Sprint licenses Visual Voicemail for the Samsung Instinct
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted Apr 6th 2008 5:39PM
posted Apr 6th 2008 5:39PM
[Via I4U News]
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only problem is its not a real smartphone
Neither is the Instinct
Meant to be a reply to ryan, sorry
BTW engadget, it would be nice if the REPLY button let you reply instead of the time stamp
How is the iPhone not a smartphone? Its a phone running a full OS and is essentially a mobile computer the instinct is not a smartphone because it is likely running on that excuse of an OS sprint makes.
Running "a full OS" is bull. the iPhone runs a phone firmware, albiet a good one. The instinct's OS is quite good too, from what i've seen of it
I said it isn't a smartphone because:
a)It doesn't have 3G, necessary for proper data transfer on the go.
ii) it HAS to use proprietary software (iTunes) to sync, not drag and drop support
3)No document viewer/editor (yet)
PS: I have an iPhone and love it, but it isn't a smartphone, at least not until June
PPS: I know my numbering is messed up, but i'm tired and slightly drunk
Thank God for you, jamma. You discovered a workaround to the mysteriously broken Reply link! Engadget doesn't seem to care about screwing up its commenting system on a regular basis. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, ya know? *le sigh*
Hey Jamma, I have a Cingular 8125 and 8525. One has 3G and the other one doesn't.
They both sure as hell are smartphones. I still agree on the iPhone not being one, but the lack of 3G doesn't mean it's not a smart phone.
Whether or not iPhone is a smartphone is arguable at best. From Wikipedia:
"A smartphone is a mobile phone offering advanced capabilities beyond a typical mobile phone, often with PC-like functionality. There is no industry standard definition of a smartphone. For some, a smartphone is a phone that runs complete operating system software providing a standardized interface and platform for application developers. For others, a smartphone is simply a phone with advanced features."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smartphone
Copy & Paste is the dividing line for SmartPhone.
Anyone that says the iPhone isn't a smartphone is a absolute moron. Similarly, I would count this and other Samsung models also as smartphones, even without a standard OS platform.
A smartphone to me (and I assume most others) is a mobile phone that offers expanded hardware and software capabilities above and beyond a normal device. Usually, this refers to personal and business-oriented information management, communications, and network connectivity in a device with a larger-than-normal display and some form of enhanced text input.
Common features include:
- Contacts database
- Calendar and Scheduling
- Internet Access
- Personal/Corporate Email access
- Enterprise VPN Intranet Access
An open platform/operating system (e.g. Mobile OSX/Windows Mobile/Symbian) for extensibility and custom software is great to have, but I don't think it is required in order to call a device a smartphone.
I have every intention of buying that phone when It drops in june. It looks sweet. I wish we could see some in use UI screens though. Like how texting looks.
If there were any higher than highest ranked, this guy would have it.
neither of them are smartphones.
OMG !!!!!!!!! some one made a there own version of the iphone with all the stuff every been bitching the iphone doesn't have and u know what really pisses me off they had the never to put a smart phone they used for data on a fast net work
WTF don't they know apple invents every thing and they wanted an data phone on a fast network they would done it dammit y cant they all just do what steve tell us to do he cares about us
Huh?
You know, it's really hard to make fun of raving Apple fanboys if you, yourself, make absolutely no sense.
Grammar is your friend.
Didn't I lecture you on proper grammar on the "nokia ripoff" pmp thread?
Layoff the Marlboro's.
This might piss off some people, and I'm not one who usually defends Apple, but I have to say this:
Plagiarism is not innovation. Seriously, just look at it! At least Verizon's solution did something different.
Umm, Apple didn't invent Visual Voicemail. Are you trying to say Apple invented it?
I wonder if Apple paid license fees to MyOrigo for the idea of accelerometer based orientation detection.
PS> Engadget .. fix your reply button.
No, I'm not saying they invented visual voicemail. I'm not even directly talking about visual voicemail implementation, but it bothers me when a company as big as Samsung is willing to rip off the exterior design of their competitors. When I brought up the LG "enV", I made a point out of that by saying at least they have some significant difference between their product and their competitors.
The point I'm trying to make is this: if an average consumer were to see the two side-by-side, they probably wouldn't see much of a difference.
As a recent switcher over from Sprint, I can tell you what you don't pay for in the cheap plans and cheap data, you pay for in the lack of quality customer service.
and coverage... been there, done that, never going back.
Their customer service is getting better. That's my only complaint and at least they recognize that and are trying to fix it.
Sprint sucks. I had them for 5 years. Within the past year, they lost all my confidence. I've been on at&t now for 4 months and I love them. Everything about them. There's a reason sprint closed 125 retail stores and had hundred of thousands of customers drop them.
the iPhone is the textbook definition of a smartphone no idea what your talking about
engadget please fix the reply button!
so... you made up the definition of smartphone?
p.s. my definition of smartphone is a phone thats smart enough to copy... AND even PASTE!
Mine would be so that you can organize events, check yer mail, surf the web, ect.
The only thing better than visual voicemail is no voicemail at all
couldn't agree with you more, i really hate having to waste time listening to something someone should have just sent in a text, if it is so important that you are leaving a voicemail either
1) i'll have to call back anyways, which i will do when i see that i missed your call before i immediately press 7 when the voicemail starts playing or
2) it is a sad excuse for a message and should have fit in 160 characters
What kind of high school idiotic statement is that. So, when I'm driving along, with my bluetooth headset on and I need to leave a message for my wife to pick up my son from soccer practice at 6:30, I should pull my car over and type her a text message? Don't be a douche and realize there are reasons for voicemail. Unless you are a 15 year old girl who has nothing better to do that just text with your friends. I can still speak way faster than I can type, and I can type around 24 w.p.m. on my iPhone.
Visual Voicemail is the best implementation of voicemail around, if you haven't tried it, you can't comment on it, but to say that only text should be used it plain ignorant.
I hate Sprint, I'm so glad I got rid of them while I could. I just found out(from a friend) that if you add a line to your contract and try to cancel a line even if its 2 years old they try to say that because you added a line it extended your contract on all of your phones. Anyone had that problem?
Previously, adding a line to your account that did not have another line would extend the contract on both lines simply because you were changing plans. Same with adding a line to an already existing family plan and changing the rate plan. Either way it was a change in the rate plan and thus resigned the contracts on all the lines on that new plan.
Sprint had a grace period where you could change and not renew, but it's a moot point now since plans can be changed without changing the date of the contract.
Ya that is standard Sprint and is not a hidden thing. I sell Sprint service at a major Elec. chain and we are required to tell ppl that.
Running "a full OS" is bull. the iPhone runs a phone firmware, albiet a good one. The instinct's OS is quite good too, from what i've seen of it
I said it isn't a smartphone because:
a)It doesn't have 3G, necessary for proper data transfer on the go.
ii) it HAS to use proprietary software (iTunes) to sync, not drag and drop support
3)No document viewer/editor (yet)
PS: I have an iPhone and love it, but it isn't a smartphone, at least not until June
PPS: I know my numbering is messed up, but i'm tired and slightly drunk
PPPS: SORT THE REPLY SYSTEM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
It can't edit documents, you can't install any application at your own risk (without violating your contract and jailbreaking the phone) you can't do things that cheapo $50 prepaid phones have done for years...
The iPhone is going to be a smart phone the day I can get apps on it OFFICIALLY. When you get free apps for it like you can on Blackberries, Windows Mobile phone, etc.
Hell it might have some feature of a smartphone, but it's not EFFICIENT at them, like email. Sure it can get emails, but when you're using it for your job and getting a lot of emails it's not efficient sorting through them. So it's not a smartphone practically.
tons of smartphone dont have 3g. and it does kinda of have a document view of you get a powerpoint for example in a email it allows you to view it but not edit it
I'm pretty sure it runs a full OS, they just lock it down. I mean, it's got the same basic filesystem as a full version of OSX...it can SSH, it can run Apache, and yes, you can drag and drop music on to it...you just can't use the official apple player if you plan on doing that.
The blackberry is not 3G nor does it have drag and drop support.
Guess it's not a business smartphone either.....
Reply to Jamma
Engadget... Why must you do this to us...
YEAH - but the iphone can play QUAKE 3
This device is more akin to a hollywood movie set. A facade to fool the public into believing it works like an iPhone. The underlying OS that ships with this is underwhelming. At best, its just another flawed imitation of the iPhone.
nope your right! neither are smartphones, the iphones a mobile computer and the instinct is the usual crappy stuff we se on all other phones
Nowadays its like every company makes something that claims relations to apple:
" iPod, hes my uncle, see our controls are laid out the same"
" The Mac Book, thats my half brother, we share the same surname"
SAD!!!
Umm, Apple didn't invent Visual Voicemail. Are you trying to say Apple invented it?
I wonder if Apple paid license fees to MyOrigo for the idea of accelerometer based orientation detection.
Umm, Apple didn't invent Visual Voicemail. Are you trying to say Apple invented it?
I wonder if Apple paid license fees to MyOrigo for the idea of accelerometer based orientation detection.
no, the UI
Great, I hope more companies start licensing it, regular voicemail is absurdly outdated.
Things will really get heated if apple where to come out with granted patents for all this stuff from the early 80s, remember they're a software company after all. I mean come on it's not like they didn't know they where going to get sue at some point for this. Maybe they know something Klausner's don't know
http://youtube.com/watch?v=snKmsPe78H8
Why did I just click that?
This whole visual voice mail thing still confuses me. Why is it so revolutionary. I get all my voice mails emailed to my phone as attachments. It shows me who rang, and when, then I can work out what one I want to listen to. Sounds a lot like the Apple thing, except it isn't in its own menu.
Anyone who buys this obvious iPhone knockoff is probably someone who would buy a v-twin jap harley knockoff. You have no class.
What makes you think that Apple and AT&T should be the only companies to be able to sell a touch-driven cell phone?
@smayton
Wow, another excellent first post on Engadget (sarcasm).
On the "smartphone-ness" of the iphone, I agree it's missing a few things like other members mentioned. But the recent release of the SDK, exchange support, and the rumored 3G iphone will place it squarely in that category. The "iphone2" will be a phone to look out for. Again, holding out for an android phone or an iphone2.
But in terms of marketing, the iphone is in every sense the same kind of consumer phone that the Instinct and some recent LG models are. Maybe it's a better testimony to it's ease of use, but I see lots of people who would NEVER consider a "smartphone," buy an iphone. The marketing angle is different, smartphones are marketed like a business tool that's also a phone; the iphone is just marketed like it's a very cool gadget/internet surfing/media device.
"the iphone is just marketed like it's a very cool gadget/internet surfing/media device" ...
oh yeah, and a phone.
You have that so backwards.
It's the Harley people that have no class, and/or more money than brains.
I'd take a Japanese or Italian bike over your Harley junk any day of the week.
The Iphone is more of a status symbol rather then a smart phone.. Everyone who owns them had to pony up a small fortune to get it (except engadget writers, they just have to meet their daily apple blog posts.). Owning one lets everyone else know your better then they are. Also the Iphone UI is pretty solid. I mean a four year old could use it with little or no learning curve. What I don't understand is why in the hell did MSFT license exchange to Apple.. Very strange move.
Rob Schoenfeld, that was never true on my part.
@smayton, it was already speculated many times over that the iPhone would be imitated. As long as they don't do anything that's an outright blatant copy of the actual iPhone, there are things that they can get away with. We've already seen a few iPhone features copied by other manufacturers. Popular things get imitated all the time. Although I don't understand how Meizu(I think that's the one) never got sued because that IS almost a direct copy.
We heard you the first time, buddy.
I'm not your buddy, guy.
I'm not your guy, friend.
My previous post is to QVGA...grr
Other problem, the interface is complete shite. I mean thats what makes the iPhone. It's not the technologies, they already existed just not all in one device, its the seemless interface that connects the technologies that make the iPhone great.
Apple is an industry leader and some people just hate them. Would we have phones touted as "iPhone killers" without the iPhone? Would the Instinct just happen to have this form factor and OS without the iPhone? Once the iPhone App store opens up what excuse will people have for not using it for business?
Say what you will, but Apple makes products that look sexy and work as advertised.
What do you do now, that makes the concept of recording a message in the absence of speaking to someone, outdated?
You must be the guru of the recording industry, and now that you have seen to it that the quality of music is exponentially better than it ever was,
you are bored.
my comment should appear as a reply
it doesn't. apparently it works if you click the date then hit reply.
Just wanted to let u guys know especially @Chris and @Matt, Sprint has issues with their customer service over the phone. but as far as extending the contract for all lines when u upgrade 1 line or when u change plans, is totally false as of November 07. I know cause I work there in a corp store. Also when I even have to call customer service, i am frustrated by the end of the call, cause a) communication gap, b) they are not knowledgeable of the billing systems as we are in the States.
@Matt: If ur Major ret. store Sup or Manager advises u to say that all lines contract increase due to 1+ line upgrade, please inform them of company info falsification. I bet u get a corporate cell phone rep who comes in maybe every 3 months to do updates, ask him/her for updated info.
Samsung Instinct says, "When I grow up, I want to be just like the iPhone." Well, you know what they, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." I don't care if Samsung licenses Visual Voicemail just as long as they don't try to get a license for running OSX. Hey, they also ripped off the "i" at the beginning of the the name Instinct.
SARCASM ALERT!!!
Wait? Don't I already have this, oh no sorry that's my iPhone. Lets welcome the new generation of iPhone knock-offs. Isn't it funny? It seems no one can come up with their own designs they just copy Apple. hm. I guess Mac's are better than PC's
some expressions to remember, Ryan:
x86 = x86
Linux > OSX > Windows for quality
Linux > Windows > OSX for hardware compat.
Windows > WINE > ReactOS for windows software compat.
compiz > quartz > aero for composting
Linux > OSX > Windows for portability
Linux > OSX > Windows for performance
Linux > Windows > OSX for end user flexibility.
...and end user flexibility? That's what matters. OSX sucks.
Hey Ethan.
End user fuctionality
Windows>Linux>OSX
That's what REALLY matters.
To some functionality is most important, however to a lot of users ease of use and lack of complexity is important so in some cases Windows > OS X and in others OS X > Windows and in others OS X = Windows. It all depends on your level of ability, your threshold for bullshit and having things hidden from you or in your face, but most of all, it depends on what exactly it is you want to do, and how you want to do it. For most things I prefer Mac OS, for some things I prefer Windows, and for some other things I prefer the Linux command line.
c-c-can't we all just get along?
Wow you guys made an article about Sprint licensing Visual Voicemail for the Samsung Instinct into another Mac v PC "debate"/argument. Very clever.
gmail + GrandCentral + WiMax
...quit wasting our time with halfway solutions. I don't check my voicemail now, and I won't until it is emailed to me by my provider.
I hear windows users still have to keep track of hardware drivers. I'm dead serious.
Ethana, you're the clak of the Linux side.
Does this clak fellow offer unlimited free tech support for people who migrate and comprehensive personal computing consultation?
ethana2@gmail.com
Nah, but you're the closest equivalent.
I'm gonna send you SPAM by the way.
Note the '@gmail.com'
(spam? What's that?)
CraigJ, we'll all get along in five years. Right now, there are a few companies like EA, creative and lexmark that need to see some numbers.
Linux is good at being a server and being secure, it fails horribly at everything else.
Linux is flexible if you're a system admin, if you're a regular user, it's a big, giant, prick.
Amish people use linux, because they're stubborn.
I have an instinct, it works fine. Who cares if it copied the look, it's a big touch screen, wtf is it supposed to look like?
"Linux > Windows > OSX for hardware compat."
You're kidding right?
For one thing. Sprint has a bad rap cause of the cs. But the network rocks. has the most 3g coverage of any carrier. If you look in rural areas gsm sucks (thats you att)/ also att gave in to bushes wiretapping.
As far as coverage sprint has the most roaming agreements of any carrier. Meaning verizon , alltel and us cellular. att has ummmmmmmm att and t-mobile.
Sprint rocks, and its only gonna get better
Yea and sprint everything plan for 99 is everything, voice, web, texting, picture mail, gps.
Verizon and att has just voice.
And sero plans.
I get 500 anytime minutes, night and weekends starting at 7. unlimited wed and unlimited text messaging for $30 dollars a month. Beat that att and verizon
How funny is it to look at some of the comments that you know were supposed to be a reply:
"No, the UI."
If your definition of a smart phone is you gotta be smart to use it than the iPhone is not a smartphone because it's too easy to use. In other words, it's the smartphone for dumb people.
omg, why does everyone forget that the iphone is copying touch screen phones from lg. i'm sure samsung had some version of a touch phone before apple as well. it's like, ooh apple created a touch phone and this is a totally original idea by apple. stupid americans or should is say stupid apple lovers.
Well, though I agree it's a little overboard to have so many "omg they copied Apple" comments (esp with this one like somehow Apple INVENTED visual voicemail and anyone who uses it is COPYING them), there is a little bit of truth in that few people gave half a sh*t about full touchscreen form factor phones before the LG prada/Apple iPhone (most touchscreen phones were slider phones with the few full touchscreen phones being PDA phones like the Nokia 7710 (2004), Motorola A1000 (2004), Samsung i700(2004), etc).
"few people gave half a sh*t about full touchscreen form factor phones"...
have to add, in America, at least. Other countries have probably seen a much larger variety of and more advanced phones, which explains why the iPhone was such an amazing seller in the US, while in Europe it was much weaker, not a flop, but considerably weaker.
Why are there are lot of people here saying samsung copied the iphone is not like the iphone was the first touchscreen phone. Now voicemail apple sure did not invented. Now sprint is licensing voicemail doing it the legal way. Sure the iphone is a great device and had lot of success selling not hating on the iphone, but there are alot of people who are hating on the instinct a phone that is not even out yet more hating on sprint. Whats the problem with sprint yes of course CS thats about the negative thing people come out when talking about sprint how bout positive things like better data coverage than att and faster for example the evdo rev a broadband cards and upcoming handset with rev a like the instinct, update for touch, and currently the mogul rocking rev a. Instinct is a phone that is similar to the iphone physically and has important capabilities that the iphone is missing. Even when the 3g iphone comes out this phone will still be faster with rev a well it wouldn't be that bad for iphone2 users using 3g anyways it will be fast too but not like the instinct. One thing to mention has anyone noticed how on the apple/iphone website or tv adds when you check see the videos of the iphone on the internet the iphone is connected using wifi instead of edge? Anyways i think is bad in way fooling potential (normal people that don't know that edge is slow) customers that when you buy an iphone the internet will be as advertised: for example, a friend of mines bought an iphone and now complains about how slow surfing the internet and expensive is which brings out the second thing he complains the iphone bill. The point is when the iphone came out many normal people bought the iphone because it was a nice looking device and hot, but the hard reality hit them with the first bill and the slowness of the internet. Many switch back others are stuck with att. The top 3 things iphone users complain about is 1. The network 2. Expensive bill 3. Slowness of internet. Like sprint will heavily advertise the instinct a nice looking phone is a good move. They will have a nice/hot looking device in june and would get many new customers not surprised to see att customers with iphone going for the instinct so in conclusion it is a good move by sprint to heavily advertise and was a good move by samsung to bring the instinct to sprint. Most of the people hating here are either apple fanboys or att loyals.
My eyes are bleeding. Paragraphs for god-sake man..
wth. why do ppl keep saying that it's an iphone knock off. LG's prada phone came out more than a year earlier than iphone.
I only buy GSM phones, so what Sprint offers is completely irrelevant to me, no matter how great (or not) it is.
Now then, why won't T-Mobile license this Visual Voicemail technology? Why? Oh...I dunno...
I like how everyone makes their own definition of a smartphone: "It can't record video and until it does, it's not a smartphone."
No osx no sdk no thank I'll pass
After reading all these posts its pretty ridiculous that people still think the iphone was the first full touch screen phone. Like what has been said many times before on engadget there have been touch phones before the iphone including the prada phone. Also, regarding the blog thing the instinct wont need google maps because it will come with sprint navigator which includes TURN by TURN gps. Also the only reason the iphone wasn't a giant flop is because it was easy to use and because Apple is genius in the marketing of any of their products. I think all of the little teenagers who saw it were amazed by how it could go on the internet and view youtube, and all the wannabe business men that were to lazy to learn how to use a winmo, palm, or symbian. which are all way better if you are a business man.
As for the teenagers i still know people including adults and teenagers who think the iphone is the ONLY phone that can access the full internet and view online videos which is completely crazy and when skyfire and rev a for the htc touch comes out my phone is gonna e complete.
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