Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Former Gizmondo exec Stefan Eriksson gets 1.5 year sentence, movie might now have ending]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/11/former-gizmondo-exec-stefan-eriksson-gets-1-5-year-sentence-mov/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/11/former-gizmondo-exec-stefan-eriksson-gets-1-5-year-sentence-mov/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/11/former-gizmondo-exec-stefan-eriksson-gets-1-5-year-sentence-mov/#comments Will this be the final chapter in the infamous and incredibly entertaining tale of former Gizmondo head Bo Stefan "Fiery Ferrari Crasher" Eriksson? Doubtful, but with any luck it'll serve as a decent thread to wrap up that optioned movie on his life. An Uppsala, Sweden District Court has sentenced the man to 1.5 years in prison for his most recent round of escapades, which include illegal threats, attempted blackmail, and robbery. Assuming he starts jail fairly soon, mark your calendars and place your bets, we're expecting a whole new slew of comical misdeeds to hit the news feeds by March 2011 -- and no, we still don't think a new Gizmondo will be out by then.

[Thanks, piraya]

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Former Gizmondo exec Stefan Eriksson gets 1.5 year sentence, movie might now have ending originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 11 Jul 2009 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bo stefanbo stefan erikssonBoStefanBoStefanErikssonerikssonfelonygizmondojaillawlegalsentencestefan erikssonStefanErikssonswedenuppsalauppsala swedenUppsalaSwedenSat, 11 Jul 2009 14:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Ferrari splitting ex-Gizmondo exec Stefan Eriksson's tale optioned for a movie]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/30/ferrari-splitting-ex-gimondo-execs-tale-optioned-for-a-movie/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/30/ferrari-splitting-ex-gimondo-execs-tale-optioned-for-a-movie/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/30/ferrari-splitting-ex-gimondo-execs-tale-optioned-for-a-movie/#comments At last, former Gizmondo head honcho Bo Stefan Eriksson's story is finally going to be told on film -- or rather, the one told in Wired will be. Writer-director Craig Zobel and producer Beau Flynn have optioned the rights to create a movie based on the publication's October 2006 article "Gizmondo's Spectacular Crack-up" by Randall Sullivan, which chronicles the build up to his infamous car crash. Flynn's production company Contrafilm will be backing the project, and should the movie actually make it to theaters and be successful, we suspect there'll be plenty of material for a sequel.

[Via Gizmodo]

Read - Film optioned
Read - Original Wired article

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Ferrari splitting ex-Gizmondo exec Stefan Eriksson's tale optioned for a movie originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Apr 2009 21:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>beau flynnBeauFlynnbobo erikssonbo stefanbo stefan erikssonBoErikssonBoStefanBoStefanErikssoncontrafilmcraig zobelCraigZobelerikssongizmondorandall sullivanRandallSullivanstefan erikssonStefanErikssonwiredThu, 30 Apr 2009 21:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Former Gizmondo chief Stefan Eriksson lands back in jail, in Sweden]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/former-gizmondo-chief-stefan-eriksson-lands-back-in-jail-in-swe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/former-gizmondo-chief-stefan-eriksson-lands-back-in-jail-in-swe/http://www.engadget.com/2009/04/03/former-gizmondo-chief-stefan-eriksson-lands-back-in-jail-in-swe/#commentsWhile there's been no shortage of fresh Gizmondo rumors over the past year or so, we haven't heard much of anything about former bigwig Stefan Eriksson, who's known as much for a little car crash as he is for the company he helped bring into infamy. That looks to have changed in a big way this week, however, as Herr Eriksson has now landed back in jail in Sweden, where he's facing a whole slew of new, very serious charges, including extortion, aggravated assault, grand theft, embezzlement, and a firearms violation. No word on a new trial date or anything just yet, but it looks like Eriksson won't be resting easy anytime soon, as a district judge has granted a request to keep him in jail pending an investigation.

[Thanks, JC]

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Former Gizmondo chief Stefan Eriksson lands back in jail, in Sweden originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gizmondostefan erikssonStefanErikssonFri, 03 Apr 2009 17:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Surprise! No new Gizmondo for 2008]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/20/surprise-no-new-gizmondo-for-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/20/surprise-no-new-gizmondo-for-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/20/surprise-no-new-gizmondo-for-2008/#comments
A mere two-plus months since we were let in on plans for a Gizmondo app store, our favorite (well, second favorite) character in this epic tale of doomed handheld game systems and fiery car wrecks is back with yet another chapter, this one in the form of a Socratic dialog between Carl Freer and journalist Hans Sandberg. Apparently, the global economic downturn has made otherwise cautious investors even more cautious, prompting Freer & Co. to comb the streets of Shenzhen's Special Economic Zone in search of a new manufacturer -- a move which further complicated things by necessitating a major hardware redesign. The goal? Nothing less than a truly renegade, "truly wireless pocket PC, one that also happens to have a gaming engine," with current plans calling for both a Windows CE and an Android version. The present status of this tragic farce? No new Gizmondos for 2008, we're afraid. But we're guessing that you weren't really holding your breath anyways.

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Surprise! No new Gizmondo for 2008 originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Dec 2008 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcarl freerCarlFreergizmondowindows ceWindowsCeSat, 20 Dec 2008 11:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Carl Freer dishes out new Gizmondo tidbits]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-freer-dishes-out-new-gizmondo-tidbits/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-freer-dishes-out-new-gizmondo-tidbits/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/29/carl-freer-dishes-out-new-gizmondo-tidbits/#comments
It's been a little while since we've heard from the normally very talkative Carl Freer, but the chief Gizmondo booster has now finally returned with a few new tidbits of information about the gaming handheld, which we know you've all been patiently waiting for. Most interestingly, but not surprisingly, Freer made no mention of that supposed end of 2008 release date, with him instead saying that the company plans to release the handheld's full spec list by the end of October, and that they plan to have "volume availability" of the handled by the second quarter of 2009 -- in Europe, at least. In other news, he also confirmed that the device would boast an improved camera, and that they're even planning their "own version of the Apple App Store," which would seem to be a must considering that they're apparently also going to be relying exclusively on indie developers this time around.

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Carl Freer dishes out new Gizmondo tidbits originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 29 Sep 2008 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcarl freerCarlFreergaming handheldGamingHandheldgizmondoMon, 29 Sep 2008 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Media Power CEO shows off new Android-based Gizmondo, looks just like old Gizmondo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/11/media-power-ceo-shows-off-new-gizmondo-looks-just-like-old-gizm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/11/media-power-ceo-shows-off-new-gizmondo-looks-just-like-old-gizm/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/11/media-power-ceo-shows-off-new-gizmondo-looks-just-like-old-gizm/#commentsMedia Power CEO shows off new Gizmondo, looks just like old Gizmondo
The long-rumored resurrection of Gizmondo from the ashes of Stefan Eriksson's bisected Ferrari Enzo is near. Near, that is, if you believe Rich Jenkins, CEO of Media Power, the company behind this rebirth. Jenkins recently showed Swedish journalist Hans Sandberg a box full of pre-production gaming handhelds, all looking suspiciously like old, decidedly post-production units. According to Jenkins the changes are all internal, consisting of new graphics hardware from nVidia and an uprated battery (to be offered as a free upgrade to scorned owners of the original). Pricing is still undetermined but Android is confirmed; owners will have to choose either Google's new hotness or Microsoft's decidedly more tepid Windows CE, but can't have both -- unless they buy two. Release is still set for the end of this year via a "really cool website" hitting the intertubes next month.

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Media Power CEO shows off new Android-based Gizmondo, looks just like old Gizmondo originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 11 Sep 2008 09:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidgizmondomedia powerMediaPowernvidiarich jenkinsRichJenkinswindows ceWindowsCeThu, 11 Sep 2008 09:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Gizmondo taking Android for a ride?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/08/gizmondo-taking-android-for-a-ride/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/08/gizmondo-taking-android-for-a-ride/http://www.engadget.com/2008/09/08/gizmondo-taking-android-for-a-ride/#comments
Like a fiery car crash across the center divide, we just can't divert our attention from the antics of Gizmondo. Gizmondoforums, the self-described "home of the Gizmondo fanbase" (really, they have enough fans to create a base?) is carrying this quote from Rich Jenkins, who along with Carl Freer co-founded Media Power, the company now in charge of Gizmondo:
"We are excited about the potential of Android and have been working on an Android version of the Giz...Android would be a TERRIFIC addition to the Gizmondo and enable a TON of open source development."
Originally, the Gizmondo 2.0 gaming console was expected said to be WinCE 6-based and scheduled for an end of 2008 release. While this Android talk makes it all a bit more interesting, it certainly doesn't make it any more likely to happen.

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Gizmondo taking Android for a ride? originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 08 Sep 2008 04:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcarl freerCarlFreergizmondorich jenkinsRichJenkinsMon, 08 Sep 2008 04:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Pharrell seeks N.E.R.D.vana with Gizmondo Enzo Tee]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/06/pharrell-seeks-nerdvana-with-gizmondo-enzo-tee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/06/pharrell-seeks-nerdvana-with-gizmondo-enzo-tee/http://www.engadget.com/2008/06/06/pharrell-seeks-nerdvana-with-gizmondo-enzo-tee/#comments
Look Pharrell, just because you've Yin'd Stefan Eriksson's crashed Enzo onto your Tee doesn't mean your own Enzo won't get Yang'd. Dietrich is out there, somewhere.

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Pharrell seeks N.E.R.D.vana with Gizmondo Enzo Tee originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>enzogizmondopharrellpharrell williamsPharrellWilliamsFri, 06 Jun 2008 02:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Carl Freer dishes dirt on the new Gizmondo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/09/carl-freer-dishes-dirt-on-the-new-gizmondo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/09/carl-freer-dishes-dirt-on-the-new-gizmondo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/05/09/carl-freer-dishes-dirt-on-the-new-gizmondo/#comments
If you were starting to get worried that the new Gizmondo device would never see the light of day, fear not! According to an interview with Carl Freer, the company is hard at work on its next handheld, which he claims will feature a number of improvements on the previous, practically perfect iteration. First up, the new system will be built atop Windows CE 6 (which Freer claims has lots of "new goodies"), utilizes a separate graphics chip, will be an open platform with a readily available SDK, and can grab content form a web portal (Gizmondo.com, likely). Most interesting of all, however, is that Freer says the old Gizmondo units will be returning to store shelves. All of this magic is said to be happening by the end of the year -- though since we're nearly half-way through it, Carl and co. have a pretty small window. This is where the "exciting psychic worlds" come into play, right?

[Thanks, Trevor]

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Carl Freer dishes dirt on the new Gizmondo originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 09 May 2008 20:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>carl freerCarlFreergizmondointerviewFri, 09 May 2008 20:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Carl Freer updates Gizmondo's status: delayed already]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/carl-freer-updates-gizmondos-status-delayed-already/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/carl-freer-updates-gizmondos-status-delayed-already/http://www.engadget.com/2008/02/19/carl-freer-updates-gizmondos-status-delayed-already/#comments
Brace yourself Gizmondo fans, for it seems that not all of Carl Freer's recent prognostications about the resurrection of the ill-fated handheld are exactly coming to pass. While he apparently is still intent on bringing the handheld back from the dead, he now tells Swedish journalist Hans Sandberg that he was being "too optimistic" with the stated May 2008 launch date, and that it should now be available "by the end of 2008." That deal with Plextek to build the new device apparently is still in place, however, and Freer's "co-pilot" in this latest endeavor, Mikael Ljungman, is reportedly on his way to China this week to check out the manufacturing operations. Needless to say, we'll be keeping you posted on any future developments, or future delays.

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Carl Freer updates Gizmondo's status: delayed already originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Feb 2008 10:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>car freerCarFreergizmondoplextekTue, 19 Feb 2008 10:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Carl Freer: "I'm going to resurrect Gizmondo" -- indeed he is]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/carl-freer-im-going-to-resurrect-gizmondo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/carl-freer-im-going-to-resurrect-gizmondo/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/carl-freer-im-going-to-resurrect-gizmondo/#comments
We've been in contact with Hans Sandberg, the Swedish journalist who quoted Carl Freer saying unequivocally, "I'm going to resurrect Gizmondo." This, plus yesterday's teaser, is the source of the Gizmondo mongering lighting up the Intertubes yesterday. Fortunately, all the important bits from Hans' interview are now translated from Swedish into English for some good ol' fashioned global scrutiny. As unthinkable as the proposition might sound, we bring you the highlights for your morning amusement and trepidation:
  • Carl believes there is a still a market for Gizmondo and is "ashamed" of his failure -- he hopes the resurrection can pay back early investors
  • Florida-based Tiger Telematics will formally own the new Gizmondo
  • Gizmondo v2 could be up and running by May 2008 -- by Christmas 2008 we'll see "a more advanced version with widescreen"
  • 35 titles will be available at launch, 6 are new, more on the way
  • An "easy to use program" will allow kids to create games, save them to SD, and play them on their Gizmondo
  • Price: $99, possibly free if Carl can work a deal with a cellular provider
  • Unfortunately, he doesn't offer any explanation of the "exciting psychic worlds" in this interview snippet
Our personal favorite has to be this, though. Carl says he has a deal in place with a Chinese company in Shenzhen which will manufacture the device "on credit" on condition that they will be the sole reseller in China. Oh, that sounds like a deal alright.

Update: Plextek, the original Gizmondo device developer, have confirmed to Eurogamer that they will indeed be building the resurrected Gizmondo. Stefan Eriksson is currently not involved, Freer is. You know what this means... Gizmondo lives!

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Carl Freer: "I'm going to resurrect Gizmondo" -- indeed he is originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Jan 2008 09:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscarl freerCarlFreergizmondotiger telematicsTigerTelematicsThu, 24 Jan 2008 09:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Gizmondo to rise again in 2008?]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/23/gizmondo-to-rise-again-in-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/23/gizmondo-to-rise-again-in-2008/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/23/gizmondo-to-rise-again-in-2008/#comments
Oh cruel, cruel word... is it true? A teaser site for Gizmondo just appeared in the fetid bowels of the Internets boasting that the "legend is reborn." A cruel hoax or has Stefan Eriksson, freshly sprung from the clink, really teamed up with former accomplice Carl Freer in a bid to resurrect Gizmondo as the Swedish press claims? If true, the service is set for a Christmas 2008 launch with the promise of a "Gizmondo Live Marketplace" presumably chock-full of open source games running on a supposed $100 device. Will it really "democratize gaming?" Hardly. No worries though, we'll be too busy checking out the "exciting psychic worlds" to notice.

Update: Ha, Gizmondo spared no expense with the teaser -- it's all yours for just $66 bucks over at TemplateMonster.

[Thanks, Olof and Jon R.]

Read -- [Warning: Swedish]
Read -- Teaser site

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Gizmondo to rise again in 2008? originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 23 Jan 2008 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breaking newsBreakingNewscarl freerCarlFreergizmondostefan erikssonStefanErikssonWed, 23 Jan 2008 07:29:00 EST<![CDATA["Dietrich" sentenced to jail for Gizmondo crash]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/18/dietrich-sentenced-to-jail-for-gizmondo-crash/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/18/dietrich-sentenced-to-jail-for-gizmondo-crash/http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/18/dietrich-sentenced-to-jail-for-gizmondo-crash/#comments

Trevor Michael Karney - aka, The Elusive Dietrich - has been sentenced to jail by an LA judge for misleading police in the 162MPH crash of that $1.5 million Gizmondo Ferrari Enzo. Besides lying to police about his involvement as a passenger, the 27-year old German playboy also fled to Ireland before sneaking back into the US through the Mexican border in search of some tasty bud and cool waves. The sentence? 30 days, which roughly translates to a punishment of tickling by virgins until the onset of bellyache by the time the appeals process is through.

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"Dietrich" sentenced to jail for Gizmondo crash originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2007 11:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dietrichenzoferrarigizmondojaillegalprisonTrevor Michael KarneyTrevorMichaelKarneyTue, 18 Sep 2007 11:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Gizmondo units available on the cheap]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/gizmondo-units-available-on-the-cheap/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/gizmondo-units-available-on-the-cheap/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/08/gizmondo-units-available-on-the-cheap/#commentsIt looks like those trying to round out their collection of handheld video game systems now have a decent chance at picking up one of the more infamous entries in the class relatively cheaply, with a lot of 15 Gizmondo units recently turning up on eBay and bidding not exactly going through the roof. While original games for the handheld are few and far between, you should still be able to put its built-in camera and PMP functions to good use, not to mention load it up with any number of the "homebrew" games available for the system. We wouldn't worry too much if you're not lucky enough to score one this time around though, with these likely only a sign of future cut-rate systems to come.

[Thanks, John W]

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Gizmondo units available on the cheap originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gizmondohandheld video gameHandheldVideoGamevideo gameVideoGameThu, 08 Feb 2007 18:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Justice FTW: Eriksson pleads guilty, gets three years and a one-way plane ticket]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/08/justice-ftw-eriksson-pleads-guilty-gets-three-years-and-a-one/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/08/justice-ftw-eriksson-pleads-guilty-gets-three-years-and-a-one/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/08/justice-ftw-eriksson-pleads-guilty-gets-three-years-and-a-one/#comments As much as we're going to miss covering the entertaining side show that has been the life of Bo Stefan Eriksson for the last nine months, we're relieved that the former Gizmondo Europe director has finally admitted some culpability in this strange saga -- and that he'll soon be forced to leave the country and become someone else's problem. After a Los Angeles jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict in Eriksson's grand theft auto case last week -- resulting in a mistrial -- the imaginary friend-loving Swede apparently decided that a retrial coupled with the separate weapons charges would be too much to bear, and ended up receiving a pretty sweet deal from prosecutors. In exchange for pleading guilty to two counts of embezzlement and one count of illegal gun possession, the one-time mobster weaseled his way out of an auto theft charge and ended up receiving a three-year sentence plus three years of probation -- but because of the time he's already served as well as "other allowances," he should be free in about a year. Once he gives up his orange jumpsuit, Eriksson faces immediate deportation from the US, although his lawyer has stated that the now house-less and car-less felon was planning to leave anyway (expect us to be liveblogging his bon voyage party). The only matter that has yet to be settled is how much loot will have to be paid to the British banks who repo'd Eriksson's Mercedes and non-crumpled Ferrari, so after December 7th, ol' Stefan will be lucky to have enough money in his commissary account to afford a package of Twinkies.

[Via GamesIndustry.biz]

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Justice FTW: Eriksson pleads guilty, gets three years and a one-way plane ticket originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Nov 2006 13:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bo stefan erikssonBoStefanErikssoncrimeferrarigizmondotrialsvideogamesWed, 08 Nov 2006 13:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Eriksson case ends in mistrial; jurors likely bribed with Gizmondos]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/03/eriksson-case-ends-in-mistrial-jurors-likely-bribed-with-gizmon/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/03/eriksson-case-ends-in-mistrial-jurors-likely-bribed-with-gizmon/http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/03/eriksson-case-ends-in-mistrial-jurors-likely-bribed-with-gizmon/#commentsIn yet another sign that maybe this whole "trial by jury" thing isn't all it's cracked up to be, jurors in the grand theft auto case against former Gizmondo Europe director and current jailbird Bo Stefan Eriksson were unable to come to a unanimous decision regarding his guilt or, ahem, innocence, resulting in a mistrial. Although ten members of the Los Angeles panel felt that Eriksson did indeed steal a Ferrari and a Mercedes imported from England, two of the jurors apparently bought the defense's rather lame excuse that the one-time mobster only stopped making payments because his sham of a company finally disintegrated. Luckily for fans of justice and fast cars, prosecutors have already stated that they are planning to retry Eriksson for the same crimes, not to mention the weapons charges that the slippery Swede still has hanging over his head. At this point it's not clear why those two jurors chose to remain so steadfast in their convictions, although it's somewhat telling that they were spotted skipping around the courthouse halls after the trial was over, clutching unsold Gizmondos in one hand and hundreds of shares of nearly worthless Xero Mobile stock in the other.

[Via BoingBoing]

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Eriksson case ends in mistrial; jurors likely bribed with Gizmondos originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 03 Nov 2006 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>crimesgizmondoStefan ErikssonStefanErikssontiger telematicsTigerTelematicstrialsvideogamesxero mobileXeroMobileFri, 03 Nov 2006 18:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Xero Mobile begins limited trial testing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/22/xero-mobile-begins-limited-trial-testing/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/22/xero-mobile-begins-limited-trial-testing/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/22/xero-mobile-begins-limited-trial-testing/#commentsEverybody read that Wired profile of Stefan Eriksson, right? Or all our coverage of Eriksson, Gizmondo, and the company that formed (and reverse-merged with Desi TV) in its wake -- Xero Mobile? Well, there should be enough links there to keep you entertained for a little while, but once you're up to speed you might find it interesting to know that Xero's actually about to begin its ever-crucial testing phase in anticipation of commercial launch in 2007. We're watching you, Xero, and not necessarily in the watch-ads-get-airtime sense you'd probably prefer.

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Xero Mobile begins limited trial testing originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 22 Oct 2006 09:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gizmondomobilemultimediaxero mobileXeroMobileSun, 22 Oct 2006 09:08:00 EST<![CDATA[Eriksson rejects plea offer, goes on trial for multiple counts of shadiness]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/19/eriksson-rejects-plea-offer-goes-on-trial-for-multiple-counts-o/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/19/eriksson-rejects-plea-offer-goes-on-trial-for-multiple-counts-o/http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/19/eriksson-rejects-plea-offer-goes-on-trial-for-multiple-counts-o/#commentsNotorious mobster, party animal, exotic automobile enthusiast, and failed gaming executive Bo Stefan Eriksson is finally being exposed to the harsh lights of a Los Angeles courtroom today, after rejecting a plea bargain on Monday due to the fact that "I cannot agree that I stole the car because I didn't." The car that Eriksson was referring to is the famous million dollar Ferrari Enzo that he drunkenly crashed along a stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway earlier this year, which authorities later learned was among several leased vehicles that the former Gizmondo director had exported from Europe and stopped paying for in late 2005. Eriksson also faces a charge of illegal weapons possession, and if convicted on all counts, could spend the next eleven years in prison -- a familiar setting for the thug-turned-businessman. Prosecutors are still hoping that Eriksson's imaginary friend Dietrich will return to the States to testify, but sources close to the matter say that the German playboy has reportedly taken permanent asylum on the island of Atlantis, where he's been managing a unicorn farm co-owned by Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny.

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Eriksson rejects plea offer, goes on trial for multiple counts of shadiness originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bo stefan erikssonBoStefanErikssoncrimeferrari enzoFerrariEnzogizmondolos angelesLosAngelestiger telematicsTigerTelematicsThu, 19 Oct 2006 12:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Xero Mobile to license ad system]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/11/xero-mobile-to-license-ad-system/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/11/xero-mobile-to-license-ad-system/http://www.engadget.com/2006/06/11/xero-mobile-to-license-ad-system/#comments As our mamas used to tell us, "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me." Those are wise words right now for any company, investor, or individual with an interest in Xero Mobile, brought to you by some of the same winners that brought you Gizmondo. We'd assumed these folks would've folded by now, but Xero claims to be on target for a January 2007 launch of their free, ad-based MVNO for college students (sound familiar?). In the meantime, they've gotta make an honest buck somehow, so they've begun licensing their nonexistent service to foreign companies with "expressions of interest" in launching Xero in their local markets. We hope this madness comes to an end before the world has to witness another work of art needlessly destroyed by crooked execs, but even in the unlikely event Xero makes it to see 2007, at least Virgin is a step ahead on the business model.

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Xero Mobile to license ad system originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 11 Jun 2006 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gizmondomobilemvnossmart addsSmartAddssugarmamavirgin mobileVirginMobilexero mobileXeroMobileSun, 11 Jun 2006 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Stefan Eriksson charged with multiple counts]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/17/stefan-eriksson-charged-with-multiple-counts/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/17/stefan-eriksson-charged-with-multiple-counts/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/17/stefan-eriksson-charged-with-multiple-counts/#comments
Guess whose favorite scandal-ridden carousing ex-gangster party animal Los Angelean Swede just got charged with felony counts of embezzlement, grand theft auto, driving under the influence, and illegal possession of a firearm by felon? You got it, Stefan Eriksson. who supposedly faces 14 years in prison, if found guilty. What, you didn't think someone this shady was going to go about his business forever more without further question after that fateful evening last February, did you? Oh, and FYI, the handsome, mysterious Dietrich -- the man accused by Eriksson of driving the $1m Enzo into the pole at 160mph -- continues to evade capture, despite prosecuters' claims he does not exist. We have just received word, however, that he was spotted late last week attempting to cross the Canadian border in a Groucho Marx disguise and Ferrari PowerWheels.

[Thanks, Alex B]

Update: Apparentl Eriksson pleaded not guilty and was held on $5.5m bail. Yo, dudes at Xero Mobile, you wanna help a brother out? Thanks, Freddy.

Stefan Eriksson charged with multiple counts originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Apr 2006 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chargescrashcriminalembezzlementerikssonfelonyferrarigizmondogrand theft autoGrandTheftAutostefan erikssonStefanErikssonMon, 17 Apr 2006 17:21:00 EST<![CDATA[Watch out: Xero merges, now a publicly traded company]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/11/watch-out-xero-merges-now-a-publicly-traded-company/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/11/watch-out-xero-merges-now-a-publicly-traded-company/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/11/watch-out-xero-merges-now-a-publicly-traded-company/#comments Well wouldn't you know it, the same people behind Gizmondo who're now behind Xero Mobile (those that aren't in jail, anyway) have found a way to bypass an IPO in getting Xero as a publicly traded company. Basically they merged with Desi TV, a publicly traded company (that couldn't dig up even a little info on), swapped the ticker symbol to XRMB, and started trading on the Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board securities market. Oh, did we mention the first thing they did with their stock was split it 25-to-1? 25 to freaking 1, man! Peter Lilley, CEO of Xero Mobile (and former head of Gizmondo's Smart Adds division) seemed pretty stoked about "implementing [their] ground-breaking business plan." Uh, would that be the same business plan that sunk his former game company and lost a half a billion dollars? Right, dude. Investors beware; remember those who learned a hard lesson about that fateful UK-based game company that seemed eager to cash in on VCs and work a pump n' dump stock scam on all y'all.

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Watch out: Xero merges, now a publicly traded company originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 11 Apr 2006 22:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>desi tvDesiTvgizmondomobilemvnomvnosscamstock scamStockScamxeroxero mobileXeroMobilexrmbTue, 11 Apr 2006 22:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Gizmondo chief finally arrested for being too shady]]>http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/09/gizmondo-chief-finally-arrested-for-being-too-shady/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/09/gizmondo-chief-finally-arrested-for-being-too-shady/http://www.engadget.com/2006/04/09/gizmondo-chief-finally-arrested-for-being-too-shady/#comments
We shamelessly ripped this headline verbatim from the subject of reader Dave M's tip, because, well, it's just so perfect, isn't it? Specifically, former Tiger Telematics Europe executive and drunk driving enthusiast Stefan Eriksson was arrested at his Bel-Air residence on Saturday, booked on suspicion of grand theft, and is currently enjoying decidedly less-luxurious surroundings, as the Sheriff's Department is wisely holding the slippery Swede without bail. It's not immediately clear whether the theft charge is related to Eriksson's destruction of that million dollar Ferrari Enzo in February (pictured in cake, above), but since we'd already heard that a Scottish bank may be the rightful owners of the mangled supercar, we wouldn't be surprised if the former videogame exec is guilty of playing a little real life GTA along with his favorite DUI. Meanwhile, Eriksson's imaginary friend and supposed co-conspirator, "Dietrich," remains at large.

[Thanks, Dave M]

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Gizmondo chief finally arrested for being too shady originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 09 Apr 2006 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bel-aircorporate malfeasenceCorporateMalfeasencedietrichenzoferrarigizmondogrand theft autoGrandTheftAutoimaginary friendsImaginaryFriendsstefan erikssonStefanErikssonthe slammerTheSlammertiger telematicsTigerTelematicsSun, 09 Apr 2006 14:30:00 EST