We've seen the leaked photos, we've read the rumors, now it's all official....
AT&T, Samsung Up the Ante with the New BlackJack II Smart Device
Sleeker, Smarter, Simpler BlackJack Brings New Features - Built-In GPS, Video Share, Global 3G Capabilities, Windows Mobile 6 - To Table
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) today announced the availability later this year of the BlackJack IIT, a sleek, smart and simple device powered by AT&T's 3G-enabled BroadbandConnect network that has the familiar look and feel of your desktop with Windows Mobile 6. The BlackJack II had its first public showing today during a keynote address by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer at CTIA Wireless I.T. & Entertainment 2007 in San Francisco.
BlackJack II from AT&T brings the personal computer experience to a slim, compact device ideal for today's mobile consumer. The powerful and performance-driven BlackJack II, which is available in slick black and red wine color options, features a full QWERTY keyboard, large 2.4" QVGA color display screen and front jog wheel to elevate productivity and improve the mobile experience.
Following in the footsteps of the highly popular BlackJackT, the BlackJack II boasts an enhanced feature set, which includes:
- AT&T Video Share, the first service in the U.S. that enables users to share live video over the wireless phones while on a voice call. BlackJack II is the first AT&T business-oriented smart device to feature Video Share.
- Built-in GPS, Support for location-based applications such as TeleNav GPS NavigatorT.
- Global phone capabilities. Tri-band 3G UMTS/HSDPA and Quad-band EDGE/GPRS technology takes advantage of AT&T's industry-leading international wireless footprint for access to e-mail, the Web and other data applications in more than 135 countries - including Japan, South Korea and China - and customers can make or receive phone calls in more than 190 countries.
- An RSS Reader Client to compile syndicated Web content in a single location for easy viewing.
- Significant improvement in the standard battery capacity to get you through the day.
- A 2.0-megapixel camera with video-capture capabilities.
- Increased standard memory.
- A louder and clearer speakerphone.
In addition to a robust feature set, BlackJack II provides users with access to multiple e-mail accounts, both personal and business, through Microsoft Direct Push technology with Outlook Mobile and AT&T Xpress MailT, which includes most major POP3/IMAP providers. The BlackJack II also offers over-the-air synchronization of contacts, calendar and task lists with Microsoft Exchange Server or AT&T Xpress Mail.
"The BlackJack II takes one of AT&T's most popular smart devices and adds to it a whole new level of functionality and capabilities," said Jeff Bradley, senior vice president, Marketing and Operations for AT&T's wireless unit. "This will provide business people and consumers alike with an even more powerful and complete communications and entertainment tool backed by the largest domestic and international wireless data footprint of any U.S. carrier."
"Samsung is proud to work with AT&T and Microsoft to bring the next-generation BlackJack to the U.S. market," said Dale Sohn, president, Samsung. "We built upon the success of last year's award-winning version of the BlackJack, our No. 1-selling smart device. This highly popular device allowed Samsung to develop BlackJack II with several design enhancements, making it the quintessential device for both work and play."
A Pocket-Sized Personal Computer
With Windows Mobile 6, the BlackJack II brings a powerful personal computer experience to the small screen and improves how people do business on the go on a single device. The BlackJack II helps people keep track of schedules and contacts through Outlook Mobile, browse the Internet by using Internet Explorer Mobile, as well as manage Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents using Office Mobile. Windows Mobile 6 also supports HTML e-mail so that people can view and compose e-mail messages in their native format with live links to Web sites, support for images, tables and bullets.
BlackJack II will be among the first Windows Mobile 6 devices from AT&T to support Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008, which Ballmer introduced during his keynote address today. Available for BlackJack II in 2008, System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 offers companies an end-to-end solution for managing and securing Windows Mobile devices. Employees will also have access to company information and a line of business applications from a single, secure place behind the firewall by using a cutting-edge Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN).
"Samsung and AT&T are delivering a worthy successor to the wildly popular first generation BlackJack," said Pieter Knook, senior vice president, Mobile Communications Business at Microsoft Corp. "Windows Mobile 6 on the shiny, sleek BlackJack II is a great option to those wanting to run errands or take a walk in the park, all while staying in touch with important business and personal matters."
Accelerated Entertainment at Your Fingertips
Beyond the workday, BlackJack II allows users to kick back, relax and enjoy a full complement of entertainment capabilities. There's access to AT&T Mobile Music - an integrated, on-the-go music experience that delivers "your music, your way" by providing simple access to the most robust collection of music content available today, including XM Radio Mobile, which comes preloaded on the device and is available for $8.99 a month. BlackJack II also features AT&T's CV streaming video service. Customers can watch a large selection of video clips of their favorite television shows, sports, news and weather, entertainment and premium content, including hit HBO programs and exclusive mobile content from World Wrestling Entertainment.
With features such as stereo Bluetooth® technology - with stereo headset support - a 2.0-megapixel camera with video-capture capabilities, an RSS reader client and Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, users will always be connected, entertained and informed. Built-in GPS technology allows customers to location-based applications, including TeleNav GPS Navigator, which provides GPS-enabled turn-by-turn voice and on-screen driving or walking directions, colorful 3-D moving maps and traffic-delay alerts with one-click rerouting.
AT&T's BroadbandConnect network is available today in more than 200 major metropolitan areas throughout the U.S. and provides BlackJack II users with typical download speeds from 600 to 1,400 Kbps. Outside 3G coverage areas, customers seamlessly connect with AT&T's nationwide2 EDGE network, the largest national high speed wireless data network in the U.S., with availability in more than 13,000 cities and towns and along some 40,000 miles of major highways.
Pricing and Availability
The BlackJack II is expected to be available by the end of the year for $149.99 with a two-year contract and mail-in rebate. Customers can purchase the device in AT&T retail stores nationwide, from national retailers, on www.att.com and through AT&T's business-to-business sales teams.
Image Source : Engadget Mobile
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