Samsung's Alias2 in live shots, still not looking awesome

Don't get us wrong, the concept of a truly dynamic keypad on a phone is awesome, and we're sure that the concept is going to be going places in the next few years -- we just don't think that a handset that looks like this is going to be the one to light the fire. Pictures of the Alias2 from Samsung have filtered in after yesterday's user manual leak, giving us a better idea of what the phone looks like; we still can't put our finger on what technology the keypad is using, but given that we've heard that it'll retain its layout with the battery out, we're starting to think that it might be segmented E Ink. Active matrix E Ink would've been ten times cooler, but we imagine it's not quite at the price point yet where it makes sense for a product in this range. Keep on keepin' on with the innovative stuff, though, guys -- just make sure it spends a little more time in the design department next time.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 2:28PM]

wow, that is hideous.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 7:10PM]

Do you think you are any better?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 2:32PM]

i think its an awesome idea, and if its easier to use, i might get one.

unless the 9630 rocks my socks. which i am expecting it to do.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 2:52PM]

i saw one in person the other week and it actually looks really nice

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 3:29PM]

Bias much?

Outside of the phone and the shape/design are very similar to its previous version, the SCH-U740 Alias, and like it or not that was a very popular device with VZW. I expect this will do the same.

[fernando Posted Mar 27th 2009 3:39PM]

That's a terrible main menu. The phone itself looks nice-ish though, which is a shame that's on Verizon.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 3:45PM]

Sorry, I love this design-
I'd kill for a Winmo flip version

the last decentwindows flip was the kyocera 7135.. why do the damn screens always need to be exposed? I'm harsh on my phone.. I want the touchscreen inside when not in use.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 3:57PM]

the 7135 was NOT a WM phone. it was Palm...

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 4:49PM]

The main menu has several different themes to choose from, many of them more simple and less cluttered than the one shown.

[(Unverified) Posted Nov 27th 2009 6:50PM]

Ummm whats exactly is so bad about the design? and how would you improve it Mr. Ziegler?

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 5:40PM]

Me thinks those buttons need to be raised.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 7:10PM]

So reminiscent of the Nokia N93(i) only the N93 is better albeit only tri-band.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 27th 2009 7:28PM]

It's not the main menu, it's just the screen on which too many widgets have been pulled out of the side bar at the same time, it's just to show the possibilities of the TouchWIZ platform.
Usually any sensible person using touchWIZ keeps at most one or 2 apps open on the main screen; I have it on my Samsung Omnia and I find it vastly superior to the TouchFLO (manila) platform that I have on my other phone (an HTC touchHD).
I know nothing about this new Samsung, but I like what I see: beside the fancy K-board, 2 screens, TouchWIZ (so probably Winmob 6.1 or 6.5); and just look at those 2 stereo speakers at the sides of the screen: I like those too.
I love my Omnia (i 910) and probably as soon as I can find (and try) one I'll be getting an OmniaHD or a Show, or maybe even this one (if it's a real smartphone).
Samsung has been presenting some great phones in the last months, I just hope they will make it to the stores whithin a reasonable time.
I want to compare these new models to Nokia's N97, HTC Thoth, and the Archos/Texas Instruments Android smartphone before making a choice but I'm afraid that I will end up buying the first among them that I'll be able to find in a shop.

[Jakejd Posted Mar 31st 2009 12:29PM]

Alias is a dumbphone, and this will be more of the same. It is not a WinMo phone, and that is not TouchWiz, although it may be inspired by TouchWiz (seriously, I hate that word. Who wants to "touch wiz"?).

The UI on the Alias 740 was very cluttered on some of the pre-installed themes -- but there are a couple that are much better, and I expect this will be the same deal.

FWIW, I really liked the u740. The keyboard is really nice, and the phone is very quick at most actions. Alas, I needed to switch to a Blackberry, so I had to ditch the u740. But smartphone designers would do well to fashion a simple WinMo or Android phone in this form factor. They don't ALL have to be iPhone-mocking touch screens, do they?

I'll have to handle this keyboard before I pass judgment, but from the looks it will be step back from the u740's functionality. I really wish I could just load up a Blackberry OS on the u740 -- it would be the ideal phone.

[(Unverified) Posted Mar 28th 2009 1:53PM]

what are u talkin bout winmo 6.5 an touch wiz.. thats a dumbphone buddy.. if it wasnt for tha dual hinge and keboard it would be free ninety five.. and what is engadget talkin bout it doesnt look gd.. that ugly background could go tho.. but i kno its not the only one