Samsung scores a double, releasing their new phone and officially announcing the anticipated mobile TV service from AT&T.
Click here to read our full review of the Samsung Access.
It wasn't much of a surprise that AT&T's mobile TV plans were revealed, though we expected something official to line up with CTIA 2008 next week. Still, as Samsung today released the SGH-A827, the Samsung Access, there were still quite a few unanswered questions about the carriers plans to compete with Verizon Wireless' V Cast Mobile TV service, and bring the U.S. networks up to speed with other worldwide mobile markets.
First, though, we have Samsung's first mobile TV phone for AT&T, and it certainly has a face for radio. Besides it's bland candybar looks, though, the phone does manage to stow the antenna internally, a new trick for US mobile TV phones. The phone will have single-button access to the mobile TV service, and will also support other advanced AT&T mobile services like Video Share and the Mobile Music store.
The AT&T service itself will pack the normal roster of channels for mobile, including Comedy Central, ESPN Mobile, NBC and Fox, but no ABC. At least not yet, as Samsung hints that AT&T will be offering two exclusive channels, to be announced later. We're glad to see AT&T getting some exclusives. We think a good channel lineup war is just what mobile TV needs, as Verizon Wireless had been resting on their laurels with their anemic channel selection.
Pricing and availability for both the phone and the mobile TV service are vague, and Samsung is only saying the phone will be in customer's hands in May. We also note that Samsung is careful to say this is simply their own first phone on AT&T's mobile TV service, so we expect an announcement from LG any minute now. Though, with Sony Ericsson phones making more of a showing on AT&T's network, we'd love to see some more variety on the mobile TV market.
We'd be shocked if more news on this didn't break before and during CTIA, so tune in again for updates in the near future.
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