Samsung A177
- C
- CellFoneFan
- b1L
- 11 Jun 2009
You sure can! In fact I'm listening to it as I type this. :)
Turns out, it does have a 'hidden' mp3 player - after a fashion - and it will play full-length tracks (the 15-sec. limitation applies only to ringtones).
To reveal the mp3 player you have to have mp3 files in the Downloaded Tones folder. You either have to d/l files over-the-air, or use PC Studio (via Media Manager) to put them on via usb cable (what I did). Once you have at least 1 music file in this folder, you can select it, then hit Options, Play... and voila! the mp3 player magically appears :) To be sure, it is *extremely* basic; that's why I said, "after a fashion". Only Play/Stop, go to previous track/next track. You control volume with the rocker on the left spine. There are no playlists, it auto-repeats the selected song at the end, so you have to manually select another because it does not automatically advance to the next, no album art (just a scrolling filename), and no EQ. But hey, it woiks! As mentioned previously, you could use a Java mp3 player app for more options.
Sound quality from speaker is, as you would expect, tinny... though loud. Using stock Samsung 'phones, it's much better, but still lacking in the bass department. But it's listenable.
What I did was use the free 30-day trial version of MP3Resizer (Google it) to make reduced copies of the original files so I could get more on the phone. The trial version is fully functional. I'm averaging ~1.5-3 MB each song, compressed, using 64 kbit/22kHz setting on the resizer, from ~5-10 MB original files. Sound quality degrades, but it's not bad... about FM radio quality. And you can get more than 1 track on the damn thing! :D You could use 80 kbit sampling to get a little better sound at the expense of a little more file size.
- s
- samung
- Y9}
- 11 Jun 2009
CellFoneFan, 09 Jun 2009Forgot to add one other thing; due to strict Java permissio... moreCan you put music onto this phone?
- C
- CellFoneFan
- b1L
- 09 Jun 2009
Forgot to add one other thing; due to strict Java permissions incorporated by Samsung, some apps cannot be installed, even if signed by a trusted source. There seems no rhyme or reason to this; it's hit-or-miss if a particular one works or not. Holding one's breath and praying for an app that you just paid good money to d/l is not a good user experience!
- C
- CellFoneFan
- b1L
- 09 Jun 2009
Having played with the phone for several days now and familiarizing with the ins and outs, I have some things to add to my review.
1. You can use PC Studio (latest version) and a data cable ($21 from AT&T store) to add or remove audio and image files and sync contacts, but you cannot add Java apps this way. If placed in the Other Files folder, the phone will store, but will not recognize them (this folder apparently acts as mass-storage only); and any attempt to place them in music or pictures folders as a workaround returns an unsupported format error. The Games and Applications folders are not accessible via the software. It does seem that either Samsung or AT&T (or both) disabled the ability to add applications by any means other than downloading via wap. A shame, it seems that contrary to my earlier praise, AT&T may be following T-Mo's lead in crippling phones so they can monetize every aspect. :( You can't email them to yourself either, because the built-in email app doesn't allow d/l of attachments and Opera Mini (using webmail) will not recognize .jar extensions as attachments. So if an app you want on the phone is not available on wap or http, you would have to upload it to your own server so you could then d/l.
2. Image files have a size limit; I haven't yet determined what it is, since the software doesn't tell, but it disallows loading any image over a certain file size. I suspect, unfortunately, that it may be tied to the camera's resolution (which seems to be the case with other Sammys). So even with 3rd-party image viewing apps, the phone won't accept image files over that limit (whether or not they can be stored and accessed via such a 3rd-party app in the Other Files folder as a workaround, is unknown).
3. Opera Mini 4.2 works very well.
4. Google Maps installs ok, but freezes during connection. Haven't yet figured out if this is because of wrong version issues, or the network.
5. Stock email app works very well; simplistic, but gets the job done.
6. You can use a 3rd-party mp3 player app (KD Player seems to work well), and compress mp3s on your pc prior to transfer to fit more in the limited memory using a compression utility.
- R
- Rhino
- j{Q
- 07 Jun 2009
I just got the Samsung A177 a couple of days ago, and it is hands down the greatest phone that I have ever held in my hands. I used to have a blackberry, but it just got too complicated, and I HATE the scroll ball. If you are an existing AT&T customer all you have to do is slip your sim card into this phone and you're set. No activation and no dealing with AT&T representatives. In my opinion the Samsung A177 is easily the best phone available from AT&T at this point in time.
- M
- Mikie
- 0h2
- 07 Jun 2009
Looks on the cheap side and limited on the features, appears 99 cents store stuff!
- C
- CellFoneFan
- b1L
- 05 Jun 2009
Looks can be deceiving, and in this case, they are. Best described as a RAZR V3 in Blackberry clothing; while it successfully masquerades as a well-appointed device, in reality, it's lean not only in physical dimensions, but in the feature department as well. It is actually a very basic phone once you get past the full QWERTY.
In response to an earlier poster, it is identical to the Magnet (a257), except in color scheme. In fact I've seen the a177 also referred to as the Magnet.
Pros:
Quadband GSM, thus a true world phone. Verified unlockable by hypersim.
GPRS/wap config parameters readily accessible via menu, not hidden. Thus, wap could be configured for use with an overseas carrier (for those of us who travel). I commend AT&T for being good about this.
Java MIDP 2 and can run the likes of Opera Mini, Google Maps, etc., thus putting it when so equipped into the borderline 'smartphone' category. No Java permissions issues that I'm aware of. Again, thank you, AT&T!
Sound quality in calls EXCELLENT both in normal and speakerphone modes, and bluetooth works great on a headset. By gosh, it's a phone that actually excels in what a phone is supposed to do, ya know...make calls? :-)
Loud ringers and other tones (depending on settings).
Screen is decent sized and while only 176x220 pix & 65k colors, it's quite crisp.
EDGE capable (but no 3G)
IM capable
Has a very good suite of tools and organizer features
Some good apps come stock including Wiki Mobile, mobile email, and mobile banking, again putting it in near-smartphone class in the ways that matter
Slim, feels good in the hand, good for pocket carry, & seems durable. Looks sharp and businesslike, so adults (like me) wouldn't feel silly about brandishing it in public.
Cons:
No memory card slot; 16 MB of shared memory. Contrary to what some posters say, it's not at all unusual for prepaid phones at least those in the mid-to-higher price tiers, to have memory card slots nowadays; in fact it's almost becoming standard.
No mp3 player. Ringtones can be mp3, but limited to 15 secs max. It may be possible to add an mp3 player Java app, but with the limited memory, you won't get much music on it.
No A2DP bluetooth profile, but with no mp3 player it matters not.
No bluetooth file transfer profile, so can only use PC Studio + (proprietary) data cable to get files on and off the phone unless emailing/mms-ing them to yourself or d/l via wap ($$$). Bluetooth is headset/handsfree profiles only.
No photo editor; cannot zoom, rotate or fullscreen pictures (except fullscreen possible by setting as wallpaper, but with overlaid time/date/network info on home screen). I have no idea if there's a file size limit with pics uploaded to the phone (not taken with its cam).
Camera takes mediocre quality photos, yes it's only a VGA but the old RAZR VGA kicked this one's butt every which way to Sunday. No video.
Full QWERTY nice, but keys very tight so it's kind of difficult for those of us with big thumbs. This isn't really a con so much as an observation, as the full QWERTY is, as mentioned, nice.
In summation, this is by all accounts a good workhorse, but those who want features like expandable memory, music playing and picture viewing will be disappointed.
- S
- Shonda Jones
- NRH
- 04 Jun 2009
I haven't recieved my phone yet, I order it today. I'm very big on texting and it was at a very reasonable price.I currently have a LG Shine. I'm not expecting alot from the phone due to the price, but from what I read it will be very sufficent for me. Thanks Samsung, for all of you who posting negative stuff, just don't purchase it and you won't have to complain. If you have already bought it and you are not satisfied. You should have researched the phone before buying as I did. Once again, Thanks Samsung
- t
- teylor
- Iqb
- 04 Jun 2009
well i dont have the phone yet but i will soon. and i think juss by reading about it its a nice phone and not for a bad price...i think its worth it...:)
- C
- CellFoneFan
- b1L
- 03 Jun 2009
Phone memory capacity is 16 MB, not 64 as stated herein. Off-the-shelf, about 14 MB of that is user-available.
- S
- Stew
- YcV
- 02 Jun 2009
I just got this yesterday as a temp replacement from my broken Samsung SLM (A747). Keys for texting are on the really small side. Things missing from this phone that my SLM had: MP3 player, memory expansion slot, ability to sync with my PC using the USB data cable (Samsung PC Studio 3 software), has standard VGA camera. But then again it is considered as a "low-end" texting phone at a reasonable price. This will have to do until my upgrade grace period is renewed with my carrier. Please share if anyone can figure how to sync with Samsung PC Studio/Phone Editor 3 using the USB data cable!
- ?
- Anonymous
- 4}X
- 02 Jun 2009
ok first of all- most of you ppl dont even have the phone... i do and btw it works perfectly and is not a "toy for 5 year olds" so either buy the phone or stop judging it. its great for texters has a decent camera, a good keypad, clear calls, and a lot of great tools.
- b
- bell county
- qax
- 28 May 2009
i have had this phone about a week and it is a great but ringtones have to be less then like 15 sec, there is no sd slot, no video recorder, after so many pics you can not save unless email to yourself, unless you have the net then you can not even get no cool ringtones it is a nice phone but missing a lot. but it has great photo tools and it does have a great tool section.....
- l
- level_up
- vxp
- 26 May 2009
what's the difference between this and the Magnet? they have near identical specs...
- C
- Carolina
- 4h}
- 25 May 2009
emmabby, 21 May 2009I was looking on at&t's website and it says it has "cool to... moreI just bought the phone about 2 days ago and so far i love it.it has a tip calculator
- e
- emmabby
- jpZ
- 21 May 2009
I was looking on at&t's website and it says it has "cool tools" lol. does anyone know if it has a tip calulator?
- P
- Prophetz
- qnr
- 19 May 2009
This is the perfect phone for my son, when he uses his phone it is mostly for texting. This is nothing like my curve or iphone, but it only cost 100.00 bones! Besides, even if I got him a Blackberry Im not going to pay 30.00 a month for the BB service!
- D
- Dubz
- 4DD
- 19 May 2009
This isn't some super high tech phone because not for that kinda user. This is one of those phones you buy you kid that wants a Blackberry...well wants a key pad like a blackberry. Not everyone needs 3G equipped, wifi, do everything phone, hell most people don't need all that stuff its just fun to have. This is like the LG Lotus (LG600K i think) that I bought my lil brother because he wanted a qwerty keypad phone like my Curve. Things like these are just for people to stay in touch using a very unique feature known as "Calling" something most people that phones are capable of performing. I like this phone because these lil lower end phones always seem to last forever.
- R
- Rumen
- 0mq
- 17 May 2009
ismail siraj, 15 May 2009hey guys no one can challenge nokia e71 its best its slim i... moreE71 the best !
- O
- Ober
- jSe
- 16 May 2009
kudos Mr Obvious - this is uber cheap phone -75 euro . c'mon people.
http://www.wireless.att.com/cell-phone-service/cell-phone-details/?device=Samsung+A177+-+GoPhone%C2%AE+(Pay+As+You+Go)&q_sku=sku3730224