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Hop-on introduces HOP1890 ChitterChatter for seniors, simpletons
It's pretty much impossible to take any press release from Hop-on seriously, and its latest one is a perfect example of why. In essence, it points out that the GSM-based HOP1890 ChitterChatter will operate on AT&T's multi-billion dollar 3G network, but from what we can tell, it won't actually be offered as a subsidized handset at AT&T locales. At any rate, this here handset is designed for the elderly or for folks who don't appreciate the most extravagant of extras, though it does boast GPS tracking, a "panic button," a concierge service to help you place calls / contact emergency personnel and even the ability to fax / e-mail your medical records on demand if something goes awry. There's no mention of price, but if we had to guess, we'd put it somewhere between "dirt cheap" and "just plain cheap."[Via phonescoop]
Hop-on promises Android phone at CES, cookies, rainbows
Sure, we've seen a lot of product announcements from Hop-on accompanied by janky product renders over the years -- but we've never seen an actual Hop-on phone, so we're a little skeptical of the company's promise this morning to release an Android phone at CES this year. What's more, it's supposed to come in under $200, which is right in character for a manufacturer whose major claim to fame is the "disposable" cell phone, we suppose. We'll see if such a phone actually appears at the show -- Hop-on boldly says this mythical device will make it "competitive in the high-end phone market," which is probably sending shock waves through the offices of HTC, Apple, and RIM as we speak.
Hop-on's $13.99 HOP1811 makes calls faster than any other handset in the world
Aw, snap! Just what we've been waiting for! Forget that BlackBerry Storm. Overlook the Touch HD. The real iPhone killer has finally arrived in the Hop-on HOP1811. Taking off where the HOP1800 left off, this revamped "anti-iPhone" packs GSM connectivity, a Graffiti Wireless Airtime Plan, 4-hours of talk time (150-hours in standby), support for polyphonic ring tones and an almost unbelievable $13.99 price tag. And check out the bold words passed on by the outfit's CEO: "I challenge anyone to make a call faster than on the HOP1811." You hear that? That's a dare, son.[Via Slashphone]
Hop-On HOP1803 shamelessly apes Nokia XpressMusic 5310
So Hop-On apparently got tired of showing rendered vaporware after rendered vaporware and finally came to the table with some real products, but there's a little problem: one of them, the HOP1803, is a dead ringer for Nokia's XpressMusic 5310. We figure Hop-On probably just went to their friendly local manufacturer in Shenzen and ordered a handful of products to start distributing, which is totally cool, but they either failed to turn on their blatant ripoff radar while they were shopping around or simply didn't care. If it's any consolation, Nokia, the 5310's specs totally smack around the HOP1803's, though we're guessing the "X-Press Music" branding on the side of the doppelganger might still attract some legal wrath -- especially since Hop-On allegedly plans to try hawking this thing in the States.[Via Slashphone]
Hop-On readying six new 1800 series phones, including $125 smartphone
It looks like Hop-On isn't resting on its laurels after letting is $10 "anti-iPhone" loose last month, with the budget-minded company now also set to release no less than six new handsets in its 1800 series, all of which will come in under $125. At the top end of that lot is the HOP1801 smartphone, which the company says will be the lowest cost smartphone on the market, although it unfortunately doesn't seem to be ready to provide any more details than that just yet. That'll be joined by the HOP1803 "Ultra Low Price" GSM tri-band phone, the HOP1805 model for emerging markets, and the HOP1810 GSM dual-band cameraphone, all of which are equally light on specifics at the moment. Boasting a few more details are the HOP1808 cameraphone, which will boast support for dual SIM cards and optional Bluetooth, and the HOP1809 3G cameraphone, which will apparently come with Bluetooth as standard and boast Java support. No indication of a release date for any of 'em just yet though, nor is there any word as to exactly how each will fall in that $10 to $125 bracket.
Hop-On Mobile releases $10 HOP1800, the "anti-iPhone"
Don't worry if you've never heard of 'em, but Hop-On's got a new $10 disposable cellphone that goes by the name of HOP1800. Dual-band on 850/1900 or 900/1800, featuring totally rad vibrating or polyphonic MIDI ringing, Hop-On's billing this one as the "anti-iPhone"; we're not exactly sure what makes this the anti-iPhone other than the fact that it, um, doesn't actually do anything (except make calls), but hey, sounds like an easy way to sell some throwaway handsets.[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
Unnamed distributor bringing Hop-On's disposable cellphones to Europe
Details are pretty light on this one at the moment but, according to Telcoms.com, an unidentified European distributor has made a "test purchase" of no less than 10,000 disposable cellphones from Hop-On, which the company describes as a "a big step in introducing Hop-on to Europe." As before, the phone doesn't include a screen of any sort and costs a mere $20 with it employing a Texas Instruments chipset and operating on the 900/1800MHz band in this case. Needless to say, there's no word as to when or where the phones will actually be available, but that same unnamed distributor has apparently already made "multiple purchase orders" that are set to follow the initial test order, so it seems the phones should be landing in the hands of plenty of Europeans, however briefly, soon enough.[Via textually.org]
"YahooPhone" and "YPhone" trademarks filed for... by Hop-on?
We've heard a lot of talk from Hop-on, makers of all those cheap cellphones that never seem to go anywhere, but the company may have bitten off a little more than it can chew with its latest trademark registration filings for "YahooPhone" and "YPhone." Yep, that's right -- those names bring to mind any massive consumer-oriented companies that might not be happy? Oh, right. There's been some speculation that Hop-on is actually developing a phone for Yahoo!, since it has some deals in place with AT&T and Verizon, but it's pretty unlikely the company is also in charge of branding to the point where it's registering trademarks. No, our guess is that someone's hoping that the folks up in Sunnyvale are a little too distracted by the clumsy advances of one Mr. Ballmer to keep track of a little thing like potentially infringing trademark registrations -- yeah, we don't think that's going to work out so well for you, guys.[Via Trademork]Read - YahooPhone filingRead - YPhone filing
Hop-on's HOP2001 brings dual-mode action to Windows Mobile
So what's more creative, a disposable cellphone or a dual-mode GSM / CDMA WinMo smartphone? Tough call, but it's a very real question seeing how Hop-on apparently makes both. This here is the HOP2001, a phone with a spec sheet that sounds just a little too good to be true: triband HSDPA 3.6, CDMA (though EV-DO doesn't appear to be supported), a 3 megapixel autofocus cam, 256MB of ROM and 128MB of RAM, integrated GPS, microSD expansion, Bluetooth 2.0, WiFi, and Windows Mobile 6 (never mind the fact that the shoddy rendering shows Windows Mobile 5, we suppose). Hop-on proudly proclaims the HOP2001 to be "AT&T / Verizon ready," though we'll hold off on proclaiming this one of the most feature-packed WinMo handsets on the market until we see some actual units in use. Call us jaded!
Hop-on resurrects disposable phone for Verizon's open network
Hoping to capitalize on Verizon's new come one, come all attitude, Hop-on's getting back into the game with its disposable CDMA handset, a concept it has been throwing around on and off for the past several years. Dubbed "The Graffiti," the phone (which isn't the least bit wasteful thanks to a recycling rebate from the manufacturer) will be distributed through Hop-on's Graffiti Wireless subsidiary for "under $50" contract-free, a price point that puts it head to head with far less disposable low-end handsets -- you know, handsets with actual "features" like displays. For what it's worth, Hop-on says that it's targeting The Graffiti at "kids, teens, seniors, tourist, vacationers, business travelers and people with credit challenges," and even though we're quite certain we won't personally be laying out the requisite cash, we're still delighted that Verizon's policy shift is making craziness like this possible.
Hop-on intros HOP1883 GPS phone
It's been a hot minute since we've heard from Hop-on, but the firm is hitting us up with a new GPS phone dubbed HOP1883. Granted, it's currently listed as "in production," and the only product shots we're seeing are mere renderings, but nevertheless, this tri-band GSM handset purportedly sports a candybar-styled exterior, 2.8-inch QVGA (320 x 240) display and support for a variety of languages. Additionally, it features an integrated SiRFstarIII GPS chipset, up to eight-hours of talk time, 32MB of SDRAM, Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0 connectivity, a T-Flash expansion slot and a two-megapixel camera to boot. Sadly, all we're missing is a price and a release date, but here's to hoping it won't be long before those final pieces fall into place.[Via NaviGadget]
Hop On promises aggressive defense of MP3 phone patent
If you've already got yourself a music phone, you might wanna hold onto it for awhile, because some forthcoming patent "extortion" promises to jack up prices on any model with side-mounted speakers. You probably remember handset manufacturer Hop On from some of its low end wares that we've covered, and now the company has just received a design patent on an "MP3 Phone with speakers on the side, in addition to front and side buttons to activate its camera/video features." No big deal, except for the fact that Hop On plans to seek royalties for all past and future cellphones that it considers to be infringing on its IP -- in other words, millions upon millions of units. So keep your eyes open, because if the Moto's, Nokia's, and LG's of the world aren't down with Hop On's licensing proposals, it's likely we'll see a whole slew of lawsuits in an industry that already has more than its fair share of squabbling players.[Via Electronista]
