The Samsung Memoir Serious Cameraphone Will Debut Later this Month

T-Mobile USA has just promised to introduce the Samsung Memoir in less than two weeks. This will be high-end phone whose 8-megapixel camera and design will give it a strong focus on digital photography. In addition, it will have multimedia and messaging features and support for 3G.

This device was pre-announced early this month, but at that time T-Mobile did not reveal pricing or availability information. Today, this wireless carrier said the Memoir will be available beginning February 25, for $250 with a two-year service agreement, $50 mail-in rebate, and qualifying data plan.

It's a Camera
This device will be centered on its 8-MPx camera with Xenon flash, and has even been designed to look and feel like a point-and-shoot camera (see here). It will offer 16x digital zoom, five shooting modes, and support for both still images and video.

A new photo widget from Samsung will allows users to post images taken with the Memoir directly to their favorite online photo sharing site, such as flickr, Kodak Gallery, Photobucket, and Snapfish.

It's a Phone
Despite looking like a simple point-and-shoot camera, the Memoir will really be a very capable phone.

It will use Samsung's TouchWiz finger-friendly user interface on its 400 by 240 touchscreen, and include a music and video player and a full-HTML web browser.

The Memoir will sport an on-screen keyboard and offer multiple messaging capabilities, including text, multimedia messaging, instant messaging and email.

It will include Assisted GPS navigation, which will allow customers to use location-based services including turn-by-turn directions.

To speed up a variety of tasks, from picture sharing to web browsing, this model will support T-Mobile 3G cellular-wireless network. For hands-free use, it will feature stereo Bluetooth technology, speakerphone, and voice-activated dialing.

"This is the camera phone that will make people want to leave their digital camera at home," said Bill Ogle, Chief Marketing Officer for Samsung Mobile. "When you combine the Memoir's imaging capabilities, customizable menus and music player, not only is it a great phone, but the entertainment possibilities are unlimited."