Samsung Convoy U640 Phone
- Ruggedized clamshell phone meets military specifications for shock and dust resistance, vibration, and more
- Talk instantly to friends and colleagues using Verizon Wireless Push to Talk network; GPS-enabled for turn-by-turn directions; access V Cast Music (with Rhapsody) and Video services
- 2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth stereo music; microSD memory expansion to 16 GB; access to personal email and instant messaging services
- Up to 5 hours of talk time, up to 537 hours (22+ days) of standby time
- What’s in the Box: handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, battery cover removal tool, quick start guide, user manual
Amazon.com Product Description
Built to military specifications to survive extreme shock, water and dust environments, the Samsung Convoy for Verizon Wireless is ideal for highly-mobile and active users who want access to Verizon’s always-on Push to Talk service. You’ll stay on course thanks to the VZ Navigator GPS turn-by-turn direction service, and be able to track employees and colleagues with the Verizon Wireless Field Force Manager service. And using the Verizon Wireless 3G EV-DO data network, you can download music via the V Cast Music with Rhapsody service and watch streaming video with the V CAST Video on Demand service. See more details on optional Verizon Wireless services below.
The Convoy’s high-quality stereo speaker, extended battery life and multiple messaging options make it the ideal device to stay connected in the toughest conditions. |
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The Convoy includes a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder with video capture capabilities, and you can send snapped images of job sites, shopping trips or nightlife excursions via mobile email or MMS messaging. It’s also compatible with text and popular instant messaging services. Other features include Bluetooth 2.1 connectivity for hands-free devices and stereo music streaming, memory expansion via optional microSD cards (up to 16 GB), voice commands, speakerphone, high-quality stereo speaker, personal organizer tools, and up to 5 hours of talk time.
The Verizon Wireless Push to Talk service leverages EV-DO Rev. A technology, which provides customers with fast two-way, walkie talkie-style communication with one person or a group of people. In addition to the simplicity of one number, national coast-to-coast coverage and no hidden charges or fees, this service also offers Presence Information, which shows you who is “on” and available to receive a Push to Talk call.
Key Features
- Fast 3G connectivity thanks to the reliable Verizon Wireless EV-DO, Rev A network
- Meets military specifications 810f standards for shock and dust resistance, vibration, salt fog, humidity, solar radiation, altitude and low and high temperature storage.
- Push to Talk capability enables you to quickly connect with one or multiple team members at the same time with just a push of a button. Connect on the Verizon Wireless nationwide broadband network, and get expanded coverage across the United States within the National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area.
- Place group calls: Hold conversations with as many as 50 total participants.
- Check team member status with Presence: See who is available for a Push to Talk call.
- Manage contacts for the entire company online: Add, delete and assign contacts, create groups and more.
- Use one number, one device: Make and receive voice calls without needing a second device or phone number.
- GPS navigation capabilities via VZ Navigator service
- Clamshell phone with internal 2.2-inch display (176 x 220 pixels, 262K color depth)
- External 1.3-inch color display displays current time, battery life, signal strength, and incoming calls. Also includes external music playback controls.
- 2-megapixel camera/camcorder (Learn more)
- Digital audio player for MP3, WMA, and unprotected AAC/AAC+ formats. Sync music from your PC to the phone and create and manage playlists right on the device.
- Bluetooth connectivity (version 2.1) includes profiles for communication headset, hands-free car kits, and the A2DP Bluetooth profile–enabling you to wirelessly stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones or speaker dock. And with dial-up networking capabilities, you can access the Verizon Wireless Mobile Broadband Connect service to use your phone as a modem. (Learn more)
- Memory expansion via microSD card slot with support for optional cards up to 16 GB.
- Full messaging capabilities including SMS, MMS, Mobile IM, and Mobile Email
- Voice Commands: Voice Dial, Digit Dial Readout, Menu Readout, TXT Message Readout
- Organizer tools including calendar, tip calculator, currency converter, notepad, alarm clock, world clock and stopwatch
- Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off
- Phone book with up to 1000 entries with multiple contacts
- 2.5mm headset jack
- Bilingual Interface: English/Español
- TTY compatible
- Hearing Aid Compatibility = M4/T4
Vital Statistics
The Samsung Convoy weighs 3.88 ounces and measures 3.85 x 2 x 0.94 inches. Its 1300 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of talk time, and up to 537 hours (22+ days) of standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/1900 frequencies as well as EV-DO, Rev A 3G frequencies.
What’s in the Box
Samsung Convoy handset, rechargeable battery, wall/USB charger, battery cover removal tool, quick start guide, user manual
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Verizon Wireless Services
- VZ Navigator Capable: With this GPS-enabled phone, you’ll be able to access the Verizon Wireless VZ Navigator service (additional charges applicable) for voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions, heads-up alerts, local search of nearly 14 million points of interest in the US (such as landmarks, restaurants and ATMs), and detailed color maps.
- Family Locator: Securely locate your family members’ locations from your Verizon Wireless device or the web. The locate feature provides you with the information you need to stay aware and stay in touch, including detailed location information and the address of your family members displayed on an interactive map and the option to receive turn-by-turn driving directions to your family member’s location using VZ Navigator. You can also receive updates when your family members leave or arrive at locations that you define such as school, soccer practice or home, with monitored locations set up within a 1/4-, 1/2- or a 1-mile radius.
- V CAST Music with Rhapsody: Access this exclusive digital music service for RealNetworks and for MTV Networks, which delivers unlimited monthly access to music on up to three Rhapsody-compatible mobile phones and players and online on multiple PCs and Web browsers. For a monthly fee (billed on your Verizon Wireless bill), you can load and reload your subscription songs from your PC to your V CAST Music with Rhapsody phone as often as you want, and take your music on the go.
On PCs running the Windows XP or higher operating system, you can also browse, preview and purchase music using the V CAST Music with Rhapsody software, which is available as a free download from the V CAST Music with Rhapsody download website. Additional subscription charges applicable.
- V CAST Video on Demand: This optional service enables you to watch full-length TV shows plus news, sports, weather and live entertainment video clips. It features more than 100 full-length programs from leading broadcast and cable networks, ranging from highly-rated drama and comedy series to reality programs and children’s programming. V CAST Video on Demand also delivers live sporting events, including NHL hockey games and an upcoming slate of college football games
The service offers unlimited viewing of Basic Videos and the ESPN MVP channel. You can choose from 14 categories, including Entertainment, Kids, Music, Sports, Comedy, News, Pop Culture, Information, Women, Latino, Home & Leisure, Multicultural, Cutting Edge, and Hollywood. Additional subscription charges applicable.
- Mobile Broadband Connect: Use your smartphone as a modem for your notebook when you connect the two using a USB cable–or open a Bluetooth connection–enabling you to access the Internet or your company intranet. The Mobile Broadband Connect tethered modem capability is ideal when you’re traveling and need to use your notebook to check email, access corporate networks, or download large files like presentations and reports. And with Mobile Broadband Connect, you won’t have to buy an extra PC Card or other devices.
- Field Force Manager: Combining a powerful Web-based application with a handset application, the Field Force Manager service provides visibility and control for all of your mobile workers. It’s a turnkey wireless-solutions package that breaks new ground in resource tracking and management. It is composed of three solution modules:
- Location and Tracking uses rich, detailed mapping to show the location and location history of field workers; provides location information when users clock in and out; shows where they are when they accept and complete jobs; creates an audit trail to validate job information for customers; and generates turn-by-turn driving directions.
- Electronic Timecard gives employees an automated way to capture their time, and gives employers the ability to export this information into many current payroll systems for processing.
- Job Dispatch provides an automated way to manage customer service requests, dispatch field personnel, and track job progress through completion.
- Field Force Manager: Combining a powerful Web-based application with a handset application, the Field Force Manager service provides visibility and control for all of your mobile workers. It’s a turnkey wireless-solutions package that breaks new ground in resource tracking and management. It is composed of three solution modules:
Learn More
2-Megapixel Camera/Camcorder
Snap photos and videos on the go with this phone’s built-in still camera and video camcorder, which features:
- Dedicated camera and camcorder key
- Video camera and playback
- Brightness adjustment
- Self timer: off, 3, 5 or 10 seconds
- Color effects: normal, black & white, antique, negative, aqua, green
- Resolution adjustment: 1600 x 1200, 1280 x 960, 640 x 480, 320 x 240, 160 x 120
- White balance: auto, sunny, cloudy, tungsten, fluorescent
- Digital Zoom: up to 10 steps, depending on resolution adjustment
- Multi-shot: series shot, divided shot, panorama shot
The phone itself is very good, it would easily get 4 stars from me and may be 5.
However, the software is simply horrible:
1. You cannot listen to music on either wired or bluetooth headset.
2. You can store files in the phone using WMP, but the player would not find them, you have to use the substandard VCAST software to simply copy your mp3s to the phone. The good thing is that there is no point to copy these files because you cannot play them through bluetooth device, see above.
3. You cannot read books form overdrive library regardless of the way (VCAST or WMP) you used to save them.
4. Voice commands are trying to be smart and do poor job at it. All I need a few commands to call numbers on my calling list and I do not mind to do some training help the phone to recognize the commands. Voice commands are trying to understand everybody from get go and fail more often than not – completely useless feature.
5. To disable voice commands you have to reset the phone.
6. Alarm clock has only 3 alarms and too few options for day: daily, sat, sun, weekdays.
Rating: 2 / 5
A pretty rugged phone for voice and occasional texting. Although packed with many additional “features”, most require extra $$$ to use. Don’t kid yourself into thinking this phone is a budget version of the iPhone or Blackberry – it’s a good basic phone, with some additional features scabbed on. Nothing more.
Performance is excellent in all voice-related categories. Good signal capture, great handset and speaker quality (plenty loud, too), acceptable Bluetooth performance, easy-to-read displays, and keypad buttons that a full-sized human can actually use!
So far the phone has held up well in the real world. Mine travels a lot, and is used on the job almost daily. I’d recommend an external case if ruggedness is a priority. It’s built pretty tough, but won’t survive many drops out of the box. I added a leather case, and expect this phone to handle reasonable abuse for quite a while.
Can’t comment on features like VCast, PTT, or Internet connectivity – I don’t use any of that. It’s a telephone, and it does that job very well. If I want to check e-mail, browse the ‘Net, or download tunes, I fire up the laptop – without incurring Verizon’s additional charges. Really folks, do you think a palm-sized cell phone will give you the performance of a decent PC? You get what you pay for…
Overall, the phone is pretty easy to use. You won’t need a manual to set up the basics. Good thing, since this phone doesn’t ship with a manual. Don’t know what they were thinking. You can download the manual online, which I would recommend.
My only real gripe is with Verizon’s system software – not the phone itself. I won’t list all the petty little annoyances, but the list is long. The menu options are severely limited as far as customizing to my liking – but your mileage may vary. Anyone who is used to Verizon’s software will understand what I’m talking about. Not a deal-breaker, but you’d think after all this time the company would have designed a more intuitive interface with better options. Too many hoops to jump through for everyday tasks – maybe a future software update will address this.
Battery life is phenominal, in my experience. No need for a car charger on a 3-day trip. Sweet. Best battery life of any phone I’ve ever used. The built-in camera is surprisingly good, even without a flash. Nice feature.
Some folks complain about the unit’s bulk, but this isn’t an issue for me. Even with an external case, the phone fits in the pocket of a work shirt. It’s a bit on the heavy side, due no doubt to the large battery. This, in my opinion, is a fair trade-off. If you want a little toy phone for yakking on the city streets, there are many other models to choose from.
If you need a phone that will send and receive calls under all conditions, this is a great choice. Seems to be solidly-built, so I expect several years of service. It’s not a swiss army knife – just a solid little phone that will be there when you need it.
Rating: 4 / 5
I got this when I first came out ,and I am sure glad I did, Verizon is out of stock! Let me share with this phone does it all-tough, rugged, but modern and all the basics needed! Let me walk through this, in order of features I love!
1. Battery Life-Hate charging your phone daily? This is FOR YOU….. A CHARGE WITH FULL USE FOR FOUR DAYSSS! WOW! I use my phone SEVERAL HOURS DAILY, and text all the time, and this phone goes down ONE bar in four days! WOW! I love it …don’t even need a car charger!
2. ADJUSTABLE SIZE FONTS FOR TEXTING AND OTHER THINGS-for us middle aged and older folks , this is great! Can adjust size of fonts for texting, wow! Quick text enables you to simply push a button and send a pre-picked phrase (running late, call me asap, etc), and you can add your own phrases and delete at will!
3. GREAT SPEAKERPHONE. works well, loud, and great voice command and Bluetooth connection!
4. Tunes-who needs an iphone and pay tons of bucks a month? Download your own tunes!! MP 3 player
5. Military Spec-water, salt , fog, altitude, shock, dust, solar, cold resistant…..this phone is a manly phone, thick, but still fits in pocket well. Rubber side grips.
6. DON’T NEED TO OPEN FOR ACCESS-can text, read texts, and check voice mail without opening flip
(BTW, lots of folks complain you cant’ see the clock as it is not always on -I like that, saves battery, and you can push a button to get time if you want. You CAN leave clock always on but this will shorten battery life.
7. PTT Don’t use this feature, but is a nice one.
8. VZ Nav for directions, and automatic location finder to track kids or elderly and find location of phone (and them) on Verizon site.
THIS PHONE IS SUPER…..NOT FANCY, NOT BELLS AND WHISTLES< but solid, LONG battery life, and great Verizon service!
Rating: 5 / 5