Gigabyte g-Smart Released

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.gigabytecm.com/gbc_smart.aspx' target='_blank'>http://www.gigabytecm.com/gbc_smart.aspx</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20051215-gSmart.jpg" /><br /><br />Previously known as the Einstein, <a href="http://www.gigabytecm.com/gbc_smart.aspx">Gigabyte's g-Smart</a> has just been released in Taiwan. This Pocket PC Phone Edition features an Intel PXA272 416MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 64MB ROM, a tiny 2.4" QVGA (240 x 320) 262K-colour TFT-LCD, Bluetooth 1.2, 802.11b Wi-Fi, tri-band GSM/GPRS support, a 2.1-megapixel CMOS camera, a miniSD slot, a TV and FM radio tuner, a somewhat low-capacity 840mAh lithium battery, and Windows Mobile 5.0. <a href="http://www.mml.com.tw/newsdetail.php?id=1103">Mobile Life (Taiwan)</a> has a nice collection of pictures that are worth checking out. The g-Smart measures in at 109mm x 53.5mm x 24mm and weighs 153g.<br /><br />In other news, <a href="http://www.digitimes.com/news/a20051215A8044.html">DigiTimes</a> is reporting that Gigabyte has plans to jump into the mobile markets of China and India in 2006. They also have plans to release eight to ten new mobile devices in the new year. Six to eight of those will most likely be PDA phones with additional support for integrated GPS, enhanced multimedia, and DVB-H TV.

[stevelam]

Wow. That looks quite nice. Shame about the 64mb ROM though. That really ruins it for me. Does anyone know if there are any DVB-H services in the western world?

[saru83]

i'm not sure how a 2.4" screen work for a PDA Phone, but anyways it has tons of features packed in a nice tiny package.!!

[Raphael Salgado]

Any chance they'd have the ROM and its applications in English?

What wasn't mentioned above is that it's tri-band (900/1800/1900), so it's as good as my Universal here in the US...

I don't care much for the ROM, now that I store nearly everything on the memory card anyways - runs faster, too..

Thank God they included Wi-Fi.

Ok... so who's a reseller for this item?

...They're only going to launch 8 to 10 devices this year? Who are going to be the lucky people to get them? Must cost a lot to produce just one, or maybe they're making it in their garage... :lol:

By the way, here's a Flash presentation:
http://www.higiga.com/HigigaFrontStage/event/g-smart/index.htm

[MarcTGFG]

I am a little bit concerned about battery life.

Same processor as Magician (416 Mhz), + Wifi, +Radio + TV and 25% less battery capacity.

Obviously there is an alternative high capacity battery with 1300mah. But how thick does this make the already 24mm unit?

If anybody finds a version with english rom though and a reseller who caters to germany, then give me a call :-)

[mmidgley]

did I miss something? wouldn't it be named the GIGABYTE if it had 1GB internal flash or something?

m.

[bnycastro]

hmmm the battery capacity being so small is what worries [especially if they are pushing this as a media device + communications device]. the 2.4 in screen is ok I guess [I think if the smaller screen makes them push the pixels closer it will make a crisper image]

[Darius Wey]

What wasn't mentioned above is that it's tri-band (900/1800/1900)...

Oops. I was sure I had that listed, but I guess I left it out. :oops:

Anyway, I've just added it in.

[Darius Wey]

did I miss something? wouldn't it be named the GIGABYTE if it had 1GB internal flash or something?

You'd hope so, wouldn't you? ;)

A lot of people in America seem to be unaware of the Gigabyte brand. They're well-known in the computer industry for making computer hardware (particularly, motherboards), and now, mobile phones. Despite the name, they aren't forced to create 1GB devices. :lol:

[pocketpcadmirer]

hmmm the battery capacity being so small is what worries [especially if they are pushing this as a media device + communications device]. the 2.4 in screen is ok I guess [I think if the smaller screen makes them push the pixels closer it will make a crisper image]

Um..I think the 2.4 inch screen is way too small..I find my magician's screen hurting on my eyes after 1-1.5 hours of reading(or web-browsing).

It really hurts when you are in a coffee shop and playing a 'battle' with tiny screen to get the taps correctly :(

Smallest screen size should not be less than 3.2 inch.

Sunny

[Raphael Salgado]

If anybody finds a version with english rom though and a reseller who caters to germany, then give me a call :-)

Same here... except I'm in the US. I have contacted the cool import guys at Kemplar.com and they said they are talking to their Asian connections to see what they can pull up about the G-Smart.

Let's keep this thread alive while we find a reseller/importer...

[MarcTGFG]

Same here... except I'm in the US. I have contacted the cool import guys at Kemplar.com and they said they are talking to their Asian connections to see what they can pull up about the G-Smart.

Let's keep this thread alive while we find a reseller/importer...

Right!

All my hope rests on you! ;-)

A pity you sold your Wizard and stopped blogging about it. :-(

[Jonathon Watkins]

I've been using Gigabyte motherboards for years. I'm running two at the moment in fact. A bit surprising that they are entering the PPC arena, but hey, the more the merrier. Especially with devices as spec'd up as this one. Shame about the battery size.......