Samsung’s Stratosphere smart phone features a 4-in. AMOLED screen, a QWERTY keyboard, a 1-Gbit/s processor, and the speed of 4G LTE. It targets business users and is available at Verizon Wireless.

If you’re contemplating a new smart phone, Apple’s iPhone 4S is probably on your list. But if you only look at the 4S, you’ll pass up other smart phones that are just as good—if not better. For example, if you have an open mind and want a phone that emphasizes business applications, check out the Samsung Stratosphere from Verizon.

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The Stratosphere is a Galaxy S smart phone and the first 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) smart phone from Verizon Wireless equipped with a five-row QWERTY keyboard and 4-in. Super active-matrix organic LED (AMOLED) display (see the figure). It also supports enhanced B2B-enabled connectivity services from Cisco, the most comprehensive mobile implementation of Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS), and support for secure remote device management from Sybase Afaria.

Ideal for the business professional, the Stratosphere offers superior data management support. It supports Samsung’s Enterprise Platform enhancements such as VPN, encryption, and Mobile Device Management (MDM). EAS includes features such as direct push, e-mail, calendar, contact sync, and Global Address List (GAL), as well as EAS policies including storage card encryption, device encryption, and simple and complex password support—all essential for streamlining business on the smart phone.

Key features also include:

• Fast download speeds of 5 to 12 Mbits/s and upload speeds of 2 to 5 Mbits/s in 4G LTE mobile broadband coverage areas
• Android 2.3 Gingerbread support for Google Mobile Services including Gmail, YouTube, Google Talk, Google Search, and Google Maps and access to more than 250,000 apps available to download from Android Market
• Samsung 1-GHz Cortex A8 Hummingbird Application Processor
• Front-facing 1.3-Mpixel camera for video chat and 5-Mpixel rear-facing camera with autofocus and flash (720p HD playback and 480p DVD-quality recording)
• Mobile hotspot capability for sharing a 4G connection with up to eight Wi-Fi enabled devices or a 3G connection with up to five devices
• AllShare to enable wireless connectivity through Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) so customers can send multimedia content to other DLNA Certified-enabled devices such as TVs and laptops
• Samsung Media Hub, Samsung’s own content service, offering a vast lineup of critically acclaimed films and TV programs for rent or purchase
• Bluetooth 3.0 technology support for headset, hands-free, stereo, phonebook access, and object push for vCard and vCalendar
• Multiple video file formats supported, including DivX and XviD
• Wi-Fi Connectivity (802.11 a/b/g/n)

The Stratosphere’s business features include:

• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync (EAS): communicate directly with your Microsoft Exchange Server enabling push e-mail, calendar, and contacts
• Support for Cisco AnyConnect 2.1 SSL VPN: supports access to private corporate networks using industry-standard VPN protocols with enhanced security of 4G LTE networks and helps users tap into VPN networks with no waiting
• Encryption Services: users and IT administrators can initiate a remote wipe command to erase private information
• Support for Sybase Afaria: MDM capabilities allow an integrated experience for end users if it is required by their IT department or corporate policy

The Samsung Stratosphere is available in Verizon Wireless Communications stores and online for $149.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a new two-year customer agreement.

The Stratosphere obviously is targeting business users with great video capability. Its features may also be a better fit with your company’s cell-phone policies. If you want the higher speed of LTE, a larger screen, and the QWERTY keyboard, this is an interesting option to the iPhone 4S.

Verizon Wireless
www.verizonwireless.com