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Like Sprint and Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile introduced its own Galaxy S smartphone June 28, the Samsung Vibrant.
Unlike its competitors, however, T-Mobile tested no patience and revealed pricing details and a timetable for the Vibrant – which will arrive July 21 and retail for $200 with a two-year contract.
Looking not terribly unlike an Apple iPhone 3G S, the Vibrant features a 4-inch Super AMOLED display. And like its Fascinate and Epic 4G Galaxy S siblings, it runs the Android 2.1 operating system and a Samsung 1GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird processor.
The Vibrant will benefit from T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network, which is said to offer 4G-equivalent speeds, and comes with GPS with turn-by-turn navigation and a 5-megapixel camera with HD video recording and playback.
While the other networks’ Galaxy S handsets may be a bit more robust – with features such as a second camera for video conferencing and the ability to act as a WiFi hotspot for up to five other devices – the Vibrant is packed with extras that may make it the family’s most fun sibling.
James Cameron surely had 3D IMAX screens in mind when he filmed “Avatar,” but any user stuck in a dentist’s waiting room, or on a long bus ride, will likely be grateful that the movie, on an external 2GB memory card, comes included with the Vibrant. So does an Amazon Kindle for Android application, offering access to 600,000-plus books, and a MobiTV app for live and on-demand programming in English and Spanish. (Accessible channels include NBC, ESPN and Bravo, and though the first 30 days of service will come free, all viewing afterward will not.)
Still additional entertainment options include a Slacker Radio mobile app, a Gogo Inflight Internet app for in-flight WiFi (again, the first month comes free – enjoy) and an app for the soon-to-debut Samsung Media Hub, which will offer access to more reading and viewing materials.
The Vibrant supports six languages and up to 32GB of external memory and features a seven-panel home screen. And adding a little more personalization, user can choose from a battery cover in dark blue or lavender.
The Vibrant will be available for pre-order July 1 at Radio Shack stores, where they’ll be asked to purchase a $50 gift card toward the price of the phone. After purchasing the phone, upon its July 21 arrival, customers who pre-ordered will receive a $50 gift card by mail.
“By combining best-selling, award-winning content and amazing hardware that brings that content to life, T-Mobile continues to deliver on its commitment to bring innovative mobile entertainment experiences to consumers’ fingertips,” Paul Cole, T-Mobile’s vice president of devices and accessories, said in a statement. “We are proud to introduce the Samsung Vibrant as the latest addition to our growing lineup of Android-powered devices.”