MANILA, Philippines - First, it was personality tests. Then it became colored hair. Then statement tees. But these became too limiting. And you can only really wear a shirt with a wise-ass comment so many times. And they can only do so much for you.
These days, personality is not just checked boxes that experts analyze or a fashion statement that tells everyone that you’re a diva with a penchant for hot pink. Personality is who you are, your individuality and, in these times of technology dependency, it’s also the people you interact with. Coming into a brand new decade in the 21st century, there’s more you can do than just wearing something that fits your personality; it’s also important to have something that benefits you.
Samsung’s handheld phones are possibly the new personality tests. There are so many models to choose from; each one celebrates an individual idiosyncrasy, each one complements a certain lifestyle. It enhances who you are through features and innovations that both fit and benefit your beliefs and preferred activities; it enhances who you are by keeping you connected with people in your life and keeping you connected with everything that’s happening around you. Really, your world in the palm of your hand.
i8910HD: For the Image Conscious
This is the ultimate mobile accessory. Innovative. Sleek. Hi-tech but not too intimidating. The i8910HD has everything you’re looking for in a mobile but didn’t think you could find, or never realized you’d need: a sizeable 3.7” full-touch AMOLED display (an AMOLED or active-matrix organic light-emitting diode is a pixel-intensive technology that provides an ultra-thin, ultra-bright display technology without the use of a backlight), GPS navigation and geo-tagging for itinerant types, and quick Internet accessibility through HSUPA (high speed uplink packet access), which is 10 times faster than 3G.
But, really, beyond all the impressive acronyms, Samsung’s i8910HD is actually all about image. Not the type that electoral hopefuls try so hard to preserve, but image in the most literal sense: photos, videos, pictures, pixels. This phone is for those who are hypnotized by the clarity and brilliance of a well-shot image. It shoots photos with an 8-megapixel camera, and takes video in full HD. As in high-definition, the pride and joy of the digital age, the reason why you decked out your home theater system, the basis for Kathie Lee wearing another layer of cake foundation on the Today Show (HD can be pore and wrinkle-unfriendly).
The i8910HD is the first mobile phone to have this HD technology (you can probably shoot those glossy TV commercials with it), and the first mobile to combine it with an 8-megapixel shooter and (don’t hyperventilate) up to 16GB of built-in memory, roughly 35 movies, 12,000 mp3 songs and as many photos as it takes to document every single day of your life.
Now creative, right-brain types can shoot videos without having to wonder if their eyes need Lasik treatment, or they’ve gone color-blind later on in life. Viewing them won’t be a problem, either; a display screen that’s almost four inches across and has a resolution of 640 x 360 pixels which is like having your own personal home theater in the palm of your hand. Extremely clear and extremely loud twin speakers, positioned at the top and bottom of the phone (better for when watching videos in landscape mode) round up the complete audio-visual experience.
Now picture junkies can take better photos without having to reach for their digicam. The i8910HD’s camera is equipped with functions that can also be found in new digital camera models such as face detection, smile shot, blink shot and the panorama shot.
Sharper images. Vibrant colors. More consistent representation. Smarter features. All in a 12.9 mm packet. That is nothing but innovation.
Omnia 2: For the Stylesetter
In mobile phone terms, the Omnia II is a candy bar, essentially a phone that is rectangular in shape and doesn’t need to be flipped or slid to operate. In more urbanite lingo, the Omnia II, a bigger, badder, more amped-up version of the first Omnia, is candy for the palm: It’s sweet and it makes you feel, and look, good.
If it were a designer suit, the Omnia II would be Jil Sander: sleek, minimalist yet very, very impressive. Any style advocate would want one. A glossy, black casing and a smooth, touch-screen display adds to the spartan attraction, as well as a simple interface structure. Its minimal trappings, however, camouflage a very vibrant screen display (this one is an AMOLED as well) and a set of incredible features that any city dweller would appreciate.
Apart from a 5-megapixel camera with a flash, autofocus and video recording capabilities, the Omnia II already features Windows Mobile 6.5 and is loaded with powerful multimedia features. A full series of editing tools allows for recorded videos to be revised or tidied up at once. You can also edit videos and photos that were uploaded within minutes using the Qik and Communities applications. Here’s where it gets crazier: Just hum your favorite new song or, if tone deaf, put the phone near a speaker and the Omnia II’s Midomi application will identify the song’s artist, title and the album it’s part of. In seconds. It’s Name that Tune for Generation Y!
The Omnia II is also highly compatible to all Microsoft Office applications — Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note, and Adobe Reader. Read, create, and edit documents while on the go. Access your e-mail through Microsoft Exchange or keep up with your social networking with Windows Live and Messenger. It’s essentially a palm-PC, only lighter — and probably better-looking.
B2100: For the Hard Worker
Type A personalities work hard. They take on loads of work as if stress was just something women experienced during childbirth. They are competitive and driven. Resolutely adventurous. And they play as much as they work. Harder even. They love extreme sports and the extreme outdoors. These are types that don’t need a bulging bicep or a two-cylinder, V-twin engine to look tough. They prove it by engaging in activities even a hurricane would avoid.
And if they were to choose a phone, the Samsung B2100 would be perfect for them. This lightweight phone is actually tougher than it looks, both inside and out. It’s shock and drop proof; the phone’s frame and construction proves sturdy upon hard impact. It is also 100-percent waterproof, probably the only phone that can be submerged in a meter of water for up to half an hour. The phone is also resistant to sand and dust. And to prove just how resilient this phone is, you can actually text and take photos or videos with its 1.3-megapixel camera while underwater.
The phone also holds up remarkably against blowing rain, salt fog, humidity, solar radiation, vibration, and extreme temperatures, features that are compliant with the Military Standard 810F. So you can take this phone to the beach, the mountains and the Alaskan Iditarod race and still be assured of a working gadget when back in civilization.
The phone’s outdoor-friendly features also help big time. An extremely bright, embedded torch lights up the darkest mountain crevice, and extremely loud speakers build up the party atmosphere in the quietest beach cove. And, when stuck in the urban jungle, the noise cancellation feature will ensure crystal-clear conversations.
Tough luck? Definitely!