Samsung's Solstice touchscreen phone bounds onto AT&T

The age of the touchscreen dumbphone is definitely upon us, is it not? Today AT&T and Samsung announced the availability of the Solstice, a phone featuring a 3-inch (presumably resistive) touchscreen, TouchWiz, and lots of funky social networking tie-ins.

The age of the touchscreen dumbphone is definitely upon us, is it not? Today AT&T and Samsung announced the availability of the Solstice, a phone featuring a 3-inch (presumably resistive) touchscreen, TouchWiz, and lots of funky social networking tie-ins. Still, one gets the overwhelming impression that phones of this ilk are simply trying to cash in on the buzz of like-minded devices, while not bringing anything particularly notable to the table.

This 3G-equipped number comes loaded with a 2 megapixel camera, microSD support up to 16GB, and... not much else. The phone will be available August 2nd for $99.99 with a two-year contract. Call us crazy, but for that kind of money, aren't there superior touchscreen devices on this network?

DALLAS, July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the No. 1 mobile phone provider in the U.S., today announced the Aug. 2 availability of the Samsung Solstice(TM), a compact and fun touch screen phone that provides users with an instant connection to social networking, messaging and multimedia features. The Solstice is a dream come true to all users with its easy-to-use, polished design.

The lightweight and sleek Samsung Solstice has a full 3.0 touch screen, with a virtual, landscape QWERTY keyboard, and features Samsung's unique TouchWiz(TM) user interface, which includes one-touch access to frequently used applications and social networks through new widgets for Facebook, MySpace and Yahoo! oneSearch(TM). The Solstice also provides customers with access to mobile broadband from the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T Navigator and AT&T Mobile Music with Napster Mobile(R) and eMusic(TM) Mobile.

"AT&T customers will be thrilled with the Samsung Solstice's improved full touch functionality," said Mike Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets. "The widget bar functionality makes this device an easy to use passport to customers' favorite applications."

The Solstice features multiple messaging options such as Mobile Email, IM and MMS and comes equipped with a 2.0 megapixel camera with camcorder, perfect for capturing those spontaneous moments. Users experience a tactile response with haptic feedback and know when they accurately press a virtual button. The full QWERTY keyboard, with sensitivity adjustment, is easy-to-use with clear letters, numbers and symbols.

Additionally, the Solstice includes an accelerometer that will automatically detect motion and the orientation of the device allowing for the use of richer applications and features, including autorotation of the display, motion sensing games and photo scrolling by tilting the device.

With specially designed widgets to customize and personalize the way you use your phone, Samsung's TouchWiz user interface allows for quick access to your favorite features and social networking sites. By simply expanding the tray, users can "drag-and-drop" widgets onto the phone's home screen for one touch access to their favorite features.

"Samsung is proud to launch the new Samsung Solstice, the next handset in our line-up of touch screen devices at AT&T," said Omar Khan, senior vice president, Strategy and Product Management, Samsung Telecommunications America. "The sleek, compact Solstice brings a rich web browsing and instant access to your favorite social networking sites through widgets and Samsung's innovative TouchWiz user experience."

Additional key specifications of the Solstice include an MP3 player, video and audio streaming, preloaded games, Bluetooth(R) technology and a microSD(TM) memory card slot supporting up to 16GB. The Solstice also includes dual-band 3G connectivity and quad-band GSM technology. AT&T has the broadest international coverage of any U.S. wireless provider, delivering voice service in more than 215 countries and data service in more than 170 countries. AT&T also offers voice and data roaming coverage on more than 130 major cruise ships, as well as 3G services in more than 95 countries.

Pricing & Availability

The Samsung Solstice is available beginning Aug. 2 through AT&T retail locations or online at http://www.wireless.att.com for $99.99 with a two-year service agreement. (Pay $149.99 and after mail-in rebate receive $50 AT&T Promotion Card. Two-year agreement and messaging or data plan of $20 or more.)

For the complete array of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

Source: Engadgets and AT&T