We've been hearing about / poking fun of ITG's xpPhone since June of last year, but amazingly enough, we'd yet to actually see one in the flesh until today. Slyly stuck in the back corner of Microsoft's Computex booth were a trio of xpPhones, at least one of which was shockingly functional. As the story goes, the company has decided to axe Windows XP in favor of a much more lightweight version of WinXP Embedded, and responsiveness seemed suitable enough given the circumstances. And by "circumstances," we mean "the outrageous size." You see, we've no qualms making and receiving calls on an ultra-sleek Dell Streak, but this bad boy was pushing a solid inch in thickness. Sure, there's a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, optical sensor and integrated Bluetooth, but that hardly makes it viable in a world where smartphones are thinner than wallets and full-fledged laptops are rolling in at under 10mm. During our time with the device, we found the display to be surprisingly crisp, and while our finger presses were easily recognized, the omission of an accelerometer, the tremendous size, inexcusable weight and the tremendous size kept us from falling head over heels. We will say, though -- it'd make a darn good weapon should someone pull a fast one in the alley, and we'd probably buy one for kicks at under $150. Comedy ensues after the break.
I'd get one just for the novelty of having full fledged XP on a phone. What's the difference between XP and XP Embedded? And does any one know the price?
"You see, we've no qualms making and receiving calls on an ultra-sleek Dell Streak"
Wow, you guys are nerds. Whether it's a Streak or an XP phone, I would see a huge, huge nerd talking on a huge, huge phone in either of these situations.
This thing would require the user to carry a purse which may suit the metros/switch hitters but isn't going to interest most men. IMO the Incredible/N1/iPhone are pretty much the ideal form factor, I'm even thinking the EVO will be just a bit big and I'm not so sure about its extra weight in shorts pockets.
There is one area where the "retro is now cool" cycle doesn't apply. That is technology. I'd sooner hunt for a pay phone, those at least evoke nostalgia.
put the full version of XP back on this, and market it as a netbook with a new form factor that can also make phone calls, rather than a phone which has an OS that no other device uses.
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posted June 1st 2010 10:08AM
@Stengo
I'm sorry, I'd seen other kids do it, and I thought I'd try it to be cool. I guess I just wanted to fit in. I wont do it again, I promise.
I'd get one just for the novelty of having full fledged XP on a phone. What's the difference between XP and XP Embedded? And does any one know the price?
"You see, we've no qualms making and receiving calls on an ultra-sleek Dell Streak"
Wow, you guys are nerds. Whether it's a Streak or an XP phone, I would see a huge, huge nerd talking on a huge, huge phone in either of these situations.
No one snickers when they talk about using the iPad as a phone when you've got a compatible wired or Bluetooth headset, but they'll poke fun at this?
This thing would require the user to carry a purse which may suit the metros/switch hitters but isn't going to interest most men. IMO the Incredible/N1/iPhone are pretty much the ideal form factor, I'm even thinking the EVO will be just a bit big and I'm not so sure about its extra weight in shorts pockets.
Finally, Windows Phone 7 revealed!
They can keep it, that thing is a brick!
"Greed is good...
uh... Wall Street sized phones are good"
haha that is one huge phone.
@Threlly
Is this the new sasquatch phone I've been hearing about?
Possibly a modern version of the first ever phone
When I say these companies today are all stupid, u guys don't believe me. This is one more prove.
Hey, but it's got a heck of an app store.
There is one area where the "retro is now cool" cycle doesn't apply. That is technology. I'd sooner hunt for a pay phone, those at least evoke nostalgia.
Just wait until they release the extended battery pack so you can actually use this for more than 1 hour...
I want to see the face of the cop, who just pull you cause you don't have a bluetooth, to ask you why in h@ll do you have a netbook on your ear!?!?
haha the guy barely knows how to use his own phone :D
put the full version of XP back on this, and market it as a netbook with a new form factor that can also make phone calls, rather than a phone which has an OS that no other device uses.