Gizmondo

Despite the fact that it is built from the ground up to be a SIM card based, GPRS multi-user game console, there's no voice call functionality. Lots of bluster from Mr G., but I get the impression it was a question of cost and time to market. Silly move in my estimation, but watch for version 2, I reckon. You can still use it to send and receive SMS messages though.

* It's really feature packed, what with the MPEG4, MP3, SMS messaging and up till now hush hush Nvidia 3D graphics chipset. But it's the GPS that the company is clearly pinning its hopes on. This will allow the product to be used as an in-car satellite navigation system (software already on the way) via the GPRS, as well as allow for a whole raft of GPS games. Mr G. mentioned an FPS game called Colors which would use GPS to detect if someone came within your physical 'territory' and challenge them automatically. Sounds woo-hoo, eh?

* Battery life is so-so at 2.75 hours intensive gaming, which I suspect will slump with intensive GPS and GPRS too.

* Scary talk of sending smart advertising (a la spam-ville?) for new music, videos etc via GPRS, which would identify where you were from the GPS and then direct you to the nearest store to buy said item. Minority Report anyone?

Overall View: Pros - Nice form factor (genuinely pocket sized - as opposed to Sony PSP?), GPS, GPRS and SMS features add value, great screen for watching multimedia, priced OK at £229.00. Cons - Games, games, games. Sony and Nintendo have muscle, expertise and cash. If this puppy doesn't get a whole raft of killer games by launch, it's a doorstop.

www.gizmondo.com

Via:enorgis.com