Samsung Monte Review

Sometimes when a new handset is released, it is instantly clear where it fits into that particular manufacturer’s line-up of existing handsets, but every once in a while a new product is announced that, whilst being a fine device in its own right, seems to be nothing more than a filler handset, just another variation on an existing phone. The Samsung S5620 Monte is a device that fits into this category. I mean, it is indeed a fine handset, with an impressive array of features, but I do wonder just who it will appeal to, what is the market segment it is aimed at? Perhaps, though, the S5620 isn’t designed to attract a specific type of user, and will instead offer a broad appeal across the market. It will be interesting to see just where this phone sits when it is released.
As I said, the feature setup on the handset is very good, with a solid if not spectacular line-up. Very lightweight, at just 92g, the Samsung Monte measures in at a comfortable 109 x 54 x 12.5mm, very much among the norm for a mid range device. With a full touch enabled display, using capacitive technology, the Monte delivers a TFT screen measuring in at a good 3.0 inches, supporting up to 256,000 colours and with a pixel resolution of 240 x 400. The handset runs on the proprietary Samsung TouchWiz user interface, which is a simple, icon driven menu system that makes navigation simple for even the newest of mobile phone users. The device has a built in accelerometer for auto display rotation, and there is a turn to mute option included too, which handily allows you to mute incoming calls by simply flipping the phone over. Another nice inclusion is the Smart Unlock option, which allows you to unlock the phone and instantly launch a chosen application by simply ‘drawing’ a pre selected shape on your phone’s display. So for example, drawing an ‘M’ could launch the music player, or an ‘S’ could launch the SMS feature, and so on.

Bloodhound cellphone detector

Heard of Berkeley Varitronics Systems before? Never? Well, take note of the company now as they have just annonuced a new advanced hand-held cellphone detector, where it is aptly known as the Bloodhound, paying homage to our four-legged friends who fall under that category, boasting a keen sense of smell. The Bloodhound is able to empower security officers to scan real-time for unauthorized cellphone activity in correctional facilities, helping detect the precise location of the caller courtesy of a Direction Finding Antenna.


Interestingly enough, I just found out today that security officers are losing the battle since contraband cellphones get more commonplace, being smuggled into correctional facilities so that criminal activity can continue behind the bars. Locating and confiscating contraband cellphones which are being smuggled can be a tricky task, even with the help of monitoring sensors, X-ray scanners, metal detectors, drug and bomb dogs. Even cellphone jamming isn’t sufficient to address the growing problem of handset smuggling, which is why the Bloodhound cellphone detector was invented. It is definitely a boon since it is capable of detecting a cellphone within a correctional facility without interfering with citizens’ or public safety communications.

Just like its flesh-and-blood counterpart, the Bloodhound was designed to track down and pinpoint contraband cell phones without interfering with authorized communication channels. It uses a high speed scanning multi-band receiver harnessed to a DF-Direction Finding Antenna, enabling security officers to ’sniff out’ the RF energy – similar in method as to how an actual Bloodhound dog is able to detect a scent which a human could never discern. The Bloodhound’s special algorithm can trigger on to a cellphone while it is still active, and a headphone jack with a progressive audible alert tone and an accompanying vibrator is able to alert security officers of cellphone activity whenever they get closer to the source. Don’t you think that teachers in schools and lecturers at colleges would love to get their hands on the Bloodhound as well?