As a portable gaming system, Gizmondo sports a 400 MHz processor 2.8" TFT screen with a resolution of 240 x 320. This is essentially double the GBA's resolution. The three demos we played took full advantage of the system's 64-bit graphics accelerator, and were fully 3D (sporting the wireless-popular X-Forge 3D engine). Each game displayed well on the large, brightly-lit screen. Demos for the show were bundled on a single, standard SD card, the same media its commercial games will be sold on (average size of 64MB or less per title). Direct downloading of titles is also planned.
So what makes Gizmondo stand out from the pack? The company has taken the approach that wireless is everything. Rather than craft another phone/PDA hybrid (the Gizmondo is not a cell phone), wireless connectivity will be used to connect gamers via Bluetooth class 2 for multiplayer gaming. In addition, each Gizmondo will come pre-equipped with a GPS tracking device, which aside from the obvious use, the system's creators see being used within particular titles (imagine a game where the world actually changes depending on where you're playing it).
Flip the Gizmondo over and you'll see a high-quality camera lens. This can of course be used for snapping jpeg images of your friends, but like the GPS features, the system's creators hope to see the camera integrated into gameplay as well (such as mapping the faces from stored photos onto player models). These two features are likely to bring player creativity into future titles unlike anything we've seen in portable gaming thus far.
The system is wired for GSM tri-band networks, enabling full capabilities across five continents. In addition to GPS, the system sports GPRS, which enables browsing through the Gizmondo network, as well as through standard WAP protocol. And while you can't phone your friends on the system, a removable SIM card allows for constant wireless chatting with your Gizmondo pals. SMS allows predictive input texting while MMS allows you to send photos along with your messages. What's so strong about the system is that each feature is incorporated into every aspect of the system, for a fully integrated approach where everything you can do as a separate application can be done during gameplay, too.
Beyond gaming, the system is essentially a wireless-driven PDA. Applications can be installed on its modified Windows CE operating system. Packaged standard with each unit will be various GPS applications. Developed by SiRf, these programs will allow the user to pinpoint the nearest ATM or McDonald's at the touch of a button. And akin to a lowjack device, you can even set a parameter for your Gizmondo device, like say your home or office building - if the device leaves this area, an alarm is sent to the phone number you predefined.
Camera images can be sent from unit to unit, or even to other wireless devices such as PDAs and enabled phones. A version of Windows Media Player 9 comes standard, allowing the user to play Mpeg 4 video and mp3s off their SD card. We listened to videos and songs from Black Eyed Peas and Britney Spears. Sound was clear and video quality was on par with most wireless devices. You can also connect to your PC through a USB cable to transfer content right to the system. Whether you can use the camera to capture your own video remains to be seen (but seems pretty likely). Although the creators do mention that enabling technology will eventually allow users to view entire films on the device.
Not too shabby. At a projected price of 250 UK pounds (roughly $350 US), the Gizmondo is not on the cheap end of the spectrum. However if the system delivers on all of its promises, it could be the ideal wireless media center. The system itself is a solid little device, much smaller than the original GBA and comparable to Nokia's N-Gage. Four input buttons form a diamond at the screen's left, in standard PS2 configuration, with L and R shoulder pads prominent along the top of the unit. Five smaller buttons line the top of the system's face, for easy access to volume, brightness and power.
Ports for the SD card, stereo headphones and a USB cable circle the sides of the unit. While the control stick is essentially a circular D-Pad, we've been informed that the retail pad will spin like the old Atari paddle controllers, ideal for easy control in driving and parlor games. Like most wireless devices, the system has its own battery - connect the system to any wall socket for a charge that will last at least 3 hours at a time. This is expected to be optimized as the retail date approaches, which is August for folks in the UK, and an expected worldwide debut by November.