Hop-on's HOP 1885 takes MP3 phones low-end

If you're ready to "Hop-on To The Future!" -- or, maybe like, Hop-on to two years ago -- you might want to check out the HOP 1885 that is promising to be a low-cost contender in the MP3 phone space, even if it's not the most exciting entrant yet. The phone supports Mini-SD cards for MP3 storage, and has an FM tuner, but it's otherwise sparse, with a 128x128 1.5-inch screen and a mere VGA camera. We'll have to wait for CES to see what they're debuting this at, but with the current price on MP3 players and low endian phones, we don't know why this couldn't be free after carrier subsidies.

[Via MobileMag]

[Anon @ Dec 28th 2005 9:44PM]

Why are engadget entries appearing twice in my RSS Reader?

[Felipe cepriano @ Dec 28th 2005 9:47PM]

In Brazil we have phones worst than it... A gradiente vibe have the same specs, but with a sub-1inch screen... And costs U$$ 250!

[embassy @ Dec 28th 2005 10:02PM]

wow when i first glanced at that pic i swore it was a stick of deodorant...

[StammesOpfer @ Dec 28th 2005 11:39PM]

Well that was a highly informative third post now I actually like the direcction they are heading with this phone nothing special about it other than music could be a good phone for teens since they dont need all the smartphone type add-ons however a slightly better camera would have been nice

[Devin Lussier @ Dec 29th 2005 12:38AM]

Hop-on? At first I thought this was some sort of strange Arrested Development reference...

[PiggyCanHack @ Dec 29th 2005 12:57AM]

Nice man, yea phones in North america are expensive, This one is a nice catch

[Phil @ Dec 29th 2005 1:43AM]

Carrier subsidy? Do you encourage rip off's? Screw carrier subsidies - this should be a reasonably priced piece of electronics that ships unlocked to work with any GSM provider. Carrier subsidies have inflated the prices of these low-end (meaning engineered out of low-cost source parts) radio electronics for too long. Eliminating carrier subsidies/locks would be the best thing for the mobile phone industy and consumers, as people would upgrade their phones much more frequently and manufacturers would have to compete much more for that business.



The "my free phone would cost $300 if it wasn't for the carrier subsidy" logic is crap since the carrier only paid a fraction of that for your "free" phone that just locked you into the carrier/plan for the next two years.

[Dane @ Dec 29th 2005 2:51AM]

LOL - Arrested Development - StairCar - Nice

[David @ Dec 29th 2005 7:36AM]

To no. 7 - Sorry Phil but that's just not true. I work for a major carrier in Australia and we definitely don't get handsets for nothing. They're expensive peices of equipment that manufacturers pour a lot of money into in terms of R&D, marketing etc. While there is certainly a margin on the handsets we sell, that's how the retail industry works. Not everyone has a high disposable income like the young single males (generalisation I know but it's a safe bet) that read this website and carrier subsidies are a great way to get handsets into the hands of consumers without the upfront costs that many can't afford. Besides, if you're so huffy about signing a contract or getting a locked handset just stump up the cash and buy one outright.

[Brian Clarke @ Dec 29th 2005 1:06PM]

"or, maybe like, Hop-on to two years ago"



These witty comments are why Engadget is fun to read :-)

[A2 @ Dec 29th 2005 1:34PM]

This is unbelivable. People are using money for garbage. If you want an mp3 player than get one, no one needs one in there phone. Money could have gone to better resources like cancer or HIV research. Think about the people in hospital with cancer or AIDS. They would prefer to be cured rather than listen to musik. I love musik and I love my cell but then again people need to be cured. Wait for these cures to happen and then come out with this cell

[ax7 @ Dec 29th 2005 2:45PM]

A2 what the hell are you doing on a computer? Sell it, give the money to AIDS research funds! Do the same with the money you save on your energy bill!

[Aaron @ Dec 29th 2005 3:29PM]

Back to the future indeed. Except for expandability, looks like my good ol' Samsung Uproar.