AT&T May Be Prepping the Samsung Epix

Strong evidence has emerged that when AT&T releases the successor to the Samsung BlackJack II it won't be called the BlackJack III, but will instead be known as the Samsung Epix.

It's possible the name change comes from the fact that while Samsung's successor to BlackJack has much in common with its predecessors, it also has some significant changes, including running a different edition of Windows Mobile.

The Epic Story of the Epix

AT&T released the first BlackJack in 2006, based on the Samsung i607. This was followed the next year by the BlackJack II, based on the Samsung i617. Both of these ran the edition of Windows Mobile created for smartphones without touchscreens.

When reports of the Samsung i788 surfaced earlier this year, many assumed it would be called the BlackJack III because of its similarities to the earlier models. Still, others doubted this because of the significant differences.

Most notable of these is the fact that this smartphone has touchscreen, and therefore runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro. In addition, instead of the QVGA display on the earlier models, the i788 will have a 320-by-320-pixel one.

In addition, this device will have an on-screen pointer controlled by a touchpad built into the D-pad.

Now, an internal AT&T training document that was leaked to BGR shows that this carrier will indeed offer this model, and won't call it a BlackJack. Instead, it will be the Samsung Epix.

More About the Samsung Epix

Unless AT&T has significantly modified the Samsung i788, the Epix will have 3G, Wi-Fi, a GPS receiver, and a microSD card slot.

The GPS receiver is a safe bet, as AT&T employees attending a session on this smartphone will be meeting with representatives from TeleNav, which makes navigation software.

Exactly when the Epix will debut is not known, but the training session is scheduled for October 23, and the launch isn't likely to be more than a few weeks after that.

It is expected to cost about $200.

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