We are sure you know that Gigabyte is know for making PC components like motherboards and server racks. However, little is known about the company's mobile phone section, which boasts of a couple of capable smartphones.
For those unaware, Gigabyte owns the GSmart range of cellphones that includes handsets like the GSmart MS820, MW702 and MW700. All these phones are touchscreen Windows Mobile PDA phones. All of them were announced at the CES 2009 and are actually available in India. What is also little known is that Gigabyte is a member of the Open Handset Alliance (OHA) and is licensed to make Android powered devices. With almost every other OHA member having started making and selling Android based devices, looks like Gigabyte too has decided to finally take the plunge.
We are hearing from Mobile-Review regarding Gigabyte's first Android based device of which they have leaked pictures. While we do not know what the handset is called or will be christened, we do know about some of its specifications, which although not earth shattering, are decent enough.
The spec sheet:
GSM / GPRS / EDGE connectivity
2.8 QVGA touchscreen display
Trackball
G-sensor (accelerometer)
Wi-Fi
GPS
Bluetooth 2.0
3.5 mm audio jack
2MP autofocus camera
Qualcomm ESM7225 528 MHz CPU
256MB RAM, 512MB ROM
MicroSD card support
1,500 mAh battery
The phone currently runs Android 1.6 and has a trackball on the front fascia for navigational purposes. This will be a GSmart branded device as well, as evident from the rear cover and is expected to be on sale sometime in February 2010. The price of this one is expected to hover around the $300 (Rs.13,000 approx.) mark. If launched in India, this will compete well with the HTC Tattoo, which is somewhere near that price range.
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