Gizmondo Launch Date Announced – In UK

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?ContentId=3338' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?ContentId=3338</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Gizmondo, powered by Microsoft Windows CE .Net platform, comes with a 2.8-inch TFT color screen with a Samsung ARM900 400MHz processor and incorporates 64-bit graphics accelerator. It provides gaming, multimedia messaging, a MP3 music player, Mpeg4 movie playing capability, a digital camera, and a GRPS network link to allow wide-area network gaming. It also includes a built-in GPS that can be used for navigation or on-line gaming."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/gametrac.jpg" /><br /><br />Geekzone report that the unit will launched on the 29th of October 2004. The launch will take place in the UK and will then be extended in 2005 worldwide. (I wonder how you extend a launch, but I digress :wink: ). After the UK launch, the console will be available in Europe, North America, well as <a href="http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2924">Australia and New Zealand.</a> The Gizmondo <a href="http://www.gizmondo.com/flash.asp">website</a> says the unit should be available 'before Christmas'. This is the first real gaming device based on WinCE and is certainly feature packed. Looks like I should be able to get my hands on one of these to try it out before the rest of the team, for a change. 8)

[surur]

I thought the sega dreamcast was based on win CE? 2.8 inch is also a bit small for a gaming device, isnt it?

I hate special purpose devices when all the hardware for a general purpose device are present. Why not have a pocketpc layer also?

Anyways, enough ranting. I wish them the best of luck.

Surur

[Jonathon Watkins]

I thought the sega dreamcast was based on win CE?

I thought that it was indeed the original plan, but that in the end they went for their own native operating system. (http://encyclopedia.thefreedictionary.com/Sega%20Dreamcast)

2.8 inch is also a bit small for a gaming device, isnt it?


Hmmm, it does really. Even with landscaped QVGA.

[popabawa]

I still love my Dreamcast :) much better than this modern rubbish...

Some of the games make reference to Win CE on their loading screens so there's something in it I think.

[steddyman]

Sega made Windows CE available as an SDK for Dreamcast and some games actually used and contained CE on the game CD.

There were only about 5 games that actually used it though because the native OS SDK was much faster and more feature rich.

It is a great console.

Steddy

[Falstaff]

It would be nice to see a PPC gaming device succeed, as I know many people have been asking for one, but I just don't think this isn't it. I think this is just some very weak competition for the Tapwave Zodiac II. This device's screen is an inch smaller than the Zodiac's, the reason for this is probably because of all the other stuff Gizmondo crammed in there, most of it just for gadget value it seems. A camera, GPRS, GPS, yet only a single SD slot and no wi-fi? I'm not sure how many people are going to pay for a device like this with so many unneccessary features. How effective is GPS navigation on a 2.8" screen? What about getting a data plan for gaming PDA that doesn't work as a phone? Honestly, which of these two devices would you choose?

http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/image/zodiac.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/justincastle/gizpics/gizmondoblack2.jpg

[Fishie]

I talked with the Gizmondo peeps and apparently the GPS is intended as a tracking device so parents can track their children, plays into the fear of abduction etcetera.

[jonathanchoo]

The GPS service will allow the owner to set a parameter in which if he or she leaves the zone an alert would be sent to a mobile phone.

Normal GPS stuff like POI is included too. However I think the main talk about GPS on Gizmondo is that you will be able to find other Gizmodo users.

The screen is small but the resolution is 240x320.

[jpjehu]

All of the features may not be necessarily super crucial, but I still think it's a solid device with gaming features ahead of anything else (I don't think the zodiac is 64 bit, and I'm not sure if any of the current game-based handhelds are either, but I could be wrong). I don't think the zodiac compares, either - the only benefit of the zodiac is the extra sd slot and larger screen (which isn't of benefit if the graphics aren't comparable with the Giz). Do we know for sure that the giz's screen is QVGA? It is definitely too small of a screen, but I think it's still a great idea and a very contemporary device.

[kmchong]

i do not comment about hardwares as both zodiac and this new win CE games device does not surpass Sony PSP and i do guess that all three will be priced relatively close (of course PSP will be the highest)

But in term of games availability, definately win ce has better position than palm based. Not to forget there are already amble of emulators on win ce platform and even the latest GBA can be played with relatively smooth (turn off the sound) on the latest PPC. All of these are really plus for the win ce platform

I must agree that, i do not understand somehow where is this device position to??? why do we need GPS and GPRS??? couldn't it just a gaming device with extendability? I am sure gamers would like a full integrated gaming device with some PIM and data storage, but not those fancy GPS and GPRS!

I would want a bigger screen and a better battery life

[hotweiss]

Well this is doomed to fail... Even Microsoft can't hold its own against Nintendo and Sony - why is this small company even trying? The specs are great, but specs don't make a video game system successful, games do. And this company has enough games to count on one hand with a thumb missing. In addition, judging by the specs, this is going to be marketed towards the older croud, but a "dedicated" portable gaming device is great for kids and kids only.

[jonathanchoo]

I must agree that, i do not understand somehow where is this device position to??? why do we need GPS and GPRS??? couldn't it just a gaming device with extendability? I am sure gamers would like a full integrated gaming device with some PIM and data storage, but not those fancy GPS and GPRS!

I would want a bigger screen and a better battery life

It is possible that the Gizmodo is capable of playing some games from the PPC platform but I doubt it. The Giz might be running its own set of API over Win CE rather. I have yet to see any articles that indicated the Gizmodo's ability to run PPC games.

The GPRS function also provides SMS facility. Probably to find other Gizmodo's players. This is fine...not essential but could be useful for multiplayer role playing games.

Hei, its a choice. Atleast there is a choice between Zodiac, GameBoy Avance, Gizmodo, GameBody SP, N-Gage and PSP. If you don't like it don't buy it.

jpjehu, the Gizmodo has a QVGA screen. Check their website.

[jeffmd]

ahahaha... FAILED!

the intel chip lacks a fpu.. thats bad... and looking at the graphics of its current games, the video chip is real bad. I've seen better stuff on the N64. I was unable to find an actual spec sheet on it too. The screen is small.. the design is bad.. and worst of all...games...

where are the games?! Heck the thing shows tomb raider on the screen, but there is no tomb raider listed in its games section. it has like 5 public domain games.

Dreamcast, gave the option to use windows CE, which a few games did, but obviously most games used custome loaders, engine code, for increased performances not to mention it's what their design tools worked with.

And yes, i love my dreamcast.. it sits ontop of my PS2 even.

[Shaun Stuart]

I just gave the company a call.

The device will sell for £229 and will be released at the end of October.
There will be more games coming soon but they could not comment on what titles would be available.

I asked about playing pocket pc games but was told that this would not be possible. I would question this though as the person I spoke to seemed surprised when I told him that other WinCE devices (Such as the Nexio) could be made to play Pocket PC games.

I made the point that this would make a real difference if the device was able to do this as there are a large number of games already available for the Pocket PC. I stressed the point that launching a games machine with less than a handful of games would effect a potential buyers decision on purchasing. The N-Gage and Zodiac may have inferior hardware but they have a lot more games available (certainly the N-gage)

It might be useful if anyone else is interested in this to give them a call or email them and make the same point. The phone number is on their website. The email address is [email protected]

Interestingly the £229 price is without a sim/network card for GPRS access - The device can not be used as a phone but will send SMS and Picture messages once a sim card is installed.

I didnt ask the question but this suggests to me that the device may be cheaper if supplied directly by a network provider with a data plan.

[kmchong]

it is gonna fail, if it does not take advantages of the already largely available ppc games or run the gba emulator.

i will wait for psp

[dean_shan]

2.8 inch is also a bit small for a gaming device, isnt it?

You ever seen a Gameboy? Their screens are about the size and Nintendo's made a fortune off them.

[dean_shan]

Sega made Windows CE available as an SDK for Dreamcast and some games actually used and contained CE on the game CD.

There were only about 5 games that actually used it though because the native OS SDK was much faster and more feature rich.

It is a great console.


Some of the homebrew games used WinCE as well. And yes the Dreamcast is a great console. It's a shame it died so young.

[Scott R]

You ever seen a Gameboy? Their screens are about the size and Nintendo's made a fortune off them.And Nintendo was selling the Gameboy for about $100 (now even less). The Gizmondo will have very few games, no other productivity apps, and a $400 price tag. That's assuming it actually comes out, which I personally do not believe it ever will.

Scott

[whydidnt]

I don't understand why they decided NOT to use PocketPC for this device. There are hundreds of games already written that would be awesome to play on a device such as this. I suspect that when product design was started, their wasn't awareness of WM2003 SE and M$'s loosening of hardware requirements.

My opinion is that if this device ran the latest WM software this could be a nice alternative for people that have been wanting a true gaming PPC. However, in it's present form, it's probably not going to be a success.

Look how difficult it has been for the Zodiac to gain acceptance among Game Developers, and the Zodiac runs Palm which brings it's HUGE user base to the table. I can't imagine game developers itching to port their games to yet another new platform.

[mechtronica]

Check this site out for the lastest Gizmondo news and forums.

www.mechtronica.com

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