Never mind the
Magic -- we've run across another
Android device lurking in the midst at MWC, and if you squint, you might just see some HTC influence in this one, too. We'd heard
General Mobile's dual-SIM DSTL1 would launch here, granted, but given its reasonably high-end look and the fact that we'd only seen renders ahead of the show, you have to appreciate our skepticism. Of course, we're delighted to be proven wrong in these sorts of situations, and we had a chance to play around with a DSTL1 today; WQVGA feels weak and there might be just a little too much
Touch Diamond influence, but you have to respect the 5 megapixel AF cam, 4GB of internal storage plus microSD expansion, dual SIM slots, and on-board FM radio. Ultimately, the fact that this thing'll only be available in two tri-band EDGE flavors kills the dream, but goodness, these guys are getting close, aren't they? Follow the break for video!
posted Feb 18th 2009 1:44PM
It may look better than the G1 but fact that it has a lower resolution screen and no 3G just KILLS it. I mean the other improvements(more built in memory and probably better camera) are nice but the screen and 3G are deal breakers.
I don't even know how anyone can stand using their phones on EDGE anymore.
It's good that more and more companies are getting in the Android business. But i'm starting to get pissed... all the good Android phones aren't coming to the U.S. WHAT THE HELL!!!!!
What good Android phones? No one has released anything significantly better than the G1, which is very disappointing. The Magic looks like a decent alternative if you don't need the keyboard but it's not significantly better.
They need to start making GOOD android phones. Something like the new Touch Pro and Touch Diamond with Android would be very welcome.
It is very odd that a phone with an OS designed to make use of the internet and always-on connectivity only has a (relatively) low speed connection.
I don't know how they think of competing in this market of high-end phones with all the features you can think of and with 3G and HSDPA.
Also, any clue if this has GPS on-board rather than mentioning the FM radio on-board. What's the big deal with FM, Engadget? If it won't require a headphone (antenna for FM) then fine..big deal, else why emphasize it?
What are you talking about. What abou the lenovo O Phone?
OH yay! Another phone by GM! oh wait....
Now with more shininess and less screen?
Just put a mirror over the top of it and get it over with.
*this device unusable outside
resistive fail
no, please, if you're going to fail: don't resist. embrace it. embrace the failure.
Nevermind the rest......DUAL SIM is what got my attention
Another GM ? FAIL!
pretty freaking glossy
Thank God a Android phone WITHOUT a physical key, with 5 megapixel & (Is HTC listening) a FLASH. WHY does hTC insist on not having a flash they are turning in to Apple who insist on not putting a radio or flash on there phones, Come On HTC.
Does it come with SUNGLASSES?
Holy shit...glareeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
Low-res screen, no 3G, no keyboard yet bulky, super duper glassy (imagine how it looks outdoors)... do I need to go on?
Another cheap Android FAIL.......
... still waiting for a decent Android.
dont forget over $500 and when you can get that developer g1 thing for 399
ThicK:(
iPhone!
Quite a lot of potential screen space wasted on the front... Otherwise it's ok
The MWC has been a waist of time apart from the Sony ericsson Idou but that is not due out till the end of the year :o(
1. A phone must use Symbian, Android or Win Mobile other wise there's virtualy no 3rd party softwear available.
2. At least a 5 mega pixel camer with FLASH.
4. A 3.5mm phone socket please.
General Mobile comes close then they go and add a rubbish video recorder Qvga (so 2005), & low res screen :o(
Nooo, why no 3G?! It would've been very attractive if it had 3G and a bonus would be a keyboard, but why? :(
They should listen to our demands.
It is ridiculous how close these guys came to making the definitive Android phone. As others have said, screen res and the lack of 3G are deal breakers, but so far nobody else has confirmed anything that's any better overall. Google should be very worried about the future of their OS right now.
"Google should be very worried about the future of their OS right now"
I agree. Although, I don't think Google is really concerned because they probably never intended for Android to be a money maker like say, WinMo where MS charges a fee to manufacturers to use it. I presume Google has already or are getting close to making up the money they spent on developing Android. IMO, if this pace of Android development and lack of handsets keeps up then from a consumers point of view at the very least, it will fail.
Unfortunately, I think the Smartphone OS market is closer to being established than first thought. Right now, it seems that Symbian, Apple, MS and RIM have a solid and firm grip on their respective share of the market and it seems it'll take a lot to make them budge. Although I don't think Google were late to the game with Android, it's just that they haven't done enough with it in general to make a significant impact. Of course, this dilemma is relevant to Palm as well. Now, no one will argue that what they potentially have with WebOS is awesome and from what we've seen, is the only legitimate game changer since Apple's (much) over hyped iPhone. Now, Palm are faced with the obstacle of playing catch up with this established playing field but they have more potential, I think, than Google to penetrate this tough market, if we judge it on the incredible amount of hype and anticipation that Palm has been able to generate thus far. I, for one, am enthusiastically looking forward to the Palm Pre and hope they manage to deliver on the hype and promise because as it stands, I think Google hasn't executed and may have let their time pass them by in this ruthless market.
Of course, this is just my personal opinion >.
Is this supposed to be like a branch off General Motors? In that case, you will be charging the battery a damn lot.
@Flashpoint
Also works as a mirror - girls will sure love it.
A android w/o 3g....when we have a android WITH 3g...pointless.
Android is dead.
Unless Google itself comes out with their own phone, Android is dead. These no-name companies coming out with Android phones simply don't have the brand-name recognition and marketing power to make any difference at all.
The only way a no-name company has any chance to grab any significant market share is if they were to introduce something incredibly game-changing. But in a world of iPhones, Blackberries, and Palm Pres, most of these Android phones just get lost in the shuffle and do not stand out as anything significantly better than what most people have already seen and are already comfortable with.
As much as developers want to see an open source OS succeed in mobile, without the backing of a significant brand and mobile carrier, Android has no chance whatsoever in succeeding. That's just the hard reality.