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The Samsung Omnia 2 was announced for Verizon Wireless back in June, but an official release date and pricing were not disclosed at that time. Unfortunately, CTIA Fall 2009 didn't reveal any new information, but we did finally get some hands-on time with the device.

Both Samsung and Microsoft had the Omnia successor displayed on the show floor, but a Microsoft employee was kind enough to part with his personal GSM version of the Omnia 2 so we could check it out. The smartphone was running Windows Mobile 6.5, but there's some question as to whether the Verizon Omnia 2 will ship with Windows Mobile 6.5 out of the box or Windows Mobile 6.1 with an option to update the OS. Let's hope it's the former.

Let's also hope it ships soon. With the release of the HTC Imagio and the upcoming BlackBerry Storm 2 and Android devices, the competition's getting pretty stiff. Check out our hands-on photos of the Samsung Omnia 2 below and just remember that this isn't the Verizon model, but it'll at least give you an idea of what to expect.

Samsung Omnia 2 photos

Samsung Omnia Pro B7330

(Credit: Engadget Mobile)

On Thursday, Samsung introduced the newest addition to its Omnia smartphone series: the Samsung Omnia Pro B7330. In addition, the company revealed that all of its Omnia models will run Windows Mobile 6.5 and it will release upgrades to current products on the market now.

The Omnia Pro B7330 is expected to ship in October and is designed for the mobile professional. It features a slate design with a full QWERTY keyboard and 2.62-inch QVGA nontouch display. The quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) smartphone includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and assisted GPS. In addition, it has a 3-megapixel camera, 270MB of internal memory, and a microSD expansion slot.

Other models in the Omnia series include the Omnia Pro B7610, the Omnia Pro B7320, the Omnia Lite 7300, and the Samsung Omnia II. The latter is expected to be released for Verizon Wireless later this year, but a specific date has yet to be announced. Microsoft announced in early September that the first batch of smartphones running Windows Mobile 6.5 would start shipping October 6.

No iPhone 3GS for Verizon, but the Omnia 2 is due to hit stores shortly.

(Credit: Samsung)

Since we posted a First Take of Samsung's Omnia 2 back in June, a lot of readers have been asking when Verizon would actually begin selling it. Well, according to the good folks over at the Boy Genius Report (who have a "trusted mole" at Best Buy Mobile), the much-anticipated iPhone pretender will be launching August 23, along with several other phones from different carriers.

Here's the complete list that leaked:

• Omnia 2 (Verizon)
• Global AirCard G2 (Verizon)
• Samsung Rogue (Verizon)
• LG Chocolate Touch (Verizon)
• Samsung u450 Intensity (Verizon)
• Samsung Gravity 2 (T-Mobile)
• Samsung Solstice (AT&T)
• LG Xenon (AT&T)
• BlackBerry Tour (new shipment--Sprint)

More:

Omnia 2 complete specs
Omnia 2 clears FCC

(Source: Gizmodo via Boy Genius Report)

(Credit: James Martin/CNET)

Samsung Mobile just sent out a pretty sweet tweet that should make owners of the Verizon Wireless Samsung Omnia very happy.

The cell phone manufacturer has officially released software update CF03, which unlocks the smartphone's GPS for use with other location-based services. Previously, you were restricted to using Verizon's VZ Navigator app to get turn-by-turn directions, but now you can choose from other third-party navigation solutions.

Other features of the CF03 include the latest Microsoft Adaptation Kit Upgrade (AKU 1.5.1) and Bluetooth support for connecting to VZ Access manager. You can find the download and installation instructions at Samsung.com.

Samsung Omnia family photos

Though we can always count on Samsung to keep us busy, the company in recent months has made its Omnia line a priority. Since the first Omnia landed in our hands late last year, Samsung has continued to expand the family. First, we had the Omnia HD in February and just last month we saw new models unveiled in New York. Though all Omnia models offer touch screens and multimedia features, some handsets make an effort to appeal to specific audiences. To see them all, check out our Samsung Omnia photo gallery.

No iPhone 3G S for Verizon (yet), but the Omnia 2 will be here later this year.

(Credit: Samsung)

Verizon may not have the iPhone 3G S, but the sequel to Samsung's popular iPhone pretender, the Omnia, will be coming to Verizon later this year, Samsung announced at an event on Monday in Manhattan. As for the exact timing of the Omnia 2's launch, that's still up in the air, as Samsung reps said that Verizon had a tight leash on what info could--and couldn't--release at this time.

But here's what we know, and it looks pretty good:

• 65K WVGA AMOLED Display (3.7-inch, 480 x 800--largest AMOLED display yet in a phone)
• Advanced R-type Touch Screen
• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (upgradeable to WM 6.5)
• 5-megapixel CMOS camera with autofocus and face-detection, plus geotagging and a photo editor
• Video recording at 30fps@720x480, plus video editor (trim video, audio dubbing, live dubbing, add subtitle)
• Audio supported: MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WMDRM, OMA DRM 2.1, plus FM radio
• Video supported: DivX, XviD, H.263, H.264, WMV9, MPEG4
• A-GPS with Navigation (3D Map)/LBS
• TouchWiz 2.0 UI with Mobile Widget/3D Media Gate
• Multitask manager/3D Interactive Games
• Bluetooth Stereo Headset (A2DP)
• WiFi
• 2GB/8GB/16GB of internal memory (3 different models)
• microSDHC expansion slot (up to 32GB)
• Up to 10 hours (3G) talk time
• Up to 430 hours (3G) standby time
• Dimensions: 4.65 x 2.36 x 0.47 inches (HWD)

Let us know what you think of the new Omnia 2, Omnia Lite and Omnia Pro, which has a slide-out keyboard.

Samsung Omnia 2 coming to Verizon

Update: Samsung Omnia 2 coming August 23

As the first half of the year draws closer to its end, we're hearing initial rumors of a Plam Pre launch date. May 17 could be the magic day, and it would fulfill Palm promise of a live device by July. We also discuss a trio of interesting models to clear the FCC, Nicole dishes on the new version of Bluetooth, and Casio steams up YouTube with a provocative video of its new phone.

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As Samsung made an impressive showing at the GSMA World Congress it's difficult to pick one of its new phones as the most notable. Yet, the company's Omnia HD certainly would be in the running. We had the opportunity to check it out while visiting with Samsung in Barcelona, Spain.

Though the Omnia HD is the next-generation model of the existing Omnia, it shows a few design differences. The curved ends give it a more eye-catching, aerodynamic look. It's also slightly bigger than its predecessor is, but we'll gladly take the extra heft with the stunning 2.7-inch 3.7-inch, 16 million-color display. In all ways, it's bright and beautiful--colors were vibrant, graphics were sharp and video lives up the HD name.

The display uses Samsung's TouchWiz interface with a customizable widget bar on the left side. The touch interface for both finger swiping and selecting icons was responsive and the Symbian interface is intuitive. The display works in landscape and includes an accelerometer for certain functions like the virtual QWERTY keyboard. Speaking of which, the keyboard is very comfortable, thanks to the display's large size. We had no problems tapping away.

There's no doubt that the Omnia HD is striking.

(Credit: Samsung)

The three physical controls below the display include Talk and End/power button; they're rather thin, but we didn't find them to be problematic. There's a single VGA camera lens above the display for video calling while the main lens for the 8-megapixel shooter is located on the rear. It has a flash but no sliding lens cover. Other exterior controls include a volume rocker on the left spine and a camera shutter, a screen lock control and a Micro-USB port on the right spine. The headset jack is located conveniently on the top of the device, but the memory card slot is behind the battery cover.

Features include HSDPA 3G support an 8-megapixel camera, an FM radio, assisted-GPS, Bluetooth, a music player, organizer applications, a speakerphone, and Wi-Fi. We'll get a review model as soon as we can, but check out our Samsung GSMA photo gallery in the meantime.

Verizon's Samsung Omnia

(Credit: James Martin/CBS Interactive)

Verizon Wireless is giving its customers a bit of an early holiday gift by cutting the price on the Samsung Omnia, which debuted less than a week ago. Originally priced at $249.99, you can now get the touch-screen Windows Mobile smartphone for $199.99 with a two-year contract and after a mail-in rebate.

Unfortunately, this drop comes a bit late for anyone who already ordered the Omnia online, but since the device won't hit stores till December 8, you'll save yourself 50 smackers. For more information on the smartphone, check out our full review of the Samsung Omnia.