Honestly, we're getting a bit tired of
all these so-called iPhone
rival handsets, but Samsung's elusive Croix doesn't do a whole lot to shake the stereotype. The mobile, which happens to boast a very similar layout to Apple's darling (and Samsung's own
F700), just won an iF Communication Design Award 2007, and while details are scant about the actual hardware, it sounds like Sammy is hoping to grab your attention with a sensationally sleek interface (seen in detail after the break). The name, which translates to "Cross" in French, supposedly symbolizes the phone's "progressive continuum, as opposed to discrete transmission from one item to another," and touts an "intuitive interface through on-screen touch input mapping which supports five different ways of interaction." Of course, only time will tell if this thing actually goes commercial (or proves real, to be honest), but it certainly has the look.
[Via
I4U News]
Update: Indeed, "Croix" may actually be the branding Samsung has assigned to its SGH-700; they certainly look close enough, right down to the F700's trademark vertical stripes across its face. Then again, Croix may represent a different model or a touch-based platform for an entire range of models. We'll keep y'all updated when we know more.
posted Sep 3rd 2007 3:15PM
what is an iphone ?
I'm imagining an updated version of Shelley's Ozymandias, 1000 years in the future wasteland of Earth, but instead of "Look on my works, ye mighty, and despair" the pedestal says "What's an iPhone?"
Off-Topic from Ricardo's OP, but its the only way it'll be read.
From iF's explanation for rewarding the Samsung Croix.
Category: digital media: interface
Client: Samsung Electronics, Seoul, South Korea
Project: Croix | Mobile phone interface
Design: Samsung Electronics, Seoul, South Korea
“This represents the perfect way to use mobile phone functions on a touch screen. A masterpiece of interface design. All of the functions are very minimalist and follow the principle of ‘croix’ (cross) navigation. The navigation is perfect, both horizontally and vertically.”
The reward is not for the phone, it's the Mobile OS they're praising. The early pictures of the F700 in February displayed a variety of the Croix in place.
I've been following the phone since it's inception. According to various pre-selling websites, they expect to have the device sometime in late September (European Spec). Seeing this article made me hopeful that it is indeed coming out in Sept.
BTW people, it's like the N95 Euro 3G situation, it is not compatible with the US Spec. So best be careful if you wanted to use this phone for 3G purposes.
Also, the Croix interface is utilized in two phones so far. F700 being the first, the F520 would be the second.
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/12/samsungs-ultra-smart-f520-hsdpa-touchscreen-with-dual-sliding/
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/samsung-outdoes-itself-with-ultra-smart-f700/
Honestly, I'm getting tired of Engadget calling rectangle phones iPhone knock-offs.
That thing almost looks identical. What would you call it?
especially the button, the speaker and the round-ish metal looking frame.
it's a screen on a rectangle body, and they are actually 16:9 widescreens unlike the iphone's less than wide screens .
Apple didn't even get that form factor out the door first in the cell phone market, LG did.
There isn't a whole lot of other designs when it comes to a near full face touch screen device.
I thought they called it iPhone rival NOT knock-offs.
@ deucen : "That thing almost looks identical. What would you call it?"
The same thing they called it in January/February, the F700.
It's only a knock-off if it's made by a Chinese company.
Samsung is a Korean Company
and that Samsung is not just a Iphone rival there alot of other touchscreen phones out there
honestly, i'm getting tired of engadget/apple haters jumping on engadget/apple accusing them to be 'naming every phone an iphone rippoff' or 'naming every mp3 player an ipod rippoff' when the article didn't even come close to suggesting that. do u guys even READ nowadays?!
and shut up, apple fanbois, i'm tired of u guys too. just stop whining for once, all of u... ffs
Which part of that interface is sleek?
How do you want to judge that without any live video or anything? Sleekness comes from animations I'd say, and you know, they're quite hard to put into a still shot...
And I for one really like the minimalistic icons and look - I like that better than for example the iPhone notes app...
Honestly we readers are getting tired of Engadget calling every new phone with a touch screen an iPhone rival or rip-off.
No we're not. Some readers appreciate Engadget calling 'em like they see 'em. This thing (and the somewhat similar Nokia) should have an "Inspired by iPhone" tag. And you know what--there's nothing wrong with that.
This is only the 2nd one I've seen. I can deal maybe... 5 more times.
No, you're wrong, YET AGAIN, the LG Prada started this entire thing, was out for a good while. The fanboys need to relax. The form factor was started by the Prada.
the first official pictures and specifications of the iphone were released on january, 10
the first official pictures and specifications of the lg prada were released on january, 19
so, who was first?
yes, lg and prada anounced in december 2006 their coorperation but the again, the iphone rumer was circulating for quite a while and they were working on this device for two years!
Actually Samurai Jack, yes, a lot of us are.
And the fact of the matter is that while Engadget are calling things as they see them, they seem to see every touchscreen phone as an iPhone, when it just isn't the case (though admittedly they haven't been as bad as Gizmodo at times...). As has been pointed out ad infinitum by the few people round here with any common sense, a touchscreen phone without a keypad is destined to resemble the iPhone as there's only really one way it can be done, that doesn't mean that any subsequent devices in that form factor are rip-offs/copies/clones - it's like saying that all LCD TVs look alike because they're kinda thin...
Anyway, if this is, as it would appear, the oft-delayed F700, it actually has a slide-out Qwerty keyboard (see here: http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_f700-pictures-1849.php ). It is actually very, very similar in form to the HTC TyTN II/'Kaiser' - which means it's nothing like an iPhone copy at all.
Also, with regards to the Nokia, that isn't even a real phone.
And the 'inspired by the iPhone' element was the interface, not the body which a) didn't look that much like an iPhone and b) was just a mock-up anyway so they had something to stick the demo interface onto.
You know why these types of phones are being called an iPhone ripoff? Because they are. Will you just look at the thing and honestly admit it looks just like the iPhone
And the iPhone looks like the LG PRADA. Now what?
Funny you call this is an iphone ripoff. If the iphone didn't rip off other phones idea, it would've been one ugly POS.
Let me explain why.
1.The iphone rip off the idea to have mp3 and video on their iphone. Been done.
2.The iphone rip off other phone by having a camera on their iphone. Been done.
3.The iphone rip off other phone by having EDGE, WIFI, BlueTooth, Internet ect on their iphone. Been done.
ECT...
ECT...
I really like some Apple products and any other cool products out there. It just the annoying douchebag that keeps bitching about everyone is copying Apple product.
ETC
Erm - this phone is known ever since February as the F700. So...
Agreed, I saw this and was under the impression that it was the previously announced F700 - can anyone confirm if it is in-fact a different model?
http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_f700-1849.php
http://www.mobile-review.com/phonemodels/samsung/samsung-f700-en.shtml
I really don't know why's the prada on the first link, it was announced waaaay before the iPhone.
engadget cant even remember what they post about haha
http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/samsung-outdoes-itself-with-ultra-smart-f700/
Wow... looks like Apple stole the design from Samsung F700 and the LG Prada.
Black rectangle with rounded corners and a touchscreen = iphone. get used to it engadget readers.
Sad but true...
Um, the Meizu M8 & Cowon D2 are hardly knock-offs. D2 came out a long time back...
He knows that. He's referring to engadget's iMania and that they compare everything with those characteristics with an iPhone, even with the facts you just mentioned.
Now I think its just another iPhone, but as all phone are now like this (touch screen) we need to concentrate on the actual features of the phones...im still wating for the lastest innovation after touch screen phones...such as big innovations that I belive that have happened are such as Phones with Colour Screens, now you might not think that as something but I think that this is a big innovation and then came the Camera's and now up and comming is GPS (already in the Nokia N95).
IF this is the F700, it has a slide-out QUERTY keyboard, HSDPA 7.2 MBps and a 5 MPx camera with AF - beats the iPhone senseless in that aspects, not to mention that it is smaller...
Thank you for not calling them "iPhone killers" anymore.
"Honestly, we're getting a bit tired of all these so-called iPhone rival handsets"
REALLY? Every phone with a touchscreen is an iPhone?
How come no one remembers the PRADA phone and that it was registered before the iPhone? When motorola came out with a mobile phone and then other companies followed - were they rip off products? Stop kissing Steve Job's ass and get a grip.Is every TV company a copycat cus most flat screens look the same? If you follow that thought process then maybe every phone with a touchscreen is an iPhone ripoff but anyone who has half a mind realizes this was going to be the next step in cell phones anyways. And its not like Crapple was first! LG was!
I have a powermac but screw apple propaganda. May the best product win - and it doesn't have to be apple. Get off the payola train.
Why is this "another iPhone rival" and not "another cell phone"? So ever rectangle phone from now on is going to be another iPhone rival? Are all assembly line cars Model T rivals?
Lol, I noticed that the post was edited to include "(and Samsung's own F700)" as it differs from the original post I got in the RSS feed.
"Honestly, we're getting a bit tired of all these so-called iPhone rival handsets, but Samsung's elusive Croix doesn't do a whole lot to shake the stereotype. The mobile, which happens to boast a very similar layout to Apple's darling, just won an iF Communication Design Award 2007, and while details are scant about the actual hardware, it sounds like Sammy is hoping to grab your attention with a sensationally sleek interface (seen in detail after the break). The name, which translates to "Cross" in French, supposedly symbolizes the phone's "progressive continuum, as opposed to discrete transmission from one item to another," and touts an "intuitive interface through on-screen touch input mapping which supports five different ways of interaction." Of course, only time will tell if this thing actually goes commercial (or proves real, to be honest), but it certainly has the look.
[Via I4U News]
Continue reading Samsung's Croix: yet another 'iPhone rival'
Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
"
lame
Looks great. Im not really interested in Apples iPhone only because Id be mad if I lost it. Something cheaper, not too worried.
iphone
I'm getting sick of you guys calling everything with a touchscreen an "iPhone rival". You guys would call any rectangular device with a screen and no buttons an "iPhone" rival...
its ugly
LG Prada surfaced before the iphone. Enough of the bitching and shitty engadget iphone knockoff,ripoff accusations.
Seems like the guys on Engadget got their noses stuck waaaay too far up Jobs behind.
It says it's an iphone rival and thats exactly what it is. Whether this was in development first or the iphone in development first, they are still two rival products!
When will people realize what every blog is about? The most important phrase in this post isn't anything "iphone", but this:
Comments [31]
It's all about driving traffic. 31 of you, plus me felt the need to look, read and comment. "LG Prada rival" just doesn't do that. Trust me, it will only be a matter of time before Apple is mentioned in EVERY post.
My tv at home has big flat screen, sometimes i try calling my mom from it, cause it most be an iPhone.... It has a screen you know!!! Right now im preparing for a lawsuit against Nokia, I just noticed that my 7 year old Nokia 3210 has a screen too, and Im taking legals actions for ripping of Apple! Hov dare they put a screen in a mobile phone, when they should have known that Apple would think about the same thing 7 year later. Bad Nokia Bad.
where were you guys when everyone called every thin phone a "Razr killer"? Oh it wasn't made by Apple..I see...
Anyway R.I.P "Razr killer" 2004-2007, Now the age of "iPhone killer" has arrived...and hopefully brings on awesome UI and not just Awesome because "It looks pretty".
if this is the way phones are going, we're all going to miss our T9 and ability to hold down a numerical button for a shortcut, rather than 4-5 different finger motions to do the same in a GUI.
*sigh*
Hey, Christmas has come early this year. WooHoo.
First we have the Meizu and the Nokia. Now we have the Samsung. More the merrier!!! Let see which one come out with the best one and they will have my money.
I want to see more images and features of that SAMMY. Very interesting gadget.
damn I want it!
Im loving it, but they should light on the looks but keep the fire in the UI
But the Croix really does look closer to an iPhone than the LG Prada. The Prada phone has smaller corner radii and doesn't have the thing that looks like an iPhone button.
One definition of rival means equal to in quality or ability.
What is wrong with Engadget saying this? They didn't call it an iPhone killer.
The Croix looks nice enough and as long as it functions well then there is another choice for users to buy. Nothing wrong with some healthy competition among handset manufacturers.
Needless to say that the RAZR has officially been killed, destroyed, vaporized and reborn as a relic well past it's prime.
Except that the so-called 'Croix' is in fact the F700.
The F700 was first unveiled in February and (if you look at this Engadget article from when it was announced: http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/samsung-outdoes-itself-with-ultra-smart-f700/ ) is nothing like the iPhone whatsoever.
The article Engadget links to actually admits to there being some confusion as to whether it's the handset or the UI that's called 'Croix' and, I think you might agree having looked at the F700, it's the UI.
However, Engadget chose not to mention that and 'decided' that it was a new 'iPhone rival' handset (read: 'iPhone rip-off'). It's just sloppy and lazy really.
I think its shame on big companies like samsung or others to to be copycats rather than giving something new
Like the LG prada, they aren´t iphone rivals, kock-offs or whatever, they´re touchscreen phones (not smartphones), a concept that certainly will see a lot more.
I guess Apple has het a new phone standard, every one get ready for an all iphone like future, srsly, Ford was the first car company ever, so what is a ferrari or better yet what the hell is a honda? apply that concepto to the iphone (it really sucks that apple can hipnotise and spoil other buisineses
Um Ford wasn't the first car company, first production line car company yes, but not first car company. Don't forget that Henry Ford was as close to being a Nazi without actually being a Nazi you can get. He supported Hitler and wouldn't produce any military equipment for the US if any of his factories in Germany were bombed.
Shutup with the iPhone crap anyway. Remember the iOPS case anyone? Apple tried to sue them for their Z3/5 looking similar to the iPod mini because they have a screen above a circular interface. Get a grip, there's only so many ways things can be laid out in a device.
You guys do know that it was Samsung who saved Motorola from bankruptcy. Maybe I'm the only one who knows or maybe you guys, who are definitely smarter than me in tech talk, might know already. The RAZR patent was purchased by Motorola from Samsung. Samsung acquired funds while Motorola gained something that would revitalize the company and the industry. Samsung just saw no future for the idea of a thin cellphone.
I was told of this by the seller of my dad's RAZR V3T at Rogers Wireless. I looked it up and it is true. The fact that this surfaced in February doesn't add up to a possibility that Samsung could have copied the iPhone, which surfaced only a month before the Croix's release. The developmental stages take years, and believe it or not, it's not only Apple who invest two years or more developing one product. It does look awfully similar together, but in a tight competition for the top position, coincidences are inevitable.
William
So Hot!
this phone looks sick. anyone know when or if its coming to the US and what carrier?
I hope sammy will integrate better power saving features in this model unlike some of their newer phones.
I was comparing the specs of the F700 to the iPhone. I think the F700 is a great phone. I am getting sick of all the iPhone madness. It will cool down eventually... until iPhone v.2!
I actually would buy this over the iphone cuz shortly everyone will own one as a phone or ipod, so its good to be the odd phone on the table.
Did you guys read my post? I never said that they said that this was a knock-off. Do you ever read LordFawkward?
engadget is a gizmodo knock-off...
what? im thinking like them.
I WANT IT
mechanical reactions are a statistical norm, most people are walking in their sleep and dreaming they are awake. If we havent all been ruined by online philosophy courses or by the ghost of Aristotle, the first bloke who tried to describe and explain the universe as an A is a B is a C statement, then maybe the iphone hype-setters would realise the only one that gets rich outs this mind set is the Big Jobbs himself (as long as he doesnt roam outside of AT&T that is . . )