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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