Samsung Alias2 U750 Phone, Black (Verizon Wireless)

This follow-up to the dual-flip Alias also steps up to a 2 megapixel camera, large QVGA display, and support for business email and visual voicemail. Other features include EVDO data, memory card slot, and stereo Bluetooth. The first phone in the US with an e-ink keyboard that morphs between numeric, QWERTY, and other layouts.

Other upgrades include a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder and Bluetooth stereo music streaming. If purchased from your phone, you'll receive two copies of the song: a Windows Media Audio Pro Plus format at 64Kbps stereo is sent to your phone, and a Windows Media Audio 9 format at 160Kbps stereo is sent to your account in the V CAST Music online store for downloading to your PC. You'll be able to read, compose and send email, as well as access and manage Outlook contacts, your corporate directory and calendar. The next-generation Samsung Alias 2 for Verizon Wireless retains the original's uniquely innovative dual-flip form factor with full QWERTY keyboard, but now the keyboard utilizes E Ink technology--the same found in today's most popular e-book readers. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. Email is delivered to your device in real time across the National Enhanced Services Rate & Coverage Area, and you get the ability to forward large attachments via email as well as access both your personal and corporate emails on one device. After defining a zone, such as an area designating a school or summer camp, you'll be sent an alert via text message when the Chaperone handset enters or leaves the zone.

Getting on the Internet is easy using the Verizon Wireless Mobile Web 2.0 package, which allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. Wireless Sync offers strong security with AES encryption (Advanced Encryption Standard) technology so that unauthorized parties cannot access or alter application data transmitted over wireless networks.

Phone Features The Samsung Alias 2 has the same dualâ€"hinge design of the original Alias, but the Alias 2 adds a touch of magic--a Magic Key keypad using E Ink technology that can transform the keys depending on your current usage. There's also a complete e-mail client on the device for POP- and IMAP-based accounts. It runs on the 850/1900 CDMA/EV-DO frequencies. Its 880 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 336 hours (14 days) of standby time. Other features include MicroSD memory expansion (up to 16 GB), RemoSync capabilities for corporate email and calendar synchronization, Visual Voicemail, access to personal email and instant messaging, personal organizer tools, and up to 5 hours of talk time.

Verizon Wireless Service With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, you'll enjoy fast access to the Internet and Verizon Wireless multimedia services (additional charges applicable), with average download speeds ranging from 400 to 700 Kbps and peak rates up to 2 Mbps. Other features include your choice of three quality settings, white balance and brightness controls, multi-shot mode (Series, Divided, Panorama), shutter sound selection, and multiple color effects. The next generation Samsung Alias 2 dual-hinge messaging phone with the convenience of an E Ink keypad/QWERTY keyboard that transforms depending on function (see all keyboard layouts). It's compatible with Verizon's V Cast Music Service, which enables you to purchase songs through your phone and download them via Verizon's fast EV-DO data network. The phone has a user-accessible internal memory of approximately 100 MB that can be expanded via optional MicroSD memory cards (up to 16 GB in size). V Cast Music offers nearly 2 million songs, with more being added all the time.

In addition to the V Cast Music service, this phone is also compatible with the Verizon Wireless V CAST Music with Rhapsody, which enables you to access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks. You'll also stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service. Features include on-screen access to voice mail message status, save up to 40 messages for 40 days (or archive permanently), create up to 10 different caller ID-based greetings, and reply via call back, text or even voice mail.

Verizon's Wireless Sync always-on email service (subscription required), you can stay connected and get the job done while away from the office--without a delay and in a secure environment. Other features include:

• Digital audio player with PC sync and in-phone playlist management capabilities; compatibility with MP3, WMA, unprotected AAC/AAC+ formats
• Personal Organizer: Calendar with Scheduler, Note Pad
• Tools: Alarm Clock, World Clock, Calculator with Converter, Stop Watch
• Voice Commands: Voice Dial, Menu Readout, Digit Dial Readout, Text Message Readout, & Call Announcement
• Bilingual User Interface: English/Español
• Embedded ringtones, vibrating alert and silent
• 2.5mm headset jack
• Flight mode turns off cellular connectivity while enabling you to play music, watch videos and more
• Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4

Vital Statistics The Samsung Alias 2 weighs 4.34 ounces and measures 4.01 x 2.04 x 0.67 inches. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. The Verizon Wireless Media Center wireless download service is also fully compatible with this phone. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server (additional charges or subscription applicable).

The 2-megapixel camera offers multiple resolution options (1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480, 320x240, 160x120 pixels) as well as up to a 10x digital zoom (depending on the resolution adjustment). It can also capture video clips, capped at 30 seconds for sending via messaging for running for as long as you have available memory. In addition to its continuous transformation based on your usage, E Ink delivers a paper-like contrast ratio and a low power consumption. This phone also provides Bluetooth wireless connectivity (version 2.0), and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, and file transfer. The front of the clamshell face also includes music playback controls. The phone also includes a dedicated camera/video key for quick shots while on the go.

The Alias 2 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging, too, with support for sending and receiving text, picture, and video messages as well as mobile instant messaging (IM). The internal phonebook can store up to 1000 contacts with each entry able to store up to five phone numbers, two email addresses, a street address and notes as well as the ability to pair a contact with a photo ID. Other features include Bluetooth stereo music streaming, a 2-megapixel camera, and MicroSD memory expansion. Supports RemoSync, so customers can synchronize corporate e-mail, contacts and calendars from their office PCs. With this GPS-enabled phone, you'll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps. For example, in phone mode you'll see a standard alpha-numeric keypad, but when you switch to texting mode the keys will automatically change into a full, four-row QWERTY keyboard. And the Chaperone service lets you easily locate your loved ones from your Verizon Wireless phone or PC in real time. The E Ink technology is the same type of technology used in today's most popular electronic book readers. Visual Voice Mail is the ideal tool for the busy mobile professional who may need to prioritize which messages he or she listens to first. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Media Center service.

With Visual Voice Mail, you can delete, reply and forward voice mail messages without having to listen to prior messages or voice instructions. The phone has an internal 2.6-inch LCD screen with a 240 x 320-pixel resolution and support for up to 262K colors, and it's complemented by an external 1.3-inch screen (128 x 128 pixels, 65K colors) that displays current time (with Samsung's distinctive new digital clock) as well as incoming calls. V CAST Music with Rhapsody delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. In addition, customers who purchase music over-the-air are able to download the master copy of the songs or albums to their PCs free of digital rights management (DRM) software that restricts how and where music can be played. With the E Ink-powered keyboard, the keys can transform from vertical to horizontal depending on your orientation as well as switch from numeric keypad to full keyboard depending on the application in use. And of course, the QWERTY keyboard makes it a snap to type your messages.

This phone also offers compatibility with the RemoSync service--a corporate email contacts and calendar solution that provides secure and easy access to your company's Microsoft Exchange Server, with enterprise-class security and IT remote administration features. (Learn more about where EV-DO coverage is offered.) The V Cast Music service enables you to download songs instantly to your phone, or purchase music through your PC and transfer the files to your phone. The phone also displays the last 90 incoming/outgoing/missed calls, provides one-/two-/three-touch dialing, and offers a bilingual interface (English and Spanish).

Handsfree communication is easy thanks to the integrated speakerphone.