Samsung Blast myFaves Phone (T-Mobile)

The front of the compact Samsung Blast slids up to reveal a keypad with a hybrid QWERTY keyboard.

Using the integrated SureType technology, you'll be able to write and respond to emails, text messages, and IMs quickly and easily.

The Blast also is the first phone to feature compatibility with T-Mobile's myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts--on any network, even landlines--without using any of your minutes. Blast users who are myFaves subscribers can now also send an audio postcard--a photo accompanied by a voice message--as well as send an e-mail or launch an IM client, in addition to a text message, right from the myFaves home screen. Learn more about myFaves.

Compatible with IMAP4, POP3, and SMTP email protocols (including integrated access to AOL email, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail), the Blast makes it easy to check in with your inbox. It also includes access to instant messaging--with built-in support for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger services--in addition to SMS text, MMS multimedia/picture messaging. For added convenience, email messages on the Blast can be read and responded to for the same pricing as text and picture messagesNmeaning there's no required data package to purchase.

The bright TFT display has a 176 x 220-pixel resolution and support for up to 262K colors. Below the screen resides a four-way navigation pad and dedicated shortcut and T-Zone keys, with the numeric keypad available by sliding phone's front upward. The QWERTY-like keypad provides ample space to let fingers move at a faster pace, making typing more intuitive, with greater control over the letters and words being entered.

The slim Samsung Blast measures just 0.5 inches thin.

This phone provides Bluetooth version 2.0 wireless connectivity, and includes profiles for communication headset, handsfree car kits, audio/video remote control, and printing. With the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. You can connect your laptop (either via Bluetooth or wired USB) and enjoy dial-up networking (DUN)--surf the Internet, send email, and access files from a server--using T-Mobile's EDGE network.

The built in memory provides room for up to 1000 contact entries in the phone's address book. A voice dialing feature makes calling friends and associates as easy as saying their names. Enjoy easy, hands free communication with a full duplex speakerphone that lets you hear callers loud and clear. It comes with a number of handy tools including a calendar, notepad, alarm clock, to-do list, tip calculator, and unit converter. It also sports an airplane mode feature, which allows the user to safely use the non-wireless functions of a phone (such as music, games, or organizer functions) on an airplane during flight. Other features include an 11 MB internal memory, four pre-loaded games (Forgotten Warrior, Cannonball, Midnight Casino, and Brain Challenge) with more downloadable from T-Mobile's T-Zones, USB connectivity (with mass storage capability), and a built-in Web browser.

SureType Hybrid Keyboard
Through an integrated keyboard and software system, SureType effectively combines a traditional phone keypad and a familiar QWERTY-based keyboard to create an efficient and familiar typing experience. When you type on the Samsung Blast, SureType technology automatically changes the letters on the screen and lists suggested words below the text.

SureType allows you to quickly and accurately compose messages using single-handed operation or two-handed thumb-typing--without the limitations of traditional phone keypads. There are no dual keypads, peripherals or hardware transformations required and there is no need to learn a new way to type. Since the software understands what you're typing, you can concentrate on composing your message rather than on the input method. To help facilitate easy spelling and composition, SureType includes intuitive software with a word list of over 35,000 words and the ability to increase that list based on the frequency of use and the names and addresses in the smartphone's address book.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung Blast weighs 2.8 ounces and measures 4.16 x 2.04 x 0.5 inches. Its 800 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 199 hours (8.3) of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.