AT&T and Verizon get new Samsungs
Samsung SCH-U410
(Credit: Mobiledia)Sneaky Samsung has been hard at work slipping new phones under the radar. Though last week, it announced the Gleam SCH-U700 with a bit of fanfare other handsets have yet to get such love. Yesterday the company's SCH-U410 popped onto Verizon Wireless' Web site. As we told you back in May, the SCH-U410 flip-phone design is modeled after the Samsung SCH-U340. But, while the SCH-U340 offered only the most basic features, the SCH-U410 is a bit more advanced. Inside you'll find Bluetooth, a VGA camera, and compatibility with the carrier's GPS service. The SCH-U410 is $29.99 with service. Verizon is also offering the previously announced Samsung Juke for a pre-order price of $99.99. The skinny phone should be out next month.
For AT&T, Samsung is now touting two new handsets. The Samsung SGH-A517 features a flip-phone design in basic black with such features as a megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and a music player with external controls. The SGH-A517 went on sale today for $49.99 with service.
Samsung SGH-A517
(Credit: AT&T)Though it has yet to appear on AT&T's Web page, Samsung is listing the SGH-A127 under the AT&T section on its site. The SGH-A127 appears to be a basic phone for making calls. Features are limited to a a simple camera, messaging, and a Web browser, while the flip-phone design appears to be equally functional. On the other hand, the red color scheme makes it somewhat unique.
Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent. 
What good is a fancy, complicated phone if you can't fulfill the most basic function of a phone which is to make and receive phone calls.
I can't do this in many places in Texas with Verizon. I'm greatly disappointed with Verizon. And to think I changed to them because of the recommendation of Consumer Reports.
Boy are they wrong.
I can't help but wonder if the user before me knows how to update his phone (*228), since I have traveled all over the country, and while certainly I have encountered a dead spot here or there, I have never experienced the sort of problems that he mentions, with ANY Verizon phone.