AT&T, Samsung Roll Out 'Epix' SmartphoneAT&T, Samsung Roll Out 'Epix' Smartphone

AT&T and Samsung on Tuesday introduced a smartphone with multiple features for the mobile professional.

The Samsung Epix has a similar form factor as the Samsung BlackJack, but it has a touch-screen interface to go along with a full QWERTY keyboard. The Epix also has a navigational square in the center that uses optical mouse technology, a first for U.S. handsets, the companies said.

The handset is powered by Windows Mobile 6.1, and it's capable of over-the-air syncing of corporate e-mail, calendars, and contacts. It's also compatible with Microsoft's System Center Mobile Device Manager, an enterprise-grade product for managing and protecting deployed smartphones.

"People increasingly need powerful phones to be able to stay in touch with their work and personal lives," said Todd Peters, Microsoft's VP of marketing, in a statement. "The Epix continues Samsung's tradition of sleek, versatile devices that appeals to our shared customer and adds to the already expansive portfolio of Windows Mobile phones on AT&T."

The integrated Wi-Fi or 3G connectivity can be used to check e-mail or surf the Web. There's also GPS that can be used with data services for assisted GPS like location-based searches. The Epix also is capable of using AT&T's Video ShareSM, a service that enables users to share live video over the handset while making voice calls.

Samsung's smartphone is also a capable media player, with support for multiple audio and video codecs. AT&T's cellular video service is on the handset, so users can watch thousands of video clips via streaming video.

There's also a 2-megapixel camera and Bluetooth, and the memory can be expanded up to 32 GB via a microSD slot. The Epix is available now for $199.99 with a two-year contract.