Mitac to Sell Smartphones in Taiwan, HK Next Week

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article5.asp?datePublish=2003/07/11&pages=PR&seq=204' target='_blank'>http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Article5.asp?datePublish=2003/07/11&pages=PR&seq=204</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/mio-8380_narrow.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> "Mitac International, which debuted its Mio 8380 smartphone in Taiwan last month, said it will begin selling the handset in Taiwan and Hong Kong on July 17. The handset retails for NT$16,800 (about US$489) in Taiwan and will be available through 3C retail shops run by Synnex Technology International. In Hong Kong, the handset will be priced at HK$3,880 (about US$497). Beverley Pacific International, the sole distributor for Sony Ericsson handsets in Hong Kong, will handle distribution.<br /><br />Initial shipments to Taiwan and Hong Kong are 500 and 1,500 units, respectively. Mitac has been selling the same smartphone device, dubbed the CECT Mio 8380, in China since June 30. According to the company, shipments will reach 20,000 units as of the end of July. Its Chinese partners are Chinese Electronics Corporation Telecom (CECT) and China Mobile."<br /><br />You can find further information about the Mitac phone <a href="http://mobile.burn.com/review.jsp?Id=274">in this article at MobileBurn.</a> Looks impressive!

[greenmozart]

Now for the obligatory question: Can I get one sent to me here in the good ol' USA? I have been debating whether to go with Verizon (and wait for the i600) or TMobile (and try desperately to get the 8380 since it is actually being sold somewhere). I like the idea of TMo's unlimited data plan and this phone - what a dream package! :robot:

Will we be able to order an unlocked, SIMless, English version of this phone and have it shipped to the US? Or will I have to make a friend in Taiwan? :roll:

[encece]

Dont forget....your friends are our friends! (share your friends!)

[entropy1980]

Someone's got one on ebay kind of pricey though....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3034771567&category=41350

[greenmozart]

I saw the one on eBay. Crazy expensive!

Anyone in the Mio-fied Far East countries of Taiwan and Hong Kong that would like to participate in an exchange program? I'll give you blue jeans and Beatles tapes for a SIM-free, unlocked Mio 8380 with English ROM. :x-mas:

Seriously, anyone know if there is an online retailer we can hit up for a few overseas orders?

[greenmozart]

OK, bad news and good news.

The bad news is PPCW.net is reporting that the Mio 8380 being released next week in Taiwan and HK will be Chinese language only (http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1397). DAMN!

The good news is it apparently will be available in Europe at the end of Q3 (http://65.115.69.88/mio/products_mio8380.asp)!!

Hadn't seen this anywhere so thought I'd share what I found. I'm like a dog in heat with these clamshell smartphones! (forgive the disturbing visual) :pukeface:

[Arne Hess]

Someone's got one on ebay kind of pricey though....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3034771567&category=41350
8O US $750.00 :?: :?: :?:
And I thought the PPCW.Net i-Mate is expensive... :wink:

[Jason Dunn]

Someone's got one on ebay kind of pricey though....

Wow! I'm tempted, but $750 US is expensive, and the seller is kind of a bastard - he won't absorb the 3% PayPal fee himself, and wants to make the buyer pay. Sheesh. :roll:

[jdmountford]

The Mio is almost enough reason to get a T-Mobile account. We will see if it ever makes it to the point of a reasonable purchase price to those of us in North America.

[bbarker]

Very nice looking device.

[charlie tai]

I saw the one on eBay. Crazy expensive!

Anyone in the Mio-fied Far East countries of Taiwan and Hong Kong that would like to participate in an exchange program? I'll give you blue jeans and Beatles tapes for a SIM-free, unlocked Mio 8380 with English ROM. :x-mas:

Seriously, anyone know if there is an online retailer we can hit up for a few overseas orders?

I am from Taiwan. But I am not interested in Blue Jeans and Beatles tapes. :lol: Taiwan produced a lot of blue jeans and tapes.

Anyway, I am going to the retail store now to see the Mio 8380!
Today is July 17. :P

[greenmozart]

j/k on the jeans and tapes, but I'd be happy to arrange a deal if an unlocked, SIM-free, English ROM version of the phone can be had and shipped to the US.

If not then I'm still very curious on your impression of the phone from every angle - appearance and especially functionality (if you're able to play with it).

Looking forward to your smartphonethoughts!

[charlie tai]

Somebody here in Taiwan already got the Mio 8380.

And surprise!! The Mio 8380 you can get in Taiwan is in English by default.
For Chinese users, they need to install Chinese language kit by themself.http://mobile.my-life.net/attach/mml-20030719000508-Mio8380_0022.JPG

http://mobile.my-life.net/attach/mml-20030719000508-Mio8380_0025.JPG
Well, looks pretty cute!

[greenmozart]

SWEET MOTHER OF ALL THINGS BIG AND SMALL!

It is huge, but I don't care. I want one!!