Audio
Plugging in the included stereo headset (non-standard audio jack) turns
the T809 into a MP3 player. Offering comfortable private listening, the
headset also doubles as a handsfree communication device. For open-air listening
or speakerphone functionality, dual external speakers on the bottom corners
of the front panel blast loud and distortion-free stereo sound.
The T809 can play TransFlash memory cards up to 512 MB in size, enough
to store over a hundred songs. Loading songs from a PC, the T809 can play
music, set playlists (up to four each holding 30 songs), and adjust options
such as Repeat, Shuffle, Equalize (4-level), 3D Sound, Visualization, MP3
Skin, and Volume.
The T809's music sound quality is average. The filters are much of a
novelty than practical, and it's slightly more inconvenient to access the
playlists without dedicated music keys such as those designed on other music
phones. But the T809 offers users audio entertainment to fill in the gaps
when boredom may set in. With the flexibility of an expansion slot, consumers
can take as many albums on the road with them as they can afford TransFlash
cards.
 Also
available through T-Zones, short MP3 clips (or as T-Mobile calls them, HiFi
Ringers) can be applied as ringtones. Unfortunately the T809 uses Digital
Rights Management (DRM), so users will not be able to cut their own unlicensed
MP3s to use as ringtones. But clever users have figured out renaming MP3
files to *.3GP (the video file format) file extensions bypassed the DRM
restriction.
Messaging
Sliding open the T809 reveals the numeric keypad. Preserving a thin profile
that easily closes, Samsung created the T809 with a flush (as opposed to
raised) numeric keypad. A bit unnatural to type on at first, consumers may
need to get used to the T809's unorthodox feel.
Regardless, through T9 predictive text, users can type faster using SMS
(Short Messaging Service), EMS (Enhanced Messaging Service), and MMS (Multimedia
Message Service) text messaging standards.
For instant messaging, preinstalled AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ,
and Yahoo! Messenger clients let users go beyond traditional SMS-based chat.
Allowing real-time chat from an arm's length away, consumers will never be
more than a few key presses away from friends and family while on the road.
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