Tech world has seen a handset or two with pico projector capabilities including the Fujitsu F-04B pico projector phone. Samsung recently unveiled a smart projector phone dubbed the Galaxy Beam that will be made available through StarHub in Singapore. The smartphone’s highlighted attributes are the built-in pico projector and a clear AMOLED display.
The Samsung Galaxy Beam is available with pre-installed StarHub’s mobile TV app. Additionally customers can also use MobiClip, a mobile web video search services which will help them search and stream videos from user-content generated sites to their handsets. Access to this app is provided by the company’s Gee! mobile site. The phone’s key feature is the Texas Instruments Pico projector that permits users to share pleasant moments intuitively with loved ones.
Ng Long Shyang, Head of Sales, StarHub, shares, “StarHub is pleased to be the first operator globally to launch Samsung Galaxy Beam, a highly innovative, world’s first Smart Projector Phone. The Android platform has been gaining ground in many smartphone markets worldwide and the Galaxy Beam marries exciting features such as StarHub’s mobile TV app, offering projection of a mobile TV programme on the wall. This unique smartphone also allows business customers to display presentations on the wall during business discussions. Our collaboration with Samsung to bring this world’s first device demonstrates our commitment to be the leading mobile service provider by offering consumers an unrivalled immersive experience in mobile communications.â€
Users can enjoy exciting visuals as the device is enabled with a 3.7-inch WVGA Super AMOLED display. It is powered with Android 2.1 and provides a complete media experience. It is also enabled with an 8-megapixel camera with AF and flash as well as multi video codec support. Users can swap between entertainment and professional modes effortlessly. The projection screen size of 5-inches to 50-inches helps users to switch between a personal home theater to a portable business projector.
Sung-Hyun Moon, Managing Director, Samsung Asia, comments, “The Galaxy Beam combines the best of both worlds, offering users the technological capabilities and features to enjoy entertainment and work functions on a smartphone now with an enhanced experience thanks to the built-in projector feature. We believe the Samsung Galaxy Beam will capture the imagination of users who demand the option of either enjoying their favorite media files on their Super AMOLED screens or projecting them to share with friends and colleagues. The Galaxy Beam will bring us one step further to achieving our vision of providing a smartphone for every lifestyle, in order to drive the mass adoption of smartphonesâ€.
Patrons can enjoy a wide array of Google mobile services on the Galaxy Beam. It helps users to multi-task as they can update social networking websites, check emails, listen to music and send messages without opening and closing many apps. The device allows user access to e-mail accounts, calendars and personal contacts through Samsung’s Social Hub and Social Calendar. Users won’t get to see battery low flashing on their handsets frequently as this phone is powered with an 1800mAh battery that lasts for approximately 7 hours of non-stop talktime and around 530 hours of standby time. Connectivity is easy as the device is enabled Bluetooth 3.0 enabled with USB 2.0 and Wi-Fi 802 11 b/g/n connectivity options. Additional features are listed out as Mobile AP, TV out and GPS.
The Samsung Galaxy beam will be available through StarHub with four plan schemes. The 3G SmartSurf 100 is affixed with a monthly subscription of $38 (approx. Rs. 1,770) that includes 100 minutes voice credit, 500 SMS/MMS messages and 12GB data credit. The 3G SmartSurf 300 plan costs $58 (approx. Rs. 2,700) and includes 300 minutes voice credit, 500 SMS/MMS messages as also 12GB data credit. The Samsung Galaxy Beam will be available for $398 (approx. Rs. 18,540) and $198 (approx. Rs. 9,225) respectively. The 3G SmartSurf 700 plan is available for $98 (approx. Rs. 4,560) monthly and includes 700 minutes voice credit, 500 SMA/MMS credit, 12GB data usage. The 3G SmartSurf Unlimited is available for a monthly subscription of $205 (approx. Rs. 9,550) and includes 2000 minutes voice credit 2000SMS/MMS credit and 12GB of data credit. The handset comes free with the last two plans.
The handset’s network capabilities wrap together HSUPA 5.76MB/s and HSDPA 7.2MB/s, 3G 900/1900/2100MHz, EDGE, GPRS GSM quad band 850/900/1800/1900MHz. The video capabilities include MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV, DivX and Xvid. Audio features are supported by FM radio and MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, WMA compatibility. Users can also access AR with the Layar Reality Browser as well as SMS, MMS, e-mail, Exchange Active Sync. The phone comes with accelerometer and proximity sensors. Users can access their handsets even while on the offline and no SIM mode. It recognizes handwriting in English and Chinese and also includes an RSS Reader and mobile widgets. The handset will be out with 1GB to 16GB of MoviNAND memory. The phone measures 123mm x 59.8mm x 14.9mm and weighs 155g.
The Samsung Galaxy Beam will be available to StarHub customers from July 17, 2010. It will be out through StarHub shops and select partners’ outlets.
