Don't worry BlackJack fans, Samsung does indeed seem to have a true BlackJack II successor in the works for you, unlike that
stylus-based i780 pretender to the throne. Turns out the i617 -- which we saw
pass the FCC yesterday -- will be doing the honors, but unfortunately it's not terribly clear what those honors will be. AT&T is a lock, thanks to the HSDPA 850 / 1900, and of course Windows Mobile 6 will be the main attraction, but there's no confirmation of WiFi or any other notable hardware upgrades just yet other than a bump to 2 megapixels from the original's 1.3. As for looks, we'll let you make up your own mind, but the design isn't much of a departure -- there's still a back hump -- but everything is considerably more shiny this time around. No word on price or availability. There's a shot of the back after the break.
[Via
Mobile Phones Reviews and Tips]
posted Oct 9th 2007 1:37PM
I kind of liked the old Blackjack's look better than this new "glossy" look.
There are a lot of extra buttons on that bottom row. Also, it looks like Samsung may slipped in that scrolly d-pad they are fond of these days. I was looking forward to the slider though, a la i620. Oh wells.
That keyboard looks crazy tight to type on.
"There are a lot of extra buttons on that bottom row. " ? There only 2 more than Blackjack uno?
There is no way I'd buy this as an upgrade to my current Blackjack... especially if WM6 arrives for it. Doesn't look like enough has changed to warrant the expense. ?!?
Looks like they put the number keys next to each other, which is nice.
As a Blackjack owner I am very dissapointed, but not because I just bought a Blackjack and I want one but because the only significant upgrade seems to be WM6. We already know it won't have Wi-Fi, no dual cameras, etc. It just looks like the Blackjack, just glossier hardware and software wise.
....Dual Cameras?....wow....cell phones are getting quite ridiculous.
But I think this is meant for people that don't already have one more than an upgrade, which is probably why they didn't keep the name.
Dual cameras can be really useful on a 3G phone. You can make video calls and such, which you can't do if the only camera is on the back of the phone
My UK Version of the BlackJack ver.1 (SGH-i600) has WiFi, 3G and Dual-cameras. I think its just a US / AT&T thing that your phones seem to lack a lot of facilities... Although I have to say that a Firmware update was required to strip the *nasty* Orange UK branding / crippleware....
Take a look at my one here in my Blog:-
http://www.internet-tools.co.uk/blog/index.php/2007/10/08/more-samsung-sgh-i600-blackjack-info-tips-tricks-and-nes-emulation/
Debranding/Firmware updating here:-
http://www.internet-tools.co.uk/blog/index.php/2007/10/01/samsung-sgh-i600-debranding-unbricking-hacking/
Regards,
Paul
If it ever had it, at&t likely neutered the Wifi on this thing. I'm digging the i780.
Yep it's all AT&T wanting to make more people purchase their expensive data plans! As if they don't make enough money!
I'm still waiting for Windows Mobile 6 to be officially released on the first BlackJack. What's up with that?
From owning the first version, they can imporve upon the sluggish menus/camera, Windows Mobile 6 instead of 5, and add WiFi like the European versions have. Other than that, it's a great phone.
All I can say is...Is that it?
Hi everybody!
A russian based site http://mobile-review.com/ is being DDoS attacked for the past few days very seriously. Somebody dont likes the way they write & give the optimal point-of-views it seems.
Fingers crossed for thier fast recovery.
The sites cheif writer Mr. Murtazin Eldar also granting $ 10,000 for the news who is doing the DDoS attacks. The site is being attacked from august 2007 onwards for a few days. Now the site is down for around a week! This is tragic!
Meh. The screen needs to be twice as big. And get rid of that big ol round button underneath it. It looks like crap and it occupies too much space.
Love my current blackjack other than the tiny buttons and D-pad. They don't look any bigger on this one...
Well, there goes the WM6 upgrade for current Blackjack users...
@Jon
The supposed release date is the 22nd.
I'm not holding my breath.
This newer blackjack is a nice evolution, the message light is definitely a welcome addition.
Also an auto lock utility would be nice.
The length of time its taking the WM6 update to come out for the original BlackJack makes me have no interest in this phone, just out of spite for Samsung and AT&T
YEAH, ITS DOWNRIGHT BULLSHIT.
The screen looks a little bigger ...
Bye bye scroll wheel. Why do manufacturers keep on eliminating them? They're so useful.
..Because there's a DPad in the center of the screen that goes up & down just as well as any scroll wheel. Why would anyone want a scroll wheel over dedicated volume controls?
ItsTheOMGShow - Don't know if you've every used the Blackjack but the scroll wheel is way faster than the dpad, especially if you have a big thumb and keep hitting the soft menu keys.
As for me:
1. I don't like the look of the back and the curves. The BJ1 is great because the matt finish gives a secure grip and nice finish. That glossy finish would be scratched in a second.
2. WiFi is overated on most WM phones. About the only place I use WiFi where it's free, I pull out my laptop. The only mobile phone app that I think has truely taken advantage of Wifi at this point is the ITMS. I'm always wanting to know what that offbeat song I hear at Starbucks is. Plus some of the local nightclubs in Denver have WiFi so if you heard a song you like, you can download it right away rather than trying to remember through a hangover the next morning. Too bad iPhone doesn't support corporate e-mail of any sort.
3. I agree with Ventivent. Most WM phones suck but the BlackJack is actually useable without wanting to toss it at the wall. It's comfortable to hold and works reasonably well. Way better than my buggy, slow old 8125(on which I NEVER used WiFi)
4. I don't see this as much of an upgrade. I really like the finish and style on the BJ1. If I leave it behind, it will be for a Blackberry so I won't have to run Xpressmail on my desktop behind the backs of my nazi IT department.
The blackjack was the worst phone I ever had. I bought it from wirefly and returned it within a week. Not only was the battery life limited to 4 hours, but it required samsung headphones, and WM is terrible.
I'm guessing this thing won't be much better... I can't see how devices like this even compete with RIM or Iphones.
I'd like to see you run Slingbox on your RIM or iPhone.
As a matter of a fact, I'd like to see you run ANYTHING without hacking the crap out of the device on either phones!
I'd like to see you run Slingbox on your RIM or iPhone.
As a matter of a fact, I'd like to see you run ANYTHING without hacking the crap out of the device on either phones!
I'd like to see you run Slingbox on your RIM or iPhone.
As a matter of a fact, I'd like to see you run ANYTHING without hacking the crap out of the device on either phones!
I'll keep my BlackJack thank you.
Looks like they finally raised the D-pad which any current BJ owner will attest was a major annoyance. Also, placing numeric keyes together is a welcome change. Now, if they could finally implement support for MS Voice Command and do away with a propriatory charging port/heaphone jack I'd be all set to get it.
could they just put out the samsung i620 already?
now THAT would be an awesome blackjack follow up. a slider smartphone with full qwerty keyboard. SWEET!
Calm down nerds, I'm sure theres good reason for the delay.
I'm using the leaked rom, and it has a few bugs that are hard to track down.
I say let them take their time and release a properly tested rom.
@ Adriangrab, the phone battery life was caused by switching from edge to 3g.
Locking to one network, dramatically increases battery life.
This could easily be fixed with the rom update.
Eh, this doesn't make me hate my "old" blackjack. And did they eliminate the scroll wheel? No thanks. I have been using the hot version of WM6 for a few months and I can't imagine what the holdup is for the official release.
Looks at the shot, it appears the the dpad may act as a rotary scroll wheel. I can't say that with any certainty, but it appears that way.
Only 2 megapixels camera I´ll wait for the 3.2 mpix.
I'm still waiting for the Pantech Duo to come out. A dual-slider with a touch-screen is the best way to go, like the Helio Ocean but for GSM.
It's out already, amazon.com
I only slightly miss my blackjack. In my area the only place i had a solid 3G connection was school. Everywhere else the signal switched back and forth every 5-10 minutes. Because of which I went through both batteries in one day. I switched to the iPhone and am moderately happy, it's a bluetooth phone, it has wifi, it's an ipod... I don't really use much else.
I've gone through an i-mate JAM, Motorola Q, Treo 700p, HTC StarTrk all within the past two years. The Blackjack, which I picked up about 9 months ago, is the only Smartphone that I've been able to hold on to. The only things I would like improved are a faster processor, more RAM and addition of GPS. Otherwise, if you live in a 3G strong area, it's great.
Black Jack plays wireless bluetooth music well. Other than that i found it to be quite annoying ... you press a button and have to wait for the unit to do something ... the CPUs they are using are way underpowered ... it sucked at video playing.
Keyboard is so tight it's almost unusable.
Don't feel bad if yours doesn't work like the one above... Shay's an idiot, anyway.
The New Glossy Finish I Find Very Nice, Kind Of A Blackberry Feel To It, The Original Blackjack Feels To Light, And Toy Like. But This Is A Big Disappointment To Current Blackjack Owners, Releasing A New WM6 Successor To The Blackjack Before Even Releasing The WM6 Upgrade That Current Owners Have Been Waiting For, Its Just A Big Disappointment.
Looks like they got rid of the dumb Numlock key. They only reason it was there was for the number zero anyway coz you could hard press the other digits. Hard pressing the zero just added a space which was very annoying! Also has internet and camera buttons. OK additions I guess.
LOL, yeah the 780 is just a poser, the 617 smacks it up... oh wait the 780 is more functional and higher spec in just about every way including wi-fi, touchscreen, touchpad, 320x320 display, gps, etc.
Wonder if this will make its way to Telstra's NextG 850 network in Australia -- although they would prefer an 850/2100 device
The BlackJack II looks nice, but the original BlackJack is the best smartphone I ever had: great as a phone, good MP3 player and magnificent as a business smartphone for fast 3G Web surfing, Pocket Mobile email reading, calendaring, addressbook, Mobile Notes, Voice Notes, MS-Office and PDF Viewers, etc.
Opera Mobile browser works well, among many many third-party free or commercial applications availbale for the Windows Mobile Standard smartphones.
Great price too at $99 or free to new AT&T customers. Can't wait for the free Windows Mobile 6 BlackJack upgrade, though.
i bought a blackjack by accident. i was on a mission to buy a blkberry curve at bestbuy but they were sold out. i had to opt for the bj because i needed a phone asap. i wasn't thrilled about it and was disappointed that i Had to buy it. turns out that this is one of the best phones I've ever had. i grew to like very quickly with my intent of getting rid of it asap. its so freakin simple! anything more would just be a laptop... looks like the upgrades are going to be great. I'll miss the wheel though.. they need to hurry up!
I love the BJ1 and think it's the best WinMobile phone available. There was room for improvement but it looks like Samsung did little to change. BJ1 was a top-seller and they are eager to get all of us to buy again. The media functions are useless without headphone jack and Samsung's proprietary adapter is difficult to keep plugged in. Wheel rather than d-pad could be better. We'll have wait to see if they worked out some of the bugginess and some of the software incompatibility problems.
There seem to be 3 items that interest me about the new one. I thought I was going to use the wheel like crazy when I first got my BlackJack, but with the soft keys, the OK button, the "long" presses, and other dedicated keys (like the text message button), I rarely use the wheel. Also, I hope they improved the ergonomics of the D-pad since I constantly hit the surrounding keys on the current one. The last thing is the shape change to the back... it looks as if the new shape will allow for a less goofy-looking extended battery cover that will be more integrated and not have the stupid fangs like the current one.
has this phone been released? I can't find any record of it even though it was supposed to be released on october 22.
I absolutely love my Blackjack, and the BJ2 fixes all the small issues I had with the original. The jog wheel would be great to have, it looks a little better, and gps is good (though not much use when you can just use google maps on the BJ1).
But those are just small things, not worth another $150.
Also, I didn't mention WM6 because you can get that for the BJ1. It was leaked a long time ago (google it), and isn't official, but works flawlessly. Plus, WM6 allows the BJ1 to take micro sdhc cards (4gb and up), so get it now if you can still find it.
I had the BlackJack for 4 days and return it did not like the keypad and the while on the side. I got the new BlackJack II I'm much happier with it.
I love my new Blackjack II. It is much easier to work than the original. It has tons of memory and expandable slot. I have like 30 songs on there without a microSD card!