Widescreen Gizmondo specs and pics

Not sure why they thought it'd be brilliant to officially announce a new version of the Gizmondo before the first one has even gone on sale here in the States, but Tiger Telematics have released some concept images and more details of that new widescreen version of their Gizmondo portable game console they "accidentally" revealed the other day. The specs feel a bit fanciful (we've seen these guys overpromise and underdeliver before), but according to their press release this new version will be a bit more PSP-like and have a 4-inch widescreen, 480 x 272 pixel LCD (which Tiger Telematics helpfully describes as being "razor-sharp"), built-in 802.11b/g WiFi, at least a 500MHz processor, GSM/GPRS, GPS, an SD card slot, an analog TV-out port, Bluetooth, USB On-The-Go, and a built-in two megapixel digital camera. Should be out in Q2 of 2006.

[OddManOut @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

"Should be out in Q2 of 2006"

If they survive that long.

I dunno, if they deliver those specs it would be worth taking a look at. A clip-on KB would be a good idea as well. But they'll still need a killer app to make any significant splash.

[Tsiphn @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

LMAO, it's just like the PSP, but with Blue-Tooth and a few other things...its like they took a PSP and slapped on a new full body cover and called it a day.

[Bazookajt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Wow, round the corners and move some of the buttons on the PSP add a few new things that Sony is currently making as accessories, and you have one of these. Seriously, can we have even a little bit of creativity?

[Slashriffs @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Its all about the games. If it has good 3rd party support them it might make it for a while. If not them its doomed.

[raindog @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

If it had analog control and a touch screen like the late, great, doomed from the get-go Zodiac, I might actually be interested.

Whether this unit is a flash in the pan or a covert Microsoft entry into the handheld market depends on two things.... getting the price without ads below $300, and the appearance of Internet multiplayer Halo, which was unlikely at best thanks to the lack of analog control on the current one. Even this one doesn't look like it has enough control surfaces, unless those big round b00bies on the back are supposed to be controllers of some kind.

[Myself @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Slashriffs

"Its all about the games. If it has good 3rd party support them it might make it for a while. If not them its doomed"

I totally agree. If the game support is there, it could easily out shine the psp because of the additional features,imo. But, I think the real knock-out punch would have been to put a phone on it, really.

[a1210 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Why does everyone keep bashing the gizmodo against the PSP?

the gizmondo is a different cup of tea. Once the homebrew gets going it will be a very nice machine.

320x240 is way better for emulation than the PSP. It has a camera, it has GPS, GPRS, faster processor. It has all these things that are better than the PSP. That's why you'd expect to pay more for the machine. If you look at anything that has that many features it's way more expensive than the gizmondo. (ex. PDAs, phones) Also they seem to have some good games coming up.

[Jon N @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

It looks significantly better than a Nintendo DS. Too bad it wasn't made by Nintendo because if the Gizmondo doesn't have the 3d party support that PSP and DS has, its just gonna be another paper weight.

The way I see it, when new 3rd party games come out, it is important that the consumer be able to buy that game for whatever system they own. Thats hy most new games usually com out for XBOX-PS2 and Gamecube simultaneously. Otherwise, the consumer will opt for the game with the best titles.

If I were the executive of Tiger Telematics, I would have built in a GSM phone into the Gizmondo and had bluetooth support. A Touch screen dial pad would be in order.

[MrFloppy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Cool specs, but Gizmondo and Tiger Telematics aren't Sony or Nintendo, or even Microsoft.
It's all about name and marketing.
Another Zodiac.

[zachary @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Whats with fish? Anyone remember all the old images of the psp? It always had fish on the screen kinda like this does.

[robotplague @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Man, when they go under they're going to wish they spent their money on something else instead of another version of their unreleased portable....hell they could have paid a hobo 5 bucks to be their financial analyst, and even he could of told them that they weren't going to make it.

[Dom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Real original concept pics.

http://wmh.walla.co.il/archive/88899-5.jpg

Does every portable have to double as an aquarium?

[Jon N @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

#10

LOL HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

Your'e right. Its an absolute waste of money to be trying to take on SONY and Nintendo right now. If tey were smart they should try to invent a perfect cell phone with every possible feature for less than $400

[Dull @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

The Press Photos of Ericsson T68 also has a colour fish on it.

[JK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

"Bazookajt

Wow, round the corners and move some of the buttons on the PSP add a few new things that Sony is currently making as accessories, and you have one of these. Seriously, can we have even a little bit of creativity?"

So... ok... we have a console that's an improvement in terms of inclusive features, and also has useful things like texting (SMS) and Emailing using a GSM SIM card, and yet it's not innovation? Novel view...

That aside, how hard would it be if it supports bluetooth, and has a SIM inside it, to develop a program for the gizmondo to make phone calls using a BT headset? Perhaps even using VoIP if you have a WiFi signal? Just a thought.

JK

[YinYangUltimixer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

lol
people ds is fun and innovatitve psp has all these features on accesories homebrew has no cance of saving it sd adpters for psp there coming theres a MS one for it already heck it was on engadget i have the psp and ds having 1 of those now is a waste of money for next gen consles and games

[SomeCat @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

But if you don't buy one, where will the poor fish live?

[jason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

OMG AND THERE'S A SHARK WITH THE FISH IF YOU LOOK CLOSELY!

THEYRE SO COOL AND EDGY IM GONNA BUY ONE THE PSP CONCEPT DIDNT HAVE A SHARK IN IT LIKE WTF GO GIZMONDO WIDESCREEN4E

[OMAC @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I prefer the Giz over the PSP any day, although I have no plans on buying one. I will wait for the widescreen version. The Gizmondo uses a WinCE-based OS, making it much more hacker friendly than the PSP ever will be. GPS and built in camera are just the icing on the cake.

Now if only they can stay in business until this comes out :)

[Tshroom @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

If this thing really has these specs I wouldn't mind using it as a portable media device.. I just don't know how well it will hold up as a game system. I will just say the idea is interesting.

[hall @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

it has a good specs i think

[Juggaloking21 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Come on people, I own a PSP (Piece of Shit Portable) and a Nintendo DS, and from what I played on the PSP, the Gizmondo only needs 1 good game that isn't a sports game and it would already have a better game library, all the games I've played on it are either rubbish or only fun for 10 minutes, and then you fall asleep out of boredom. The only reason the psp made it is because of brand name, The only thing I even use my psp for any more is a $250 clock,Stupid dead pixels, unresponsive and very cheap feeling buttons, annoying black levels in movies.

[Gadget dreamer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Add a quad band phone with EDGE or EV-DO, boost the camera to four or six megapixel, add Win.mobile 2005, add AM/FM/weatherband, CB and shortwave to the unit and keep all the antennas integrated into the unit instead of sticking out like a sore thumb on that Sprint HTC Wizard thing, and you would have a near-perfect device.

[Google Nazi @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I got news!

This is actually made by Sega. So anybody who hates this device hates god!


lol did anyone felt the sarcasm here? The device is neat but if it was truely something they would of appeared at the TGS since their product is releasing next year.

[andy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Does anyone else see a potential Osborne-1 / Osborne Executive situation here? When details of the prototype Executive were leaked, people decided to wait for it instead of buying the already-on-sale Osborne-1. Osborne's profits dropped off, they ran out of money and filed for bankruptcy.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

"So... ok... we have a console that's an improvement in terms of inclusive features, and also has useful things like texting (SMS) and Emailing using a GSM SIM card, and yet it's not innovation? Novel view..."

A games console with SMS and takes a GSM SIM? I think Nokia might lay claim to that "innovation".

That aside, how hard would it be if it supports bluetooth, and has a SIM inside it, to develop a program for the gizmondo to make phone calls using a BT headset?"

Sounds like you want to turn it into a N-Gage. :)

[sm007h @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Just a thought...what if Tiger is trying to make as much noise as possible to make them appear as attractive as possible as a takeover target?

[sm007h @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Just a thought...what if Tiger is trying to make as much noise as possible to make them appear as attractive as possible as a takeover target?

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

This will be released as XBOX Portable or XBP. Haha.. I knew it, it had to happen sooner or later. What they need to do, is make it possible (if not already) the titles for any MS Mobile (and previous OS) playable on this thing, at that point, at least there are some titles out there people already know of and can use.

The better implementation of GPS, and some sort it simplistic way to enter text (and bobble pad to the left can come in handy) can make this a good convergence of (non cell) communication.

If they market it more as a entertainment package with gaming, location based services and so forth, this will be in a seperate category. Sort of like the Zodiac, sort of like the life drive, but without the OS problems.

I think it looks nice, and Im sure it will go thorugh some design (looks wise) changes. And like someone said above, - if they survive.

I am a fan of all in one devices, but no one has got it perfect yet. The fact that they will try and cram Wifi, BT, GPRS, and GPS along with all that other stuff - nice. I think it will be worth $299 if they can make the price.

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

This will be released as XBOX Portable or XBP. Haha.. I knew it, it had to happen sooner or later. What they need to do, is make it possible (if not already) the titles for any MS Mobile (and previous OS) playable on this thing, at that point, at least there are some titles out there people already know of and can use.

The better implementation of GPS, and some sort it simplistic way to enter text (and bobble pad to the left can come in handy) can make this a good convergence of (non cell) communication.

If they market it more as a entertainment package with gaming, location based services and so forth, this will be in a seperate category. Sort of like the Zodiac, sort of like the life drive, but without the OS problems.

I think it looks nice, and Im sure it will go thorugh some design (looks wise) changes. And like someone said above, - if they survive.

I am a fan of all in one devices, but no one has got it perfect yet. The fact that they will try and cram Wifi, BT, GPRS, and GPS along with all that other stuff - nice. I think it will be worth $299 if they can make the price.

[ben @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

wow, they changed the button symbols from the last one o even less recognizable ones. But 500 mhz is better than psp 333, capped at 200 right now. It comes with camera and gps, as well as bluetooth, not to mention I dont believe psp supports b/g, just b. That being said, it looks too long, the psp ends soon after the screen, because the buttons are squeezed in there. The lack of games, and lack of interest will kill it.

Although the built in accesories, SD card support and non shiny (no more fingerprints) makes me wish it was what sony released.

I like my psp, but the memory is to expensive to use it as a movie player, and its too large to be an MP3 player (I got a 4gb black nano)

I hope this survives for the hackers in all of us, but it doesnt have brand power. Kids have always had gameboys and playstations, not gizmondos.

[Extinction @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

"LMAO, it's just like the PSP"

Without the games, analog controls, cheap optical media allowing developers more freedom, the ability to buy it at a local zellers or EB, the low cost (in relation to PSP)

[Cem @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

The specs are nice and if there would be lots of support from game developers, this thing could be a succes. However, there is not much support and the PSP and DS are extremely succesful.

[chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Erm... how are the games going to work with two models? Will there be wide and non-widescreen versions of each? Will there be a dvd style option to switch it up?

[Big Jim Slade @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Great concept for the unit, but announcing an upgraded model before the current one is even released is purely suicidal for a platform launch product.

"Why should I buy this one when there's a better one out soon?" "I'll just wait for the widescreen one." etc etc

Watering down your initial launch is a bad bad bad bad idea, especially when you want people to jump on your bandwagon, so to speak. I really hope they get their shit together because it looks like a nice piece of kit, provided they get enough 3rd party support.

[PiratePete @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

Sorry but this is gonna tank. Looks good but unfortunately its about brand power and not features. Remember the NeoGeo Pocket colour. I picked up on before the GBA came out. People were buying it. Then all of a sudden you couldn't find and accessories for it and just a few of the same old games it had at launch. Now it just a dead paper weight.
Releasing info on the upgraded model before the current one is on sale this side of the ocean is dumb move. I wait until this one comes out (If ever) too.
I may have picked one up if you didn't have to pay a monthly subscription price for the GPS service.

[srw @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

"480 x 272 pixel LCD"
So I guess this thing won't even be backwards compatible with their current poorly supported model. Aren't they worried that releasing specs on this future unit might reduce potential sales of their about-to-be-released (in USA) current unit? But of course Tiger Telematics has always been about selling stock, not product.

[Trejkaz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I don't care how these guys market this as a gaming device.

The fact of the matter is we're looking at a sub-$300 GPS unit here, with a free camera attached. How much did the last GPS-enabled camera sell for?

[Mark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

"I may have picked one up if you didn't have to pay a monthly subscription price for the GPS service."
36 you are wrong. Theres no subscription fee for the GPS.

[jub jub @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

I think it will have a phone because you can buy ringtones on their site. They even have SSX 3 and some EA titles on it.

[ello mate @ Dec 19th 2005 12:19AM]

poor gizmondo "psp killer" lol there kidding right!