FlipShot by Samsung

All articles on this site are by Harry Skevington unless otherwise noted with another byline

MARCH 9, 2008

Verizon Wireless Flipshot (SCH-U900) by Samsung
A 3.0 Mega Pixal Camera Phone With a Twist!
The Verizon Wireless Flipshot (SCH-U900) by Samsung is a great combination of Phone, Music Payer, and Camera. I have longed for a better camera on the phones I own or reviewed. The Flipshot answers that wish. It produced very acceptable photos and fine videos. The camera flash capability is a very helpful addition. The 3 MP camera and its 11 step digital zoom are as good as the 3.2 MP Sony Cybershot I purchased some years ago and still use for occasional shots. That early digital camera cost $375.00 when new. Times are changing. The FlipShot is a showstopper when you take it out, turn the flip portion 180 degrees around and close it. It really looks like and functions as a digital camera. When I first saw it at CES I was amazed.

What rang a bell for me?
The camera and video were superior to those in most phones
Access to the large Verizon Wireless VCast music site is a great plus
Easy pairing of my Genius BT-03A Bluetooth Headset using the phone’s Bluetooth for music and phone calls.

What missed the boat for me?
Not including the USB cable or software needed to connect to the computer for file movement or a Bluetooth option that did file transfers.

In the Box
FlipShot Phone
Battery
Charger
Hand Strap
User Manual
Quick Reference Guide
Quick Start Guide

I received this Verizon Wireless FlipShot phone a few weeks ago. I only had the basics that came in the box to work with so that narrowed the scope of my tests. To best utilize many of the features of the FlipShot you would need to have the optional USB cable to connect to your PC, access to Bluetooth capabilities, a memory card of 1 Gig or more, and a wired headset with a 2.5 mm connector/adaptor or a Bluetooth headset.

Bluetooth Options
I was unable to find an option to use Bluetooth to transfer photos or videos to or from the FlipShot. When checking the manual and online support I found only these Bluetooth options: Dial-up Networking, Phonebook Sync, OPP Server, and Voice Gateway. No photo or video file transfer options.

After checking the Verizon Wireless and Samsung website support areas I found they both recommend using the optional USB cable to move photos between the phone and your PC. Since the USB cable was not included and the cable for my own Samsung Sync does not fit the FlipShot connection I tried a workaround. I was able to add music and photos to the FlipShot, or copy them from it, by removing the Kingston 1GB Go memory card I installed in the phone and plugging the card, using its adaptor, into the Lenovo ThinkPad card reader slot. I then was able to copy the files to or from the card. This more than likely causes some issues with copyrights on many songs as it did with some of mine. The card is housed inside the phone in the battery area. My idea worked but seems to be a less than perfect solution. If you have access to VCast Music you can download a copy of each song you buy to your PC so that helps with this issue.

Music player
I downloaded several songs from VCast Music. It was easy. See my previous review of one of the first Verizon Wireless music phones. The sound was clear as a bell and quite loud through the internal stereo speakers as well as when using my Genius BT-03A Bluetooth headset.

Card Reader
I captured a business card with the camera and used the business card reader to add the information to my address book. Some details were missed and much of the information had to be edited.

At 3.76” x 1.83” x .73” and 3.88 ounces The FlipShot is a fine sample of what the future holds. It seems that cell phones will be in the forefront of a consolidation so that more and more electronic options will be incorporated in them. Samsung seems ready for that.

SAMPLE PHOTOS INSIDE AND OUT

For more Samsung CELL Phones click here.
Click here for more Verizon Wireless information.


	Harry Skevington has been involved with electronics since 1981. He has taught, written for, and provided support to, computer users since 1985. Information that will help consumers with buying decisions is more important than ever due to the current convergence of computers and other consumer products . Harry attends CES (Consumer Electronics Show) in Las Vegas on assignment as a working press writer each year to find and write about emerging technology that seems to fit the needs of his readers. Contact Harry

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