not the u620's issue. That is an issue with Fox's broadcast. That should not be included in your review of the phone.
That's all I got for now.
Rando
I wonder if this would work inside an office building? I would love to be able to watch TV on my breaks!