InstinctS30
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How would you change Samsung's Instinct s30?
Ah, Samsung's Instinct s30. One step forward, three steps back -- or something like that. Of course, we're not out to remind you of what we thought of the next-gen Instinct, we're here to find out what you think of it. If you plunked down the coin in order to grab yourself the Sprint-locked featurephone, have you been fully satisfied? Is life going alright without EV-DO Rev. A? How's that web browser treating you? Are you wishing you would've held off for the Pre? Feel free to voice your opinion below, and remember, this chance won't ever, ever come around again. Ever.
Retailers getting meager Pre stock, Radio Shack recommending Instinct S30 instead?
Boy Genius Report cites a source claiming that Best Buy -- the whole chain -- will be allotted just 4,250 Pres for launch day, which works out to something like 4 per Pre-selling Best Buy Mobile installation. Seems like those should sell out right quick and leave a whole bunch of folks high and dry (if demand is as strong as Palm and Sprint undoubtedly hope it'll be), and the situation isn't any better over at Radio Shack where we've learned an internal communication reads:"Due to inventory constraints on the June 6 launch date, not all stores will be able to carry the Palm Pre at launch. To make sure we get the maximum advertising and brand benefit while still having enough inventory to meet the expected demand, we have selected key markets to receive the device at launch."Here's the best part, though: Radio Shack locations not receiving the phone on the 6th are being encouraged to offer the Instinct S30 as an alternative. Look, the S30's a fine phone for what it is (we suppose), but something tells us that no one -- and we mean no one -- is cross-shopping it with the Pre.[Thanks, RWS]
Samsung Instinct s30 review
Once assumed to be a physically smaller version of the original Instinct (affectionately referred to as the Instinct Mini), the Instinct s30 is actually not an Instinct Nano. Sure, it's trimmed up and a bit more curvaceous, but those accustomed to the original won't notice a great deal of weight loss here. Unlike the original, Sprint's (smartly) not pushing this handset as an iPhone killer; instead, it's letting it be exactly what is it, which is a decent featurephone with a few unique niceties and nothing whatsoever that's mind-blowing. So, is the second iteration of the Instinct worth your time (and by extension, money)? Follow us past the break to find out.
Samsung Instinct S30 now on sale at Sprint: $129.99 on contract
Right on cue, Samsung's retooled Instinct (that'd be the Instinct S30, if you had any doubts) has gone on sale at Sprint. You'll also notice that the $129.99 on-contract price we heard about is completely in tact, despite the fact that Best Buy Mobile could be selling this same handset in stores later this week for $80 less. At any rate, those champing at the bit to get one headed their way can now do so after choosing between Cobalt Metal and Touch of Copper hues, and if you're looking to snag one with no strings attached, you'll be paying $449.99 in order to do so.[Thanks, Mike]
Samsung Instinct S30 coming to Best Buy at $49.99
You never really know what to expect when fishing for a new phone at Best Buy Mobile. Go in one week, and you'll see a strikingly pink Instinct for a strikingly large amount; go in next week, and you'll see the miniaturized version of the original Instinct for under 50 bones. If a new flyer is to be believed, the Samsung Instinct S30 will be offered up for just $49.99 on contract at Best Buy, which is a whopping $80 less than what Sprint itself will supposedly ask for it on April 19th. Too good to be true? We're hoping not.[Thanks, Kenny]
Sprint's Samsung Instinct S30 hands-on with video
We had a few minutes with Sprint's Samsung Instinct S30 at CTIA this evening and while we couldn't dive in to find its deepest darkest secrets, we did get in a quick tour. This handset is well balanced in hand, perhaps even a tad on the light and "plasticky" side for our taste, but hey, we only had scant minutes to tour before the mob descended. The touch screen seems up to Samsung's "Please Touch" theme for this year's CTIA, the haptic feedback adding nice, ah, feedback when in use by reassuring the lab mice in us that our input was doing something. Follow on for a gallery and a quick video tour of the UI and a 360 view of the set proper.
Samsung Instinct S30 now official, coming to Sprint on April 19th
That didn't take long. After Samsung showed off its Instinct S30 (a.k.a. Instinct Mini) last night with some official imagery -- and less than an hour after we spotted it in the wild at CTIA -- Sprint's gone ahead and made it official with a press release. The carrier-exclusive touchscreen phone features a 2.0 megapixel camera, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, and virtual QWERTY keypad, along with Opera Mini 4.2, Sprint TV, and Sprint Music Store. It's also got a Speech to Action function for controlling the phone by voice and allegedly more access to the core Java API for development. Color options include Cobalt Metal or Touch of Copper. Launch date is April 19th, which is exactly what we saw in that leaked Sprint playbook, and price is $129.99 with a two-year contract. [Via Gadget Review]
Samsung Instinct S30 in the wild
Samsung's officially announcing the Instinct S30 for Sprint as we speak, but why wait for all that jazz? We spied a dummy unit in the flesh out and about in Samsung's mobile charging center here at CTIA, and while we would've preferred it not be behind a thick plate of glare-tastic glass, we'll take what we can get. Notice that little "Exclusively at Sprint" tagline at the bottom there? Coincidentally, the same phone is being shown alongside its Samsung-branded full touch siblings -- the Memoir, Impression, and Verizon Omnia -- on a big ol' banner outside the show floor, so it really doesn't take rocket science to gather what Sammy's theme is going to be here at the show.
Samsung shows off Sprint's Instinct S30 (alias Instinct Mini)
No details are being offered just yet, but Samsung's Korean-language press service has slipped the first official shot of its Instinct S30 / Instinct Mini / M810 for Sprint. At first glance, the phone seems to be considerably more put-together than its older brother -- and if they've managed to iron out all of the software issues that plagued the Instinct's early days, Sprint might just have a winner on its hands. We're guessing this is going to be unveiled on a more grandiose scale by Samsung USA and Sprint any day, minute, or second now, so stay tuned.
Samsung Instinct S30 (alias "Instinct Mini") in the wild, now with more pink
The Instinct S30's back in the news again ahead of an official announcement, and we've got to say, Sprint: great call staying away from the rumored "Mini" label. The S30 looks like a straight-up upgrade from the original Instinct -- not merely a miniaturized version of it -- mainly on account of the smoother chassis that seems to give the phone a more finished look. Like the Sanyo 2700, it seems the S30 will be available at least in blue and pink, and the form factor certainly lends itself to a whole palette if Sprint thinks it can push 'em off shelves. As you might recall, the first Instinct was announced nearly a year ago at CTIA, so it'd be kind of appropriate of the S30 bowed at CTIA this year, wouldn't it? We'll know in just a few weeks' time. [Thanks, RWS]Update: Our tipster tells us that this color is actually "copper," not pink. The camera sure plays some nasty tricks, doesn't it?
