The GeekPhone One

[grainysand]

Specifications.

Anyone even vaguely interested in this? 528 MHz ARM11 processor, 3.1 MP camera, 0.3MP front-facing camera ("not enabled"), 3.2" hybrid-resistive screen--whatever that is--and 256 MB RAM, 512 ROM. Oh, and a slide-out hard keyboard. I suppose the hardware is vaguely in the range of the Droid, except... a lot less. Runs "an improved version of the acclaimed Android" based on 1.6.

At EUR 299, the price tag appears to be its only selling point, though they take a developer-centric view with the phone being rooted out of the box and--they say--if you brick your phone through flashing a bad ROM or whatever, they'll fix it for you, ala unlike other Android phones you can do whatever without voiding warranty short of purposefully submerging it in hot water and running over it with a car. I like their design philosophy, even if I'm not much interested in this phone in particular. Feel kind of bad for them, since they appear to be a very small, very new company, but considering their competition in the form of some gazillion Android phones--most with much better hardware--already released and upcoming alike, I don't think they'll really hit it off. Will see, though, I guess.

Here's a hands-on from MWC:

YouTube - GeeksPhone One [en]

 

[RedMist]

Might be too little too late.

Good luck to them though!

 

[vikingisson]

Saw that before.
I think it is a freakin brilliant design philosophy. A real developers phone or for someone that wants to custom configure it for their family and not be tied to what the provider thinks is 'good enough'. A company could custom configure for their staff and then semi lock it to require a visit to IT for issues. A company could finally break the contract nightmare of providers. Most folks don't need the super fast specs for general use. They were smart to start with that one so that it comes in at a low price point and not risk being compared unfairly with the big dogs. If it works out I'm sure they will put out higher spec devices.

I don't like the big logos but that's just aesthetics. This should never ever be offered as a contract phone, purely unlocked. I'm keeping an eye out for it to be spec'd for us weenies in N.A.

Oh and the best part, it isn't another Chinese manufacturer.

 

[grainysand]

Actually, the phone's box says "Made in China with a Spanish heart."

But yeah, I'm all for their design philosophy. A bit of a pity that they didn't start with a high-spec phone, but you're probably right that aiming for the mid-end is a more sensible choice.

 

[vikingisson]

I expected that parts were made in China or even most of it so not a big surprise. But designed and QA'd by a Euro company. It's closer to how Ikea can design and spec product that is made in China but with quality to match the price.
If the Spanish company can keep a close eye on quality they might have a chance. The medium spec is fine if they can keep the price competitive with comparable phones. if they can build one that works on this side of the pond and price it right (fully unlocked and rooted) I can see it as a success. Targeting the developers and geeks is smart especially for us over here that are so used to contract phones that most don't know there is a better model. This was my hope for the N1, we'd finally get used to the Euro model of unlocked and no contract. This one targets that middle price range where most of the normal users live.

I can see a company buying a truckload and configuring it in house to suit their needs and implementing company specific apps they need and want. The cell company can then be the pipe more like a normal ISP and we'd all be better off.

If this takes off I have no doubt that they will build a super spec phone eventually but the real money is in the middle ground high volume device. But as soon as I see "rumor is that the GeekPhone is coming to *****!!" I'll loose confidence. Good luck to them.