German company AVM just announced their new FRITZ! Mini. This handheld device combines a cordless
phone and music player with an information service allowing you to view news, weather, and sports reports on the color
display. Not good enough, well the handset will also alert you to incoming emails and text messages though how they
accomplish the latter is a bit unclear. See, the 802.11g WiFi enabled FRITZ!Box is the key, it acts as a base station
and information hub for the Mini by streaming music, information, and both VoIP or fixed-line calls directly to the
handset. It doesn’t appear though, that the !Box packs any storage it’s own damned self, but you can slip
in a Memory Stick or connect any MP3 player with USB support for playback to the Mini. We’ll hunt one down on the
CeBIT floor to see what all the hubbub is ok bub? Expected release in Q3 -- hey isn’t that Robert Crumb we see
over at the AVM booth demanding royalties?
posted March 10th 2006 9:27AM
Screen! Too small!
How the heck do you dial a number?
Tell me the center turns into a rotary dialer...
Are you supposed to keep this on your coffee table, or drag it around with you like an iPod? THE CONFUSION IS DRIVING ME MAD.
Is "FRITZ" really a good name for any technology? I'm going to develop a new tire innovation and call it "FLAT" . . . or maybe start a mutual fund named "BROKE".
Bravo Thomas, a Fritz The Cat reference was well in order.
Isn't that earphone Sennheisher? I've never seen a white version.
>> and text messages though how they accomplish the latter is a bit unclear [...]
In Germany you can send text messages (i.e. SMS) to/between land-line phones as well. If the recipient's device is not compatible to the service, the message is converted to speech.
OMG, how lame... Just another Apple iPod Rip off when it comes to the design. Have all the other companies just lost their creativity to create something themselves? For once?
Perhaps when you listen to music it connects to your computer at home and gives you access to all of your music. Anytime
Maybe it just has really reliable voice dial.
it's great.
FRITZ is know in germany for their quality product's.
"Quality iPod-inspired-product" at least :)
.... Let me guess, German's have eyes the size of Melons? O.o
Yeah, this really seems ipod inspired but its pretty cool.
hmm i thought that interface was patented. i guess it's only if it has the "scrollwheel".
hey even the top controls are a little too similar...
This would be awesome if you lived in a city that is covered entirely by wifi... phone on the go. I guess you could do that with any wifi phone, but it would be nice to have it as your mp3 player too.
I feel like their branding is screaming at me... It's kinda intimidating.