Occasionally there is a thread on this site concerning new cell phones and their usage. Since there is some interest I thought I would post my review of the new Samsung Epic 4g phone.
I use Sprint as my carrier. A couple of years ago I bought a Blackberry Pearl when it first came out. This was my first "smartphone", and while I liked it, the limitations (screen size, keyboard, speed) became quickly obvious. While the phone gave me access to the internet, the screen was too small to read it and the keyboard was too clumsy to spend time on it.
I was going to buy the HTC Evo, but it has been unavailable on line since June. Then, I saw the Samsung Epic with the slide out keyboard that was released Aug 30. Full featured phone, if you go down the list of things a phone can have this pretty much has everything. In fact, this is not a phone, but a pocket computer that I can also use to call people.
I absolutely love the phone! I do, however, enjoy electronic gadgets by nature, so I have spent a lot of time figuring it out. It took about a week to get it figured out, but I did.
As you know, Android is a Google product, so if you get this phone (or other Android phones, I would guess) it becomes a lot easier to use if you "commit" to Google. I did not have a Gmail account, and was getting frustrated doing contact and calendar synching (I do not use a corporate server). Once I opened a Gmail account I transferred the contacts and calendar to it, the phone found it, and BAM...done!
The same holds true for Facebook. The phone does a lot of integration with Facebook, if you do not have a Facebook account you will want to get one.
The phone works flawlessly, good sound quality according to my friends. Lots of fun apps pre-installed, so not only can I send you a front facing video message, but when you call me back the phone plays a clip from The Big Lebowski. Worthwhile...no, fun...oh yeah!
Camera quality is good, but it is just so easy to deal with the info now. I take a video, click, click, and it is either on Facebook, Youtube, your e-mail, or IM'd directly to your I-phone.
The apps marketplace is good, and while it is somewhat disjointed, there is a lot there to add real value to your phone. As an example, I found an app that is a wireless signal analyzer so I can better tune my network at the motel.
So, I haven't opened my laptop since I got the phone. All electronic "content" in my life goes to one place. If I am waiting for something I can read the New York Times or whatever on the phone (including Johndee.com). When guests ask for the weather I show them. Someone asked about the Packer schedule the other day, I picked up the phone and said "Green Bay Packers Schedule" and there it was...scary! And, as of yesterday, I can now book e-mailed reservations on the phone...just a little more freedom there!
Only two issues so far. One is battery life, so if it is just sitting around keep it plugged in. Otherwise, no problem. The other issue is that I have not been able to get Windows Media Player to sych with the phone, but I can do a workaround. Plus, I have been using Pandora a lot in the car.
If you don't like gadgets, don't buy this, it will frustrate you. But if you enjoy technology and gadgets this phone will fascinate you. It is truly amazing!
I use Sprint as my carrier. A couple of years ago I bought a Blackberry Pearl when it first came out. This was my first "smartphone", and while I liked it, the limitations (screen size, keyboard, speed) became quickly obvious. While the phone gave me access to the internet, the screen was too small to read it and the keyboard was too clumsy to spend time on it.
I was going to buy the HTC Evo, but it has been unavailable on line since June. Then, I saw the Samsung Epic with the slide out keyboard that was released Aug 30. Full featured phone, if you go down the list of things a phone can have this pretty much has everything. In fact, this is not a phone, but a pocket computer that I can also use to call people.
I absolutely love the phone! I do, however, enjoy electronic gadgets by nature, so I have spent a lot of time figuring it out. It took about a week to get it figured out, but I did.
As you know, Android is a Google product, so if you get this phone (or other Android phones, I would guess) it becomes a lot easier to use if you "commit" to Google. I did not have a Gmail account, and was getting frustrated doing contact and calendar synching (I do not use a corporate server). Once I opened a Gmail account I transferred the contacts and calendar to it, the phone found it, and BAM...done!
The same holds true for Facebook. The phone does a lot of integration with Facebook, if you do not have a Facebook account you will want to get one.
The phone works flawlessly, good sound quality according to my friends. Lots of fun apps pre-installed, so not only can I send you a front facing video message, but when you call me back the phone plays a clip from The Big Lebowski. Worthwhile...no, fun...oh yeah!
Camera quality is good, but it is just so easy to deal with the info now. I take a video, click, click, and it is either on Facebook, Youtube, your e-mail, or IM'd directly to your I-phone.
The apps marketplace is good, and while it is somewhat disjointed, there is a lot there to add real value to your phone. As an example, I found an app that is a wireless signal analyzer so I can better tune my network at the motel.
So, I haven't opened my laptop since I got the phone. All electronic "content" in my life goes to one place. If I am waiting for something I can read the New York Times or whatever on the phone (including Johndee.com). When guests ask for the weather I show them. Someone asked about the Packer schedule the other day, I picked up the phone and said "Green Bay Packers Schedule" and there it was...scary! And, as of yesterday, I can now book e-mailed reservations on the phone...just a little more freedom there!
Only two issues so far. One is battery life, so if it is just sitting around keep it plugged in. Otherwise, no problem. The other issue is that I have not been able to get Windows Media Player to sych with the phone, but I can do a workaround. Plus, I have been using Pandora a lot in the car.
If you don't like gadgets, don't buy this, it will frustrate you. But if you enjoy technology and gadgets this phone will fascinate you. It is truly amazing!