So here it is, in hand, the Samsung Instinct from Sprint. I've got the final version in its retail packaging and everything. There are a few services that aren't up and running yet on Sprint's end, but Sprint PR emailed and told us about it and hopefully everything will be going sometime next week. But the device is final and it's here in my hot little hand. So what do I think so far?
So far, it's good :-)
After seeing a pre-production Instinct with Beta software both in March and then at CTIA in April, I had some concerns. The touchscreen seemed a little unresponsive and there was some wonkiness with the Web browser in particular. Right now I can happily say that both the touchscreen and the browser seem pretty good. Bear in mind, I've had the thing for all of like 20 minutes and spent 15 of those filming and editing an unboxing video. So I haven't put it through its paces AT ALL.
But the touchscreen is responsive - so far I'd say it's better than the Verizon Glyde, which is also a Samsung device. It's not hardened glass or a capacitive system like iPhone, but you don't have to mash on it to get it to respond. A normal press of the finger on Instinct's screen results in action - buttons trigger, selections are selected, pages scroll, and you get some nice haptic (vibrational) feedback to let you know your input was received. Clicking through menus and scrolling around Web pages works, and I don't seem to have to "click and drag" to scroll like you do on some phones - I place my fingertip on the screen and move it, and the phone responds. That's good.
I'll have lots more this weekend as I explore Instinct. But so far I'm liking it, which is good - the more good devices out there on different carriers, the better off the industry is. And iPhone needs some serious competition, right?