Samsung Launches World's First Cellular/WiFi Phone
Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:09 am
Samsung today launched the SGH-P200 in the Italian marketplace, world's first Unlicensed Mobile Access (UMA) phone.
Photo: Samsung SGH-P200 Photo 1
Through UMA, a next-generation technology standard which allows for seamless handover between cellular networks and fixed IP networks (hot spots), the Samsung P200 can freely switch between GSM, GPRS, EDGE and wireless LAN networks (WiFi) for free voice and data communication both in mobile and fixed modes.
The UMA phone thus has far greater mobility, compared to existing WiFi phones that can be used in a limited manner, only in hot spot areas. For instance, with the UMA phone, high-speed large-capacity data communication or VoIP is possible though WiFi in places installed with hot spots such as at home and schools and in places without WiFi, the cellular network is used instead.
The P200 also comes in a sophisticated slide-up design as well as cutting-edge features including 1.3-megapixel camera, a camcorder, multimedia messaging system (MMS), MP3 and file viewer functions.
The launch of Samsung's UMA phone will follow in other European countries soon.
Samsung SGH-P200 Specification
Standard: GSM / GRPS / EDGE; UMA, WiFi (802.11 b/g)
Camera: 1.3-Megapixel Camera with Flash
Display: 1.9-inch 176 x 220 px 262K-Color TFT
Features:
- Video Playing (MPEG4 / H.263)
- Music Player (MP3 / AAC / ACC+)
- Pictbridge, USB
- Document Viewer
Memory: 80 MB embedded
Size: 95 x 44 x 22.5 mm
Weight: 95g
I should move to Italy already... International calls over WiFi at VoIP prices... plus the mobility of a cell phone?... brilliant.
2. Posted by Jadall
Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:28 pm
very cool I thought they were already doing this in usa with a lot of "open" wifi's all over the place you could make calls.. I thought they already had this technology I guess it's the first that is a "seamless" and actually set up to use the wifi for the phones voice network and not jus tthe internet.
3. Posted by GSMDude
Wed Jul 19, 2006 9:14 am
yeah it's cool, but you'll have to subscribe to hotspot service too. the monthly charges will add up.
4. Posted by stargrl357
Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:49 am
another european-only phone
5. Posted by mgoblue
Wed Jul 19, 2006 8:06 pm
just wait for wimax. in a few years we'll be calling each other internationally like it was local.
6. Posted by steve0092
Sat Jul 22, 2006 1:41 am
when is it coming to usa
7. Posted by BuffaloBill
Sat Jul 22, 2006 4:02 pm
its supposed to come to the US in the 3rd quarter of 2006. as the samsung T709.
8. Posted by Exit24
Sat Jul 22, 2006 4:16 pm
it was supposed to be hear already but they pushed it back, i cant wait for this phone to come out, i just wonder how much its going to cost.
9. Posted by tall_thor
Fri Sep 15, 2006 2:51 pm
Hi I just got mine today. I haven't got the manual yet though, wasn't in the box.
The look and feel is nice, a bit smaller than I expected. I have got it connected to my d-link di-624 router. Got an ASUS WL-500g premium router together with the phone but haven't connected it yet.
One thing I'm already missing is the bluetooth connection to my computer and to my tomtom
/Thor
Post a comment and discuss this story with other readers.
