E-TEN Announces the 3.5G Glofiish X800 with VGA Display

[Darius Wey]

<img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070315-glofiishx800.jpg" /><br /><br />E-TEN has just unveiled the Glofiish X800 and it's a beauty. The device measures 113.5mm x 60.5mm x 15.8mm and includes GSM/HSDPA/W-CDMA connectivity, a Samsung 400MHz CPU, 128MB ROM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, a rear 2.0-megapixel camera, a front VGA camera for video telephony, a VGA (640 x 480) display, a microSD slot, Mini-USB, and Windows Mobile 6. 'Tis a good day to drool. Check out the press release after the break.<br /><br /><b>Update:</b> The Engadget crew trekked over to Germany and managed to score some hands-on time with the X800. On top of what we already know, they're reporting that the X800 will be available before the end of summer (which is winter, for those of us in the southern hemisphere) at an MSRP of $850-$900. Want more? <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/15/e-tens-glofiish-x800-everything-but-the-qwerty/">Check out their gallery</a>. <!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070315-glofiishx800eng.jpg" /><br /><br />E-TEN Information Systems is moving its own-brand Pocket PC Phone line in to the next generation, with its latest product the Glofiish X800 (previously known as X600). With support for 3.5G connectivity - HSDPA/WCDMA - the Glofiish X800 offers access to new mobile services, while the new Windows Mobile® 6 platform and large VGA display deliver improved ways to work with documents, messages and multimedia while on the move.<br /><br />At CeBIT 2007, E-TEN has released details of the company's next Pocket PC Phone which is to be launched in the second quarter 2007. The upcoming Glofiish X800 will deliver three significant innovations that make it the first of a next-generation of Glofiish devices.<br /> <br /><b>High-speed connectivity via HSDPA</b><br />Offering always on connectivity and speeds that are comparable to fixed-line connections such as ADSL, HSDPA, an updated 3.5G mobile technology, improves mobile communications with faster downloads to make surfing the internet and checking email more enjoyable. Additionally, HSDPA makes it easier for Glofiish X800 users to access advanced mobile services including VoIP, streaming video, and video calling.<br /><br /><b>Latest Windows Mobile® 6 OS</b><br />The recently unveiled Windows Mobile® 6 platform offers new and improved ways for Glofiish X800 users to stay productive while on the move. The new Windows LiveTM for Windows Mobile® suite incorporates utilities to simplify web search, email, instant messaging and blogging all from a single location, while the Mobile Office suite has been updated to offer even more ways to view and edit documents, spreadsheets and presentations. <br /> <br /><b>Large VGA display</b><br />The Glofiish X800 features a new, large VGA (640x480) display offering up to four times the resolution of previous E-TEN handsets. With its increased screen-area the Glofiish X800 increases mobile productivity letting users display more of their documents, calendars, messages and spreadsheets onscreen at once. Additionally, the Glofiish X800 makes mobile multimedia more enjoyable by allowing pictures and video to be viewed in finer detail. <br /> <br />At just 113.5x60.5x15.8 mm, the Glofiish X800 maintains similar ultra-thin, pocket-friendly dimensions as E-TEN's previous X-series model, as well as the all-in-one connectivity solution - GSM, Wi-Fi®, GPS and Bluetooth® - that has become a standard of Glofiish Pocket PC Phones. The device features two digital cameras, an auto-focus 2-megapixel version at the rear to capture high-quality photographs and video, and a front-mounted VGA camera for video calling.<br /><br />The Glofiish X800 is currently on show at the E-TEN booth (Hall 26 C67 [2]), at CeBIT 2007.

[Hagow]

This device seems to have it all. There are so many devices coming out i and i am looking to upgrade...choices, choices, choices. I wonder how this compares to the HTC Kaiser or the iMate 6150. I like the form factor better than Athena already.

[twincam]

Wow! That's some impressive specs. But is that a joystick or a D-pad?

[ricksfiona]

Looks like a joystick to me...

Since it's WCDMA, it won't work on T-Mo. Correct? The design is a little on the geeky side for me though...

[macattack]

'Tis a good day to drool.

Sorry, but my days of drooling over any ETEN device are gone. My experience with the TORQ P120 (ETEN M600) was abysmal. All the technology in the world is only useful if you can use it reliably and find some sort of support when there's a problem. In my experience (and that of many others) the name ETEN does not equal reliability or support.

[DaveSadler]

Thanks macAttack... i was just popping in to see if anyone had experience, good or bad, with the eTen devices. I'm stuck in upgrade limbo. I'm still using the old iMate JAM but every time i look to upgrade someone announces a device worth waiting for.

Time to bite the bullet. Does anyone have an opinion on the best, small form factor, device out there?

[Jason Lee]

Oh.. they took the FM radio out? I liked that feature..

Well if they have a keyboard version soon i might have myself an upgrade finally.

[Darius Wey]

Oh.. they took the FM radio out? I liked that feature..

The FM radio will more than likely be included, as all the Glofiish devices have a SiRFstar III chipset with support for TMC.

[Dyvim]

In my experience (and that of many others) the name ETEN does not equal reliability or support.

I don't know much about official support because I bought an unlocked ETEN M600 from one of the importers, but I found plenty of user support over at eten-users.net

ETEN certainly did put out quite a lot of ROM revisions for the M600. A lot more revisions than I've seen from other manufacturers. Some might have been not so great, but the 230 ROM solved most of my issues.

[VisualMonster]

Why do US carriers always seem to lag on getting cool phones like this. I'm using a dieing XDA IIs PPC phone (sceen gets out of alignment everday and random hard resets once a week), trying to hold out for something new that gets released..... this would be perfect, but nooo.. US carriers insist on being slow.

This device seems to have everything I'm looking for.... hmm, thank goodness for ebay! =)

[whydidnt]

Seems like a very nice upgrade, I would probably even be willing to upgrade too, even without the built-in keyboard, if they hadn't decided to skimp on memory. Come-on manufacturers ---- if you're going to build a high end device, outfit it for the high end market!! :twisted:

My normal rant here---they want us to spend $800 for a high-end device but leave the included memory the same as every low-end device shipped in the last 2 years! That would be like Dell selling their latest XPS extreme gaming machine with 256 MB of RAM and a 30 GB HD. What am missing with the memory on WM devices. Does the OS have an inherent problem dealing with more than 128-256 MB of ROM? Flash Memory is soooo cheap these day, cost can't be the only factor. :devilboy:

[palur]

am I missing something?
What is the screen size?
Does it have USB host capabilities?
I am quite happy with Eten M600+. ROM is sturdy.
Thanks

[happyloman]

I own an ETEN G500 -- and was very satisfied with it for the first 6 MONTHS.

It has now deteriorated to the point where I have to reboot AFTER 10 MINUTES OF USE (NO THAT IS NOT AN EXXAGGERATION).

The 800 is very tempting though... dare I get burned again?

[Nightflyer]

Wow! Really a nice phone, at least concerning the specs. the overall design seems to be ok so far, but the red colour around the camera lense is like pain in the eye for me. Besides of that you have to admit that E-TEN really has a winner here.


I just can't stop wondering what HTC is doing. I think they've really been innovative over the last years and always were ahead of basically all other manufactors. They really deserve the position they have in the market today.

But when I look at their product lineup for this year, I'm really so disappointed. It is the first time they are behind their competitors, and they are ways behind of them.
I mean look at the upcoming devices not only of E-TEN, but also of i-Mate, Toshiba and Nokia (I love the E90 and it's the first time I am interested in a S60 device). And then there is this omnipotent iPhone that HTC has to compete with, though it is adressed to another range of customers, I think it will still steal HTC some market share.

So far it seems as if HTC doesn't even plan to release a VGA device (ok there's the Athena but...), which is a must for a 2007-highend-smartphone. I don't understand why after years of pushing technology, they are clearly lacking innovations these days.
I heard rumors about a Universal-successor that is smaller in size. I hope these are true or that HTC has some surprises they will come up with.


Otherwise they will definetly have a hard year...
Please HTC show me you can produce a VGA device that has decent dimensions!!? Can anybody tell me why it seems like HTC can't compete with all these new phones coming up?!!?

[ADBrown]

Looks like a joystick to me...

Since it's WCDMA, it won't work on T-Mo. Correct? The design is a little on the geeky side for me though...

WCDMA is another name for UMTS/HSDPA. It will work on T-Mobile, but you probably won't get the advantage of T-Mo's 3G network when they turn it on, because of a lack of support for the 1700/2100 MHz bands.

[saru83]

awesome phone, but end of summer? too late.. a lot of stuff will be out by then..

[macattack]

I don't know much about official support because I bought an unlocked ETEN M600 from one of the importers, but I found plenty of user support over at eten-users.net

ETEN certainly did put out quite a lot of ROM revisions for the M600. A lot more revisions than I've seen from other manufacturers. Some might have been not so great, but the 230 ROM solved most of my issues.

For nine months I lived at eten-users.net. It doesn't take much of a search to find others who had lots of trouble: screen alignment, backup batteries, earpiece volume, echo, sketchy reception, etc., etc. Among those who had to send a device in for repair (like me), I think you'll find the experience was generally horrendous. One poor guy waited for over 9 weeks to get his repair back from Taiwan! After sending mine in for the continually misaligned screen digitizer, I decided to just deal with the dead backup battery when it became an issue.

I agree that there were a plethora of ROM upgrades. The potential for a continually improved device was one of my initial motivations in getting the ETEN. Unfortunately, some of the more serious issues were never adequately addressed and most of the early (pre 215) upgrades only swapped one set of troubles for another.

I'm glad you've had a good experience, and perhaps ETEN will improve (or maybe already has improved) the quality of their components, materials, and support. But I'm not going to spend anything close to another $630 on a device that doesn't have a solid track record.

[pocketpcadmirer]

What is the screen size?

Thats exactly no one talked about. I dont want a 2.8" VGA display ;)

[saru83]

What is the screen size?

Thats exactly no one talked about. I dont want a 2.8" VGA display ;)

seems to me 2.8".. its pictured right beside the X500 in the following picture &amp; seems to share the same screen size of 2.8", check it out

http://www.engadget.com/photos/e-tens-glofiish-x800-everything-but-the-qwerty-1/185263/

[Darius Wey]

Thats exactly no one talked about. I dont want a 2.8" VGA display ;)

I'd be happy with 2.8". Nothing beats a display that's as crisp as fried chicken. ;)

[DaleReeck]

Does it come with the mini nuclear reactor that will be needed to power all that hardware? :D

[milo]

For nine months I lived at eten-users.net. It doesn't take much of a search to find others who had lots of trouble: screen alignment, backup batteries, earpiece volume, echo, sketchy reception, etc., etc. Among those who had to send a device in for repair (like me), I think you'll find the experience was generally horrendous. One poor guy waited for over 9 weeks to get his repair back from Taiwan! After sending mine in for the continually misaligned screen digitizer, I decided to just deal with the dead backup battery when it became an issue.

I agree that there were a plethora of ROM upgrades. The potential for a continually improved device was one of my initial motivations in getting the ETEN. Unfortunately, some of the more serious issues were never adequately addressed and most of the early (pre 215) upgrades only swapped one set of troubles for another.

I'm glad you've had a good experience, and perhaps ETEN will improve (or maybe already has improved) the quality of their components, materials, and support. But I'm not going to spend anything close to another $630 on a device that doesn't have a solid track record.
I had similar issues with the M600. I sent it back the first time and they lost it. More than 12 weeks later it was replaced(by the retailer). I finally got it stable with the ROM upgrades to have it fall over completely dead. Sending it back took another 9 weeks before they then came back and said sorry it is moisture damage(even though I had never got it wet). This isn't covered and your unit is RS. Out of 9 months, I had the unit working for 6 weeks.

Fortunately E-Ten is off the radar for me now because they are not likely to ever make a Next-G device.

[dgmessenger]

Tried this joystick on other, would be stellar, devices and hated it to no end! Never got used it; and in the end, tried to find ways to use the device without using crappy joystick.

Plus, up to this point in screen technology, dialing on a soft keypad sucks really bad!
- no look/partial look dialing is gone.
- No tactile response.

One of the so-called retorts to the dislike of dialing on sucky non-tactile response screens is "I only use voice dialing anyway." That, my dear, is even more suckier! Let's see if Apple has solved this sucky dialing experience.

[Darius Wey]

seems to me 2.8".. its pictured right beside the X500 in the following picture &amp; seems to share the same screen size of 2.8", check it out

I've received confirmation that the X800 does indeed have a 2.8" VGA display. And to shed a bit more light on the cellular connectivity, it supports quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA.