As expected, Verizon has chosen December 2 as the Samsung
Omnia II's date with destiny, bringing an interesting full-touch WinMo alternative to the HTC
Imagio that launched back in October alongside
Windows Mobile 6.5. Speaking of 6.5, there were some early concerns that Verizon's version of the Omnia II would launch on stale 6.1 code, but fear not -- it's now confirmed that you'll be looking at Microsoft's latest and greatest stuff when you gaze upon that 3.7-inch AMOLED WVGA display. It's also got a 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and flash, WiFi, and 8GB of internal storage along with microSD expansion -- good news for anyone who plans on making much use of that cam, especially in video mode. Verizon's site and retail locations both take delivery of the device on the same 12/2 date, pushing it for $199.99 after a $100 mail-in rebate. Considering the pricing, we've gotta ask:
Droid or Omnia II?
Does it run Farmville?
No, but it runs Mafia Wars!!
Holy god a standalone version of Farmville as an App on the iPhone or as a download on PSN or Xbox Live, or just for the PC, would SELL MILLIONS.
@poematik14 sounds like a man who got a dementia for playing too much FB games lately?
As for the post, Though slightly more expensive, Verizon customers looking for a touch-screen smartphone will get a better user experience and faster performance from the Samsung Omnia than the RIM BlackBerry Storm. Details: http://bit.ly/samsung-omnia-point-of-view
Where's the Passion?
Between the two I'd prefer to go with Omnia II. Familiarity and comfortableness with the windows mobile operating system outweigh my desire to dink around with android right now.
Familiarity with WinMo doesn't mean anything when Samsung mucks it up with Touch Wiz. Honestly, it is the worst phone interface I have ever seen. I doesn't look nice, run well, or work intuitively.
When I say familiarity with the operating system I mean just that. I don't count the UI as part of the whole package as I can remove it and do basically whatever I want with it...as long as the hardware supports my imagination. For the average person who uses it 'as is', yeah I'd say they do muck things up a bit with the UI.
Here is the thing. You can EASILY shut off TouchWiz and go with stock windows mobile. Then if you want, you can install SPB mobile shell on your phone which rocks. I really don't see the big fuss. You can remove that interface in about 30 seconds.
You can turn off Touchwiz and install another skin like PointUI or SPB Mobile shell. One of the best aspects of WinMo is how customizable it is.
These are the kind of filler phones I'd like on T-Mobile, not crap like the moto cliq...and why the hell didn't T-Mo get the droid?
...The hell is a filler phone?
Dude, carriers getting phones isn't part of some elaborate story arc. T-Mobile just didn't get the Droid. End of Story.
A filler phone to me is something like this, a phone that doesn't have star power anymore as it's been around for a while.
We like this phone but we're really waiting for the HTC HD2.
I like my 5800 XM but I was really waiting for the N900.
You get it?
OK, I understand now; I just needed to know the context of that word. I do believe that these phones are still relevant in the eyes of the average consumer, and while they damn sure won't sell like the Droid has been doing, I think they'll manage.
someone is watching too much BLEACH.
Who would buy this? Who would even use this for free? Oh my God, is that WeatherBug? Vomit.
This phone has a great rating from PhoneArena. A rating of 8. Its one of the only phones out with an AMOLED screen and it has a pretty sweet look to it.
If this came out in October, I would already have this phone.
Considering I just returned the Droid based on it's "meh" multimedia performance, I just might gove this a go. If it's not too great the iPhone will have finally won me over.
Only thing I'd be careful about is the fact that Verizon only lets you trial one phone with the 30 day return policy
LOL! Dude, if you thought the Droid had "meh" performance then you're definitely not going to like this phone. It has an older processor, and has winmo 6.5 (which has a memory leak on the Imagio, not sure about other phones). Winmo + older processor = bags of lag and long load times. My girlfriend's Imagio takes a really long time to load even trivial things. Winmo market takes at least 10 seconds and then i have to wait an extra 3-5 seconds to scroll through every 4 out of 20 apps it has in the marketplace! What's even worse? The Touch Wiz UI which has been nothing but laggy in every Omnia 2 video there is! I'd skip this device unless you're already a winmo user. Winmo is great when placed in the right hands, but you have to do a lot to get your phone running right. Too much hassle for the general consumer.
give*
For me it's still the Omnia. We currently use an application designed for WinMo. The ability to Synch to our Exchange server, carry one device and still have phone, and camera capability. I wish it would have been the Samsung Louvre B7610, because we use this as a multifunction device, not just a look at my cool phone.
Droid, not even close.
I would never go back to a winmo device after what I've seen with my Droid.
I had Omnia, loved it. Now I have Droid and love it. However, camera sucks ass! Video is good, though. Everybody I've called comments on how horrible I sound, and this is second Droid. Probably will return it for Omnia II, but I am torn. Just have to wait and see I guess.
I'd say you probably still have a defective Droid. Call quality has been great on mine and everyone else I know.
I carried a Treo 700wx modded to 6.1 for years. Just got the Droid. There is not way I'd go with the Omnia. It sure looks purty and I'm attracted to it - but Droid has me won over. And the Pre was SO calling my name on Verizon as of early October - having put hands on every Smartphone (except the Omnia noww) - the Droid just wins.
To everyone asking why anyone would get this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQgfLnb1edQ&feature=related
For me it's the omnia 2, have been using it for quite some time with winmo 6.5. I really like it. It obviously could have som improvements but no phone is perfect, this one is close though.
I have an original Omnia and I love it, but to be honest I'm not impressed enough to upgrade. If it had a capacitive touchscreen and a phsyical keyboard that would have sold me.
GSM + CDMA and I would go
The Bell version has 3G CDMA and GSM while also coming in the 16gb model and costing about the same with contract, but on a 3 years contract vs a 2 year.
No Android, no buy.
win mobile BLOWS
At least on windows mobile you can install apps to the SD card!!
There are no silly imposed limitations, you can modify anything you want without cease and decist letters (ehem, Cyanogen mod).
Android is a crock; it's a FAKE open OS, it's not OPEN at all.
You need root to be able to do anything useful, which by NO surprise whatsoever, voids the warranty...Remind you of anything (cough, jailbreaking iphones perhaps?).
No need for that on windows mobile, you can do whatever you want.
Sorry for telling the truth, but Windows Mobile is currently the most OPEN mobile OS on the planet.
You fanboys just need to go away permanently. All of you.
Its so funny. I like the iPhone, WinMo and Android all at the same time!
Right now I'm on Android but I appreciate the approach and competition that all phone manufacturers bring with their devices and the different OS's that they use.
Sheesh guys! Get over your silly loyalty to your false idols!
Win mobile is like carrying around a win 98 destop in you pocket.
Your last comment proves that you have no idea what you are talking about.
Santa must really think you've been naughty if he puts a Windows Mobile phone in your stocking. Instead of coal, you get a phone with an OS designed for 1999. Buying a phone with Windows Mobile in 2009 is like buying a PC in 1980 with a Hollerith punchcard device or paper teletype instead of a keyboard and monitor.
Android>WinMo any day, and twice on Sunday.
Still though, I wish the Android had better choice of multi-media players for devices. I'd love an Android versoin of Canola, for example.
Still though, it's a no brainer if given the choice between a Droid and a Windows Mobile phone.
Android, the iPhone, RIM's Blackberries and WebOS will result in the death of Windows Mobile. Oh, Microsoft may keep it around as a kabuki dance thing in order to not admit defeat, but the company is finished in the mobile space. Even in the business market, Blackberries dominate, and just wait until Android has great Exchange support, if it doesn't already.
Android is too infantile to have multimedia support.
The only decent android multimedia support you'll get currently is on PMP's that use proprietary code.
It will most likely have this support (.mkv, .ogg, FLAC, etc.) in the future, but since it doesn't right now -- I won't even consider buying an android device.
Windows Mobile + CorePlayer owns any android device in terms of media support (currently).
i supposed you cant tether with this out of the box for free.
Windows mobile comes built in with an internet sharing application.
Verizon may have removed it, but you can just download the .CAB file from XDA developers for free with little effort. There's no way of verizon blocking it. There's also windows mobile wifi router, which is free for 30 days, and is the best internet sharing program in the world.
Ditching dual-band is really killing these new phones for me. Come on, even the first Storm had it. And we all know how that was.
The Touch Pro2 still does it for me until the N900 gets a CDMA carrier. If I had a gun to my head, the Droid. Android is rather entertaining to develop for.
Agreed! Since this is mostly a business phone, it should have dual band support. Why is no one using Quallcomm's GOBI chip? It's flipping amazing, yet no one uses it except one or two netbooks.
omnia does?
i think not
I haven't yet seen a comparison of this and the Touch HD, and it sounds like this may be a good alternative.
Sorry meant to say HD2 (Leo)
Had the Droid not come out, I would have considered this the best Touch Screen option at Verizon.
if the omnia 1 is any indication of the omnia 2. i would say go with the droid
I would get this if it was $200 unlocked, which is not going to happen. Love Android but Windows Mobile could work. ^_^ Love phones with Wi-Fi