14 DAY TRIAL // Samsung Electronics announced a terrestrial Digital Media Broadcasting handset, the SPH-B5800, that is the first mobile phone to support the Transport Protocol Experts Group (TPEG) feature. TPEG feature is a transportation information service based on terrestrial DMB data broadcasting.
The Samsung SPH-B5800 provides users with traffic information updated every five minutes, as well as information about famous local restaurants and travel guides via terrestrial DMB channels. Existing Global Positioning Systems (GPS) are limited to guiding drivers on a specific route using an embedded map, but Samsung's B5800 shows current traffic conditions as "cleared", "sluggish" or "congested," and guides drivers with the optimal route to their destinations. Users can also compare routes that reflect traffic conditions. Moreover, unlike GPS in the past, there is no longer a need to access servers: traffic information received via terrestrial broadcasting can be used to determine routes.
The B5800 supports a feature that allows users to view all channel lists while viewing DMB programs and thus, enables users to easily browse and find desired programs. Users can also enjoy User Created Contents via 'Photo Movie Maker', which saves picture slides as videos, and can send and receive text messages while playing a MP3. It also includes a 2 megapixel camera, a 330,000 word electronic dictionary, 'My Pet' function, file viewer, and audio book.
The B5800 has thinness of 16.3 mm and it features a touch sensor that allows users to easily operate menus with the tip of their fingers. In order to limit errors or pressing the wrong key, frequently used keys located in the center are buttons, while the menu keys located on the sides use a touch sensor.
The B8500 will be released in Korea this month for a price of about $600. A subscription to a telematics service is required to use the TPEG service.