Wow, copy Apple much?

Physical Features: My first impression of the device is, it’s hefty. The Samsung Rogue is a tall, thick phone of substantial weight. The camera lens, flash and mirror protrude slightly from the back meaning every time I set it down, the weight of the phone rests on the camera lens. The plastic outer shell has a cool-looking carbon fiber aesthetic.

The Rogue slides open to reveal a full qwerty keyboard that I found much easier to use than a touchscreen-only keypad but not quite as easy as a cramped Blackberry keypad which I attribute to the depth, texture and spacing of the keys. A deciding factor in choosing the Samsung Rogue is the accommodating combination of touchscreen interface and physical keypad. This phone is very easy to navigate! Many operations can be completed with the phone closed via the touchscreen. The control is reminiscent of an iPhone/iPod touch interface in many ways. (Like rolling wheels for choosing dates…)

Around the outside of the Rogue is a Charging port, Memory Card Slot, Camera Button, Volume rocker, full-sized Headphone Jack, an On/Off/Lock button and a multi-function rocker. Below the screen are the send and power keys flanking a centered “home” button.

Samsung Rogue side view

Turning on the phone, the touchscreen has an iPhone-like strip of primary functions on the bottom with ‘Dialer’, ‘Contacts’, ‘Message’ and ‘Menu’ buttons. There is a tab on the left side when clicked opens a widget dock, not at all unlike a hidden OS X dock. The widgets are easily rearranged to ones liking. Clicking a widget opens that widget’s functions or options on the main screen. With this Verizon version of the phone, there are several pre-installed apps for things like Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo Messenger, YouTube, etc… Some apps remain open while using other phone operations and can be dragged back to the widget dock to close.

The speakerphone isn’t too loud. Video and music play at an acceptable volume but the sound is not sufficient for speakerphone calls in a moving car.

I find that everything is easy understand and navigate for someone new to the phone. Again, the combination of physical and touchscreen interface is a real pleasure. Comparing the physical keypad and touchscreen functionality to the singularly important trackball on a Blackberry, I’ll choose the Samsung Rogue’s combo any day. IMO, where the Blackberry has a steep learning curve the Samsung has none.

Limited to Verizon Applications this phone isn’t an iPhone but it sure does resemble the ease of use and intuitive control. The keyboard better be worth it’s weight because the weight is significant. I’m worried about scratching the camera lens and I wonder how long before the slider feels sloppy; mine is tight but the demo at the Verizon store was a lot looser.

Samsung Rogue Bottom

Leaving out functionality of the apps, reception, overall speed, speed of web access and use of the phone I just wanted to impart some of my initial thoughts about the Samsung Rogue’s appearance and operations. The question that remains for me to learn is will this phone’s added functions (keypad, internet access, larger screen, accelerometer, etc..) be worth it’s weight? It is the heaviest phone I have ever carried.

• Will I still feel a need to bring an iPod to work? (yes)
• How long will the battery last if I plug this phone into an AUX port on a boombox?

Though my calling, texting and online usage are on the low-end, my monthly cost for unlimited use is $60 less than my iPhone plan. Over a one year contract with Verizon, I am saving in excess of $700. (Initial costs, including a new microSD, card are equal. My monthly cost savings are due in part to Verizon’s IN-calling)

After a week of traveling, installing dozens of iPhone Apps and learning the ins and outs of sending email, writing notes and browsing the web on the iPhone, I returned it to The Apple Store for a full refund.

Before I head down for the return, I bought a Straight Talk Razor via Walmart.com and paid for Next Day shipping. I clicked to activate and Port Existing Number and after about an hour my iPhone lost the number. The automatic activation failed and I spend a very long time with a Straight Talk CSR who eventually clicked the right buttons.

I’ve gone back 12 years in technology to a polyphonic clamshell but it’s durable, practical and working on Verizon’s network for only $30/mo.

That’s right, calls to 411 are free. 1000 texts and 1000 minutes for $30 plus 30MB of data transfer. When I turned on Bluetooth my Mac synced all my contacts for me. Thanks.

The iPhone, though used to “keep in touch” limits my life experience. I’ll never have to ask for directions again. Keeping a journal in a moleskin is a lot more real than struggling to type on a touch keyboard when the return key, the M and the space bar are so close. I’m going back twelve years until Verizon stops offering phones that are missing functionality.

straight talk moto box

Costs:

My Verizon plan; 400 minutes + text + tax = $55-60/month

My iPhone AT&T plan; 900 min + iphone + text + tax = $125/month

My Verizon network Straight-Talk plan 1000 min, 1000 texts +sales tax – $32/mo.

What’s missing is the ability to post on facebook, look up info on a website and reply to emails while at work… but I think I’ll survive. Especially since I own an iPod Touch and enough folks leave their network open that it doesn’t take long in just about any urban/suburban setting to pick up a signal. Each month I am saving $100 which means before one year, I’ll save up for a new Macbook. Since I’m being an old fart, they should still call them Powerbooks. ‘Cause ‘macbook’ sounds that other word for “happy” if you know what I mean.