Samsung Access, AT&T's other MediaFLO launch phone

We already know that the Prada-esque LG CU920 Vu is one of AT&T's two launch handsets in support of its MediaFLO-based mobile TV rollout, but what's the other one the carrier mentions? Mobiledia has scored gorgeous shots of this not-so-gorgeous phone, the A827 "Access" from Samsung, and the combination of AT&T branding and a dedicated "TV" button next to the d-pad has us believing that it'll be stepping up to the plate for that role. Unlike the Vu, the Access seems to be a lower-end handset on account of a 1.3 megapixel cam, unremarkable design, and smallish display, so we're certainly hoping its price point reflects the specs accordingly. Good to see that AT&T wants to bring mobile TV to every price segment, we suppose.

[Thanks, Matt D.]

[austin @ Jan 12th 2008 5:38PM]

its a blackjack with out the qwerty.
that makes it ugly

[ethana2 @ Jan 13th 2008 4:02AM]

How is qwerty not ugly?

Is there a more generic term we could use here, for the sake of layout neutrality?
We have another 3 party thing here; one horrible with overwhelming majority market share, one a long time, famous if sparsely used contender, and one a well designed piece of work new to the scene. Do we abandon all hope of efficiency within the cramped constraints of a mobile device? Is there such thing as a mobile touch typist? Is there any mobile platform open enough as of yet to allow for multiple key layouts?
...I digress. 'ugly' is relative.

[Bryan @ Jan 12th 2008 6:19PM]

Let me get this straight,
ATT wants to roll out TV services, and at the same time they're capping internet at 5GB per month? I'm a tad bit confused at this new business model they're using.

[Chris Ziegler @ Jan 12th 2008 6:21PM]

MediaFLO won't use your data plan, it's a digital TV broadcasting technology.

Chris

[derX @ Jan 12th 2008 10:01PM]

Talking about models, your avatar is a bit--how should I say this--illicit looking.

jk LOL


....but seriously, I feel a little less safe.

*closes windows and reinforces locked doors with furniture*

[paperless @ Jan 12th 2008 7:05PM]

In soviet russia...and everywhere else, people call this thing an ugly piece of hardware.

[Bryan @ Jan 12th 2008 8:03PM]

Oh really? Thats kinda cool i guess......be nice if they did a better job of rollin 3G out first.

[thethirdmoose @ Jan 12th 2008 8:08PM]

like a fugly upstage

[Adam @ Jan 12th 2008 10:55PM]

if the screen was bigger i think it would look simple and business minded, but it's lacking the oomph a launch device should have...even for a low end (which i don't think the price will actually reflect lol)

[gage @ Jan 12th 2008 11:04PM]

MEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAH!!!!!!

get a fucking Iphone

[Argot @ Jan 13th 2008 8:21AM]

I rather have this than a crappy iPhone.

[CB17 @ Jan 12th 2008 11:35PM]

Media flo in phones is lame. I vote Orb or Slingbox.

[Bryan @ Jan 12th 2008 11:53PM]

derX = hoplophobe.

[Mog @ Jan 13th 2008 12:10AM]

AT&T can REALLY use more candy bar phones, so I don't mind this at all. And it's a much simpler shape compared to the A727. It reminds me of my T509, which was the predecessor to the Trace (which the A727 is based on). I like the simpler shape. It shares the A727/Trace's horizontal screen, but I suppose that only makes sense for a TV phone.

In fact, the only thing I take issue with on the design is the TV button icon. It's a detail, to be sure, but it's also something that will probably effect far more phones than just this one, so in that sense it's important. The "tv" in a circle just looks so plain. I'm not saying I want my buttons to be littered with intricate glyphs, but still. The frusterating thing is that AT&T already had the perfect symbol to go on the button. In the "AT&T Mobile TV with FLO" logo, the "O" in "FLO" is a little TV. It's instantly recognizable, it would help build the MediaFLO brand, and it looks a hell of a lot better than just "tv" in a circle. AT&T?

[D @ Jan 13th 2008 1:45AM]

Finally! Now I can catch my soap operas, text and drive at the
same time.

[a ham sandwich @ Jan 13th 2008 11:42AM]

no...you know....phone calling?

[a ham sandwich @ Jan 13th 2008 11:42AM]

i actually kinda like the design of the phone. the lack of a qwerty keyboard is a bit of a deal breaker tho :(