Entertainment

The Samsung A990 features essential applications commonly found on most handhelds, such as Alarm Clock, Calculator (Normal, Tip, and Converter), Calendar, Email, Notepad, Stopwatch, Voice Dial, and World Clock.

By pressing the dedicated Voice Recognition Key, users can lookup and call contacts, send text messages, check status (time, battery level, signal strength, missed calls, etc.), and launch applications with just the sound of their voice. Consumers can also adjust recognition sensitivity and audio level or even have text-to-speech readout for the visually impaired. As one of the most flexible and popular voice recognition programs for mobile devices, VoiceSignal 2.1 technology offers useful tools during times when hands may not be free.

For a subscription fee, road warriors can access VZ Navigator for Simultaneous GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation. Offering real-time navigation, Location Based Services (LBS) provide maps and turn-by-turn directions (with written and audible voice) to any address in the U.S. Able to locate nearly landmarks, gas stations, banks, ATMs, and more - over fourteen million points are accessible nationwide. VZ Navigator costs $9.99 per month for unlimited access, or $2.99 per day.

Through Verizon Wireless' VCAST Video service, customers can watch live and prerecorded shows from popular channels such as ABC News, CNBC, MSNBC, the Weather Channel, the News Corp.'s Twentieth Century Fox studio, and Viacom Inc.'s VH1 and Comedy Central. For a $15 monthly access fee, consumers can receive unlimited access to more than 300 daily video clips. Media publishing technology also gives users the option to subscribe and select preferences for their favorite content; receiving text alerts when new content becomes available.

Aside from VCAST, the A990 only provides the bare minimum for applications and games. Fortunately BREW (Binary Runtime Environment for Wireless) allows users to download and install third party software. Already a common Java-based platform for mobile devices, there are an abundant supply of BREW programs developed; mobile applications from popular desktop products to video games reminiscent of 90s console games.

Internet

As the backbone to Verizon Wireless' VCAST Video and Music services, EV-DO (Evolution-Data Optimized) technology provides broadband connectivity to seamlessly integrate Internet and multimedia services. Covering more than 171 major metropolitan markets and 68 primary airports, the A990 can achieve theoretical transfer rates of up to 2.4 Mbps, but more realistic speeds are around 300 to 500 kbps.

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