The new Samsung i7500 will be the company’s first touch-based smartphone to run the Google Android operating system. The initial release will bring the i7500 to O2 subscribers in Germany this June and Samsung is hinting at broader availability of the device.

The Samsung i7500 features a 3.2-inch touchscreen interface and runs the latest Android 1.5 Cupcake build. This gives the i7500 touch typing and bluetooth stereo capability along with an improved interface over the original version of Android.

Users will be able to connect via their i7500 using Wi-Fi, bluetooth or their carrier’s data service to access all of the phone’s native interfaces to Google services. The phone also supports full navigation and location-based applications with a built in GPS receiver.

The Samsung i7500 was also built with multimedia use in mind. The device includes a 5 mexapixel camera with autofocus and a high resolution screen for watching content.

While the device’s first official launch in June has only been confirmed for O2 Germany, Samsung hints that the phone is likely to be available in other major European markets. No word yet whether the company plans to bring the i7500 across the pond to the States yet.

While there are still only a handful of mobile phones running Android on the market today, companies such as Motorola and others are racing to launch devices running the operating system. Even some netbook makers have caught Android fever, announcing the first netbook device to run the operating system.

Full specs and picture below:

Network

• HSDPA 7.2Mbps / HSUPA 5.76Mbps (900 / 1700/ 2100MHz)
• EDGE / GPRS (850/ 900/1800/1900)

OS

• Android 1.5 Cupcake

Display

• 3.2” HVGA(320×480) AMOLED

Camera

• 5 MP Camera (Auto Focus), Power LED

Video / Audio

• Video: MPEG4, H.263, H.264, WMV
• Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, e-AAC+, WMA, RA

Connectivity

• Bluetooth® 2.0, USB 2.0, WiFi, MicroUSB, 3.5mm ear jack

Memory

• Internal memory: 8GB
• External memory: Micro SD (Up to 32GB)

Battery

• 1500 mAh

Size

• 115 x 56 x 11.9mm

Related:

Nokia and Motorola to go Android

Samsung Android at Barcelona a figment of your imagination

Google unveils ‘Android’ for cell phones, the iPhone killer

Opera mini arrives for Google’s Android, but there are no phones

HTC bringing Android OPhone to China

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Entry was posted on Monday, April 27th, 2009 at 10:24 am under Google, Media players, Open source, Technology.

Read more entries by Dave Jeyes.
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