Phone Accessory - Samsung BlackJack II Red Wine Smartphone (AT&T)

List Price: $499.99
Our Price: $0.01
Your Save: $ 499.98 ( 100% )
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Manufacturer: AT&T

Average Customer Rating:

Binding: Wireless Phone
Brand: Samsung
Color: Black
EAN: 0635753469035
Feature: Quad-band/3G smartphone with Windows Mobile 6 for MS Office document editing and easy Outlook email and contacts
Label: AT&T
Manufacturer: AT&T
Model: BlackJack II
Publisher: AT&T
Release Date: 2007-11-23
Studio: AT&T
Variation Description: Black

Features

Quad-band/3G smartphone with Windows Mobile 6 for MS Office document editing and easy Outlook email and contacts
Internal GPS receiver with support for TeleNav software; music and video downloads and streams via AT&T Mobile Music and Cellular Video
Full QWERTY keyboard; Bluetooth stereo music streaming; 2.0 megapixel camera; MicroSD expansion
Up to 7 hours of talk time, up to 14 days of standby time
Includes: Charger, USB Cable, Battery and Getting Started CD

Accessories
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Spotlight customer reviews:

Customer Rating:

Summary: Good entry-level smartphone
Comment: When I was buying a new phone about 6 months ago, I was deciding between Blackjack and Blackberry Curve. At that time, I was downgrading from HTC Tilt as I realized I really wanted something simpler and lighter and with a full and easily accessible keyboard. At that time, Blackjack II and Blackberry Curve were the best options for me from the ATT line up. I chose the Blackjack and had no major regrets so far.

On the positive side, the phone has a good sized keyboard, customizable shortcuts, good email and message handling, works well with outlook. I have all my work email forwarded to gmail and use the gmail IMAP setting on Blackjack, which was very easy to set up and works really well.

The web browsing experience is ok, considering the size of the screen. I only use it for light browsing and reading blogs through Google Reader, which works just fine. One thing that I recommend is to avoid using the ATT internet setting and to bypass the MediaNet site. I have the feeling it will increase the browsing speed. I tried the built-in IE, Opera and Opera mini as my browsers and to my surprise, the IE provides me with the most consistent browsing experience (I know I'm not supposed to say that).

After reading about problems with battery life on the original Blackjack, I was pleasantly surprised. The battery will easily last through the day of my typical use of phone calls, email, text messaging, and light web browsing.

Not all is good for Blackjack II though. First of all, the use of proprietary ports for charging and headset is a major rip-off from Samsung. There is no technical reason not to use standard miniUSB. The bigger issue I've had with Blackjack, however, is the build quality. After several weeks of use, the screen backlighting started to behave erratically. It would go off unpredictably during which time the screen was almost, but not quite, dark rendering the phone unusable. Restarting the phone would help sometimes but sometimes you had wait for 20 -50 min for the backlighting to come back on its own. It got so bad that I had to return the phone. The screen on the new unit has been great so far. However, the second phone developed a rattling from the battery compartment. It seems the battery doesn't fit tightly and moves around a bit. It doesn't affect the function of the phone but it's annoying and gives it a cheap feel. I will be sending the phone back again.

Overall, this is a good entry-level smartphone that does almost everything well.

Customer Rating:

Summary: First Smart Phone
Comment: I recently purchased the Black Jack II and I really love it-so far. I have not completely learned the phone or used all of its features, but the ones that I have used are great. For example the GPS is great....I love being able to get the list of restaurants in my area or find the closest dollar store. Having both my personal & work email at my fingertips is awesome!
I have not gotten the first bill yet for the data plan being added, but so far I really like the phone.
The one thing that I do not like is the way it tracks finger prints & holds oil....I clean the screen after EVERY use!:) I also have to charge it at least every 2 days! But since its working "overtime" it uses a lot of power-so that's okay!
So far, its proving to be a great first smartphone for me.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Battery is the worst ever don't bother and look elsewhere
Comment: This phone is very compact and light in weight....however it's battery is also lightweight in performance.

To give an example you'll charge the battery all night, then once you've unplugged it, you'll be lucky to get 4-5 hours standby...yes standby!!

I've hand an Apple iPhone and wanted something to replace it, that battery didn't last much more than a day and a half.

I tell you this battery is a design fault, it's not man enough for the job, Samsung are normally pretty good, but really this is a waste of a phone.

If you wanna carry spare batteries all day, or don't care about having a phone that will work as a "mobile" phone...then this is for you, otherwise yes please look elsewhere and save your money!

Customer Rating:

Summary: Don't buy this annoying, flimsy phone!
Comment: To sum up this phone: The Blackjack 2 is so annoying, it must have been designed by someone who has never used a cell phone before.

I've had this phone for a week now and already it's obvious that this is a piece of crap, like most of Samsung's phones.

On the plus side the phone gets good reception and good battery life.

However the phone comes with many annoyances that I think are good enough reasons not to buy it. These problems are due in part to Samsung's idiotic design, Microsoft's crappy Windows Mobile software, and unreasonable restrictions set by AT&T.

1. Flimsy physical design -- After only a week my phone already looks a year old from scratches and scuff marks even though I've been babying it. (I either keep this device by itself in my pocket or on a table.) Already there are small but VERY NOTICEABLE SCRATCH MARKS on the screen. There's just something about this screen that makes these tiny little scratches very visible. I'm afraid that in a few months my screen will be near impossible to read! It also already has the kind of scuff marks you'd find on a year-old phone. Also the wheel already looks cruddy and it's not like I have constantly dirty hands or anything. I think its very tiny grooves too easily trap dust and other gunk. So what appears to be a very slick casing is, in my opinion, utterly worthless for most people in just a few weeks time.

2. VERY ANNOYING 3 key unlock -- Since this isn't a flip phone you're going to need to lock the phone when you put it in your pocket, bag, or what have you. Locking is easy -- just hold down the End key for 2 secs. But to unlock it you have to press 3 buttons: first the power button (top side of the phone), then the left soft key (below the screen), and then the * key (middle-left of the keyboard, and not easily found at first). A very difficult combination to make. What a ridiculous and unnecessary procedure, and probably my biggest annoyance with this phone since I end up unlocking it many times a day.

3. Voice/text message tones sound only once -- I miss my old phone which would tone/vibrate every few minutes to remind me that I still have unread/unlistened messages. This phone will only tone/vibrate once. There have been many times that I didn't know I had a message because I somehow missed the notification. Very annoying!

4. VERY LOUD startup and shutdown sounds -- AT&T provided the stupidest startup/shutdown screen with this phone. It plays a very annoying swooshing sound, much louder than even my ring tone! Before I turn off my phone at night I have to put it in silent mode so I don't wake my kids!

5. Useful features are locked down or limited -- First, ringtones can't be more than 300KB in size, which limits you from using most ring tones on the market. Second, the phone's GPS is locked down in a way that it can't be used by apps like Google Maps and Windows Live Search. Un-freaking-believable. Some web sites list ways you can hack your phone to work around this, but they're only for the fearless!

6. Undetectable home keys -- Like most keyboards, the Blackjack 2's keyboard has little notches on the F and J keys. However they are so small that you cannot feel them. They're absolutely worthless.

7. No alpha-numeric mapping for 800 #s -- Don't plan on dialing 1-800-COMCAST or other such numbers from this phone unless you know the actual numerical equivalent. Understandably, the phone's numeric keys don't show that 2 is "ABC", 3 is "DEF", etc. since the number keys are already paired with letter keys on the keyboard. But there could be ways around it, like showing the alpha-numeric mapping on the screen as you dial. There was such a hack for the first Blackjack but that hack doesn't work on the Blackjack 2.

This list is just from my first week of use with this phone. There may be more issues I have yet to come across but I felt it necessary to warn anyone considering this phone to AVOID IT AND GET SOMETHING ELSE. I also recommend staying away from Samsung phones altogether. I've had 2 other Samsung phones before and they all suffered from manufacturing defects, major bugs, and usability annoyances. The first Blackjack had major antenna problems that didn't manifest for months down the line, so I'm very pessimistic that this one also will have latent problems.

Customer Rating:

Summary: Great WM6 phone, but even at $.01 not as good a value as iPhone.
Comment: Changes in my job required me to get a phone that can synch with Outlook. My boss has the original Blackjack, and I've always admired it's looks, so this phone seemed like a good choice. It's got a nice screen, tons of features, it's red, and at $0.01 it's a steal!

Once I recieved the phone, however, I realized how limited Windows Mobile 6 is. Not in its features, necessarily, but in how you use it. I found it really annoying to have to scroll up and down all sorts of menus to do basic tasks like calendar, internet, email, etc. The home screen is crowded and kind of a pain to navigate, although it shows you info on tasks, appointments, email, etc without having to dig into menus.

I was also frustrated by the spin wheel. It's a GREAT idea, and when it worked it worked well, but a lot of the time I'd think I was spinning but nothing happened on-screen. After looking closely at it and doing some test-spins, I realized that the wheel sometimes just doesn't move. I think this is because the grooves on that are circular, around the center, instead of radial away from the center, so it doesn't give much purchase to your finger when you spin.

Anyway, I know these are minor annoyances, and if I was 10 years younger I'd probably appreciate all the opportunities having Windows on your phone provides, but at this point, I just want a phone that works, is easy to use, and gives me the internet, maps, email, text, and photos.

It turns out that the iPhone is actually a BETTER deal than this phone. The iPhone data plan is $20 / month and includes unlimited data and 200 sms. The equivalent plan for the Blackjack would come to $35 / month. Over a 2-year period, this comes to a $360 difference. The iPhone is $399. Kind of a no-brainer for me. I got an iPhone, and haven't looked back. (Except to write this review).

(OH BTW, they're now selling refurb iPhone 8GB for only $250! So you'd be actually saving money! Just a thought...)

EDIT: I forgot to mention the sync problems I had with this phone. I know it's not Samsung's fault, but the ActiveSync app kept crashing and I got really frustrated trying to troubleshoot the problem. I never did get it working reliably. On the other hand, iPhone? Plug-and-play, baby! I'm actually a little concerned about the fact that iPhone 2.0 will be utilising ActiveSync, I've never found that app to work as promised.

More Reviews

Editorial Reviews:

The successor to the original, highly popular Blackjack smartphone, the Samsung Blackjack II (SGH-I617) retains the thin, lightweight design, QWERTY keyboard, and large screen from its predecessor while adding the power of the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, integrated GPS, and upping image capture quality to 2.0 megapixels. It can access AT&T's tri-band HSDPA/UMTS high-speed 3G network, which makes it easy to download music purchased from AT&T Mobile Music, stream tunes from Napster and eMusic, and watch video streamed from CNN and Comedy Central via AT&T's Cellular Video. It also supports AT&T's Video Share service, which offers a one-way video stream during a mobile-to-mobile phone call.

The Windows Mobile 6 Professional operating system offers a familiar office experience and the ability to read and edit in applications such as Word or Excel as well as review PowerPoint presentations. You can also receive Outlook email and update your contacts and calendar on the go. Other features include quad-band global connectivity. And you'll be able to get to where you're going fast with the integrated GPS receiver and support for TeleNav GPS Navigator software. Other features include Bluetooth connectivity for headsets and stereo music streaming, MicroSD memory expansion, speakerphone, instant messaging, and simultaneous voice and data capabilities.

The easily pocketable, ultra-thin Samsung Blackjack II measures just 0.4 inches and weighs 3.52 ounces.

AT&T Service
This AT&T phone can handle high-speed data connectivity via AT&T's 3G mobile broadband data network, which is available in most major metropolitan areas. The AT&T 3G network uses the tri-band UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100 MHz network (also known as WCDMA), making it possible to enjoy a variety of feature-rich wireless multimedia services with speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. It also gives AT&T the advantage of offering simultaneous voice and data services.

In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the AT&T EDGE network, which offers availability in more than 13,000 US cities and along some 40,000 miles of major highways. Providing average data speeds between 75-135Kbps, it's fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services, including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go. You'll also enjoy quad-band GSM connectivity, which allows you to make calls in more than 190 countries and access data applications in the more than 135 countries where AT&T offers international data roaming.

With 3G connectivity, you'll be able to access AT&T's Video Share service, which enables you to send a live, one-way video stream to another compatible phone during a standard voice call. The service also allows you to switch the direction of the video stream during the same phone call. (Customers must be in an area served by the company's 3G network and have a Video Share-enabled phone.)

It's packed with multimedia streaming and download capabilities. AT&T's Cellular Video (CV) service features content from CNN, The Weather Channel, iFilm, Comedy Central and exclusive premium content from HBO and much more. And you get access to AT&T Mobile Music, which enables you to buy tracks while on the, access the Napster subscription music service, stream music video, discover what's playing with Music ID song-recognition software, and find out what's hot with The Buzz music news portal. (A MEdia Max subscription bundle is recommended for accessing AT&T's Internet, video, and music services.)

The phone has a built-in web browser for MEdia Net downloads and mobile web browsing. AT&T's MEdia Net service enables you to receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more.

With the power of Windows Mobile 6, you can easily stay in contact via email as well as edit Word and Excel documents.

Phone Features
Glossier than its predecessor, the Samsung BlackJack II impresses immediately with its striking looks, thin frame, and larger 2.4-inch LCD screen (320 x 240 pixels, 65K colors). The Samsung BlackJack II makes every aspect of your life look easy. The full QWERTY keypad gives you every letter at a touch. And the Jog Wheel lets you quickly access, scroll through and select whatever you're searching for.

With Windows Mobile 6, the BlackJack II brings a powerful personal computer experience to the small screen. The BlackJack II helps you 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 you 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 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).

In addition to a robust feature set, BlackJack II provides access to multiple e-mail accounts, both personal and business, through Microsoft Direct Push technology with Outlook Mobile and AT&T Xpress Mail, 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.

This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for mono and stereo headset, handsfree, dial-up networking, object push, file transfer, and basic print. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server. It also offers USB 2.0 wired connectivity and USB mass storage capability.

Other features include:

Memory expansion via MicroSD cards up to 4 GB
PIM tools: Calendar, clock, world time, alarm, currency converter, unit converter, calculator, stopwatch
Instant messaging via AOL, Windows Live, Yahoo!
Hands-free loudspeaker and microphone
Fast loading HTML browser; RSS reader
2.0-megapixel camera with 4x zoom and multi-shot capability
256 MB ROM / 128 MB RAM

Vital Statistics
The Samsung Blackjack II weighs 3.52 ounces and measures 4.4 x 2.3 x. 0.4 inches. Its 1700 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 7 hours of talk time, and up to 14 days of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 850/1900/2100 WCDMA (3G) frequencies.

Powered by Windows Mobile 6

Windows Mobile 6 adds power to your mobile office with up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars.

Edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets on your phone, just as you would on your desktop/laptop PC.
Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6 updates the Windows Mobile 5 platform with a number of handy features that make searching through email, editing Microsoft Office documents, and staying on top of your most important communications even easier. Emails can now be viewed in their original rich HTML format and now offer the ability to visit embedded links. It also includes Windows Live for Windows Mobile, which provides a full set of Windows Live services, such as the Windows Live Messenger IM application, which now enables you to chat with more than one person at one time or send a file. This device runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional, which is designed for smartphones with touchscreens

With Windows Mobile 6, your phone will finally be able to emulate the power and features of your PC's Microsoft Office suite. You'll be able to neatly view, navigate and edit Word documents and Excel spreadsheets in their original formatting--without affecting tables, images or text--as well as view PowerPoint presentations.

Microsoft Office Word Mobile features include spell-check, Find and Replace commands, bulleted lists, text formatting, and support for tables for the first time.
With Excel Mobile, you're not just confined to editing charts: with the new Chart Wizard you can create charts quickly and easily.
PowerPoint Mobile allows you to view the full presentation, rehearse timings, check the order and any live links you may have in your presentation. You can then email comments back to the team or communicate via MSN Messenger for an immediate response.
After creating or editing a Word document or Excel spreadsheet, you can synchronize it with your PC and it will automatically be converted to the PC version.

All Windows Mobile 6 powered devices include Direct Push Technology for up-to-date e-mail delivery and automatic synchronization of Outlook calendars, tasks and contacts through Microsoft Exchange Server. It also offers a set of important device security and management features that include the capability to remotely wipe all data from a device should it be lost or stolen, helping ensure that confidential information remains that way.