Home › Reviews ›

Review: Samsung Focus Flash for AT&T

Media Camera Pictures/Video Browse/Customize Extras

Apps

Microsoft says that the Marketplace for Mobile has more than 40,000 apps available to Windows Phone 7 devices. While the selection isn't as robust as what's available to iOS and Android, it's still really solid. The Marketplace uses the Hub layout, which I find great for browsing through for apps.

Bluetooth

The Focus Flash supports mono and stereo Bluetooth headsets. I was able to pair with both types, as well as my car, with no problems. Sound quality of phone calls through my car was outstanding. Sending music to stereo Bluetooth headphones worked, but sounded cruddy, as though it was passing through a tin can.

Clock

It's easy to read the time from the Focus Flash's lock screen. Press the lock key, and the screen pops to life with a nice digital clock. The time also appears sporadically in the status indicator bar at the top of the screen. You can't adjust this clock, however.

Local Scout

The Local Scout app is a bit like Google's Places, but for Windows Phone. Rather than opening the Bing search app, you can open Local Scout to seek out the businesses and points of interest that are closest to your location. I found it pretty easy to use, and it provided reliable results.

Maps

The Focus Flash uses Microsoft's Bing Maps. It is OK, though I prefer Google Maps. The feature set is the same as most other free mapping services, and it offers a rich user interface and step-by-step directions. The Focus Flash also has AT&T Navigator, which works very well, but costs $10 per month to use.

Office

The Focus Flash syncs extremely well with Microsoft-based work and productivity tools. The versions of MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint that are in the Office Hub sync perfectly back and forth with the desktop versions. Users can save files to their personal SkyDrive for access later or from PCs. The Office Hub also lets people share documents and files if using the Focus Flash on a corporate network.

Next page: Wrap-Up

Related

Apple Announces iOS 15

Jun 7, 2021
Apple today announced iOS 15, the next version of its core software that powers iPhones. Version 15 is not a major overhaul, but does add a long list of new features.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is Qualcomm's New Flagship Chip

Nov 30, 2021
Qualcomm has announced the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1, the company's flagship chipset to power 2022's top-end phones. The chip is the successor to the Snapdragon 888, but uses the new single-digit + generation naming scheme the company recently announced.

iPhone 14 Plus Offers a Big Screen For Less

Sep 7, 2022
Apple has revealed the iPhone 14 series, with new features, improved specs, and new size options. In place of a Mini option, the iPhone 14 will come in the same 6.1-inch and 6.7-inch screen size options as the Pro models.

Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Redefines AI in Flagship Phones

Nov 15, 2022
Qualcomm has announced its newest top-end chip, intended to power most flagship-level Android phones in 2023. As expected, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 is more powerful and power-efficient across the board (compared to Gen 1), but the most impressive improvements and new features involve AI.

Qualcomm vs. Bullitt: Satellite Connectivity Comparison and Hands On

Both Bullitt and Qualcomm have just announced new solutions for putting satellite connectivity in Android phones. Both services offer full two-way messaging for non-emergency use, in addition to an SOS service.

Samsung Focus Flash

3.7" display 480 x 800 pixels
Snapdragon processor
1,500 mAh battery
Headphone Jack (3.5mm)

more news about: