Intel isn't just showing off
its new Atom hotness at IDF Beijing, they also pulled out a previously unseen MID from previous non-player BYD. Codenamed Mars, the MID runs an Atom processor in a clamshell form factor, with a full Windows XP install and QWERTY keyboard. On the back of the lid there's a regular phone keypad and secondary screen. It's not going to beat the RAZR at a weigh-in, and we'd feel pretty dumb holding something this large up to our head, but it's a pretty wild concept all the same, and a nice teaser of the sort of MID / phone "synergy" we might come to expect when
Moorestown rolls around. No word on the timeline for commercialization, but there's supposed to be a working unit floating around IDF so we'll keep our eyes peeled. Video is after the break, with the BYD unveiling a bit after the 3 minute mark.
posted Apr 9th 2009 11:58AM
Smartphone powered by Windows XP... that would be very interesting
Too bad HP owns NVIDIA, or else we might get a TEGRA MID with WIIMAX + skype= unlimited calls and a # for 60$ a year
A FLYING POOP INTERCOLIDED WITH A DONKEY
oh yeah, apple computers SUK
PISS IN A WISHING WELL APPLE! WISH FOR MORE PISS COS IT IS ENERGY FOR THE NEW iCLONES
Uh, wow. I don't think Roy should comment when he's been drinking anymore.
It's big, but damn, I think I'd use it. Especially with a nice, cheap unlimited data plan like Sprint's Unlimited Vision. No more clumsy, "kinda" web-browsing, but actual, full, well-supported internet access through Firefox and IE. And at a decent speed, none-the-less! No more "Your Web Broswer isn't supported" messages! That's something no Linux MID can offer.
Still, for pocket gaming, ION is going to destroy this. ION can do 30fps in Call of Duty. Kinda puts 20fps on Quake3 to shame. I wonder if we'll ever see a WinXP, ION-based, huge cellphone thingy.
Ten year old aren't allowed to drink
In other words: Go and buy an iPhone, G1 or Touch Pro at your local dealer.
I totally disagree. Assuming this isn't something that would be insanely expensive and can legitimately claim running XP, this would be amazing. Being able to do all of the things you can do on xp on something that small would be very useful. Sure it isn't something you'd write a paper on, but you could still do far more then you could on a "smart" phone, that limits you to 1 application at a time, and can't/won't even play a site like hulu.com on it's web browser.
Additionally this would be great publicity if microsoft can get windows 7 working on here well and show it off.
My WinMo phone multitasks and I can run hulu over Skyfire, also I run RemoteDesktop fullscreen when I have to do something my phone can't. Of course there are handicaps. Besides, Windows Mobile 6.1 and 6.5 are still based on Windows CE 5.0. Microsoft is really behind on their mobile department. Windows CE 6.0 released a long time ago (2007) and they're only now starting Windows Mobile 7
I don't also see the point to Windows XP. It's not really geared for small such touch screens.
Maybe Windows 7 on a 800x480 screen.
Behold! The brick phone is back!
more like the bricking BSOD phone
Get me an iPhone or even G1 sized phone that runs full Windows 7 and we have a deal
This is actually an excellent idea and looks like a very nice Netbook/MID hybrid form factor, but they really should have skipped the laughably giant phone and just made the phone functionality bluetooth headset only.
Interesting! I wouldn't mind such a huge device for a phone if it ran Win XP or 7 on it, that'd be sweet for my business meetings and possibly presentations. Can't wait!
Why would anyone want a phone this big? No way is that thing ever going to fit comfortably in a pocket. Go buy a RAZR and an OQO, or an iPhone and a netbook.
People used to pay tons of money for cell phones a lot bigger than this...
First of all, the goal isn't to be your cell phone, and secondly you put up with far worse say 7 years ago.
BYD, the Chinese car-KIRF company with the BMW'ish logo and the CLK'ish F8? They do have lots of engineers...
This phone thing looks about the same size as my Motorola smartphone... that's still ok.
BYD is the parent company; they do have a car division called BYD Auto, and the battery division, which is world's 2nd largest cell phone battery maker. They have a degree of independence from each. It's kinda like Mitsubishi's cars and electronics. I don't know which division is shipping this phone, but I don't think it will be BYD Auto.
Novel? What, you've never seen a Nokia communicator? I've owned two...
Give it to the nurse! Dudes that are nurses love sweet sound systems!
You'd assume it has BT so the calls aren't made with the thing against your head so it seems pretty nice, And a use of the atom as it is intended, in small portable things not in freaking desktop housings.
Not that I would get it, I don't want my portable computer to be traceable at all times.
I would buy this if it were available... I don't care if I did look like a geek holding that brick of a phone up to my ear. Full XP in my pocket with my phone built in? SOLD!
Ditto that!
A phone that can use WinXP? How cool is that? I only have space for one device when I'm at work/play. I'd LOVE to have a device that can do more than mobile 6.5 but be smaller than your average netbook.
Several Points:
1. Hoepfully Microsoft will have a 'light' version for XP soon. A 800x600 screen would be a good place to start too.
2. Dual boot? XP instant-on would be cool.... XP on a dedicated chip + 16GB MicroSD as the HD? That'll keep the batt alive longer.
3. Keep micronizing the form factor. As long as you can get 8 hrs+ XP use for the battery it'll be just fine.
4. DEFINITELY needs Bluetooth, as this baby would be plugged into my dash as much as possible!
5. Connectivity- DEFINITELY needs a way to get video out to VGA or NTSC TV set. A 3.5mm Audio Out would be civil too.
6. Lo & Behold! Can there be at least ONE USB port?
The OQO is smaller than the phone in the demo and is more polished. It also has wireless broadband options.
Yes, but it doesn't actually work as a phone.
And don't say 'but It can do Skype!', because not everybody wants to have to log in to make a phone call, and Skype can't make calls to every number on the planet.
That's exactly what I'm looking for:
- fully-featured phone
- netbook capabilities
- full keyboard
Sure, it's a bit bulky, but I'd be perfectly happy to hold that to my ear and chat. For those who feel shy, they can always opt for a bluetooth headset, Most importantly, for use as a media player, I'd have a decent sized screen. For use as a netbook, I'd have a decent OS (easy to hook up to corporate networks, and (hopefully) have a decent keyboard. In addition, I might be able to put a decent size battery into that form factor, which could translate into L O N G intervals between recharging.
Ok, so it's not from a well known (maybe a KIRF) manufacturer, but this :
-this design is original (it's not a KIRF)
-the parts seem to be genuine (i.e. Intel)
-the OS is probably licensed (i.e. XP)
-the price may be ok, maybe compelling
It looks like a step in the right direction. Let's give this device a fair trial, wherever it comes from and however it is branded.
Exactly what I was thinking! Sure it looked like a big brick but you know what; this is only the beginning and if this can do everything within XP and be able to make calls and text, I'd be willing to wait for this device.
This way I can at least get Skype Video calls on the GO!!!
I'd rather be seen with this to my ear than talking to myself out loud in public with a not-so-visible Bluetooth ear piece.
I've been wanting something exactly like this for years...well maybe not so huge (yeah I know, that's what she said). I've been imagining a phone that can run the latest OS and still be used like a computer since about 2005.
Hold on... What 'synergy' was there other than evidence that they glued a phone onto the back of an old laptop? If only I could listen to audio on Windows 7.64.
At least it's not Vista.
it makes a very pleasant, sturdy sounding *click* when he closes it; I'd buy it
too bad it wasn't on.
"gaming in your pocket!"
...thats what she said?
Its a prototype and over time it will change be for it hit the market! And when that happen we be all over it to buy it!!
windows mobile 7 is like 3 steps behind...
Intel keeps trying to tout the concept of MIDs as a marketing ploy for it's lower-powered chips, to almost no avail. (The few "MD" products that have launched are in limited markets; many may never come to North America, and almost all are more expensive than a netbook.) It's time for Intel to quit touting non-existent "concept" products to the consumer market as an alternative means of marketing it's chips to manufacturers. They need to market their wares to manufacturers in traditional means. I'm tired of hearing Intel's hype about MIDs--it's a product that will probably win the vaporware of the decade award.
That thing is like the size of a DS. If they could sell it for 350 dollars and have 5 hours or more of battery they would make a killing.
Woah... That's huge
Seriously it would be awesome if they made phones with this ability commercially available.. BUT .. they do need to adjust the UI obviously. All the capabilities should be there .. but I don't want to have to go to Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> Dialer to make a phone call.
I NEED THIS!! GIVE IT TO MEEEE
Caman!!!
You can really tell when something annoys a mac fanboi they start with the insults.
This is a very small full operating system device. You wouldn't hold it to your ear, you have a bluetooth headset as someone else already mentioned.
The iphone is crazy cool for it's thinness but as far as this being a full os, kudos. one step closer to future device perfection.
All technology is a rung on a ladder. apple helps influence design but no longer influence power.
This seems like a fantastic device. Why can't people just say that instead of trying to poo all over it?