SEOUL, South Korea-The most unlikely of players, the Federal Communications Commission, provided the first look at the new “Matrix” mobile phone from Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
Pictures of the device were available on the FCC’s Web site. The FCC certifies all radio devices. According to the pictures, the new SPH-N270 will work on Sprint PCS’ CDMA network.
Samsung has been hyping the mysterious phone for the past several weeks and has even launched an Internet site for the device, www.thematrixphone.com. However, the Web site provides only a split-second glimpse at the unique, blocky mobile phone. Samsung designed the phone as a prop for the upcoming “The Matrix Reloaded” movie, which will be released in May, and will sell a commercial version of the futuristic device.
There was some speculation that the device would use Microsoft Corp.’s operating system, because Microsoft and Sprint are named as the co-hosts of Samsung’s “Matrix”-themed party scheduled for next week’s CTIA trade show in New Orleans. Samsung would not comment on the issue, but Microsoft said its software will not be used in the “Matrix” phone.
