Introduction

As portable music become more popular, cell phone manufacturers have made it a priority to integrate MP3-capables to compete in service and functionality to standalone music players such as the Apple iPod.

Just in time for holiday music lovers, the Samsung MM-A920 embeds an MP3 player with external music navigation controls to offer access to hundreds of songs stored on TransFlash memory cards up to 512 MB in size.

Compatible with Sprint's new online Music Store, the A920 is a new type of music phone, combining wireless communications with music and high-speed internet capabilities. Offering customers access to an online music catalogue, consumers can browse, download, play, and manage high-quality digital music directly from the A920. With EV-DO access, users can instantly purchase and download music on the go, not just in front of a PC.

Design

Contrary to devices with strict traditional exteriors, the A920 features a smooth blue shell with rounded lines; offering a relaxed yet clean conservative look, with a bit of fun thrown in. Measuring 91 x 49 x 24 mm and weighing 108 g, the A920 is mid-sized, not overly bulky but not small by any means (a bit smaller than a deck of playing cards). Being thicker than average, the A920 diverges from the ultra-thin RAZR and A900 fads.

Regardless, its design is well-suited for MP3s. Situated on the front, an external screen displays vital information at a glance away in vivid 65K-colors. Positioned above, a lens and flash to the 1.3-megapixel camera and camcorder is activated with the press of the Camera Key on the right side.

Below the screen, a 5-way keypad provides music listeners access to convenient Rewind, Play / Pause, Fast Forward, List, and Shuffle Keys for complete MP3 playing controls without having to ever open the A920. Accessing music through TransFlash memory cards, an expansion slot on the right side pops open.

On the left, a Headset Jack allows convenient music listening and handsfree access, while Volume Keys to adjust earpiece and tone during calls and standby. Power and Accessory Interface Connectors on the bottom allow users to connect optional accessories such as the USB cable. Meanwhile dual stereo speakers on the ends of the hinge allow users to experience enhanced sound quality - from ring tones to music and video playback to conversations via speakerphone.

Opened, the main 262K-color LCD is revealed. Surrounded by Talk, End, Back, Speakerphone / Voice Command, and Left and Right Keys, the standard 5-way directional and numeric keypads offer comfortable navigation and text messaging through T9 predictive text.

Out of the box, the Samsung MM-A920 comes with a standard 900 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Desktop Charger, USB Data Cable, 32 MB TransFlash Card and SD Adapter, Stereo Headset, and User Manual.

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