Samsung has always been a good bet for a good bash, and for the Innov8 multimedia phone/mobile entertainment phone, Samsung has one of the most compelling reasons to throw the biggest bash ever, as the Innov8 is their first 8MP camera phone and one of the first to have a full 16GB of storage already on-board. Combined with the sheer number of features that it brings to the current, local market, Samsung felt it was high time for a party, timed just on the eve of this phone's launch date. The launch did not just involve a party and dinner during the evening, there was also an Amazing Race style event which unfortunately was not attended by yours truly. Instead, our stalwart Editor-in-Chief had the honor of representing the whole HWM team.

                                             The Innov8 hogging the spotlight(s).

The actual launch was held at the Blue Leaf near The Fort; host of many a swanky social event. It was attended by dozens of luminaries and celebrities, including Gabby Concepcion, Mylene Dizon, and Paolo Paraiso. Perhaps a dozen more glamorous figures remain unmentioned, but the event was undoubtedly high-powered, and as the evening went on, the bantering and greetings took on an air of a grand get-together of a celebratory nature - a perfect backdrop for the release of what will surely become one of the most "in" phones of the year. Slick Rick, Boom Gonzales, and Sam YG, all of Magic 89.9, hosted what started to turn out as a fun evening of discovery on Samsung's newest phone. In the hall where the presentation was held, various photos of the previously held "Great Samsung Innov8 Race" were displayed, showing various views of the metro where the race was held. What's surprising was that these photos were actually taken by the contestants themselves during the event using the Innov8 phones. While we knew that most of the photos were taken by the contestants, we assumed that they were taken by professional DSLRs or even a simple (and dedicated) point-and-shoot.

                                           Pictures taken of the afternoon's Innov8 Race, taken using the Innov8 phones, were posted for all to see.

If the demo videos for the Innov8 were any indication, the scope of this handset's capabilities will put to shame many a competitor's products. In every aspect, the Innov8 one-ups the competition with features that are just that much better, faster, smoother and more accessible. For example, the defining feature of the phone, in both name and feature list, is the 8MP camera. This little gem of a feature has the requisite Auto Focus capability, but goes one further by incorporating an Image Stabilizer, an "Auto-Panorama" shot that I presume will take in a wider vista for scenery pictures, Smile Shot, Blink Shot and Face Detection that almost literally traps the subject into the best possible shot that can be taken of them. Not that anyone would actually avoid the camera on this phone. Of note is the fact that the camera uses CMOS and uses dual LEDs for flash and lighting.

                                            Three DJs from the popular FM station Magic 89.9 were at hand to host the event proper. From left, they are Sam YG, Slick Rick, and Boom Gonzales.

In the same vein, playback of these videos and pictures look amazing on the unit's 2.8" QVGA TFT LCD, which boasts 16 million colors - again simply amazing especially for an LCD of this size. Software support does not lag far behind either - listed video formats include DivX, H.263, H.264, WMV and even the generic MP4. Video recording can be adjusted between a standard 30 fps or a great-for-slow-motion 120 fps– great for those fast-moving situations that will need to be reviewed afterwards, in slow motion. The Innov8 also offers basic video editing
programs for quick touch-ups.

                                             Mr. Charles Choi, VP of Marketing for Mobile Phones, handling the introductionary remarks.

                                             Raine Javalera, PM for Samsung Mobile in the Philippines, assists the hosts in explaining the Innov8's unique features to the audiene.

A lot of other nice features, amped-up in the manner described above, include additional storage that can be fitted externally (16GB of it!) in the form of microSDHC, Blutooth for uncomplicated short-range connectivity, WiFi, 3G, USB 2.0 and even a “3.5pi”Direct Music Jack takes into account most possible connectivity demands that will be made on the Innov8, and addresses them. Of note here is the GPS tracking available with the assistance of the AGIS NavFone software utility, a combination that enables the user to simply key in intuitive queries based on location, street name, location type (like shopping mall, school), and a “Where Am I” function – for the truly lost. This particular feature was heavily used during the earlier portion of the Innov8 launch, with the various teams relying on the little device to guide them from place to place.

                                             The contestants and winners of the afternoon's race were introduced to the audience and given their well-deserved prize certificates.

The evening portion of this launch event shifted into higher gear with the introduction of the winners of the “Amazing Race” type contest, and the entry of some stand-up comedy acts plus a talented 70’s style band act – Juan Pablo’s Dreamers. With the help of VP for Marketing of Samsung Mobile - Mr. Charles Choi and Raine Javalera - Product Manager for Samsung Mobile, much excitement was generated with further description of the Innov8’s features, fitting for the top-of-the-line phone now currently occupying the flagship position in Samsung’s Mobile lineup.

                                           Juan Pablo's Dreamers cranking up the volume.

With this launch, Samsung is sending out a challenge to the other mobile players with the clear advantage in features, backed by renowned Samsung quality, that the Samsung Innov8 has. More than a launch event, the night at Blue Leaf and the Innov8 Race prequel serves as a celebration of impending dominance for the phone that is just that much better in almost all aspects.