Entertainment

The Samsung Trace is by no means a media heavy phone, but it allows for basic features such as MP3 ringtones, image downloads, games, and preloaded music videos.

Basic applications found on the Trace include Alarm, Calendar, Tasks, Calculator, World Time, Unit Conversion, Timer, and Stopwatch. Users can also record voice Notes up to 1 minute in length and check email through T-Zones. It should be noted that while these tools get the basic job done, the Samsung Trace will not replace a PDA.

Three games come preinstalled on the Trace: Bobby Carrot, Freekick, and Midnight Pool. As a strategic game, Bobby Carrot's objective requires players to collect all the carrots on the level in the least number of steps while avoiding tricky traps blocking the way. For soccer fans, Freekick allows gamers to take kicks on goal, angling shots between moving defenders with amusing parodies of real-world superstars named Backhim and Owan. Midnight Pool is a standard game of billiards.

Internet

The Samsung Trace runs on T-Mobile's 3G EDGE (Enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution) network for high-speed transfer rates of 70-135 kbps; 3 to 4 times faster than traditional GPRS networks.

For ease, T-Mobile gives its users access to T-Zones, an online multimedia service. Through the service, users can connect to the web to download music, games, wallpaper, more web applications, or access a variety of premium services.

Should users need information on the road, 411 directory assistance comes in handy. By calling live operators available 24/7, customers can get movie listings, weather reports, horoscopes, sports scores, restaurant listings, stock quotes, and more. Three listings cost $1.49. Unfortunately unlike other carriers, T-Mobile doesn't currently offer video streaming service.

With the additional fees for connection to the Internet, the Trace provides a high-speed connection and a reliable browser that can be accessed anywhere the phone has a signal, making it an ideal tool for checking email throughout the day.

Storage

The Samsung Trace has potential for a large download volume. Features 21.0 MB of internal storage, memory-intensive applications can be supplemented by microSD cards, which must be purchased separately.

< Prev Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2009 Mobiledia Corp. and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from Mobiledia. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact us.