AT&T and Samsung today announced the availability later this year of the BlackJack II (SGH-i617), a sleek device powered by AT&T’s 3G-enabled BroadbandConnect network that has the familiar look and feel of your desktop with Windows Mobile 6.

BlackJack II  is available in slick black and red wine color options, features a full QWERTY keyboard, large 2.4″ QVGA color display screen and front jog wheel to elevate productivity and improve the mobile experience.

The BlackJack II boasts an enhanced feature set, which includes:

• Built-in GPS, Support for location-based applications such as TeleNav GPS Navigator
• Tri-band 3G UMTS/HSDPA and Quad-band EDGE/GPRS
• RSS Reader Client
• Significant improvement in the standard battery capacity
• A 2.0-megapixel camera with video-capture capabilities.
• Increased standard memory.

In addition to a robust feature set, BlackJack II provides users with access to multiple e-mail accounts, both personal and business, through Microsoft Direct Push technology with Outlook Mobile and AT&T Xpress Mail, which includes most major POP3/IMAP providers. The BlackJack II also offers over-the-air synchronization of contacts, calendar and task lists with Microsoft Exchange Server or AT&T Xpress Mail.

BlackJack II will be among the first Windows Mobile 6 devices from AT&T to support Microsoft’s System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008. Available for BlackJack II in 2008, System Center Mobile Device Manager 2008 offers companies an end-to-end solution for managing and securing Windows Mobile devices. Employees will also have access to company information and a line of business applications from a single, secure place behind the firewall by using a cutting-edge Mobile Virtual Private Network (VPN).

With features such as stereo Bluetooth technology - with stereo headset support - a 2.0-megapixel camera with video-capture capabilities, an RSS reader client and Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, users will always be connected, entertained and informed. Built-in GPS technology allows customers to location-based applications, including TeleNav GPS Navigator, which provides GPS-enabled turn-by-turn voice and on-screen driving or walking directions, colorful 3-D moving maps and traffic-delay alerts with one-click rerouting.

The BlackJack II is expected to be available by the end of the year for $149.99 with a two-year contract and mail-in rebate.