Phone Using E Ink Keypad Unveiled
Verizon Wireless has introduced Samsung Alias 2 dual-hinge messaging phone, which is stated to be the first handset in the U.S. to feature E Ink transforming keypad. It’s available for $79.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.
The phone comes with dual-hinge form factor with E Ink keyboard that changes based on what the user needs. You can open it vertically as a flip phone and it has a traditional numeric keypad and can change to an alpha-only keypad.
E Ink’s electronic paper display (EPD) technology, says the company, offers the high contrast look of ink-on-paper and is suitable for mobile devices because it can be read in any lighting condition, including direct sunlight, and at any viewing angle. The technology can also be used for other consumer and industrial applications spanning handheld devices, public information and promotional signs.
In landscape, the phone features a QWERTY keypad that can change to numeric with symbols. It supports RemoSync, so customers can synchronize corporate e-mail, contacts and calendars from their office PCs.
While the phone features a 2.0 megapixel camera and video capture capabilities, its other features include use of Bluetooth technology with support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, basic print, basic imaging, object push for vCard. vCalendar and serial port.
Among its lifestyle features are VZ Navigator, visual voice mail, Media Center-capable downloadable games, ringtones, wallpapers, location-based services and mobile web.
