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Hands-on with TechFaith's QiGi i6 in Android mode
Remember that mysterious dual-boot QiGi i6 from a few months back? If you dream of Windows Mobile / Android dual-boot devices at night, then odds are you do, and we've been able to spend a little time with one humming along in Android mode today. It turns out that the i6's manufacturer is none other than TechFaith Wireless, an ODM more closely associated with WinMo devices -- but like so many other manufacturers these days, TechFaith is apparently looking to branch out by adding another platform into the mix.Anyhow, let's just be straight about this: odds are you don't really want this phone, even if you think you do. The physical design feels one or two iterations behind, but the real problem stems from the fact that you're rocking QVGA resolution here; yes, granted, Android runs -- but in its default layout, it's clearly designed for a few more pixels both horizontally and vertically. Furthermore, we're told that end users can't swap ROMs themselves (in other words, distributors would choose one platform or the other and be done with it) -- the hardware is designed to run both Android and Windows Mobile, but it's not like you get some fancy Boot Camp-style setup for booting into either environment. Also, since the i6 features no physical keyboard and Cupcake was little more than a twinkle in Google's eye by the time the phone was released, you're dealing with a pretty poorly-designed soft keyboard that's been grafted onto the build; individual keys are small enough so that you need a stylus to press them, and when you call up the keyboard, it takes up the full screen so you can't see whatever app you were in while you're typing. Check it all out (for the hilarious power-on splash screen, if nothing else) in our video after the break!%Gallery-44988%
TechFaith rolls out first touchscreen WinMo CDMA phone for Mexico
Mexican carrier Iusacell has scored itself a nice little exclusive, rolling out the very first Windows Mobile Professional-based phone running CDMA in all of Mexico. Problem is, it appears to be WinMo 6.0 -- a strange choice, considering 6.1 is already getting long in the tooth -- but it's a pretty smart-looking device, and hey, at least it's got EV-DO. The TechFaith-sourced "Moffett" has a 2-megapixel cam, 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, Bluetooth, WiFi, and a 2.8-inch QVGA display, which compares favorably to... well, now that we think about it, nothing that we can think of off the tops of our heads. Sorry, Iusacell, we swear we were trying to be stoked.[Via wmpoweruser.com]
The handsets of GITEX 2008: HTC, SE and TechFaith
Given that Dubai pretty much has it out for every other spectacle in the entire universe, it's no shock to see the mecca pick up a major consumer electronics trade show of its own. This year's GITEX 2008 has come and gone, but there are still images left to remind us of the show that was. PocketPCDubai was fortunate enough to tour the show floor with a camera in hand, and while the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 wasn't a shocker, there were quite a few intriguing WinMo handsets in attendance. For a look at what all TechFaith had to offer (along with a few shots of the luscious Touch HD from HTC), head on down to the read link.
TechFaith hard at work on Android device, not saying who it's for just yet
Manufacturer TechFaith flexes some serious ODM muscle in its native China, slapping together phones for a variety of name brands -- including Open Handset Alliance member Motorola. It's a curious coincidence, then, that TechFaith is running its mouth right now about crafting an Android-powered device that it expects to be ready for end users sometime in early '09. For the moment, the company's official line is that it's "still in talks with several interested customers" and expects to make an announcement about which company will be lucky enough to silkscreen its logo onto TechFaith's hard work at the end of November. With Android being a bit of a hot commodity right now, we can totally see any number of companies engaged in a bidding war here -- but unless Moto has something ready to go, like, yesterday, it sure seems like working with TechFaith now to get something out of the door on the double could be the right move. [Warning: Subscription required][Via Talk Android, thanks Chris]
UBiQUiO 501 owners, come get your free WM6 upgrade
Seems like pretty much every manufacturer big and small alike -- with some notable exceptions -- has come out of the woodwork to do the right thing and offer its customers an upgrade to Microsoft's latest and greatest. Most recent to loose a Windows Mobile 6 update is TechFaith's UBiQUiO brand, covering its 501 model with all the WM6 Pro you can handle at no charge. Seeing how these things can be picked up for well under $400 unlocked, it seems like the 501 might be a decent way to get oneself onto platform du jour outta Redmond -- if the lack of 3G is tolerable, anyway.[Via the::unwired and MoDaCo]
UBiQUiO 503G revealed
The UBiQUiO 503G is set to bust out the gate with a fine-looking design aesthetic and sweetly spec'd hardware. This little Windows Mobile 6 device one-ups its predecessor -- the UBiQUiO 501 -- on every front making it a stellar choice for the business set. Featuring quad band GSM, triple band HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, 520 MHz CPU (doubling up on the 501), and a two megapixel camera, the 503G does indeed rock the features we love. We particularily love the one-handed use via the QWERTY keyboard and what you don't see in the pic: a scroll wheel and stylus. That's right, this little bad boy is packin' Windows Mobile 6 Professional, not Standard as the form factor suggests. We have the release date planned around about June 20th 2007 with an expected price tag of $650; no provider information at this point but we will be keeping our eyes peeled.[Thanks, Paul]
i-mate K-JAR gets some FCC love
Without 3G, we're still not excited about it, but the i-mate K-JAR's four bands of GSM / GPRS coverage count for something, we reckon. The FCC apparently agrees, giving it its wholehearted stamp of approval -- and as is so often the case with our federal friends, the approval comes complete with a full spread of glamor shots and a user's manual. Though the K-JAR's form factor smacks of the JASJAR (alias HTC Universal) before it, the screen resolution takes a sizable dip from VGA all the way down to QVGA, nixing one of the JASJAR's greatest claims to fame. Still, a swivel display is pretty cool, and if you want to send one over to us, i-mate, well... we're not going to put up a fight about it.
TechFaith "Pean" hits up the FCC
Though most of us are more familiar with this thing in its i-mate PDA L trim, ODM TechFaith Wireless has a decidedly... uh, different name for its latest Pocket PC phone: "Pean." Yes, "Pean." Your guess is as good as ours. Designed as an entry-level device, the spec sheet isn't anything to write home about, with a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth 1.2, and 802.11b taking the spotlight. Though GSM 850 and 1900 are both supported, the manual lists Simplified Chinese as the default language, suggesting it's not likely bound for the US -- at least, not in "Pean" trim. Bummer.
i-mate's JASJAR redux, the K-JAR
It looks like i-mate's ongoing collaboration with TechFaith is starting to pick up a good head of steam, seeing how they've gone and entrusted the Chinese ODM with serving up the de facto successor to the HTC-sourced JASJAR. Not a heck of a lot is known about this pivoting, flipping, QWERTY-sporting monster of a device, though it apparently (strangely) lacks that all-important 3G radio its predecessor packed. Features are rumored to include a 2.8-inch QVGA display, WiFi, Bluetooth, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, and a TI OMAP750 core clipping along at an undisclosed clock speed. With i-mate making (or at least trying to make) inroads in the US market, this is one Pocket PC phone the full-keypad lovers among us will be tracking with eagle eyes.[Via HowardForums, thanks Galt]
i-mate to take on TechFaith's 501 as "JAQ3"
Finally, a JAQ we can get excited about. After the Inventec-designed original left us wanting less (less bulk, that is), it's good to see that i-mate is strengthening its relationship with TechFaith after the SPL launch and bringing the UBiQUio 501 on board as the "JAQ3." Whether it'll be sold along side the pudgier JAQ or it'll usher in the fastest successor rollout in cellphone history, we don't know, but we don't care -- just make this thing available, guys. Unfortunately, the 501 lacks GSM 850 and EDGE; we wouldn't expect that to change with the JAQ3 variant, so i-mate probably won't be pushing this one stateside, but our congratulations go out to the territories that have the good fortune of seeing a local launch.
i-mate rolls out JAQ and SPL models
It's official: i-mate isn't just a HTC rebrand shop anymore. Their new JAQ and SPL models have just been announced for reals, and neither relies on their ol' standby partner to provide the goods. The JAQ hails from Inventec, packing Pocket PC Phone Edition into a fairly clever looking (or different looking, if nothing else) QWERTY chassis with 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, miniSD expansion, Bluetooth, and a 2.8-inch display. The SPL, on the other hand, bears a striking resemblance to a device we first saw outta TechFaith. The slim candybar Smartphone rocks stats similar to its JAQ sibling with the same 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM, miniSD, and Bluetooth, but with a more Smartphone-appropriate 2.2-inch LCD. i-mate is positioning both of these devices as mid-range, suggesting that they might be looking at non-HTC handsets to bring Windows Mobile on the cheap while their HTCs will stay positioned at the top. [Warning: PDF link]Update: We've gotten word that the JAQ will roll for $499, while the SPL can be yours for a hundie less at $399. Both prices are, of course, subsidy-free.
TechFaith's i320, SLVR, and Universal rips
You know, we might have done another TechFaith keepin' it real fake post, but honestly we don't really see the point. Oh sure, TechFaith is totally knocking off these other guys with their phony Q and Hermes and so on, but when they showed off their new fake i320, SLVR, and Universal at CommunicAsia this week, we started to realize not only were these guys moving at lightning speed emulating these phones, they were also improving them. The SLVR rip has an impressive 512MB integrated flash memory; the i320-alike uses Pocket PC -- similar to their Q ripoff, and differing, of course, from both the original devices which are stuck with Smartphone; we'd imagine the faux-Universal won't have a VGA display or some of those other ultra high-end niceties, but damned if they don't have the twist n' swivel display in a form factor smaller than the original. TechFaith Wireless, we think you're about one post away from getting your own category on Engadget Mobile.
Keepin' it real fake, part XXV: You gotta have TechFaith
The Motorola Q isn't even out yet, but that isn't stopping TechFaith Wireless, our new favorite renegade Chinese handset manufacturer, from showing off an eerily similar knock-off here at CTIA (or at least a mock-up of a knock-off). We weren't able to get any specs or a name, but we did learn that this fakester will differ from (or improve on, depending on your perspective) the original by running the Pocket PC version of Windows Mobile 5.0 rather than Smartphone. Not sure when this thing will ship, but if TechFaith hurries up they might even beat the Q to market.
Keepin' it real fake, part XXV: You gotta have TechFaith
The Motorola Q isn't even out yet, but that isn't stopping TechFaith Wireless, our new favorite renegade Chinese handset manufacturer, from showing off an eerily similar knock-off here at CTIA (or at least a mock-up of a knock-off). We weren't able to get any specs or a name, but we did learn that this fakester will differ from (or improve on, depending on your perspective) the original by running the Pocket PC version of Windows Mobile 5.0 rather than Smartphone. Not sure when this thing will ship, but if TechFaith hurries up they might even beat the Q to market.