Samsung Mobile today announced the upcoming availability of the Samsung Mondi, a mobile WiMAX enabled handheld device that will be available in the U.S. through mobile service provider Clearwire. The touch screen Mondi, which takes its name from the Latin word for "world," is designed for use with the Clear mobile WiMAX service from Clearwire. The device will be available in the second quarter, Samsung said.

Mondi supports both Wi-Fi, a short range high-speed wireless technology often found in coffee shops, and WiMax, an emerging wide-area technology that promises to blanket entire cities with wireless Internet access.



The Mondi carries many of the features and uses of a laptop computer or netbook, but its compact slider form factor easily fits into the hand or pocket. If offers GPS Navigation provided by Route 66, it extends horizontally to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard and it will be available in a black finish, The Mondi is also packed with multimedia features that offer instant access to E-mail, Internet, video content and business applications.

Mondi packs a full-featured web browser, powered by Opera 9.5, which takes full advantage of the device?s 4.3-inch touch screen. To keep connected while on-the-go, Mondi offers best-in-class location based services and instant access to social networking websites. It also supports various services including Fring, Gypsii, and MS Live Messenger.

The Mondi is completely customizable, thanks to a set of widgets that can be dragged and dropped anywhere on the display screen for easy viewing and use. WiFi connectivity offers the business user connections to Outlook Email / Calendars, Microsoft Office and many other vertical business applications outside the Clear service area. For the multimedia user, this device offers the ability to download and watch movies, listen to music or play games.

The device does not initially support phone calls but it has a built-in microphone, so it could potentially work with an Internet telephony application

Samsung said electronics retailer Best Buy would be selling the device, as well as Clearwire stores.

Samsung announced the device on the eve of the CTIA annual showcase in Las Vegas but did not reveal pricing.

Clearwire is building a WiMax network to offer high-speed data services.

Basic features

- Windows Mobile 6.1
- Microsoft Outlook and Windows Mobile Office
- WiMAX Mobile Internet Access
- WiFi Access (BTv2.1+EDR)
- GPS: Route 66 Navigation with Preloaded Maps
- 4GB of Internal Memory
- Direct Push/Mobile Email (POP3, IMAP, SMTP)
- Supports Instant Messaging and MMS
- 3.0 Megapixel Camera and Camcorder
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Opera 9.5 Web Browser
- HDMI TV Out
- Supports Multiple Video and Audio Player Formats

New Instinct S30

Sprint and Samsung also today announced the upcoming availability of Samsung Instinct s30, a successor to the Samsung Instinct touch screen phone that debuted last summer exclusively from Sprint.

The Instinct s30 offers quick access to corporate calendar functionality via Microsoft Outlook. Sprint Mobile Email Work provides access to corporate email, contacts, and calendar from Microsoft Exchange Server 2000, 2003 or 2007 accounts, or IBM Lotus Domino accounts at no additional charge.

The new Instinct S30 also has all the functionalities of the original Instinct model.



New Samsung Propel Pro

Samsung also unveiled the new Propel Pro, a full-QWERTY silver and chrome compact slider smartphone with Windows Mobile 6.1.

The device allows users to run full enterprise applications on the same platform they use to text and send photos. Evolving from the popular Samsung Propel, business users and consumers looking for a full-feature smartphone with WiFi will look to the Propel Pro.



TouchWiz Connected Mobile Applications

Samsung also announced that it is working with Yahoo, Google and AccuWeather.com to introduce a new set of mobile applications that will run on Samsung?s lineup of TouchWiz touchscreen phones. These new connected mobile applications will be pre-loaded on select Samsung Mobile touchscreen devices.

UI Evolution is developing a set of developer tools for Samsung to support the development of our rich connected mobile applications. Based upon the Eclipse IDE, developers will have a custom interface allowing them to access code samples, FAQ?s, device emulation, and submission of content for sale through the Samsung Rich Connected Application storefront.

Other widgets currently available on Samsung Mobile?s TouchWiz touchscreen phones include music player, messaging, games, calendar, clock and alarm clock

Each phone that supports TouchWiz may also include carrier-specific widgets for access to the carrier?s custom services.

Samsung Mobile expects to launch several new touchscreen devices with TouchWiz technology and will also continue to collaborate with developers to expand its catalog of connected mobile applications in 2009.