Screen

As an imaging device, the Samsung A970 also is terrific, since cameras and screens usually go hand-in-hand. But more importantly the A970 is built for Verizon Wireless' VCAST video service. As the cornerstone to the any multimedia device, the A970 boasts dual eye-catching color LCDs, delivering mobile entertaining and imaging to the masses.

Having a 65K-color external LCD, users are not only able to quickly glance at common information such as time, date, and battery and signal strength in color, but can also navigate through the menu and view playlists when using the built-in MP3 player.

The internal screen is even more impressive. On par with the most advanced displays, the 262K-color 176 x 220 px LCD is bright and vivid. Larger than most devices on the market, the A970 only loses to the smartphones in surface area.

Outdoors the screens behave perfectly. Both being built on TFT (Thin Film Transistor) technology, the color intensity and response rates are superb.

Audio

Designed with an MP3 player, the Samsung A970 has shortcut keys on the front panel, able to Rewind, Play / Pause, Stop, and Fast Forward.

Storing music on TransFlash memory cards, unfortunately the A970 is unable to play songs through the internal memory. Currently TransFlash cards are manufactured up to 512 MB in size, so enough space is available to store over a hundred songs on a single card.

A stereo headset jack located on the left side provides comfortable private listening, also doubling for handsfree communication. For open-air listening or speakerphone functionality, dual external speakers on the front provide loud and clear stereo sound.

Able to overlay up to 64 simultaneous tones, polyphonic ringtones are harmonious. Only a few preinstalled ringtone are included, but consumers who want popular songs will have the convenient option of purchasing more through Verizon Wireless' Get It Now service.

For one-step voice commands that make voice-enabled dialing and text messaging a breeze, the A970 features advanced speech recognition technology from VoiceSignal. Allowing users to issue commands such as checking the battery life or signal strength, one-step verbal commands are all consumers need to dictate.

Messaging

Through T9 predictive text, users can save time typing. All the standard text messaging formats are supported including SMS (Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia Message Service).

With the A970's VoiceMode speech-to-text dictation technology, users can give their thumbs a rest. By speaking instead of typing text messages, the A970 adapts to the user's voice and allows consumers to speak text messages directly into the handset. Far from natural speech, users will have to enunciate and pronounce clearly and slowly.

The A970 also has instant messaging platforms. With Mobile IM preinstalled AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger clients let consumers communicate in real-time with friends and family. Advancing past traditional SMS-based chat, consumers can talk as if sitting in from of their computer screens.

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