Mystery T-swivel handset identified as Compal Tabasco

It looks like that obscure Korean handset we spotted a week or so ago has been identified as a MID from Compal with the unlikely name of Tabasco. The images we saw were shot at Computex 2008 in June, and this is what Blog Times has to say about it: the non functioning prototype sports a rear facing 3.2 megapixel camera with 2x optical zoom and a flash, a front-facing webcam, and it measures about 6.3 x 3.3 x 1.3-inches with a 4.5 or 5-inch screen. It's impossible to determine the device's processor, OS or storage capacity at the this time -- so it seems that, after all this, the handheld is still something of a mystery. Of course, it could always turn out to be that fresh breath of Palm New-ness we've been warned of -- after all, it's been rumored that the company placed a significant order with Compal way back in August. Perhaps we'll find out at CES.

[Via Pocketables]

[From My Cube @ Dec 16th 2008 9:50AM]

its got some girth

[Tarnation @ Dec 16th 2008 9:54AM]

That's what she said.

I think it looks pretty kewl.

[kjb434 @ Dec 16th 2008 9:54AM]

That's what she said!

[Sisyphus @ Dec 16th 2008 11:49AM]

Wheres the Professional when you need him?

[Fusion Fuzo 008 @ Dec 16th 2008 12:09PM]

FUGLY


Professional
Fusion Fuzo

[DBrim @ Dec 16th 2008 9:58AM]

If that's Palm's last stand, they're in biiiiig trouble.

[tomaskn @ Dec 16th 2008 10:00AM]

Compal Fiasco..a slider would be better.

[Jonathan @ Dec 16th 2008 10:01AM]

I'm going to make a "non functioning prototype" that sports a fusion reactor, 30 MP camera, and 1080p. Oh, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

[SKLP @ Dec 16th 2008 10:09AM]

You totally forgot the GPS

[Nerdninja @ Dec 16th 2008 10:11AM]

Shhhhh... You had me at 3.5mm headphone jack.

[Freakin Ijit @ Dec 16th 2008 11:11AM]

How about Wi-Fi...has to have Wi-Fi.

[SKLP @ Dec 16th 2008 10:06AM]

1.3 inches is really thick. Not a good one if it came from Palm. Or anybody.

[absinthe party @ Dec 16th 2008 10:18AM]

That's what she said!

[Mycroft @ Dec 16th 2008 10:07AM]

I fail to see the point in this contraption. If you are going to slide/swivil open your phone to get to the keyboard, why not make it big enough to use? Why bother with the micro/mini keyboard you'd find on a candy bar phone. It seems like the worst of both worlds.

[absinthe party @ Dec 16th 2008 10:12AM]

So, I like computers, hanging out with my pals, or when my computer takes the place of my pals, and Tabasco sauce... is this the right handset for me?

[Orappa @ Dec 16th 2008 10:20AM]

some things are just not ment to be shown in brought daylight, its just to ugly REALLY REALY ugly

[Frun @ Dec 16th 2008 10:22AM]

Finally, the taste of tabasco sauce, In a phone.
Mmmmmm Stiekey

[SKLP @ Dec 16th 2008 10:28AM]

All that Palm's Thick-ness you've been waiting for.

[Gad Get @ Dec 16th 2008 10:35AM]

Mmm, Tabasco... *Drool*

[Peter @ Dec 16th 2008 10:35AM]

Wait, I'm the only person who thinks this looks awesome ? Come on, it has a tiny touchpad - have a heart.

[SKLP @ Dec 16th 2008 10:52AM]

It's not the form factor, which I kinda like, it's the size, that thing is huge.

[Joe @ Dec 16th 2008 10:39AM]

Patiently waiting for the Frank's Hot Sauce edition!

[Landon @ Dec 16th 2008 3:45PM]

No no...gotta go with the Texas Pete edition...orrrr maybe we could all hold out for the Pace. At least they could come up with something catchy....

*gets a rope*

[Zoom @ Dec 16th 2008 10:50AM]

Hm... Weird.

[Gad Get @ Dec 16th 2008 11:00AM]

Well, that pretty much sums it up. There's nothing else to add.

[b3nign @ Dec 16th 2008 11:00AM]

If it fired laser beams, I'd buy two.

[nick @ Dec 16th 2008 11:08AM]

Palm, you better not. I don't care what color you put it in or what OS it runs, that is ugly. Uglier than a G1 and with likely a worse OS and company backing it. You will not, I repeat, WILL NOT release that at CES.

[John @ Dec 16th 2008 11:13AM]

Yuck.

[Dead_Rebel @ Dec 16th 2008 11:25AM]

Could very well be a Palm, indeed. Look at those buttons, very Palm-esque.

[Ethan @ Dec 16th 2008 11:27AM]

The keyboard is the same one as the Trēo 850. Also, a 5 inch screen? This is a little bigger than a phone. This is more of a Nokia N810 size.

[bandigolo @ Dec 16th 2008 11:27AM]

Fug.

[Alex @ Dec 16th 2008 11:31AM]

FUGLY

[John @ Dec 16th 2008 11:35AM]

Looks just like a palm.. the trackpad is a nice addition. of course this could also be palm's entry in to the UMPC market...

[boredtoday @ Dec 16th 2008 12:24PM]

That's HOT!

[zedster @ Dec 16th 2008 1:47PM]

I go thru all the trouble of tracking the original blog down via exif data and no props?

engadget you make me a sad panda

:-(

[ProfessorKaos @ Dec 16th 2008 2:56PM]

Tabasco huh? Does the phone ooze tobasco sauce for my delicious meals? And Touchpad on a handset? Damn, well better get out that ultra small stylus to use that thing XD

[bulls96 @ Dec 16th 2008 7:58PM]

I think if it was going to be a Palm device, it will be the OTHER device that Palm is going to release (not a smartphone).

It's the next generation Lifedrive or TX.

[Bo @ Dec 17th 2008 12:57AM]

lemme sum up this thread:
1. that's what she said!
2. fugly
3. hammerhead shark, lasers preferred