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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]
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]
