Samsung BlackJack II launches Friday on AT&T
Update: Sounds like some AT&T stores are already hawking this thing ahead of schedule. Go pick 'er up now, or hold your peace until Friday!
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Update: Sounds like some AT&T stores are already hawking this thing ahead of schedule. Go pick 'er up now, or hold your peace until Friday!
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Runbuh @ Nov 21st 2007 4:31PM
Excellent - now maybe my original BlackJack will get the promised WM6 upgrade soon (like the Tilt announcement/8525 WM6 upgrade timing).
murph @ Nov 21st 2007 5:57PM
Hahaha. We are screwed. This IS the upgrade for the BJ. Why do you think it's taking so long?
Mike @ Nov 21st 2007 4:43PM
This phone is already out. ATT Corporate stores have them. Get 'em while they are hot!
Jake @ Nov 21st 2007 5:33PM
I feel like a kid in a candy store!! I have one!
If you live in NYC the store on Madison and 46th is selling them TODAY :-)
jake @ Nov 21st 2007 5:37PM
oops as Mike said all AT&T-owned stores have them... but some say that they're not "unboxed" yet, and others (believe it or not) told me that they're SOLD OUT!
Daniel @ Dec 10th 2007 12:32AM
Hi, Jake.
I plan to get the blackjack II this week, can you tell me about the reception or call quality of this phone?
Jake @ Dec 10th 2007 8:05AM
@Daniel: I've had no problems at all... reception has been much better than my old Cingular 3125 - and no-one on the other end has complained about call quality - I've asked a couple of friends while on the phone and they've said they hear me perfectly. I haven't really used speaker phone much except indoors (where it was great), so I can't attest to that feature's volume, but regular in-call volume has been easily loud enough for me both indoors and out. Recently I've been pairing it with a Motorola S9 stereo bluetooth headset, and I highly recommend it... if you can get used to the feel of the S9, the call quality is surprisingly good and being able to listen to music wirelessly in stereo is fantastic. The BJ2 handles the stereo bluetooth connection like a pro, with perfect streaming 99% of the time.
Try typing on the keyboard in-store before you buy - some people have said the keys are still too small for their fingers... for me, they're fantastic, but some friends have asked how on earth I press one key at a time so it's worth testing.
jake @ Nov 21st 2007 5:48PM
If anyone would like to know anything about the device that I can help answer, just let me know...
Dustin Leiblein @ Nov 21st 2007 6:54PM
The BJ2 ships with one Standard battery. But the new Standard battery is actually the old Extended battery.
And it's a really nice device to hold!
Nick @ Nov 21st 2007 6:57PM
Jake, do you know how much the rebate is for? I would like to know the price of it before rebate. Can't wait to grab one of these.
Devin @ Nov 21st 2007 7:11PM
According to the rebate form on att.com, it's a $100 rebate.
jake @ Nov 21st 2007 7:20PM
Yeah it's $100 mail-in rebate IF you choose an eligible data or messaging plan (which I'm assuming you would anyway to get unlimited data).
So it's $249.99
minus $100 mail-in rebate.
My receipt also shows a line saying "Your total savings: $150", so I'm assuming that means that the retail cost of the phone without any contract (or extension) is $399 plus tax.
Chris @ Nov 21st 2007 8:07PM
I piked up mine around 4 PM today. They are going for $249 with a $100 rebate. I haven't played with it much yet. I like the size compared to my Q9 Global. Weight is much nicer too. Shows a ton of finger prints. If the battery life is as good on this as it is on the Q9 the Moto is going on ebay.
Jake @ Nov 21st 2007 8:23PM
First impressions:
* Very nice to hold - fits hand perfectly for one-handed operation and/or two.
* Shiny - very good-looking (imo) but easy to smudge!
* Easy to use keypad - I heard that the BJ1 suffered from keys that were too small. I never tried the BJ1 myself so I can't compare, but the BJ2 keys are a perfect size for me. Typing is a breeze. Keys are tactile.
* Nice "Quick List" feature when you press & release the power button - quick access to Wireless Manager (bluetooth, cell on/off etc) and profiles.
* LOVE the jog wheel in the middle - and most of all, love that it's both a jog wheel AND a d-pad - I already have preferences as to which applications work best with each method.
* The minor tweaks and eye candy of WM6 compared to WM5 are better than I'd imagined... if you've never used WM6, I think you'll love it. (I've migrated from a Cingular 3125.)
* Haven't had a lot of time using it yet, but the built-in RSS reader is a nice addition. Not yet sure whether it will replace using Google Reader...
* The included MusicID program is really cool - I've never used a service like that before - I was impressed at how well it guessed song names & artists!
* I can't find anyway to use the built-in GPS with Google Maps... anyone know anything about this? There's no mention of GPS anywhere in WM Settings... is it possible that you can only use it with the included TeleNav software? (Which incurs a monthly charge, so I haven't tried it.) Does anyone know if GPS can ever be used for "free"?
* Easy access to MicroSD port - nice.
* Easy volume control on side of phone during call.
* No included headphones in box :( Only charger and USB cable. But it does support stereo Bluetooth I guess...
* So far no problems with call quality/volume (made about 3 calls)... yet to test it in a really noisy environment though... (funny how this is the LAST thing I think about when summing up my new phone...!) I DID notice that it "finds" the AT&T network much faster than my 3125 did... e.g. when I get off the subway or out of the elevator, my 3125 sometimes took several minutes to reconnect to the network - the BJ2 seems to reconnect straight away.
DaveTehWave @ Nov 21st 2007 11:30PM
Great...
I've been waiting on this phone for two months. I just happened to be in an AT&T store tonight, and I should have asked if the BJ2 was available!
I'll be there on Friday!
h4ldol @ Nov 22nd 2007 3:03AM
I have the first BJ, and was hoping to get this one too. Sounds good that the jog dial also is a d-pad. And good that the standard battery is the extended battery of the first BJ, since that thing would give me all day usage. But the GPS not working with google maps, or live maps or 3rd party gps nav apps, would be a deal killer. What a waste that would be. Hope it's not true. Can anyone confirm?
Jake @ Nov 25th 2007 6:45PM
h4Idol: BJ2 works fine with GPS, just so long as you're not surrounded by Manhattan-style skyscrapers... oops sorry about that!
vien @ Nov 23rd 2007 5:02AM
i need to jump on the smartphone bandwagon, i still have a clamshell that lasts 3 days without charging an moderate amounts of talk time..err.. on second thought
dion @ Nov 23rd 2007 7:42PM
Does the BJ II have wifi?
Jake @ Nov 23rd 2007 11:31PM
No WiFi.
I thought I'd just add a couple of notes to my previous comments:
* GPS SUCKS. First, it's locked to work with TeleNav only (hackers?)), second, even using TeleNav it can't find a signal. I'll test it more outdoors tomorrow, but out of the widow I have no luck.
* Battery life is still appalling. One day per charge tops. (Although that's with DirectPush working and moderate use - I'm sure in standby all day it may fair better.) It had a full charge at 10:45 this morning... it's now 11:30pm and the phone just shut off. :(
Nasir Aziz @ Nov 24th 2007 8:18PM
Ok, I picked my Samsung BJII on Friday for $75.00 in Seattle ATT store.
And the GPS DOES Work with everything. I have both Google Maps and MSN Live Maps on it and GPS works with all. GPS is NOT locked to TeleNav - thats not true at all.
BJII GPS is very precise, watching through Google maps and MSN Live it even detected my few feet movement on my drive way...
Jake @ Nov 24th 2007 4:04PM
I'm so jealous!! how did you get that to work?! and how did you pay $75? It's $149 after all rebates?!
Jake @ Nov 24th 2007 4:06PM
And BTW, I called AT&T customer service who confirmed that the BJ2 GPS chip is ONLY for use with TeleNav (and possible E911). What's the model number of your phone?
jagerr @ Nov 24th 2007 12:12PM
Yes Yes.....
Gail Chango @ Nov 24th 2007 7:48PM
Pick Me, PLEASE!!!
Nasir Aziz @ Nov 24th 2007 8:28PM
First the price: ATT is giving 50% off on BJII, that is $145.00 in store price. If you renew or get a new contract for 2 years, then another 50% off, so that's how I got $75.00 price.
GPS: My Phone model is Samsung BlackJack II SGH-I617. And yes I have both Google Maps and MSN Live Maps working with BJII GPS!!!! The ATT customer service people probably dont know that - usually they are not the smartest bunch...
I have been driving around today and testing both Google Maps and MSN Live Maps through my Phone GPS... Man the precision is from out of this world...
Google Maps didnt ask for ports for GPS, figured it out itself and started working. However I have to configure MSN Live Maps to use GPS COM1. That did it for MSN Live. Make sure that you turn the GPS Option to YES in MSN Live to get it to work.
Jake @ Nov 24th 2007 9:01PM
Thanks for the post, but still no luck for me with GPS in NYC - even using TeleNav GPS Navigator... Google Maps doesn't even show a GPS option - it's as if it couldn't even find the hardware. I tried putting Windows Live Search on GPS-COM1 but it still couldn't get a signal.
As for the price, I can't find it for that amount... On att.com it's $149, and in-store it's $149. AT&T's Black Friday deals don't seem to have included the BJ2:
http://www.boygeniusreport.com/2007/11/21/atts-black-friday-plans-revealed/
Is it possible that the deals in Seattle were different to those in NYC? Has anyone else found the BJ2 for $75? If so I want to take mine back and re-buy it!!
Jake @ Nov 25th 2007 2:15PM
Nasir -
Thanks for making me try again, because I got it working!! Having never used GPS before, I had no idea that it wouldn't work when among tall buildings. I guess this chip just isn't quite sensitive enough to work in some areas of midtown Manhattan!
Once I tested it in Queens it worked like a charm... with TeleNav, Google Maps, AND Live Search. Google Maps was the smoothest, and found my location the fastest. Very nice!
Although it certainly used the battery a little faster than I'd like... perhaps a spare will be needed. It probably uses less power the further away you get from all these buildings.
As for the price, I tried 5 stores in NYC, and all of them refused to budge from $149 after rebates. Once kind employee called a Seattle store at random and confirmed that they're applying the 50% discount, although the employee also insisted that they SHOULDN'T be, so told me that I'd have to fly to Seattle to take advantage of it!!
You could start a business on eBay (for today only I guess!)...
Thanks again.
jerryb @ Jan 1st 2008 2:52PM
Hello Nasir. I live in the Seattle area and I called ATT about this and they said my price with renewal was $225 for the BJII. They said something about not being able to get more of a discount because of the length left in my current contract. The rep I talked to did not seem on the ball however. Who did you speak with/go through in Seattle? Thanks much...
Nasir Aziz @ Dec 30th 2007 5:29PM
jerryb, I went to ATT Store inside Pacific Place Plaza located in downtown Seattle. The person's name is Jeremy probably. Incidently one of my friends also bought a phone yesterday and paid $99.00 for it. Existing customer with contract renewal. Although he had to pay $200 on the spot with a $100 mail in rebate.
Nasir Aziz @ Nov 25th 2007 8:05PM
Hey Jake -
I am glad it worked out for you... Now happy Mobiling and GPSing... Sorry about your prices in NYC. Well atleast you know the deal and can have some fun with yor new BJII !!!
Cheers...
Avi @ Dec 28th 2007 1:51AM
Hey guys, I just got my BJII today and the GPS bugger does not seem to work. I am pretty bummed. I am using Google Maps and when I go to Menu > Use GPS .. the program keeps displaying 'seeking gps satellites(0)' message but no gps location. In menu > options > gps settings > the My location check box is set to use 'set by windows (via start > settings). there is also an option for manually, where i need to supply com and some other setting (dunno what the two settings are). can somebody please help. this is quite frustating, thanks!!
Matt @ Nov 27th 2007 5:09PM
How long does it take for new phones to show up on Amazon? I see that they still don't have the Blackjack II.
Joe @ Nov 30th 2007 6:48PM
This phone finally has all the features I want in a smartphone!
Do you need to have an expensive data plan to use this phone? It looks like you need to spend $40 on top of regular phone service to use all the features.
Anthony a.k.a. L3m0n @ Dec 23rd 2007 12:55AM
Im about 2 get the new BlackJack 2, but im jus wondering....How long does the battery last?? Is their a longer lasting battery for this phone just incase???
I would be disappointed if the battery doesn't last long.
scottie2hottie @ Dec 24th 2007 1:08AM
I just purchased this phone a few hours ago and its a HUGE step up from my old cheap phone. I took advantage of %50 off deal they had. I was going to wait until after Christmas to buy this but the sales perso was like $75 and you can walk out the door today with it, so I jumped on the deal. Then when I came time to pay after switching phones she said it will be $175. I am like no you said "$75 and you walk out the door today with it" she was then well there is a $100 mail in rebate. So I was angry that I was lied to. Still got it but I think it was bs to flat out lie to me and not tell me about the mail in rebate tell after I switched Simm Cards and changed my plan which went up by $40 dollars for unlimited data,
I am still happy, I love this phone. Lots of cool features, I downloaded the GPS program but its kind of cool but I down own a car so Its not going to get to much use. the Internet works great and everything.
Avi @ Dec 28th 2007 1:34PM
Hey guys, I just got my BJII today and the GPS bugger does not seem to work. I am pretty bummed. I am using Google Maps and when I go to Menu > Use GPS .. the program keeps displaying 'seeking gps satellites(0)' message but no gps location. In menu > options > gps settings > the My location check box is set to use 'set by windows (via start > settings). there is also an option for manually, where i need to supply com and some other setting (dunno what the two settings are). can somebody please help. this is quite frustating, thanks!!
Nasir Aziz @ Dec 30th 2007 5:41PM
Avi... your settings seem to be fine. I have the same exact ones and it works. Have you used GPS before? It takes a while to lock satellites initially and once done then you are good to go. It won't be instant. Can take upto 2 minutes to lock satellites, also make sure you are outside.
GPS does not work inside the buildings - you need to be in the line of site of satellites under unobstructed skies... Area with tall and congested buildings also effect the GPS signal which may result in no locking or wrong point.
niko @ Jan 16th 2008 6:51PM
Just purchased a BJII. Very new to GPS. when using google maps or Live Search, are you using the att network? In other words will I be charged for data usage while using the GPS feature(I currently only have a text plan, no media bundle yet).