Samsung trots out three new Bada NFC Wave smartphones
Posted by Seth Planck
August 30th, 2011 at 1:27 PM Filed Under Latest News, Press Release
Samsung announces three Bada NFC smartphones, the Samsung Wave M and the Samsung Wave Y and the Samsung Wave 3
Samsung today announced the Samsung Wave M, Samsung Wave Y and the Samsung Wave 3 – two of which are NFC phones and one is a maybe. It’s been a busy couple of weeks for Samsung, and in the run up the the IFA show next week, Sammy is showing no signs of slowing down. Samsung today announced the three NFC phones we had been expecting for sometime featuring the new Bada 2.0 mobile OS smartphones which we featured last week. All three phones are NFC enabled (optional) all three phones have the innovative WiFi Direct, voice recognition and multitasking. Samsung identifies the NFC capabilities being useful for mobile payment and transport pass-card recharge.
“Smartphones are gaining popularity by the day. The new additions to the Wave portfolio are the first to benefit from the power of our bada 2.0 platform; the full extent of our commitment is clear to see in each device. We’ve produced easy-to-use smartphones that will inspire the market,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications business.
The Samsung Wave 3 Bada 2.0 powered smartphone
The Samsung Wave 3 is the flagship Bada 2.0 device out of the trio of young upstarts. Probably the most apparent feature of the Samsung Wave 3 is its WVGA 4-inch Super AMOLED display, which we think you would agree is not a feature you would expect to find on a budget smartphone with a some what simple mobile OS that has a couple of tricks up its sleeve. The Samsung Wave 3 has a 1.4GHz single core processor and skips along on your favorite HSPA network. Housed in a 9.9mm brushed-metal case the Samsung Wave 3 carries in that metal styling and features a full metal (anodized aluminum) design.
The Samsung Wave 3 also shares the capability to generate a WiFi field to share files among friends, such as photos and documents, using the WiFi Direct feature that requires no data connection for devices that feature the technology. You can also expect voice-to-text and text-to-voice voice recognition features and, of course, a smattering of multitasking which the mighty 1.4 GHz processor should handle with ease.
There is also 3GB of memory to fill with your stuff along with 2GB inbox and 32GB microSD slot for upgrades. The Samsung Wave 3 Bada 2.0 also features a 5-megapixel, auto-focus-enabled shooter that can record 720p HD (1280 x 720 pixel) video and is supported by a VGA front facing shooter, which rounds off this simple slab with some respectable features without the complexity of other OS’s. No information is forthcoming on carriers or pricing but we will let you know as soon as that comes out. A 1500mAh battery provides up to 8.5 hours of talk time or 20 days of standby. The Wave 3 measures 125.9mm x 64.2mm x 9.9mm (4.96in x 2.53in x 0.39in), and weighs 122g (4.3oz). It isn’t clear whether the Samsung Wave 3 features NFC, as reports so far are slit on this feature. We will know more after the IFA trade show where the handsets are being displayed and talked about.
The Samsung Wave M Bada 2.0 powered NFC phone
Next on the block we have the Samsung Wave M NFC phone. To start with it isn’t as highly specified as the Samsung Wave 3 and rocks a 832MHz processor which is akin to the LG Optimus Net NFC phone. The display is a 3.65-inch WVGA screen with a resolution topping out at 320 by 480 pixels. The Bada 2.0 powered smartphone also has 150MB of onboard storage that again has a 2GB inbox for mail and allows for a 32GB microSD via the slot provided. WiFi Direct and NFC (optional), which is featured in all three of these smartphones add further functionality .
Like its brethren, the Samsung Wave M Bada 2.0 smartphone has some NFC love and with the right service on the right carrier can even handle payments. Being supported future-proofs this phone. Other features include a 5-megapixel auto-focus-enabled shooter with LED flash, Bluetooth 3, WiFi networking, WiFi Direct and an accelerometer. The Samsung Wave M lets users stay socially connected from everywhere. ChatON, streamlined messaging feeds, enhanced on-the-go web browsing are all included. Expect to find a couple of versions of this phone with WiFi Direct and NFC as optional versions of the phone.
The Samsung Wave Y Bada 2.0 powered NFC phone
In on the low side of the range, the Samsung Wave Y is an NFC phone (optional) it will handle payments in the future. Specifications are light on the ground for this little phone but we do know that as far as the display is concerned the Samsung Wave Y features 3.2-inch HVGA 320 by 480 pixel screen. The Samsung Wave Y also houses a 2-megapixel camera with LED flash and features what Samsung is calling a hairline body. This phone is a entry level smartphone and has some of the important features that a first time user would want, plus some fancy features like the optional WiFi Direct and Voice recognition but it is unlikely to appeal to the masses. Simple personalization is enabled via the Live Panel, Lock Screen and Folder management, while Music Hub, a portable music manager, gives users a jukebox in their pocket. At the end of the day, another NFC phone in the market cannot hurt and we expect this little phone to do well in developing parts of the world. In many ways, the Samsung Wave Y is not unlike the first generation iPhone that has had some extra zing added so that it appeals to consumers world over.
We are sure that more details will seep out over the next few days. All three Bada 2.0 phones will be on display at the IFA trade show in Berlin and no doubt some hands-on time will reveal more details. When we see the Samsung Wave 3, M and Y we can’t help think of Nokia’s N9 Meego phone. A stripped down smartphone OS that features NFC and some surprisingly nice specifications. Lower powered NFC smartphones are expected to take off this next year globally and Samsung isn’t planning to get left in the dust. We still await some information on carriers and to see who will carry the NFC variants. It is also good to finally see Samsung including NFC in more and more handsets which bodes well for future superphones.
Samsung debuts a trio of new bada 2.0-powered Wave smartphones, in the lead of Wave 3
New Wave 3, Wave M and Wave Y smartphones combine stylish design with ChatON mobile communication service
Seoul, Korea, August 30, 2011 – Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., a leading mobile phone provider, today announced the launch of the flagship 4″ chic smartphone Wave 3, the social-powerhouse Wave M and the smart-start Wave Y.
All three devices, borne of Samsung’s heritage in innovation, are powered by Samsung’s own new bada 2.0 platform which brings together a wide variety of new capabilities including multi-tasking, Wi-Fi Direct, voice recognition and NFC Near Field Communication (optional). It enables smartphone users to experience advanced services such as photo and file sharing without Internet networking, mobile payment and transport pass-card recharge.
ChatON is Samsung’s proprietary mobile communication service that works across all major mobile devices. A global cross-platform communication service links all your friends and contacts instantly. Micro-communities can be set up through group chat, while a web client allows the sharing of content and conversations between mobile and PC.
Samsung Apps, an integrated application store for Samsung smartphones, is also NFC available . With an improved UI and enhanced store features, Samsung Apps offers a wide variety of applications from globally well-known content to locally-customized applications.
“Smartphones are NFC gaining popularity by the day. The new additions to the Wave portfolio are the first to benefit from the power of our bada 2.0 platform; the full NFC extent of our commitment is clear to see in each device. We’ve produced easy-to-use smartphones that will inspire the market,” said JK Shin, President and Head of Samsung’s Mobile Communications business.
Smarts meet style, the Wave 3
The Samsung Wave 3 is a NFC beautiful and chic smartphone that crams a market-leading 4″ Super AMOLED display, a 1.4GHz NFC processor and HSPA connectivity into a 9.9mm brushed-metal NFC case . Building on the Wave series’ style heritage in full metal design, the Wave 3 is the perfect device for the style-conscious consumer. Excellently constructed of anodized aluminum, the slim yet solid unibody design supports your active, on-the-move lifestyle.
The Wave 3 includes Samsung’sNFC integrated Social Hub and Music Hub, allowing the purchase and download of tracks and albums over-the-air. With smarter multi-tasking, seamless push notification and Wi-Fi Direct, the Wave 3 has the capabilities to keep you connected and entertained at all NFC times .
The first ChatON equipped smartphone, the Wave M
The Samsung Wave M allows users to keep up-to-date with their hectic social lives with ChatON and Social Hub. With a wide 3.65″ HVGA screen made from tempered glass and a metallic body, the Wave M lets users stay socially connected from everywhere. ChatON, streamlined messaging feeds, enhanced on-the-go web browsing and Wi-Fi applications deliver a seamless mobile experience. Wi-Fi Direct and NFC (optional) add further functionality.
A smart-start, the Wave Y
The Samsung Wave Y is the perfect device to introduce new users to the world of smartphone experiences. With a stylish metallic NFC hairline body and large 3.2″ HVGA screen, new users can take their first steps to mobile social networking with Social Hub and ChatON. Simple personalisation is enabled via the Live Panel, Lock Screen and Folder management, while Music Hub, a portable music manager, gives users a jukebox in their pocket.
The Wave 3, the Wave M and the Wave Y will all be on display at Samsung’s Stand at NFC IFA 2011 in Berlin.
END Samsung Bada 2.0 NFC phone PR