AT&T's Samsung Shift and LG Etna put through their paces

The KS360 has proven to be one of LG's more hype-attracting devices of the past few months, and AT&T's taken notice -- so much so, in fact, that it's bringing the lil' texter on home. LetsTalk.com has posted previews of the AT&T version of the KS360 -- the GT365 Etna -- along with the Samsung Shift, proving that neither AT&T nor its manufacturer partners have any intention of turning away from the low-cost messaging trend any time soon. The Etna looks like the more interesting of the two, largely on account of its touchscreen dialing capability and slide-out keyboard -- but the Shift should find an audience, too, particularly among Bold wannabes who don't have a need for corporate street cred. Follow the break for the vids.

[Thanks, Fernando]

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 23rd 2009 1:04AM]

I really like the Etna, since it'll be capable of running Android in the future when LG releases the update for it
Thus making a dumbphone w/ a cheap data plan into a smartphone for cheap ;)

[Mr Mario Posted Feb 23rd 2009 1:22AM]

This guy sounds like he doesn't really know what he's talking about... anyone else sense that?

The Etna seems to be as thick as the other two phones but has a slide out qwerty? that's something that this guy doesnt really mention. Usually phones with the slide-out qwertys are much much fatter - one would think he would talk about how great that is.

This video looks very shallow, information-wise. Kind of a waste of time to watch.

[YpoCaramel Posted Feb 23rd 2009 1:28AM]

Nokia still has the E71 at the top when it comes down to sleek, slick and small smartphones with a keyboard. Though of course its a class up.

[(Unverified) Posted Feb 23rd 2009 2:33AM]

That Samsung is beyond basic; especially for 2009 standards. VGA camera? No expandable memory whatsoever? 2G data on AT&T?!! A small bit of me died by simply repeating what it doesn't include...

[CapnShiner Posted Feb 23rd 2009 7:23AM]

I wouldn't count on being able to install Android on the Etna, as is. AT&T is not likely to pass up on potential revenue by letting people buy a cheap phone and turn it into something for which they could charge a higher price. Besides, it hasn't been confirmed yet that the KS360 is one of the planned Android phones LG promised. For now, it's just rumor and wishful thinking.

[pheer6224 Posted Feb 23rd 2009 6:58PM]

Cool, I was wondering when LG would release something along the lines of the Samsung Ultra Smart.

[PiSquared Posted Mar 12th 2009 6:53AM]

What happened to the videos?