The Alternative M8 Products topic

sere83 · 06-04-2008

wow VLC on the iphone! that would be amazing! Do you know if it supports resolutions above the screens native 480x320? also don't you still have to use itunes to get the files on there in the first place?

Traps · 06-04-2008

The NVIDIA APX 2500 prototype was mentioned here before, but this week it was finally announced as a product: the "NVIDIA Tegra family of computers-on-a-chip".

There are already 2 product ranges on display at the NVIDIA website: the Tegra 600 series, and the Tegra APX 2500. The specs are completely out of this world...

They mention that "the first NVIDIA Tegra APX-based devices are expected to begin shipping in late 2008"... if this is true, not only the M8, but also the iPhone itself and all of it's contenders, are going to be crushed into the ground. I hate to admit it, but if Meizu doesn't hurry, I guess the M8 doom-sayers are going to be right after all.

thestrangestick · 06-04-2008

it just plays back video files so resolution is no problem, its like how u can see hi RES photos on the phone. File transfer is done via wifi using ssh or by USB, iTunes is not involved.

SteveMB93 · 06-04-2008

Originally Posted by Traps

The NVIDIA APX 2500 prototype was mentioned here before, but this week it was finally announced as a product: the "NVIDIA Tegra family of computers-on-a-chip".

There are already 2 product ranges on display at the NVIDIA website: the Tegra 600 series, and the Tegra APX 2500. The specs are completely out of this world...

They mention that "the first NVIDIA Tegra APX-based devices are expected to begin shipping in late 2008"... if this is true, not only the M8, but also the iPhone itself and all of it's contenders, are going to be crushed into the ground. I hate to admit it, but if Meizu doesn't hurry, I guess the M8 doom-sayers are going to be right after all.

The OMAP3 processor that the Pandora is using is actually better than the APX 2500.

Traps · 06-04-2008

Originally Posted by SteveMB93

The OMAP3 processor that the Pandora is using is actually better than the APX 2500.

Yes, the Pandora hardware is quite impressive too. I'm considering getting my hands on one of those when they come out

But I don't think the OMAP3 is superior... the APX 2500 can encode and decode HD video at 720p (1280x720), while the OMAP3 can only do it at D1 (720x480). The rest of the specs are pretty similar, with the APX taking an apparent lead here and there (e.g. the rumoured 10h-30h and 100h-130h of video/audio playback for the APX 2500, compared to the 10h and 100h in Pandora).
I'm not sure how the APX 2500's ULP GeForce compares to the OMAP3's PowerVR SGX 530 though...

Anyway, the Pandora project is aimed at a very different market, so it's not really a problem for the M8 or the iPhone. The APX 2500 on the other hand, will be a problem if it really starts shipping this year like they say.

sere83 · 06-05-2008

Originally Posted by thestrangestick

it just plays back video files so resolution is no problem, its like how u can see hi RES photos on the phone. File transfer is done via wifi using ssh or by USB, iTunes is not involved.

Wow now this is serious progress. This could actually contribute significantly to pushing me towards getting an iphone. The iphones lack of format support (particularly in the video department) had always put me off. But drag and drop xvid support would be immense. Surely for mp3 playback through the iphones ipod app you will always still have to use itunes though?

With more m8 delays expected and still no video of a workin UI, the M8 is not looking like a good option at the moment.

swiltse · 06-05-2008

Better add the HTC Touch Pro to this list... Looks like an interesting phone. Full QWERTY FTW?

Enroc · 06-05-2008

Gigabyte GSmart MS808 Specs | Technical Specifications | PDAdb.net - Comprehensive Database of PDA, PDA Phone, PNA & Smartphone Specifications
Gigabyte GSmart MS808, it has everything: GPS, WIFI, TV, highresolution, 3,5G, memory card slot, removable battery, Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro.

But imo the design is awful and I think that the price will be high.

There are two other versions of this phone: MS820 and MS802

Strahlex · 06-05-2008

Originally Posted by Enroc

Gigabyte GSmart MS808 Specs | Technical Specifications | PDAdb.net - Comprehensive Database of PDA, PDA Phone, PNA & Smartphone Specifications
Gigabyte GSmart MS808, it has everything: GPS, WIFI, TV, highresolution, 3,5G, memory card slot, removable battery, Windows Mobile 6.1 Pro.

But imo the design is awful and I think that the price will be high.

There are two other versions of this phone: MS820 and MS802

jepp, the design is shit

thestrangestick · 06-05-2008

Originally Posted by sere83

Wow now this is serious progress. This could actually contribute significantly to pushing me towards getting an iphone. The iphones lack of format support (particularly in the video department) had always put me off. But drag and drop xvid support would be immense. Surely for mp3 playback through the iphones ipod app you will always still have to use itunes though?

With more m8 delays expected and still no video of a workin UI, the M8 is not looking like a good option at the moment.

Well, the vlc player can play mp3s so if you don't want to use the built in mp3 player then vlc will replace it with drag n drop support. But anyway, I thought the main concern with the iphone was video conversion? I don't see why you'd care too much if you were only using itunes to put music on your phone, its just like any other file transfer program, and can get all your artwork for you. That said, as my pc is on all the time I've never cared about converting video. Something else you guys may be interested in: I can stream my library of videos and music and photos from my PC to my iPhone with TVersity, and now with orbLive I can stream live TV to it too! It really covers all my multimedia needs at the mo.

sere83 · 06-05-2008

Originally Posted by thestrangestick

Well, the vlc player can play mp3s so if you don't want to use the built in mp3 player then vlc will replace it with drag n drop support. But anyway, I thought the main concern with the iphone was video conversion? I don't see why you'd care too much if you were only using itunes to put music on your phone, its just like any other file transfer program, and can get all your artwork for you. That said, as my pc is on all the time I've never cared about converting video. Something else you guys may be interested in: I can stream my library of videos and music and photos from my PC to my iPhone with TVersity, and now with orbLive I can stream live TV to it too! It really covers all my multimedia needs at the mo.

Well....video conversion is obviously a key issue with the iphone, but I also don't like using transfer and conversion software like itunes at all. I find itunes a bit bloated and unecessary. It just seems to me another way for apple to try and push the itunes store on you, gain information about your usage habits and and make you become reliable on them, as they eventually force you to update to the latest versions, and make earlier ones obsolete, effectively pushing their software updates on you other wise your usage will be restricted (I know microsoft and many other companies obviously do this too though).

I prefer having my tunes in simple folders where I can see the files and they are easily and quickly acessible without loading any application (I sometimes use them for sampling/sharing and other stuff). I much prefer using a slim player like winamp and a slim tag editor if needed. I will never use the itunes store either due to the low quality of the tracks. TBH I have never understood paying for tune downloads. Fair enough it is convenient and cheap, but you are getting a sub standard version of the song, that is why it is cheaper.Plus many other devices don't even support AAC.

CD's are pretty cheap nowadays anyway and I would much prefer to have a high quality hard copy so I can rip it as many times as I want in any format I want and have a hard copy of all the art work and inlays etc too.

Nevertheless the iphone/ipod touch are brilliant devices. I was in a shop the other day playing with an ipod touch and I forgot how sharp the screen is. Darker colours are a little washed out but nevertheless it is very crisp. Definitely enough for a great viwing experience and a big step up form QVGA. It is great as well the way the hacking community are really starting to unleash their full potential. If only Apple had done it in the first place instead of being a bunch of scrooges.

With this latest news of the VLC player and some of the other great 3rd party apps available after jail breaking, like the ones you mention, it is looking a lot more tempting. Safari is an amazing browser too. More delays look imminent for the M8 as well and tbh I am starting to get a bit dissolusioned again. As much as it slightly pains me.....If there is no hard evidence of the M8 by August (at very least a video of a full complete working ui and a concrete release date) I may just follow the crowd and get an iphone or iphone II.

thestrangestick · 06-06-2008

Yes I understand what you mean about iTunes but I dont buy anything off there. A few things for your consideration: the iPhone's screen is supposedly slightly better than the iTouch without the wash you speak of. And firmware versions are not forced upon you as they are large downloads and you choose to download/ apply them. And btw what quality are iTunes songs? I've never bought one but I usually go for 192 kbs encoding and only ever 128kbs from songs my stupid friend gives me because he's weird about changing the rip functions in windows media player. Any higher than 192 and that would make disk space an issue.

darkado · 06-06-2008

personaly i prefer 320kbs, my current phone can play it well and i don't need that much songs i have only a 1gb mini sd card and 12 hours music on it so if i'm not flying to australia

it's more than enough.

Suriv · 08-11-2008

OpenMoko

Size and Weight
- 4.75 x 2.44 x 0.73 inches
- 6.5 ounces (185 grams)

Display
- Touch Screen
- 2.8" VGA (480x640) VGA Screen

Speed
- ARM9 @ 400 MHz
- 2D/3D Graphics Acceleration

GSM
- Tri band 850/1800/1900 MHz
- Tri band 900/1800/1900 MHz
Power
- Removable 1200 mAh battery

Memory
- 128MB SDRAM
- 256MB NAND Flash
- microSD Slot

Input and Output

Input and Output
2.5 mm audio jack
GPS external connector

Hardware Highlights
- Wi-Fi (802.1 1b/g)
- AGPS
- GPRS (2.5G not EDGE)
- Bluetooth 2.0
- 3axis Motion Sensors (2)

Software Highlights
- Openmoko GNU/Linux-based
- 100% FOSS on CPU
- GNU/Linux development tools

Wiki Openmoko

Openmoko web

OpenMoko Smartphone Doing the Full Open Monty, Releasing Chip Schematics For Building Your Own

Design and Make Your Own OpenMoko Phone

Suriv · 08-11-2008

In Indigo Renderer

Regul · 08-11-2008

What phone is that? or is it just some pics of something that could be a phone?

Looks kickass though.. :O

Clake · 08-11-2008

Regul, you said this so beautiful i just want cry... :'(

xDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD

MezmerizingMeizu · 08-11-2008

Originally Posted by Regul

What phone is that? or is it just some pics of something that could be a phone?

Looks kickass though.. :O

Yeah, looks nice. I want to know if it is only a 'concept' phone?

Suriv · 08-30-2008

HTC Touch Pro

Processor Qualcomm® MSM7201A™ 528 MHz Operating System Windows Mobile® 6.1 Professional Memory ROM: 512 MB
RAM: 288MB Dimensions 102 mm (L) X 51 mm (W) X 18.05 mm (T) Weight 165 g (with battery) Display 2.8-inch TFT-LCD flat touch-sensitive screen with VGA resolution Network HSPA/WCDMA:

Europe/Asia: 900/2100 MHz
Up to 2 Mbps up-link and 7.2 Mbps down-link speeds

Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE:

Europe/Asia: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz

(Band frequency and data speed are operator dependent.)
Device Control TouchFLO™ 3D
Touch-sensitive navigation control Keyboard Slide-out 5-row QWERTY keyboard GPS Internal GPS antenna Connectivity Bluetooth® 2.0 with EDR
Wi-Fi®: IEEE 802.11 b/g
HTC ExtUSB™ (11-pin mini-USB 2.0, audio jack, and TV Out* in one) Camera Main camera: 3.2 megapixel color camera with auto focus and flash light
Second camera: VGA CMOS color camera
Audio Built-in microphone, speaker and FM radio with RDS
Ring tone supported formats:

MP3, AAC, AAC+, WMA, WAV, and AMR-NB
40 polyphonic and standard MIDI format 0 and 1 (SMF)/SP MIDI

Battery Rechargeable Lithium-ion or Lithium-ion polymer battery
Capacity: 1340 mAh

Talk time:

Up to 378 minutes for WCDMA
Up to 419 minutes for GSM

Standby time:

Up to 462 hours for WCDMA
Up to 367 hours for GSM

Video call time: Up to 189 minutes for WCDMA
(The above are subject to network and phone usage.) Expansion Slot microSD™ memory card (SD 2.0 compatible) AC Adapter Voltage range/frequency: 100 ~ 240V AC, 50/60 Hz
DC output: 5V and 1A * HTC TV Out cable needed.

roelandb · 09-08-2008

Anyone seen the newly announced nokia touchscreeen phone ?
it's called 5800 Xpressmedia and will be in stores from october 8.
i found a news item about it (in dutch) here