This thing looks like a first gen mockup of what I think might be the uber-form factor. The MPx is another example, but the more I think about it, the less I think it really needs to open like a regular old flip phone. Flip phones actually feel kind of awkward in my hand- unbalanced or almost fragile in a bendy kinda way. They look cooler in use, though.
I just find it easier to talk into a candybar-style phone. It's one piece, it's solid, and if you drop it, it'll probably stand a better chance of surviving than a flip would. That said, I crave the big screen. Especially in landscape format- that's really key to a killer user experience, IMO. And the flip is the best way to protect that precious LCD, so you can see why this device, MPx, Moto A630, and Nokia Communicator really have me excited about what's coming. I say what's coming because none of these has quite hit the bullseye for me. Here's what I would love, and also what I think would be a HUGE seller: Take a Sony PSP and shrink it to somewhere between where it is now and where the Moto A630 is size wise. Keep the PSP's screen aspect ratio the same, and locate this gaming/surfing/emailing/whatevering screen on the underside of the flip a la the Amoi/A630/etc. Use OLED technology to make the flip as thin as possible and also to be energy efficient. The screen would be VGA-quality or better, and would definitely be a touchscreen. Keep the Amoi's stereo speakers in their current locations on either side of the screen, but improve their design to have them integrated into d-pads/game controllers in the same location and format of PSP's controllers. That's cuz my device is a landscape-oriented flip and twist, too- like an old Clie UX80. Redesign the hinge, though- to maximize the screen width, and, just as importantly, to hide the hinge itself. The hinge would open to several positions/angles and when closed it'll snap shut with Sanyo flip-like authority. Maybe it'd have a laptop-like latch for added security. Looking at it on one face it's a PSP, but flip and twist it and it's a regular phone looking much like the A630. The outer small screen should also be OLED and have would function as a caller ID/clock/MP3 menu navigator. Integrate an iPod-like menu navigator above the numeric keys but below the screen. Open the flip and there would be the QWERTY. Keys would be a tactile pleasure and would be well-spaced like on the Sidekick2- and backlit in customizable colors, too! Why not?
Holding it as if typing a message, there would be two (!) SD/IO slots on the bottom front edge, perhaps under a sliding access door (rubber stoppers no!). There'd be a mini-USB 2.0 and firewire connection under there, too. On the right side would a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, a stylus port, and a consumer-grade infra-red blaster for using the device as a programmable remote. It would have a very powerful processor and a very well thought user interface. Lots of memory, too- solid state, preferably. Maybe 3 to 5 gigs. Certainly the gaming experience should be at least on par with what is expected from the PSP, too, since gaming would be a very prominent feature. I'm not partial to any brand of OS at this point, otherwise. Ideally- PalmOne, Sony or Apple for device design, gaming engine by Sony, iPod interface for tunes, and Bose-developed technology for the full duplex microphone and speakers. It would be a world phone- CDMA + GSM. It would have EV-DO and EDGE capabilities, Wireless-G Wifi, and Bluetooth 1.2. And of course, none of that would be crippled by the friggin carriers, either.
And I think I'd throw a 5 megapixel camera on the underside of the unit, too, with at least a 3x optical zoom lens protected by a sliding lenscap. Canon or Sony for the lens. Photos would save to the SD, of course, so no fees to the carriers!!! Hey, it's my dream.
And lastly, it would come with a USB 2.0 powered charging/viewing/syncing stand. Anybody out there have Photoshop that feels like putting this thing together for me?
What do you guys think?
Amoi Preparing Innovative Cellular-Wireless Pocket PC
getting there...with baby steps
