Screen
Featuring a vivid 262K-color internal LCD, the Samsung A950's spacious
176 x 220 px resolution screen is larger than most devices' displays on
the market today.
Clear even in direct sunlight, the main screen is built with advanced
TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology, placing circuit transistors directly
on the glass resulting in fast refresh rates from not having to scan pixel
locations. Colors are brighter and fast changing applications such as using
the screen as a camera viewfinder or gaming, are wonderfully fast.
On the contrary, the 65K-color external screen is built on STN (Super
Twisted Nematic) technology. Without transistors, each pixel must be scanned,
producing less responsive images. But static text is displayed rather than
fast moving games. And although colors are not as bright compared to TFT,
the external STN screen consumes less power, prolonging battery life.
 With
the A950 closed, the 128 x 96 px external screen shows basic information
such as signal strength and battery level, and time and date.
Audio
Supporting up to 64 chords, the A950 plays polyphonic ringtones beautifully.
Only including a limited number of preinstalled ringtones, consumers have
the convenient option of purchasing more through Verizon Wireless' Get It
Now service.
As the main feature of the Samsung A950, the fully-functional MP3 player
is capable of storing songs on TransFlash memory cards. Unfortunately, the
A950 is unable to play songs stored on the internal memory.
While using the A950 as a portable music player, the Previous, Play /
Pause, Stop, and Next buttons located on the front panel provide easy access
to common controls. Additionally users can scroll through the playlist much
like using an iPod. However, the A950's scroll wheel is a disc, rather than
a touchpad, and lacks the refined feel.
Supporting handsfree stereo audio, the A950 has a headset jack so users
can listen privately without disturbing others. But to share the music,
the A950's dual speakers provide consumers with a wonderful open-air listening
experience. Located on both ends of the hinge, the speakers provide stereo
sound when playing music or videos.
Messaging
Using T9 predictive text, users can saves users time when typing. Running
combinations through a dictionary of words and phrases, the A950 can anticipate
what is being written.
Nothing unusual, all the standard text messaging formats are supported
including SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service),
and MMS (Multimedia Message Service).
But the A950 also features real-time instant messaging platforms. Preinstalled
with AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger clients,
consumers can go beyond traditional SMS-based chat by having real-time access
to friends and family directly on the A950.
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