Samsung launches three GPS-enabled smartphones

The smartphones' built-in GPS receivers enable satellite navigation software to be used onboard

Samsung has taken the wraps off three GPS Sat Nav smartphones. the Symbian-powered i550 and i560, and the Windows Mobile equipped i780

Published on Oct 18, 2007

Samsung is launching three new smartphones that pack in GPS receivers for onboard sateliite navigation. Two are Symbian S60-based smartphones - the candybar Samsung i550 and Samsung i560 sliderphone - while the other is a Windows Mobile-based smartphone with a BlackBerry-style Qwerty keyboard, the i780.

The Samsung i550 is a candybar-style device with a large 2.6-inch display. It features 3G with HSDPA mobile broadband capability offering download speeds of up to 3.6Mbps. Based on Symbian OS v9.2 and built on the S60 3rd Edition, FP1 platform, the i550 supports a broad range of multimedia applications and internet-based functionality. Its built-in GPS receiver enables satellite navigation software to be used onboard, with a dedicated key on the front panel for quick Sat Nav access. It also uses a novel trackball control for menu navigation.

Other features include a multimedia player, FM radio, a 3.2-megapixel camera, and video editing functionality. The i550 comes with 128MB of RAM, and 150MB of internal user memory, plus MicroSD card expansion. The i550 is lined up for a January release in the UK on O2.

The Samsung i560 is aimed more at the fashion-conscious smartphone user, sporting a snazzy sliderphone design, measuring 16mm thin. It features 3G HSDPA technology and similar Symbian S60 functionality, plus similar GPS and multimedia features as the i550. It has a 2.4-inch display and 3.2-megapixel camera. the i560 will be available from November in the UK on Vodafone.

The Samsung i780 is a touchscreen device aimed at the professional users, utilising a BlackBerry-style Qwerty keyboard under a large 2.55-inch display. It too has built in GPS and is a 3G HSDPA enabled device. It also has Wi-Fi inside and a full suite of Windows Mobile 6 Professional applications. A 2-megapixel camera is included too, and the device is an ultra-slim 12.8mm thin. The i780 is expected to launch on Orange in the UK from the end of November.

Prices for all models are yet to be confirmed.