Gigabyte preps the g-Smart i+ for launch

On the heels of several other handset announcements from Taiwanese manufacturer Gigabyte comes the g-Smart i+ slated to launch this month. This slick 130 gram handset comes in a stylish piano-black finish — which we are loving, by the by — but appears to be mostly a refresh on last year's g-Smart i. Refreshes can be grand, but in this case, HSDPA was left out as was Windows Mobile 6. New features packed into this slightly smaller and lighter device include: triple-band 900 / 1800 / 1900 EDGE data, 192MB ROM — up from 64MB on the last outing — for storage, a built-in 12 button keypad — no need for keys as baby has a touchscreen — and support for 802.11g. Surprisingly, the battery has gone from 1300 mAh to a potentially measly 900 mAh — we say "potentially" as there is no word on battery life. Also missing in action is infrared, but that isn't likely going to be sorely missed.