Hands-on with the 3G Neonode N2.5... yes, N2.5

While most of the US is just getting their first glimpse of the Neonode N2, we've got the Neonode N2.5 for you dear readers. We were assured that this engineering prototype features a heftier battery to offset complaints raised by N2 owners. The other complaint -- lack of 3G data -- is also solved. It will also feature A2DP-enabled Bluetooth 2.1 (yes, 2.1) when its ships (no time specified) and a big fat 3G radio of unspecified type. Thing is, this time, the N2.5 is specifically targeted at the US market with Neonde already starting to sort through the carrier quagmire in order to bring it to market. WiFi? Maybe, that all depends upon the carrier's demands. Other than those changes, it features the same UI and touch screen technology of the tiny N2 which is fine by us. The only question now is how consumers react to it's new chubby profile.

Update: Neonode wants us to remind you that this is a prototype design. As such, you can expect revisions (particularly after they read your comments).

Gallery: Hands-on with the 3G Neonode N2.5... yes, N2.5

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[RJ @ Jan 8th 2008 5:02PM]

Umm...how about, what the heck does it do? Just a cellphone? Then why are you guys so in love with it?

[fuma @ Jan 8th 2008 5:04PM]

chicks dig the chubb

[Fara @ Jan 8th 2008 5:10PM]

Well, the N2 Is way too small (and not too pretty), so a larger size is better.

[Fara @ Jan 8th 2008 5:12PM]

Never mind, the size gain was not done properly. It's too small, yet too big now.

[Argot @ Jan 8th 2008 5:17PM]

I just love the Neonode. Look at this picture. You have a big ugly phone, I think it's an iPhone to the left and then the first touchscreen phone to hit the market to the right.

http://image.bayimg.com/kaijhaabn.jpg

[Tony C @ Jan 8th 2008 5:23PM]

Wow, did it get fat! Chunkarino, especially keeping the screen size the same. Reminds me of the old Sony Ericsson Z500 and W600 series with that little handle, only the chub is all due to battery, not accommodating for flip or slider mechanisms.

[tnkgrl @ Jan 8th 2008 5:28PM]

Don't knock Neonode until you see how cool the UI already was 3 years before the iPhone was released: http://tnkgrl.wordpress.com/2007/06/29/neonode-n1m-video-review/

[Constable Odo @ Jan 8th 2008 11:24PM]

So, it had a three year headstart on the iPhone and exactly how many of these things were sold? And what accolades did it get? Device of the day? Device of the month? Ugh as in ugly. This thing is fatugly.

[Fara @ Jan 8th 2008 5:42PM]

I've seen it. My brother worked on marketing it for a time, but then dropped. I've played around with the N2 (aah, the beauty of living in sweden).

And it is sooo not the first touch screen phone to hit the market. And it was so late, and buggy and less features than promised. And the N2 is barely better, and it's uglier...

And alos, iPhone? eww...

[rento @ Jan 8th 2008 6:10PM]

Awwwwwwwww so sweet!

[itsnotabigtruck @ Jan 8th 2008 6:38PM]

Ugh. They're going to completely nerf it for sure once it hits US shores.

Why can't a phone manufacturer start selling unlocked phones on the retail market in the US (i.e. not with ripoff higher-than-list importer prices)?

[Dextro @ Jan 8th 2008 7:22PM]

I'll sure be buying one!
I love stuff that's put together crooked.

[Reader @ Jan 9th 2008 4:05AM]

Dayum, that phone has some junk in the trunk.

[Dsarch21 @ Jan 10th 2008 11:16AM]

Awesome! I have a N2 and it is super dope, I love the new N2.5 Prototype, but i would like to see it get taller and wider and then skinner....

[MagicMark @ Feb 21st 2008 9:53AM]

I am a software developer (C# & .NET mainly). I Love the windows mobile platform to work with. Small size, WM6 Pro and the touch technology of the N2 is why I bought it. I would not buy this phone if it were larger. The phone does have alot style in the N2 iteration, at least for me. I won't be paying 60 USD/month for internet access on it, I pay that for a SIM in my Vista UMPC that I can do real work on. I do think I will do some emails on it though. Maybe write a touch keyboard, not like iPhone, something that works on this form factor, but will be intuitive simultaneously to new users. T9 predictive is painful for me. I think keeping the model small and introducing an alternative larger screen model for browsing might be good. The gestures might have to be altered though and the IR beams carfully columnized. I am glad someone finally figured out where to put the ear speaker so as not to smudge the screen. Actually now that I think upon its placement, it was a necessity. I think perhaps the technologies utilized in the N2 design gave form to it's design. -Have Fun (: