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Windows Phone 8 in a no-frills package (pictures)

For just $49.99, the Samsung Ativ Odyssey provides all of Windows Phone 8's bells and whistles wrapped in an unexciting design.

Brian Bennett
Brian Bennett is a former senior writer for the home and outdoor section at CNET.
Brian Bennett
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1 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Live Tiles made for glancing

The Samsung Ativ Odyssey's main home screen, what Microsoft calls the Start screen, features tilelike icons that flash with information in real time.
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2 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Room to expand

On the Samsung Ativ Odyssey's left side sit a thin volume key and a microSD card slot (under flap) to add more storage.
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3 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Snap pics in a flash

On the right side of the Samsung Ativ Odyssey is a power button, plus there's a dedicated shutter key that wakes the phone's camera even from standby.
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4 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

USB port on the chin

The bottom edge of the Samsung Ativ Odyssey features a sole Micro-USB port.
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5 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

An all-plastic back

The back of the Samsung Ativ Odyssey is made from rather cheap-feeling plastic. It's slippery and attracts finger grease easily.
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6 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Get your forecast now

The Now app from Samsung aggregates weather forecasts, news, stocks, and social-media updates in one place.
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7 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Shutter button for fast access

Activate the Samsung Ativ Odyssey's 5-megapixel camera quickly by pressing the phone's shutter button.
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8 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

Xbox games and music

Get your fill of Xbox games and music using the Ativ Odyssey's direct link to Microsoft's entertainment services.

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