Sprint licenses Visual Voicemail for the Samsung Instinct

It looks like Samsung's Instinct won't just be kinda-sorta doing some iPhone stuff -- it will be doing actual iPhone stuff. Sprint announced that it has licensed Klausner's Visual Voicemail (yes, Visual Voicemail) for use in the familiar looking device, adding weight to the argument that this is the carrier's official play for the iPhone market. If you'll recall, Klausner sued AT&T and Apple over the feature, which it claims violated two of its patents. Now all they need to do is throw Cover Flow, Google Maps integration, and some wiggly icons on there, and this race will really get heated.

[Via I4U News]

[ryan @ Apr 6th 2008 5:43PM]

only problem is its not a real smartphone

[Jamma @ Apr 6th 2008 5:45PM]

Neither is the Instinct

[Jamma @ Apr 6th 2008 5:47PM]

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

[ryan @ Apr 6th 2008 5:54PM]

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.

[Jamma @ Apr 6th 2008 6:14PM]

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

[packetsniffer @ Apr 6th 2008 8:47PM]

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*

[Abuzar @ Apr 6th 2008 9:55PM]

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.

[happy_penguin @ Apr 6th 2008 11:18PM]

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

[Chris in CA @ Apr 7th 2008 12:41PM]

Copy & Paste is the dividing line for SmartPhone.

[Sam Winter @ Apr 7th 2008 8:57PM]

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.

[duzzyman @ Apr 6th 2008 5:49PM]

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.

[DP @ Apr 7th 2008 12:27PM]

If there were any higher than highest ranked, this guy would have it.

[PeterF @ Apr 6th 2008 5:49PM]

neither of them are smartphones.

[marlboro @ Apr 6th 2008 5:52PM]

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

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2008 5:54PM]

Huh?

[Erik @ Apr 6th 2008 6:29PM]

You know, it's really hard to make fun of raving Apple fanboys if you, yourself, make absolutely no sense.

Grammar is your friend.

[Tim @ Apr 6th 2008 6:55PM]

Didn't I lecture you on proper grammar on the "nokia ripoff" pmp thread?

[Sean @ Apr 7th 2008 1:58AM]

Layoff the Marlboro's.

[Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 6th 2008 5:55PM]

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.

[Johan S @ Apr 6th 2008 6:40PM]

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.

[Hashbrown Hunter @ Apr 7th 2008 8:47AM]

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.

[Drew @ Apr 6th 2008 5:55PM]

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.

[CraigJ @ Apr 7th 2008 12:46AM]

and coverage... been there, done that, never going back.

[IGotTheMondays @ Apr 7th 2008 2:32AM]

Their customer service is getting better. That's my only complaint and at least they recognize that and are trying to fix it.

[15minutesdeep @ Apr 7th 2008 10:51AM]

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.

[ryan @ Apr 6th 2008 5:55PM]

the iPhone is the textbook definition of a smartphone no idea what your talking about

[ryan @ Apr 6th 2008 5:56PM]

engadget please fix the reply button!

[Jack Storm @ Apr 6th 2008 11:24PM]

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!

[Kizorblade @ Apr 7th 2008 3:47AM]

Mine would be so that you can organize events, check yer mail, surf the web, ect.

[Dankoozy @ Apr 6th 2008 5:57PM]

The only thing better than visual voicemail is no voicemail at all

[Josh @ Apr 6th 2008 7:09PM]

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

[Ridley @ Apr 7th 2008 5:55PM]

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.

[Chris @ Apr 6th 2008 6:07PM]

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?

[James @ Apr 6th 2008 10:16PM]

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.

[Matt @ Apr 6th 2008 6:12PM]

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.

[Jamma @ Apr 6th 2008 6:13PM]

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

[Jamma @ Apr 6th 2008 6:14PM]

PPPS: SORT THE REPLY SYSTEM OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Phoenix @ Apr 6th 2008 6:13PM]

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...

[Abuzar @ Apr 6th 2008 10:07PM]

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.

[ryan @ Apr 6th 2008 6:27PM]

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

[urza @ Apr 6th 2008 7:55PM]

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.

[Pusta @ Apr 6th 2008 8:15PM]

The blackberry is not 3G nor does it have drag and drop support.

Guess it's not a business smartphone either.....

[Phoenix @ Apr 6th 2008 6:14PM]

Reply to Jamma

Engadget... Why must you do this to us...

[Flashpoint @ Apr 6th 2008 6:17PM]

YEAH - but the iphone can play QUAKE 3

[Jubei @ Apr 6th 2008 6:25PM]

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.

[ez17 @ Apr 6th 2008 6:29PM]

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

[ReggieXuk @ Apr 6th 2008 6:30PM]

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!!!

[Johan S @ Apr 6th 2008 6:36PM]

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.

[Johan S @ Apr 6th 2008 6:38PM]

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.

[ReggieXuk @ Apr 6th 2008 6:43PM]

no, the UI