Buzz
The Gizmondo is not just a portable gaming console, but also a multi-functional device, acting as an MP3 player, a camera, a movie player, and even a GPS receiver. Check out more images of the gaming system.
Photo courtesy of GizmondoThe Gizmondo represents the next generation of portable gaming gadgets, resembling a Swiss Army knife for electronics, packed with features beyond gaming. Its creators incorporated a GPS system, a camera, and the ability to play MP3s and videos. With text messaging and Bluetooth functionality, the Gizmondo is poised to transform how we think about portable gaming.
In this article, we'll explore the full range of capabilities the Gizmondo offers, compare it with other gaming consoles in the market, and take a closer look at the sometimes turbulent history of the company behind it. Additionally, we’ll get an exclusive preview of the Gizmondos already released in Europe.
Gizmondo Design
At its heart, the Gizmondo is designed for gaming. It resembles a console game controller, with a screen in the center. The size is similar to a typical controller, featuring four gaming buttons on the right, an eight-way directional pad on the left, and two extra buttons on either side at the top. Five function buttons above the screen make it easy to navigate menus and access various modes. Powered by a 400 MHz ARM9 processor from Samsung, the Gizmondo delivers impressive performance.
The Gizmondo boasts a 320 x 240 pixel TFT (thin-film transistor) display capable of displaying 60,000 colors. It’s driven by an Nvidia GoForce 4500 3-D graphics accelerator, which caused a delay in the Gizmondo's launch in the UK by several months.
Running on Windows CE (Microsoft's mobile device operating system), the Gizmondo allows users to access a variety of CE-compatible applications with a network service plan.
Next, let's dive into some of the features offered by the Gizmondo.
The Gizmondo's initial UK release was delayed from late 2004 to March 2005 to integrate Nvidia's latest portable video processor. The American launch, initially planned for early 2005, was postponed multiple times and is now set for late September to accommodate software development. The current release date is scheduled for October 2005.
But release delays aren’t the only issues faced by Gizmondo's creator, Tiger Telematics. The company settled out of court for $1.5 million with a Formula One racing team that had a sponsorship deal under Gizmondo's previous name, GameTrac. Furthermore, Tiger Telematics has fallen behind on U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, allegedly due to their inability to afford accounting services for the necessary audits. As of the third quarter of 2004, the company had reported losses nearing $18 million [ref].
Gizmondo Capabilities
Image courtesy of GizmondoThe Gizmondo offers a variety of features that go beyond just gaming. It includes a Windows-based MP3 music player that allows users to download and enjoy high-quality digital music on the go, using the stereo headset jack [ref]. Without headphones, users will rely on a small built-in mono speaker. Additionally, companies can provide audio content via multimedia messaging service (MMS) streams. A simplified version of Windows Media Player enables movie playback in MPEG 4 format, and users can send film clips or movie previews to others via MMS.
Beyond music and movies, Gizmondo users can also capture photos. The VGA camera has a fixed-focus lens at the back of the unit, allowing users to view their subject on the screen. Photos can then be shared with other Gizmondo users or with any Bluetooth-enabled devices.
So, how do Gizmondo users transfer and store MP3s, movies, pictures, and games? The unit comes with limited internal memory, but it supports Secure Digital (SD) cards. These compact cards, about the size of a postage stamp, are available in capacities ranging from one gigabyte to eight gigabytes. A one-gigabyte card typically costs between $50 and $100, and two-gigabyte cards are already available in Europe, with eight-gigabyte cards expected soon.
The built-in GPS is what truly distinguishes the Gizmondo from other portable gaming systems. In addition to standard navigation and map features, it allows parents to track their children’s location and enables users to create a virtual fence around a specific area, receiving an automatic alert if the device crosses the boundary. Excitingly, games that integrate GPS data into the gameplay are also generating considerable interest. We will explore these games in greater detail in the next section.
Gizmondo also boasts Bluetooth support, expanding its connectivity options. This feature enables the device to exchange data with other Bluetooth-enabled gadgets, and it allows multiple Gizmondo users to join together for multiplayer gaming sessions.
For added security, Gizmondo includes built-in copyright protection mechanisms, such as a digital handshake and a rather dramatically named "destruct at engagement." This function deletes unauthorized media files, though don’t worry—it won't cause your Gizmondo to explode.
In the next section, we will dive into the games available for the Gizmondo.
Gizmondo has recently unveiled the development of Gizmondo Navigator 2006, powered by CoPilot software from ALK Technologies. This satellite navigation tool enables users to plan routes on detailed street maps, locate specific addresses down to the house number, explore 3-D points of interest, and receive turn-by-turn voice-guided instructions.
Gizmondo Games
British racing legend Jenson Button
Image courtesy of GizmondoA top-tier gaming device is only as good as its game library. Unfortunately, Gizmondo’s game selection at launch was limited. The first wave of titles was developed internally by Gizmondo, and a major game from a U.S. publisher is expected for the North American release.
The available game roster includes racing titles like Gizmondo Motorcross 2005, Stuntcar Extreme, Trailblazer, and Richard Burns Rally; sports games such as Hockey Rage 2005, Pocket Ping Pong, and Toy Golf; and puzzle games including Sticky Balls and Super Drop Mania. Also featured is a remastered version of the action game Point of Destruction. One of the highlights is the extreme sports game SSX3.
FIFA Soccer 2005 is eagerly awaited, along with Chicane Racing, a street racing title endorsed by British racing star Jenson Button. RPG enthusiasts can look forward to Hit and Myth, while strategy fans can dive into Future Tactics. The classic side-scrolling sci-fi game Guardian has also been reimagined for Gizmondo.
A screenshot from Colors
Image courtesy of GizmondoA significant portion of the buzz around Gizmondo centers on Colors, the first game to integrate the GPS feature. In Colors, players join a street gang and battle rival gangs for control of territory. The GPS tracks the player's real-world location, and as they conquer turf in the game, their gang’s color claims that real-world area. Players can venture into enemy gang zones and engage in gang wars to take over more turf. Given its violent content and gritty urban setting, Colors is expected to spark debate.
Next, let’s dive into some key facts and figures about Gizmondo.
Tiger Telematics is preparing to launch a widescreen variant of the Gizmondo in mid-2006. This version will feature a 4-inch wide display, alongside additional enhancements like WiFi support and a TV-out port.
While some critics warn that US buyers may hold off on purchasing the current model in favor of the widescreen version, Tiger assures that upgrades will be made available to current owners [ref].
Gizmondo Statistics
One of the key factors for potential Gizmondo buyers is its price. When it was launched in the UK, the price was set at 229 pounds, which is more than $400. Recently, Tiger announced the release of their 'Smart Ads' version of the Gizmondo in the United States (it’s already available in Britain). With Smart Ads, the price of the Gizmondo is reduced nearly by half, but the owner must watch three 30-second ads on the device every day.
Here’s a summary of the Gizmondo’s features, according to the official Gizmondo website:
- TFT screen ~ 240 x 320 pixels
- 400 MHz ARM9 Samsung processor
- 128-bit 3D Nvidia Graphics accelerator
- GPS tracking and mapping applications
- MP3, MIDI, and WAV playback
- SMS
- Windows Media Player 9
- MPEG 4 video playback
- JPEG camera
- SD flash card reader
- Mini-USB client
- Bluetooth class 2 for multiplayer gaming
- Temperature range 0° to 55°C (32° to 131°F)
- Removable SIM card
- Removable battery
- Polyphonic ring tones
- Stereo headset socket for MP3 and games
- Flight Mode
- GSM tri-band
- GPRS Class 10
- WAP 2.0
- MMS receive and send
How does Gizmondo stack up against the Nintendo DS or the PSP? The most significant difference is its built-in GPS function. While it’s a more versatile device than the Nintendo DS, the PSP could eventually offer similar features in the future. The Gizmondo is pricier than both the PSP and the DS, and it currently lags behind in terms of available games. However, it’s still in the early stages of development, and more games will be available in the upcoming year. The Gizmondo shows great potential, but for now, PSP users have access to a much broader selection of games.
For more detailed information on the Gizmondo and related subjects, check out the links provided on the next page.
Gizmondo has been on sale in Europe for several months, and some North American reviewers have also gotten their hands on the device. The general consensus is that while Gizmondo offers a wide range of features, it doesn't quite excel at any of them. The camera performs well for quick shots but is only marginally better than a typical phone camera. The GPS system is finicky, often struggling to lock onto a signal. Popular features, such as GPS-based competitive games, require a large group of Gizmondo owners to be in close proximity. The device is slow to load and tends to crash frequently. Battery life is another issue, sometimes barely lasting four hours on a single charge [ref]. On the bright side, the graphics are impressive for a portable device, and it handles movie playback very well. It's a versatile device with plenty of potential for future growth and improvements.
