Android OS-based Samsung Captivate Released by AT&T

AT&T's first high-end Android OS smartphone is now available. The carrier offers two entry-level models running Google's operating system, but Samsung Captivate has a range of cutting-edge features.

It runs Android OS 2.1 on a 1 GHz Samsung Hummingbird processor, and is bundled with an array of software, including Google Maps, Gmail, Google Calendar, YouTube, and Google Talk,

In addition, the Captivate comes with Samsung’s Social Hub, which integrates email, instant messaging, social network updates and SMS messages. It also includes AT&T Address Book and AT&T Navigate.

Users can find many thousands of additional apps on the Android Market.

Loads of Features
The Captivate has a tablet shape with a 4-inch, WVGA (800 x 480), Super AMOLED display.

This smartphone is able to access AT&T's 7.2 Mbps 3G network, and it also sports Wi-Fi b/g/n and Bluetooth 3.0.

This model has a 5 megapixel camera with support for recording 720p HD video as well as still images.

It has 16 GB of internal storage and a microSD memory card slot for adding additional capacity.

Other items on the features list include a GPS receiver, six-axis sensor, accelerometer, and a gyroscope.

Pricing and Availability
The Samsung Captivate is available now on AT&T's website.

The price is $200 -- typical for a high-end smartphone. What's not typical is that getting this price won't require sending in a mail-in rebate, though a two-year service contract will be a necessity.