If you are thinking about asking Santa for a smartphone this Christmas, your shortlist just got a bit longer.
 
Cingular, Samsung (News - Alert) and Microsoft announced today the launch of BlackJack, a multimedia device for making phone calls, listening to music, taking photos, and a whole lot more.



 
BlackJack pulls together Cingular’s (News - Alert) BroadbandConnect service and Windows Mobile 5.0 in a sleek handheld.
 
Key features of BlackJack include:

+ MP3 player
+ Access to music subscriptions services including Cingular Music
+ Cingular Video on-demand streaming service
+ Internet browsing optimized for Cingular’s 3G and EDGE networks
+ 1.3 megapixel digital camera
+ Bluetooth with stereo headset support
+ QWERTY keyboard

In their announcement, the companies launching BlackJack stressed the device’s business-related functionality such as wireless access to e-mail accounts and over-the-air synchronization with enterprise applications like calendar, contact lists and address book, and mobile versions of familiar desktop apps like Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, and Outlook.
 
“BlackJack is a true converged product that serves voice and data needs with strengths in multimedia and organization satisfying today’s on-the-go consumer,” said Kitae Lee, president of Samsung’s network business, in a statement. “Samsung is excited to be working with Cingular and Microsoft (News - Alert) to bring the BlackJack to the US market.”
 
BlackJack isn’t just for work, though. The device is souped up with a variety of entertainment features. One of those is access to Cingular Music, a service that includes 25 commercial-free XM Satellite Radio channels.
 
Content available with Cingular Music includes not only songs but music videos, ringtones, and music chatrooms, among other features.
 
A similar service, Cingular Video, is available for visual entertainment. Content delivered with that service includes sports, news and weather programs; and HBO shows such as “The Sopranos” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.”
 
“We have hit on the right formula in developing a handheld device that will appeal both to the most discerning business users and the most entertainment savvy consumers,” Cingular president and CEO Stan Sigman said in a statement.
 
Steve Ballmer, CEO at Microsoft, added: “For millions of mobile professionals, this is the device that will be the bridge between work and play.”
 
BlackJack (model number SGH-i607), available exclusively through Cingular in the U.S. (starting November 16), retails for $199.99 when it is purchased in combination with a two-year activation and unlimited data plan.
 
Mae Kowalke previously wrote for Cleveland Magazine in Ohio and The Burlington Free Press in Vermont. To see more of her articles, please visit Mae Kowalke’s columnist page. Also check out her Wireless Mobility blog.


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