As the digital music race approaches a frenzy, electronics manufacturers battle to be the first MP3 developers in their respective fields. Although we have already seen car head-unit jukeboxes, home-stereo components, and portable players with MP3 capability, there must certainly remain some untouched frontiers. The world of cellular phones is one example of these feral arenas. At one point, Nokia introduced a phone attachment that allowed users to play MP3s. However, Samsung has taken this idea one step further. At the recent MP3 summit, Samsung unveiled its latest cell phone model: the SPH-M100, combination cell phone and MP3 player.
Deliberate sleekness
In terms of form and function, the SPH-M100 looks like an ordinary cell phone. The boxy silver exterior houses a standard-sized LCD display, and a flip-down panel conceals the buttons. Likewise, there are standard inputs and outputs for the charger and headset, and the antenna extends, as you would expect. However, upon closer inspection, the secondary nature of this phone is revealed.
Functionality
On one side there is a USB port and a specialized input for stereo headphones. As well, the SPH-M100 comes with a built-in 64MB flash card, which, according to Samsung, supports two hours of digital music. The included stereo headphone cord is equipped with a specialized control that can play, pause, and skip tracks. As if this weren't enough, Samsung decided to take things one step further. The SPH-M100 features a web browser, electronic administrator (with a calendar, to-do list, calculator, etc.), and voice-activated dialing, and it will support all other Sprint PCS service options.
Aside from its less than stylish shape, the Samsung SPH-M100 is an intriguing piece of machinery. And at only four ounces, the unit is definitely pocket or purse ready. The SPH-M100 is currently scheduled for release in mid to late September, and it will be priced between $400 and $500. When this phone debuts, you can be sure that others will soon follow as competitors enter the race. And when they do, ZDNet Music will be there to give you the lowdown on their latest gadgetry.
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