Samsung Reinvents the Cube with the Omnia II by Simon Drew
From Squares to Cubes
When cube style interface menus first came out years ago, tech analysts and gadget freaks all agreed, cube style user interfaces are the way to go. Cubes were the literal evolution of the flat 2D menus we have all come to know. Of course, that was during the time when hardware capabilities were laughable by
today��s standards and getting any high end gear meant turning a mobile device into a giant bulky contraption. With mobile phones and pocket PCs carrying more and more heat these days, it comes as no wonder that Samsung has decided to apply this amazingly cool looking style into the I8000 Omnia II.
Opening the Samsung 3D Media Gate
Samsung calls it the ��3D Media Gate��, they can also call it ��funky 3D thingamabob�� and it would not matter, the cube is one of the best interface designs ever to be used. The media gate, as you can tell with its name, allows you to instantly access the various media formats and players you have on your mobile phone. Accessing the cube is easy, Samsung has appropriated a button just for calling up the cube. Rotating the cube and accessing its features is done easily on the touch screen. Using the Media Gate is both intuitive and fun. Yes, when you are bored, you can literally play with the cube.
Each cube face opens a different application set and media formats. From the cube you can access the camera, your photo album, music files, video files, games & applications and your web browser. Also, these shortcuts are also available as small buttons on the bottom of the screen, which is a nice alternative if you do not want to flip around the cube. Not that there is any reason for you not to want to. You can also keep tabs of your favorite files, media and contacts for quick access as well.
Six Sided Sophistication
One thing about the cube that people will have to agree on is the fact that it is very, very showy. Simply put, the cube interface looks really good. Even if you are not the person using the device, seeing the cube roll around and display different menus on each face is impressive. Getting a hands-on experience is downright enjoyable. With these kinds of results and feedback, you can tell that Samsung has truly put some serious time and effort into making the 3D Media Gate an excellent and needed feature instead of being just a technological novelty. As an interface it is easy to access, it is intuitive and most of all, it never gets repetitive to use.
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