We're hearing that the
Alias 2 is on track for a release in less than two weeks from now -- May 11, to be exact -- which would mean that we're just a few short days away from seeing the very first E Ink handset launch in the States. Yes, that's right, we said it -- after all the heated debate over the technology powering the Alias 2's configurable keypad, our tipster tells us that new information floating down from corporate confirms that the device is using E Ink, which would explain why it's able to maintain state even with the power off. We still think it's one awfully ugly phone, but this might be one of those all-too-frequent cases where cool tech ends up winning our hearts anyway. As for pricing, the tipster thinks it may come in at $79, which seems improbable even with deep contract discounting and a big mail-in rebate -- but if by some miracle it does end up being accurate, they're going to be selling tons of these to text-heavy geeks like ourselves.
[Image via
PhoneArena, thanks ehjun]
posted May 1st 2009 3:40PM
wow...this looks strangely familiar
iPhone ripoff.
Does it run Safari? That's the icon flipped horizontally on the shelf.
Yeah that sure does look like the Safari icon...
Now that I flip it in my mind... I see that it IS safari! Awesome.
Dude, it's not Safari. It's VZ Navigator. Ever see oh I dunno.. ANY VZW phone since 2005?
Hurray! Another BREW cripplephone from Verizon!
I'll probably be bleeding red all over the UI too.
Verizon always takes something nice and cripples it somehow.
See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ej_BENjjeb8
Don't get me wrong, the E-Ink thing is cool, but I just hate how VZ always has to cripple everything.
hi -
The very first mobile device / phone with E-ink was the Motofone F3. While designed and created for India and the developing world, Amazon has had it available for purchase in the US [US GSM frequencies] for about 2 years now. More details here :
http://thinkmoreinc.wordpress.com/2009/03/19/50-2/
Granted, the Motofone has a Black / White / Grayscale display, while this new phone has a color display.
The main display isn't E-Ink, just the keypad.
It's only the keyboard that uses E ink labels. The display screen is still LCD.
Looks like the keyboard from my old Atari 400.
It's a Transformer.
Excellent tech, but they should have paid for a design...
This looks like a Timex Sinclair 1000 running Microsoft Bob. Can you record program code by putting a cassette recorder up next to the speaker too? Either way, this is one bad flashback.
Bob! LOL. I'm glad to have forgotten all about that. It does have some resemblance.
I know it doesn't look fantastic, but I have to say I'm impressed. I have the original Alias and, though I don't go on the internet with it or anything, for a basic phone that doesn't require an expensive data plan I absolutely love it. I have dropped the thing more times than I can remember, including outside where it was rained on for about ten minutes before I figured out it wasn't in my pocket anymore. It's durable, small, and still has a full keyboard!
My friends like it too, and the only complaint has been that the buttons for the keyboard are extremely small. I'm used to it at this point, but the Alias 2 design fixes that major flaw.
I don't care what it costs at launch, but I might have to hit it in the butt if it's cheap in September.
No numbers on the keypad?
I'm not too sure that you understand the point of this phone....That's O.K., there's nothing wrong with being special.
That's why the keypad is E ink, you press the key in the bottom left corner and the keys relabel themselves with numbers. Get it?
Now I get it. hooray!
Is the E ink the reason why they can't manage to put the letters in the middle of the keys?
rawrawrawr
Its for looks.
It looks like the keys are set in a tiny bit. I'm not sure how easy it will be to type on.
I bet it will feel like a Speak-n-Spell with the membrane keyboard... not the one with the raised real buttons...
The Keys are raised
Lebedev, are you paying attention?
my GF had the O.G. version of this and she LOVED it... she's very upset that only verizon carries it... even though it is very ugly, it works very well (aka it does what it's supposed to, great battery life, phone call reception, great qwerty for texting, and none of the extra smartphone stuff).
worked well for her.
so ugly...yuck! :(
i actually think this looks like a pretty interesting device...
better than the first, at least.
I don't get why Engadget thinks it is SO ugly? I get why the posters do...because they rarely have an original thought and just like to reiterate what the story says...
But remember, just because Engadget says it is ugly, doesn't make it so.
Sure it does! (I kid, I kid...)
I agree, I think it's an interesting design.
Groupthink.
I have the origional one and it does what its supposed too. also thats the vz navigator emblem not safari. The phones design isn't amazing but it is interesting not ugly
does your battery last less than a day, like mine?
i think people were commenting on how the icon is ripped off safari's, and didn't actually think it was safari running on the phone.
This is more of a meh. I do love the dual hinge form factor. If they can get an Android device with this form factor but with a bigger internal screen(at least 2.8 inches with at least 240x400 res) then I'd buy it in an instant. Something that looks like the Ruby VE1 mixed the Moto MPx. That would be total win.
I have the current Alias. I can't say it's not a piece of crap, but this might actually be good. I'll certainly be looking at it when it's out.
very nice phone design, hope the OS is capable.
I wouldn't buy it solely because of the hideousness of the Verizon logo. I feel sorry for you americans.
I hope someone makes one with Windows Mobile on it. (yeah I said it)
Also it would be great if that circular piece on the top left of the screen was a camera.
Has it occurred to anyone that the keypad could be powered by an accelerometer, a la iPhone? It's a hybrid flip. In text mode, it displays a QWERTY keyboard. In flip mode, you get the dialing layout. That's the only way I can see this being feasible. The keys are not actual keys, but images on a touch screen that change according to mode.
You really wouldn't even need an accelerometer. You just use the same sensor that the screen/hinge uses to display at the correct orientation. Also, it just looks like there are screens under the buttons rather than a touch screen.
the UI looks nice ... :)
i called Verizon today it is in their computer system with a launch date of the 11th and a price of 129.99 before 50 dollar mail in rebate