The good: The Samsung Alias 2 has an innovative keypad that takes different forms depending on how you're using the phone. Its feature set is well-stocked and its overall performance for calls, video, and music is satisfying. The bad: The Samsung Alias 2's navigation controls take acclimation. The phone lacks Wi-Fi and POP3 e-mail access is limited to a Web-based interface. Also, adding up the various data features is expensive. The bottom line: The Samsung Alias 2 is an inventive update to Samsung's previous messaging phone. Provided you can afford it, and learn how to use it, it's a powerful messaging device with reliable performance. The Samsung Alias 2 is not an attempt to revive Jennifer Garner's "Alias" television show. Rather, it is the third revamp of the Samsung SCH-U740 for Verizon Wireless. Also built for messaging and sporting a dual-hinged design, the Alias 2, aka the SCH-U750, adds more significant changes than the second generation Alias. The morphing e-ink keyboard is undoubtedly the highlight, but the Alias 2 also adds a 2-megapixel camera and support for corporate e-mail syncing through RemoSync. The result is a functional and full-featured communication device with good performance. Be advised that learning how to use it will take time, and the extra data features almost make the handset uneconomical, but the result is a solid addition to both the Samsung and Verizon stables. You can get it for $79.99 with service and a $50 mail-in rebate. Design From the outside, the Alias 2 doesn't look like much. Straight lines and sharp angles predominate and it's noticeably bigger (4.01 inches by 2.04 inches by 0.67 inch) than most flip phones. But trust us when we say that everything is there for a reason. The bigger size and boxy shape hide all that is inside, and the extra weight (4.34 ounces) gives the phone a sturdy feel in the hand. The Alias 2 only comes in a dark gray color (the SCH-U740 is available in three hues), but we don't mind. The external display measures 1.3 inches and supports 65,000 colors (128x128 pixels). It shows all the information you'll need including the date, time, battery life, signal strength, and photo caller ID. It also works as a viewfinder for the camera lens, which is located just above. You can customize the display's contrast, wallpaper and clock style, but the short backlighting time isn't changeable. Below the display are dedicated controls for the music player. You can use them to activate the player and cycle through your songs without opening the phone. You use these same keys to take a self-portrait with the camera. The remaining exterior controls include a volume rocker and a voice dialing button on the left spine. You'll also find a 2.5 millimeter headset jack and a proprietary charger jack. You probably can guess that we'd much prefer a 3.5 millimeter headset jack and a standard Micro-USB charger port. On the spine are a power control, a handset locking key, and the microSD card slot. The main display measures 2.6 inches and supports 262,000 colors (320x240 pixels). It's bright and beautiful with sharp colors, photos, and graphics. The menu interface continues to evolve, albeit very slightly, from Verizon's standardized design. In a welcome change, your picture files get a dedicated folder on the main menu--we like that you no longer have to dig into the V Cast menu to find your shots. A few menu themes are available, though the default My Place option is overdesigned. We prefer the simple icon-based interface. You can change the backlighting time, the menu font style and size, and the dial font size. As mentioned, the Alias 2's keyboard is its star attraction. Indeed, you'll notice immediately that it looks a bit unusual. In place of a traditional navigation array and fixed keypad buttons, there are a number of square and rectangular tiles. These tiles are actually buttons that take on different uses depending on which way you've opened the phone. In vertical mode, the keys will assume one form, and in horizontal mode three different arrangements are available. The e-ink technology (as it's called) is similar to Moto's ModeShift technology, but more advanced. Instead of simply switching the backlighting on the keys, the characters on the keys actually change. So for example, a number key can switch to a letter key at the press of a button. We're not sure how it works, but the result is an easy-to-use experience once you get the hang of it. It's also pretty spiffy and sure to be a conversation piece for the short term. We like it because it solves a big problem from which the previous versions of the handset suffered. Instead of a crowded arrangement where almost every key had to serve two different functions, the e-ink keyboard offers a much cleaner experience. Only one character is displayed at a time, and keys not in use go completely white.