BGR's AT&T sources sent on an internal flyer promoting an internal event to teach their employees about the Samsung Epix, which until now we were calling the BlackJack III and very briefly wondered if it might actually be the Mirage. So now we can say with assuredness that the Samsung i788 will be called the Samsung Epix. We are a little less sure about this, but the pending release of this front-facing QWERTY Windows Mobile Pro device on AT&T might help explain why they didn't take a chance at immediately release another one that's only available unlocked. Ahem.

Anyhow, BGR is guessing a $199 after rebate price point. We're guessing this means that the Mirage is definitely going to be the Omnia. We're also guessing that you're getting tired of all these codenames and name changes. If you're guessing that we don't blame you for that, you're right.

Specs aren't a big secret either: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. 320x320 touchscreen, fiddly optical mouse instead of a dpad, 3G, GPS, and WiFi.

One last note: We are very happy to see this thing not called the BlackJack III. The BlackJack brand belongs to Windows Mobile Standard in our eyes and we would have hated to see it muddied up.

Phone Arena has a post chock full of Samsung-y goodness. Let's parse out what we're expecting here.

On AT&T, there's word that the “Mirage” we'd figured would be the US version of the Samsung Omnia (check out our Hardware Hands on and Software Hands on) is actually nothing more than the internal codename for the BlackJack III. The BJIII, if you recall, is expected to be the US version of the Samsung i780 (we figure the US brand will the the i788). In other words: take a BlackJack II and make it a touchscreen, Windows Mobile Pro device.

The Omnia should still be still en-route as well, though there's no new info on it beyond the fact that we now suspect that it's not the Mirage. Although we still expect it, it's not exactly heartening to see the FCC pass something called the SGH-A867 -- it's oddly it's lacking WiFi. Make of that what you will.

We're almost home now: next up is that both devices may also be destined for Verizon. The SCH-i770 will be Verizon's version of the BlackJack III, a rumor that makes sense given Verizon's penchant for uninspiring names. The Omnia is also apparently on deck for Verizon, too.

Clear as mud? Don't worry, we feel the same way.

via Engadget Mobile and BGR

p.s. one piece of bad news: the relatively cool QWERTY Slider, the i640, is coming to the US; It's coming with a custom Samsung OS, though, not Windows Mobile.

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We've been tracking the Samsung i788 saga for quite awhile here at WMExperts. It all started with our hands-on with the non-US-compatible i780 back at CES in January, followed by news that a US-compabitible version called the i788 was not only coming, but it was likely coming on AT&T. Lastly (and perhaps most bafflingly), we heard that it was going to be called the BlackJack III.

Thanks to an enterprising tipster, we have confirmation of all of the above, plus a bit more: It should be dropping in October, the camera is superb, it's just a “little thicker than the BJII,” and that little pointer device that replaces the standard d-pad “works well but takes some getting used to.” All in all, it sounds pretty sweet quality to us, but we gotta wonder: why “BlackJack III?” We like the first two BlackJacks as thin, WinMo standard devices, why do Samsung and AT&T have to go muddying the brand waters like that?

Anyhow, come October you'll be able to judge the Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro, 320x320 Touchscreen, 528MHz processor, 3 megapixel camera, A-GPS, WiFi, and 3G goodness on AT&T for yourself. With specs like that, AT&T can call it pretty much anything they want.

Mobility Site is reporting some new tidbits on the Samsung i788. That's nothing big, we've been expecting the Samsung i788 on AT&T for awhile now. What does seem new is confirmation that it will, in fact, be called the BlackJack III. That's what SK Telecom is calling it, anyway.

Samsung's sequel to the BlackJack II are being sited on the internet as well as details on what the new phone will bring. The SCH-M480, otherwise known as the BlackJack III, will launch with Windows Mobile 6 Professional and will be the first BlackJack with a touch screen. It will sport a 2.6” 320x320 screen along with a Blackberry styled keypad and finger mouse. Additionally, the BlackJack III will feature WiFi 802.11 b/g connectivity, a 2.0 megapixel camera, Bluetooth support, mp3/mpeg4/wmv file support and will be fitted with a microSD card slot.

Expected delivery of the BlackJack III on SK Telecom is sometime in late July. AT&T: We still don't know.