Samsung just unleashed the powerhouse that is the Mondi. This massive handset comes packing with speedy WiMAX support in a big daddy slider form factor. Winmo 6.1 powers the device and it seems that Samsung has big hopes for the huge device as it’s got just about everything possible in a mobile computing platform. Check it: MS Office, WiFi, BT 2.1, GPS with preloaded maps, 4 GB of internal memory, support for push email, instant messaging support, 3.0 MP camera and camcorder, Opera 9.5 browser, HDMI out, and a huge range of supported video and audio player formats.
Judging by the vague press release, Samsung might have even loaded their own skin on top of the Windows Mobile 6.1 core. Apparently there are widgets – cause everything must have widgets these days – that users can drag and drop on the 4.3-inch touch screen. So far pricing and availability hasn’t been released, but chances are the price will be higher than you’re willing to pay. Expect to find the Mondi into the hands of corporate Jack Bauer types anyway.
Samsung Mobile Launches First WiMAX-Enabled Mobile Internet Device
Samsung Mondi™ Provides Full Broadband Speeds, HTML Web Experience
and Mobile WiMAX/WiFi Access in Compact Touch Screen DeviceLAS VEGAS – March 31, 2008 – Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile) today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Mondi™, the most advanced mobile WiMAX enabled handheld device in the U.S. The touch screen Mondi, which takes its name from the Latin word for “world”, is designed for use with the Clear™ mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire.
The Mondi carries many of the powerful features and uses of a laptop computer or netbook, but its compact slider form factor easily fits into the hand or pocket. GPS Navigation provided by Route 66 adds to the Mondi’s versatility. Available in a solid black finish, this device extends horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and optical mouse. The Mondi™ is packed with multimedia features that offer instant access to E-mail, Internet, video content and business applications.
Mondi packs a full -featured web browser, powered by Opera 9.5, which takes full advantage of the device’s 4.3-inch touch screen. To keep connected while on-the-go, Mondi offers best-in-class location based services and instant access to social networking websites. It also supports various services including Fring™, Gypsii™, and MS Live Messenger.
The Mondi is completely customizable, thanks to a set of widgets that can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the display screen for easy viewing and use. Mondi is also an excellent device for work or for play. WiFi connectivity offers the business user fast and simple connections to Outlook Email / Calendars, Microsoft Office and many other vertical business applications outside the Clear service area. For the multimedia user, this device offers the ability to download and watch movies, listen to music or play games.
The Samsung Mondi includes the following features:
Windows Mobile 6.1
Microsoft Outlook and Windows Mobile Office
WiMAX Mobile Internet Access
WiFi Access (BTv2.1+EDR)
GPS: Route 66 Navigation with Preloaded Maps
4GB of Internal Memory
Direct Push/Mobile Email (POP3, IMAP, SMTP)
Supports Instant Messaging and MMS
3.0 Megapixel Camera and Camcorder
Bluetooth ® 2.0
Opera 9.5 Web Browser
HDMI TV Out
Supports Multiple Video and Audio Player Formats
“The Samsung Mondi is an important step toward our goal of bringing 4G network speeds and connectivity to people across the U.S.,” said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile. “The Mondi™ is a great match for people who want immediate access to the Web without having to sacrifice download speed and portability.”“The mobile broadband experience that the Mondi offers to Clear customers places the power of the open Internet in the palm of the hand,” said Atish Gude, Chief Marketing Officer for Clearwire. “As our network grows across the US, we will continue to work with innovative device manufacturers to expand the mobile WiMAX device ecosystem and leverage the value that a 4G wireless Internet connection delivers.”
Samsung is the global leader in delivering mobile WiMAX technologies and offers an end-to-end solution including chipsets, infrastructure, mobile devices and consumer electronics, including devices capable of accessing both mobile WiMAX and other wireless technologies. UQ Communications in Japan and Scartel LLC., in Russia are examples of other Mondi ™ing operators preparing for significant commercial deployment of national-wide service using Samsung’s mobile WiMAX total solution.
looks very cool but it seems bulky in size, I think I like the Omnia better because it has almost all the feature that I need plus its handy in size.
So, which is it? BT 2.1 (CG intro blurb) or BT 2.0 (Samsung press release)?
After i sold my hx4700 i’m looking for pda with 4″ or more display. This device is for me. 4.3″, wvga and qwerty. when mondi will be availble in Europe?
I just got mine in August. Clear is not and probably will not be where I live, but the wireless internet works great. I’ve mostly used the GPS function, but have loaded a few movies on it and it seems to run just fine. No phone functionality, it runs Route 66 for the GPS software, the camera is decent (it takes great panoramic pictures.)
Other than that I haven’t used many of the features…. and probably won’t as I won this and really had no use for it beforehand.
I just got mine… on it right now. I freaking love this thing and the clear network rocks. This thing gets it done… i also have skype on it and with its voip technology i can call my friends and family. Here is the break down.. $370 for the mondi (which icludes the most incredible tablet pc, a windshield cradle, car charger, wall charger, computer to device usb cable) as well route 66 GPS Software ($100 Dollar value), $30 a month for the first 6 months of unlimited wireless 4G internet, $18 every 3 months for a skype number. Now go get aim for windows mobile classic and you can text your friends for free or you can alwyas drop $20 in your skype account and pay for cheap texts. What are the draw backs? Well the mondi is a tad bulky. But in its defense its a tablet pc not a phone… please reader, make no mistake, this is not a phone. But you dont want a bulky phone.. but a bulky pc… well personally speaking I am willing to sacrifice the poket space for a tablet pc, can you say tech geek dream come true? Ok back to business. My biggest pet peve is the stylus. I am right handed and I bite my nails. The stylus is located on the bottom left, and its sunk in so that only someone with long nails can sucessfully get it out. But.. it does retract like a car stero antena… and its got the perfect weight, and the top spins… its the best stylus ever located in the worest place ever. If samsung wants redemption they should rig the stylus so it pops in and out, and if fully extended its a antena for better reception (mod the cradle too ;)). Alright also there is the matter of the volume up and down. Located on the right… right where the pads of my hand are… so if ya squeeze to hard ya turn it up and down and then have to reset the cursors focus. Buuuut… the sound from my mondi tops that of my friends harmon/kardon speakers… ooouuuucchhhh just got showed up by a “cell phone” lol, take that nay sayers. Ok there is also little help out there, and unlike what you have been told, apps are not free. But they generally work correctly and are really good. It comes with a fun golf game. Alright, so if you were to say “Josh… if you had to sum up its functionality how would you”? Well i would say this, it has all kinds of goodies, but they are not pre installed ready to use goodies. Its a very basic… erm VERY BASIC… tablet pc with just enough goodies to keep you intrested to outlast that 7 day return policy and lacking everything you really wanna do, a few free ones a few costly ones. Look its untouchable for what it is. The price is cheap, and more towers are getting built all the time. If you are drooling at this point… just go buy one right now… if your unsure… go buy it, and if you dont like the down sides to it… well then just go back to your razor ;).