Samsung Unveils Easy-to-Use Messaging Phone with Slider Design

Exclusive Through T-Mobile(R), Samsung Blast(TM) Provides Slim Design and Convenient Messaging with QWERTY-Like Keypad, Plus an Enhanced myFaves(SM) Experience

DALLAS, Aug. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Samsung Telecommunications America (Samsung) today announces the availability of the Samsung Blast(TM) (SGH-t729). The Blast is a fierce-looking crimson and black slider phone that conceals an enhanced keypad for easy text entry, so staying connected via text messages, instant messages and e-mails is simple.

Available exclusively from T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile), the Samsung Blast -- Samsung's first U.S. slider phone to feature a QWERTY-like keypad -- provides ample space to let fingers move at a faster pace, making typing more intuitive, with greater control over the letters and words being entered.

In addition, the Blast is the first T-Mobile phone to provide direct access to personal e-mail, including AOL(R) email, Yahoo!(R) Mail and Gmail, making it easy to check messages anytime of the day. For added convenience, e-mail messages on the Blast can be read and responded to for the same pricing as text and picture messages -- meaning there's no required data package to purchase *.

"The Samsung Blast is the ideal device for the on-the-go consumer," said Peter Skarzynski, senior vice president, Samsung. "This device, built exclusively for T-Mobile, exemplifies Samsung's commitment to creating devices that meet the needs of today's message-centric market. Blast enables users to easily stay connected with e-mail and messaging capabilities, and the QWERTY-like keyboard allows for speedy
communication."

"The Samsung Blast is a terrific phone for anyone who thrives on sticking together with friends and family through text, instant messenger and e-mail," said Jeff Hopper, vice president of marketing, T-Mobile USA. "While the Blast is great for making and receiving phone calls and rapid exchanges via text messaging, the slender form of the phone doesn't compromise on size or style."

The Blast features a variety of additional features, including access to instant messaging with built-in support for AOL Instant Messenger(R)(AIM), ICQ, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger(R), stereo Bluetooth(R) technology, a 1.3 megapixel camera with video capture, external memory card slot, MP3 player and speaker independent voice recognition. Users also can stay connected while traveling worldwide with the Blast's quad-band technology.

The Blast also is the first phone to feature an enhanced T-Mobile myFaves(SM) experience. Blast users who are myFaves subscribers will enjoy the ability to send an audio postcard, which enables users to send a voice message to accompany a photo*. Users also can now send an e-mail or launch an IM client, in addition to a text message, right from the myFaves home screen. Plus, users need never forget another birthday with the ability to set birthday reminders for those in their 'fave' five.

Key features of the Samsung Blast include:

-- Integrated access to AOL(R) email, Yahoo!(R) Mail and Gmail
-- IMAP4, POP3 and SMTP protocols supported
-- Enhanced T-Mobile myFaves capabilities*
-- QWERTY-like keypad with T9 predictive text
-- Stereo Bluetooth(R) technology
-- External memory slot (microSD) supports up to 2GB of removable memory
-- 1.3 megapixel camera with 4X zoom
-- Video capture/recorder
-- MP3 player supports MP3 and AAC
-- Multiple messaging options (SMS, EMS, MMS)
-- AOL(R), ICQ, Yahoo!(R), MSN Instant Messaging
-- Speaker independent voice recognition
-- GPRS/EDGE
-- Quad-Band: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
-- Display type: 262k TFT color 176x220 (pixels)
-- Dimensions: 4.16" x 2.04" x 0.5", 2.82 ounces (with standard battery)
-- Talk time: up to 5 hours / Standby time: 8 days (with standard battery)

The Samsung Blast is available exclusively at select T-Mobile retail stores and online at http://www.t-mobile.com. For more information, visit http://www.t-mobile.com or http://www.samsungwireless.com.

*Separate charges apply for services, including email, text, picture and other messages. Use of certain features of a myFaves-enabled device requires purchase of a T-Mobile myFaves rate plan. See http://www.t-mobile.com for charges, rate plans, terms and conditions, and restrictions.

About Samsung Telecommunications America
Samsung Telecommunications America, LLC, a Dallas-based subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., researches, develops and markets wireless handsets and telecommunications products throughout North America. For more information, please visit http://www.samsungwireless.com.

About Samsung
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in semiconductor, telecommunication, digital media and digital convergence technologies with 2006 parent company sales of US$63.4 billion and net income of US$8.5 billion. Employing approximately 138,000 people in 124 offices in 56 countries, the company consists of five main business units: Digital Media Business, LCD Business, Semiconductor Business, Telecommunication Network Business and Digital Appliance Business. Recognized as one of the fastest growing global brands, Samsung Electronics is a leading producer of digital TVs, memory chips, mobile phones and TFT-LCDs. For more information, please visit http://www.samsung.com.

About T-Mobile USA, Inc.
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc., is a member of the T-Mobile International group, one of the world's leading companies in mobile communications, and the mobile telecommunications subsidiary of Deutsche Telekom AG. At the end of March 2007, nearly 110 million mobile customers were served by companies of the Deutsche Telekom group -- 26 million by T-Mobile USA -- all via a common technology platform based on GSM, the world's most successful digital wireless standard. T-Mobile's innovative wireless products and services help empower people to connect
effortlessly to those who matter most. Multiple independent research studies continue to rank T-Mobile highest, in numerous regions throughout the U.S., in wireless call quality and wireless customer care. For more information, please visit the company's Web site at http://www.t-mobile.com. T-Mobile(R) is a federally registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. Stick Together, myFaves, and the myFaves design are service marks of T-Mobile USA, Inc.