Because Samsung seems unable to help themselves, there are a bunch of “value added apps” that offer questionable value. They all seem like useless dross that supplement features that already exist in most cases.
Microsoft’s Rooms idea reminds me of AOL’s old chat rooms. It’s a neat concept, but even with three Techcitement writers using Windows Phone 8, we simply couldn’t find a use for it. I imagine an overscheduled family might, assuming they don’t already use Google Calendar, like mine. This also might be a good solution for a small company to make a “team” spot.
In fact, we tried it ourselves, but with little luck.
Performance
If you’ve used an S III, you know this section already, but let’s go through the motions anyway. The ATIV S is just as snappy as the S II and possibly feels a bit better due to the spartan OS. Battery life is better on the ATIV, partially due to the larger 2300 mAh battery (versus 2100 mAH on the S III), but also may be due to the heavy use of negative space in the user interface. AMOLED doesn’t “display” blacks, which means a lot of negative space is going to equal less work for the computer. Whatever the reason, you can absolutely get through a work day without constant recharges.
I’m grateful that Samsung didn’t try to skin Microsoft’s Windows Phone virtual keyboard, which remains one of the best I have used to date.
I’m unable to test the speed of the ATIV S on the network in any objective manner. T-Mobile’s HSPA+ network is responsive and actually feels better than Houston-area LTE networks for both AT&T and Sprint. Calls are clear and don’t get dropped. In fact, performance is good enough to make me consider switching networks.
The camera hardware is the same as the S III, as noted above, and the software is easy enough to use. I find the interface for video recording a bit confusing, to be honest, but performance is acceptable. My daughter and I used the ATIV to film video for her school report on a famous physical reaction.
[yframe url=’https://plus.google.com/photos/instantupload/5831515178479934818′]
There is one major way in which the ATIV S stands out from Nokia and HTC’s flagship Windows Phone 8 devices, and that is expandability. Not only does the ATIV S have a user serviceable battery, but there’s a MicroSD card slot. I know we’re all supposed to be happy with the cloud, and Microsoft’s SkyDrive solution works just fine, but this is a much desired solution for myself.
Who’s got a lovely backside? You do.
Hackability
The ATIV S is not out yet, so I can’t say if it is hackable per se, but I do want to comment on how future-proof it may or may not be. Microsoft famously didn’t upgrade the Nokia 900 to Windows 8, despite being almost new, so I don’t think anyone should rely on future updates. That’s a huge deal.
The Strengths
Assuming you like Windows Phone 8, this is the one model with expandable memory as well as a removable battery. That’s quite a nice set of options. Add to that the fact that the software is very much a known quantity.
The Weaknesses
However, just because a product is known doesn’t mean it’s well liked. Nokia and HTC gave Windows Phone 8 a lot more flash. Yes, the S III-esque nature of the ATIV might help sell to some Samsung die-hards, but there’s nothing special about it to draw any new, casual users in.
Pricing & Availability
As of this writing, the ATIV S is not available anywhere in the United States. Indeed, our review unit came with a European plug and a pound symbol on the virtual keyboard where a dollar sign would be. However, judging from the radio bands it works with, I’d put smart money on this handset coming out for T-Mobile first. With T-Mobile making massive changes to the concept of cellphone subsidies, I can’t even hazard a guess as to what the cost might be.
Wrap Up
Being first out of the gate could have been great for Samsung, but by waiting this long, any and all advantage has likely been taken by Nokia or HTC. While I would love to see a Windows Phone 8 Samsung phone take off, I regret that I don’t have high hopes for the ATIV S. This is a crying shame, as despite the Plain-Jane looks, the ATIV offers something other handsets cannot. This phone is my hope that companies don’t mistake a lack of desire for the ATIV as a lack of desire for a Windows 8 handset that can handle additional memory.
Comments are closed.