Samsung today announces the availability of the Samsung Blast (SGH-t729). The Blast is a fierce-looking crimson and black slider phone that conceals an enhanced keypad for easy text entry, so staying connected via text messages, instant messages and e-mails is simple.

Available exclusively from T-Mobile USA, Inc. (T-Mobile), the Samsung Blast provides ample space to let fingers move at a faster pace, making typing more intuitive, with greater control over the letters and words being entered.

In addition, the Blast is the first T-Mobile phone to provide direct access to personal e-mail, including AOL email, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail, making it easy to check messages anytime of the day. The Blast features a variety of additional features, including access to instant messaging with built-in support for AOL Instant Messenger (AIM), ICQ, Windows Live Messenger and Yahoo! Messenger, stereo Bluetooth technology, a 1.3 megapixel camera with video capture, external memory card slot, MP3 player and speaker independent voice recognition. Users also can stay connected while traveling worldwide with the Blast's quad-band technology.

The Blast also is the first phone to feature an enhanced T-Mobile myFaves experience. Blast users who are myFaves subscribers will enjoy the ability to send an audio postcard, which enables users to send a voice message to accompany a photo. Users also can now send an e-mail or launch an IM client, in addition to a text message, right from the myFaves home screen. Plus, users need never forget another birthday with the ability to set birthday reminders for those in their 'fave' five.

Key features of the Samsung Blast include:

• Integrated access to AOL email, Yahoo! Mail and Gmail
• IMAP4, POP3 and SMTP protocols supported
• Enhanced T-Mobile myFaves capabilities
• QWERTY-like keypad with T9 predictive text
• Stereo Bluetooth technology
• External memory slot (microSD) supports up to 2GB of removable memory
• 1.3 megapixel camera with 4X zoom
• Video capture/recorder
• MP3 player supports MP3 and AAC
• Multiple messaging options (SMS, EMS, MMS)
• AOL, ICQ, Yahoo!, MSN Instant Messaging
• Speaker independent voice recognition
• GPRS/EDGE
• Quad-Band: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
• Display type: 262k TFT color 176x220 (pixels)
• Dimensions: 4.16" x 2.04" x 0.5", 2.82 ounces (with standard battery)
• Talk time: up to 5 hours / Standby time: 8 days (with standard battery)

The Samsung Blast is available exclusively at select T-Mobile retail stores and online at http://www.t-mobile.com .