Alltel adds Samsung Gem to lineup; Android 2.1, free with 2-year contract

mobile

If you’re on regional wireless carrier Alltel and are looking for a low-cost, Android handset, listen up. The wireless provider has just announced the addition of the Samsung Gem to its smartphone lineup. The Gem is an Android 2.1 device that features a 3.2-inch touchscreen display, 800MHz processor, 3.2 megapixel camera (complete with a Superman-logoish bezel), Wi-Fi (with hotspot capabilities), Bluetooth, GPS, micro-SD card slot (support for up to a 16GB card), and 124MB of on-board memory. The Gem will be free with a new 2-year contract after a $50 mail in rebate. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Alltel Wireless launches latest generation Android smartphone – The Samsung Gem™

More applications and additional features from Android touch screen phone free at Alltel

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Alltel Wireless and Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung Mobile), the number one mobile phone provider in the U.S. 1 today announced the availability of a new smartphone, the Samsung Gem™. . In addition to all the features you look for on an Android device and the large LCD touch display that brings it all to life, the Samsung Gem also offers new features and additional applications designed to give Alltel customers a premium Android experience.

The Samsung Gem comes equipped with Android 2.1 and provides built-in Google mobile services including Google Search™ and Google Maps™ with turn-by-turn GPS navigation. The Google™ user interface applications also allow customers to integrate their Outlook, Facebook and Gmail contacts, putting everything right where they need it on the large touch screen.

“Alltel Wireless is proud to add this advanced and versatile smartphone to our Android lineup,” said Scott Moody, Alltel Wireless Vice President of Products and Services. “The Samsung Gem offers our customers a premium smartphone experience at a great price. The Samsung Gem is now free after a $50 mail in rebate at Alltel Wireless.”

For people who like to keep in touch with their friends, the Samsung Gem also features one-touch direct-to-social site photo posting, allowing users to conveniently post photos, messages or e-mails to their favorite social network sites with a simple touch. The 3.2 megapixel camera gives customers the ability to catch every moment through phone or video.

  • The smartphone is also Wi-Fi enabled, giving customers two ways to connect to the Internet – through Alltel’s fast 3G wireless network or through any available Wi-Fi hotspot.
  • Bluetooth® wireless technology for a hands-free experience or to easily transfer data to a computer.

The Samsung Gem is available at Alltel Wireless for free after a $50 mail in rebate and a two year service agreement.

Alltel Wireless continues to be an industry leader, providing customers most recently with “Best Value Unlimited Plans” which offer the most affordable and flexible options for those who love to talk and remain connected. Alltel Wireless also provides customers its exclusive “My Circle” feature – unlimited calling to and from any 5, 15 or 25 numbers on any network and unlimited text to their circle on select plans – as well as the innovative “Free Fridays” feature, where all calls on Friday are free on select plans.

In addition to the advanced touchscreen display, Samsung Gem users will text, picture and video message with the Swype virtual keyboard, an innovative system that allows you to simply slide your finger from key to key, only raising it in between words. Consumers will also be able to drag and drop various widgets and icons to personalize their own unique screen.
Additional Samsung Gem key features include:

21 Comments
  • Anonymous

    Superman phone.

  • Ijames1000

    Alltel still exists?

    • Tim242

      Yeap, for 1 million subscribers.

  • Jyoooo

    Wtf

  • Johnathan

    It’s coming out with 2.1 LMAO!

    gotta love Android

    • Tedrew

      Why do you blame android? It’s up to samsung to have 2.1, 2.2, or 2.3 on their phones

    • Tim242

      What does it have to do with Android? You idiot!

      • Midi45

        Well it shows how android was flawed from the start, allowing manufactures to screw up things.

      • Tim242

        Ever heard of open source software?

      • Johnathan

        If Google forced the carriers and manufacturers to update the phones in a timely manner they wouldn’t be pulling this shit. How is this good for the end user to be stuck on a version two updates behind?

      • Tim242

        Ever heard of open source software? Google can’t force anyone to do
        anything. Get educated.

      • ultament panda

        lades lades  plez 

  • http://twitter.com/raitchison Robert Aitchison

    LOL at releasing it with 2.1 when any new phone should release with 2.3 art this point.

    Also why does it say “with Google” on the back? looks like a customized UI to me, at the very least a non-stock launcher.

    • joshie

      There is seriously NO excuse for releasing an Android 2.1 phone right now. Samsung should be ashamed.

    • Tim242

      HTC phones with Sense say with Google…

  • Ruchinee

    2.1? Really? It better be free. Good to know.

  • Anonymous

    The arrogance of internet users….v2049240842

    It’s laughable seeing you guys bitch and moan about how this has 2.1. It’s a mid-range android phone. What benefits would 2.2 have?

    Samsung deemed 2.1 to be good and stable for this phone. I assure you if they felt the need…2.2 would be on it.

    I bet yall are the same people who go “companies are still using windows xp????FOR SHAME!!!!!”

    S

    • http://twitter.com/raitchison Robert Aitchison

      There are more and more apps every day that _require_ 2.2 or greater

      2.2 is significantly faster on equal hardware

      2.2 Gives users the ability to install or move apps to the SD card

      2.2 has built in WiFi tethering

      2.2 has a better Exchange client (including Calendar sync)

    • http://Crowdbeacon.com Liz

      dude, seriously, you are not any less judgement oriented than the rest of us. With how many awesome features coming out on the crazy number of different phones out there, yeah, we want the upgraded ones. I am not ashamed for wanting an updated phone, and those who are ashamed, why bother?

  • Chut Pata

    As Ozzie would exclaim, “What’s an Alltell?”

  • http://bit.ly/samirsshah समीर शाह

    I agree with Robert Aitchison and want to add

    2.2 allows voice to used more universally compared to available only in search in previous versions.

blog comments powered by Disqus