Samsung's Solstice touchscreen phone bounds onto AT&T
By Joshua Topolsky 
posted July 30th 2009 10:52AM
posted July 30th 2009 10:52AM
posted July 30th 2009 10:52AM
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Solstice? This release is a month late...
....or a few months too early.
@quix: i never put 2 and 2 together...that's figgin' funny!
Samsung lost my cell business over the Eternity. They promised to issue an update, then never delivered.
That is all.
Okay, can someone please tell me what is considered a dumb phone these days?!?! A lot of these so-called "dumb phones" would have been smart phones a few years ago. Does it have something to do with potential for business to get done on the device? Cause if that is it I direct you toward the Topolsky iphone review. Can someone define the terms here!?
if your phone isn't used to make phone calls, you might own a smart phone
Yeah I agree, what makes this a dumb phone? I would except it to be a low end smart phone. If your going to make the argument that this is a dumb phone, then I'd have to make an argument for any phone that doesn't multi task being a dumb phone. But then your beloved iPhone would be a dumb phone.
How many times can Samsung release the same phone? Its the Behold again, woohoo.
That was not meant to be a reply but since I'm here, the line has definitely been blurred in recent years between dumbphones and smartphones as dumbphones began having more features. But when it comes down to it, a smartphone has a sophisticated OS and a more complete feature set. A Samsung phone like the Instinct does have many features but it's a dumbphone. There's no real set in stone definition, but it comes down to how capable the OS is and the features the phone has.
It runs a proprietary operating system on which you cannot install native apps. Therefore it's a dumbphone.
This rule has stood the test of time.
I think AT&T's only requirement is if it has software to access pop3 or exchange :) If you can, its a smartphone, if not, dumbphone. And maybe the ease of adding 3rd party applications (besides java-based ones). If you can go to an app store and easily download apps, it's a smartphone.
ok... I change my first statement... AT&T's only requirement is DATA... how much can a phone have the potential to use. Can you use it for grabbing/sending email all day, can you use it to download more apps, and apps that potentially use more DATA? Answer yes and you have a smart phone. Apple, BlackBerry, WinMo, Symbian... fit the bill. Only exception to that rule that I know of is the Nokia 6650, but I guess that slid past due to the lack of a qwerty.
I have the Eternity and it's a "dumb phone"... it's stuck with the crappy AT&T email app, and only can do java apps. This phone looks to be a new crapier version... I've got a 3mp camera, and that ota TV.
They must have removed the "dumb phone" mention from the blurb, 'cause I don't see it now?
Maybe the smartphone moniker is being reserved for WinMo/Symbian/Android/iPhone/BB?
As long as I've got a web browser and not a "mobile browsing experience" or something stupid like that..
You guys are just figuring out that the iPhone isn't really a smart phone? I mean, I feel like everybody decided it was a smart phone just because Apple said so. A smart phone should have a full keyboard, be able to access exchange, and be able to load HTML pages. If it doesn't have those things, it isn't a smart phone, even if you want it to be a smart phone, and even if it's really expensive.
@ Crtlburn
So by your definition, BB Storm is not a smartphone since it lacks a keyboard.
The iphone is a smart phone because Apple said so.
The iphone ISN'T a smartphone because YOU said so.
what to do?!!
"A smart phone should have a full keyboard, be able to access exchange, and be able to load HTML pages."
Then that would make the iPhone a smartphone. It has a full QWERTY keyboard.
CtrlBurn, what makes you think people just came to that realization. I think everyone has known the iPhone isn't a smart phone for a long long time. I use one, and sure as hell never thought of it as a smart phone.
@ctrlburn,
If only my iPhone could access Exchange... then all it would need to do is crash constantly, and it could be on par with a true WinMo smartphone.
A dumb phone is a phone with a proprietary OS that you can barely find any third party software for. Like this one, or the Impression which happens to look exactly like it.
*sighs at his Impression*
I have the power of a thousand suns!!!!!!
you guys did not just throw an iphone related link in there?????
It is stipulated in their contract with the evil satans of Cupertino that certain number of iPhone references must be made. It is how they get paid.
OMGWTFBBQ! They did not just do that. Engadget is so in bed with Apple and the iPhone. What tools!
Seriously, shut up. The iPhone is one of if not the most consumer popular phones out right now. I know it's 'cool' to hate the iPhone but get over yourself. It's getting old like "does it run crysis", "will it blend", etc....
It isn't the most popular. Unless you only read US-centric blogs like this, you will know that the iPhone is no where near as popular as other brands. Stop being a tit.
not hating on the iphone. in fact i own one. the comment was with my tongue in my cheek kind of like how your head is up steve's ass
They link to the iPhone saying that you can get it at the same fee but they forget to mention the monstrous monthly fees that some just don't want to pay. One thing I wish someone would do, namely Apple, is allow for a non-data plan agreement but still be able to use wifi where accessible (Basically the iTouch with phone capabilities :D).
this thing probably will have MMS out of the box too
EXACTLY what I was going to say....where the hell is my SMS???
Does that make this "smarter" than some other "superior touchscreen devices"?
so i guess engadget isn't even trying to hide their apple kickbacks now. i agree that 99.99 might be too high for this phone, but the price will be kicked down to 49.99 by Christmas, as with all AT&T dumbphones (and even some low-end WM smartphones). That said, I'm guessing purchasing this one doesn't lock you into a corresponding $70/month +taxes contract, like some SUPERIOR TOUCHSCREEN DEVICES on that network?
Yeah, seriously Engadget. You make the same mistake that cell companies hope consumers make when thinking about a phone purchase. The $99 iPhone comes with some significant charges later on. Just because it only costs $99 up front does not make it cheap.
That's the kicker. If this can be used with no data plan or a limited data plan it makes the device SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than the other "smartphone" referenced in this article for $99.
The post is right, that for $99 there are superior smartphones, but this phone won't cost you an arm and a leg in a data plan if, let's say, you have a teenager that wants a touchscreen phone but still wants Mom & Dad to pay for it. That is the appeal that this device and similar ones to it have.
Because this Samsung 3G phone will be AWESOME without a data plan...
In case you arent aware, with AT&T, the difference between smart and dumbphones for the consumer is the cost of the data plan. For me, the difference is $20 a month (30 -> 10).
While we're speaking of Samsung phones, when the heck is the OmniaPro (B7610) going to be released? :(
7 apple related posts on the front page, and now they are linking apple products into posts that don't even involve apple...
Something very strange is going on.
Joshua, the iPhone comes with required fees. Obviously, you don't NEED a $30 data plan with this phone. The iPhone mention here doesn't even make sense, and I'm saying that as a proud 3GS owner.
You don't need a data plan for this phone? Then what is the point of purchasing a device which does email, web browsing, social networking, etc.?
This thing doesn't have WiFi, you'll note. My point about "superior devices" is that for $99.99 plus a voice and data plan (which you would need to actually use this phone the way it's intended), the iPhone 3G would be a better choice.
Oh, and I had to say it or else Apple wouldn't send my check.
I'm not one to complain about iPhone coverage here, so the last comment was pretty lame. The point here would be that not everything goes back to the iPhone, though.
The fact that for one phone, the $30 data plan is REQUIRED and for the other, data is OPTIONAL makes a big difference in the mind of many consumers who just buy phones based on what's good looking but affordable. If I went up to people buying LG Xenons and Impressions and said "Why not get an iPhone?" they would say because of the data plan.
Also, if this is sold as a "dumb phone" rather than a smartphone, the data suddenly plummets to $15/month for unlimited data as compared to $30. $15/month*12 months/2-year contract=$180.
$180...hey, that's almost enough to buy two of these! Sorry, Josh, your iPhone response doesn't really hold water.
Now Joshua makes a good point about the "superior phone" being a better choice (and fattening his pocket with the remark), but what if you are on a budget ($15/month for data) or for that matter are on a family plan that enables you to get data on the Solstice for $10/month, what would be the better choice financially?
So let me get this straight, my Samsung Finesse on MetroPCS isn't really a smart phone, but a dumb one? I'm crushed.
Engadget. Enough already. Stop just talking about the subsidized phone cost.
Start talking more about the real cost of ownership i.e. monthly cost for service.
Maybe they think Engadget readers are smart enough to figure it out on their own.
Maybe it would be a waste of space to go into the minutia of how much each phone will cost over 2 years if you use a combination of X rate plan, Y text messages, Z data plan and Q overages.
There are only a few major carriers, it's pretty easy to figure out. They generally charge similar amounts for airtime. AT&T is $30 for 3G data. Verizon was $40 when I was with them. Why does this all need to be mentioned in every phone article?
In any event, it's moot when comparing different devices on the same carrier.
Android, or GTFO.
Bottom link, full of fail.
Is that supposed to be August 2, 2006? With a 2 mp camera, I think so ...
You dont need a $20-$30 unlimited data plan with this phone. So it's actually for smart people who dont waste their money. I access espn.com scoreboard and my email on the phone here and there... it's about a $3 charge total on my phone bill.
Exactly...he's saying that people looking to buy a dumbphone are better off getting a smartphone with smartphone fees (i.e. $30 data)
If you're interested in this phone, you're not a big spender and not looking for features. You're just looking for a touchscreen phone, as it is the latest trend.