The blogs have been buzzing about Samsung's Alias 2 (SCH-U750) and its eminent arrival in the U.S., pegging its release to May 11th on Verizon Wireless.
Perhaps you've already written this handset off as an illustration of some powerful ugly. Or maybe ? just maybe ? you've taken a page from the Susan Boyle story, and know not to judge a book by its cover. (If you don't know what I?m talking about... well, jeez. The frumpy Scottish spinster's been all over the news for knocking the socks off ?Britain's Got Talent? judges. But I digress.)
If you can overlook the clunky, circa-1999 stylings of this device, you?ll be rewarded with some cool tech beneath the surface. Engadget figures the Alias 2 may be the first ?E Ink? handset to be launched in the U.S.
The phone uses the electronic ink to create a dynamic keyboard. That, coupled with dual hinges (like the ones in its predecessor, the U740), forms a novel system that changes inputs depending on how the user opens the device. In other words, as a portrait clamshell, the device displays a standard, numbered keypad. Flipping it open in landscape morphs the keyboard into a full QWERTY.
The Alias 2 also features a 2.6-inch QVGA display, 2 MP camera, hot keys for direct access to Bluetooth, text messaging, voicemail, camera, voice commands, games and alarms.
Pricing has yet to be confirmed, with guesses ranging from $79 up to $200?250 (what Verizon charges for its other feature phones). At the low end, that would be quite some value. But at the upper ? well, chances are that you?re a pretty die-hard nerd/texting freak/early adopter if you?re willing to cough up the full $250.
[Via PhoneArena, Engadget and BoyGenius Report]