Saygus VPhone V1 hits the FCC, headed for Verizon next?
By Donald Melanson 
posted Nov 5th 2009 1:26PM
posted Nov 5th 2009 1:26PM
We had some indication that Verizon would have a third Android device ready by early 2010 in addition to the DROID and ERIS -- one that may be boosted by the carrier's Open Development program -- and it looks like the FCC may have now given us our first real look at it. While it's obviously still unconfirmed as of yet, this Saygus VPhone V1 phone that recently sailed through the agency certainly seems to fit the bill, and the company has even gone so far as to not so subtly feature an article about a Verizon's mysterious third Android device on its own website. As you can see, however, the phone itself doesn't exactly do too much to stand out from the current crop of Android sliders, but it should hold its own when it comes to specs. That includes a 3.5-inch 800 x 480 capacitive touchscreen, a 624MHz Marvell PXA310 processor, a 5-megapixel camera, a second, front-facing camera for video calls, built-in GPS, WiFi, a microSD card slot and even an FM radio, among other standard fare. Still no indication of that rumored WiFi tethering out of the box, unfortunately, but we're guessing this one could win quite a few fans if that pans out -- and, of course, if it's actually the real thing.
Is it just me or does this thing look...a LOT like the DROID? XD
Actually the droid looks a lot better IMO. This thing looks much bulkier and it has a smaller screen. The processor is the only upgrade. I am personally waiting for the HD2 before I make my mind up on a smartphone purchase.
Well I said it looked LIKE the DROID, not identical. ;)
"DROID CHUBBO."
Cool story, bro.
how many phones have "brown sugar" highlights? this and the motodroid. so yeah, undeniably similar.
Is the processor actually an upgrade or are you just another one of those fools that things higher clockspeed automatically means better processor.
OMAP3 != Marvell
Clock speeds aren't everything.
Yeah the processor is definitely a downgrade. It's like comparing a 3.0GHz P4 to a 2.8GHz i7 Not only is the CPU an older and slower architecture, it also lacks the GPU and DSP of the OMAP3. I'm guessing this is more of a feature-smart phone.
WHO is saygus
Can we be honest? This thing looks KIRFy as hellllll
@ale : Agreed, first thing I thought was "Never knew Verizon sold KIRFs..."
"What do you get when a 5800, N97 Mini, and DROID crash into each other?"
Question answered.
A piece of crap?
@ ataranine
no, that's what happened when your mom and your dad crashed into each other.
Your need to insult someone over the internet only exhibits your insecurities.
Please, feel free to insult all you need to. I find the insults amusing.
a failure. Do u have or would u drop $300 on a Saygus? Btw ETF $350.
Or is fanboyism to android just clouding judgement. I've had 21 cell phones in a period of 13 years.
Built-in FM radio and front-facing camera + Android = win
Front facing camera for video calls eh? Sounds like an LTE phone.
has anyone actually used a mobile front facing camera?
be honest...
That seems to be the new place for a D pad. Guess i better get used to it.
I hate the "D" pads placement on these things like a trackball was already pointless now lets take up space that could be used for a super sweet biggie keyboard
Second front facing Camera? Sweet!
Keys that are spaced apart? Sweet!
Don't count on the FM antenna being enabled, but who knows... (Not too many CDMA phones have a FM fix (diamond))
It lists listening to FM radio as a feature in the user manual. Given that this thing is CMDA/EV-DO(again, from the user manual), it's pretty much Verizon only so it wouldn't make much sense for them to throw that in without it being available on any carrier.
The Imagio has FM radio enabled, as did the Omnia II demo I used. Cant remember if the TP2 does or not.
Yeah won't this be the first front facing camera on a phone to be on Verizon's network? Or any US network?
I for one welcome our new reptilian overlords.
(Reference: http://i33.tinypic.com/333gyvp.jpg)
(Man Morena Baccarin is a looker. BRB. Firefly)
I don't understand the d pad if it's a touch screen ...
Why does it look like it was just pulled out of a fire?
I don't know but it needs to be placed back into the fire.
it looks..kirf-ish.
the 3.5screen makes me sad. but all the rest looks okay. you're smoking crack if you think the droid's keyboard looks better than this one...
hate that dpad though there's just no style to it
Agreed.
The forward facing cam is probably to blame for the screen size. I am willing to make this sacrifice for video chat, or self photos.
It looks to me like it was made out of spare parts or build about 5 years ago. Something about this to me says - it will be available on street corners along with $50 genuine Roelex watches.
this looks like the toy version of the droid you'd give to your 3 year old nephew
as ugly as this thing is, i have to admit it still looks better than the motodroid.
The picture makes it look like the chewtoy you'd give your dog.
MEH.....
First the DROID, then the DROID ERIS, now the DROID KIRF.
IT'S MARVEL BABY!...sorry had to do it.
that thing is ugly and that keyboard has a fucked up layout...
Substance vs style...I go with substance every time. It's a video phone, not something you would want to sleep with.
Is it just me or are there WAY too many useless also-ran phones and smartphones flooding the market every day -- this Android business is becoming like Linux all over again: 133 different variations of it and no one will care about any one.
Sort of, except that Android has the backing of the major corporations, doesn't require any of the general Linux knowledge other Linux distro's have required(the main thing holding back consumer mindshare), and appears to be taking off in a very big way. Really, though, it's not too different from the Windows Mobile and Blackberry's of yore(but without the usability issues)
I think you mean Windows. Which is what Android wants to be.
who the hell would buy a saygus? never heard of em before
Now all the people who said the droid is ugly look at this wow but im still gona get the droid over this or the passion if it comes out soon or leaked but hey does anyone know if the processor is better in this than the droid like the droid has that second graphics thing right?
I can see this being for metro pcs
Say no to drugs!
That's a DROID.
I need a job!
I thought CDMA couldn't do Video calls? I guess this just uses VOIP over a data connection?
Saygus???
Verizon is desperate n hurting to increase their smartphone market share in America. Desperation who in their right mind believe saygus will even last 1 year.
Question who has better hardware crafstmanship. Apple or saygus ???? Anyone. Exactly. That's like people saying ok this BMW cost $20000. This Hyundai cost same $20000. Which one would u like. N oh btw ETF on Hyundai is $350!
Get real vzw.
wake me up when Apple has a real keyboard and video calling...
I heard ndroid can do smething vowel phone can't.
Multitasking. I heard droid can play 3 video games watch 2 movies mail blog text download apps n games call gps at the exact same time Its really cool it's like a picture in picture that splits the screen up into 12 smaller screens. iPhone doesn't have that.
What is WiFi tethering and why is it important? I thought tethering is when you use your cellphone's 3G connection to give internet to your laptop. If there is already WiFi access, why do you need tethering?
WiFi tethering is basically turning your phone into a mobile WiFi router, using your phone's data connection. It's like those new MiFi devices, only it's built into your phone. So you can use your data connection on (I believe) up to five devices, including your computer, iPod touch, whatever. The benefit this phone has (and the reason it can do it and others can't) is that it has a larger WiFi antenna. And from what I hear from people in the know, this will be enabled out of the box.
Uh, yeah guys, do you think they put a real picture there for the FCC filing? It's an old proto that is pictured, and you (may not?) know how those things get abused. The real one is slick.
@Jughead
Yeah, CDMA maybe "couldn't" do video calls, but no one can do what Saygus is doing. Don't be fooled by the Kirf-y looking photo that was sent to the FCC...people are going to be surprised
PS on all of the KIRF talk. How long ago was the MotoDroid pictured? By anyone outside of Motorola/Verizon?
And you think a company, who is based out of Utah (read: not China), that is legitimate enough to be in talks with Verizon to put it on their network could pump out a KIRF of the Droid in that time span?
Riiiiiight. Go smoke another one, guys.
And as for the video calling. Video calling doesn't work on CDMA using current compression techniques. But who knows, maybe these guys have developed a new compression method. I know, I know, CRAZINESS! New ideas coming from small companies (like Fingerworks, PA Semi, NeXt and Apple itself when it started [I know, tons of Apple, but they like to buy small companies for their ideas]) is just absolutely absurd. It's not like it's actually the more common way for new ideas to come around, and that larger companies generally have to purchase smaller companies for new ideas. Not like that at all…
This looks like the droid if it was made in the 80s
especially the keyboard font
i feel old now, and nostalgic :)
I met Chad Sayers, CEO of Saygus, a year and a half ago. I was in his conference room @ his office, in SLC, Ut. and he was in Las Vegas. I saw him live and he saw me live and we communicated live time. This was the while I was there to buy stock in the company. The capability of this phone is amazing. It will enable you to talk and see anyone across the planet. Do you have relatives or military family somewhere on this planet, that you would like to see as well as talk to @ the same time --this is for you!!! I swear this is a no-brainer!!! The picture you see of this, was the first of several prototypes to show what is coming..
Updated page with better photos and specs: http://saygus.com/v1
this sounds interesting