subject: The Feature Packed Samsung Wave [print this page] The Feature Packed Samsung Wave The Feature Packed Samsung Wave
Android-powered phones currently litter the cellular market. In an attempt to distance itself from the masses, Samsung has created its own operating system known as the Bada. The vehicle chosen to present this new OS to the world is the Samsung S8500, aka the Wave. It provides an experience not quite like any other phone. Considered a mid-range phone, the Wave is comparable in price to other mid-range models, meaning that it won't price itself out of too many customers' budgets. Operating on the aforementioned Bada OS, it boasts a 1 GHz Hummingbird processor (another Samsung creation) with high performing connectivity. This impressive power is packed in a nice, slim frame, measuring only 108.9mm x 53.5mm x10.9mm. You won't feel like you're carrying around a brick either, since the Wave weighs only 118g. The Wave's Super Amoled screen instantly grabs the eye as it dominates the front of the phone. It's most distinctive feature, the Wave's screen spans a whopping 3.3 inches, which is reportedly the largest screen of its kind. Even more impressive than the size is the 800 x 480 pixel resolution and the amazing 16 million colors it supports. Efficiency is the name of the game for the front design, as it contains only three buttons in addition to the screen, which is the point. The TouchWiz overlay is the user's method of navigating the touch screen which will please those that have prior experience with Samsung products. Some new users may have some catching up to do when learning the TouchWiz, but it is fairly intuitive and doesn't take long to learn. Accuracy is obviously important on a touch screen, but some phones' screens are too sensitive. The Wave's is not, and maintains an accuracy not found in other mid-range models. Applications are a part of any smartphone experience, and the Wave offers all of the usual suspects such as Facebook and Twitter apps. As of now, the app store is sort of small, but there are thousands of apps currently awaiting approval. This is not unexpected when dealing with a brand new OS like the Bada. The Wave offers two different home screen modes that offer access to the features found on the Wave. One mode contains five home screens capable of supporting many widgets. The other mode is similar to a menu and provides three more screens featuring Twitter, Facebook, email, and others. The Wave capably and competently achieves the goals set forth by Samsung. Intended to unleash the Bada OS upon the world, it does just that in a package that will not overwhelm the user as they explore all that Bada can do. With an affordable price and an intuitive interface, the Wave fulfills its initial promise.
