Sharp treats us to a waterproof 16MP Android clamshell in 3D
- S
- Simon
- vxL
- 21 May 2011
Samsung has already released a clamshell android phone... althou only for the chinese market, asians in general like clamshell
http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-sch-w899-android-clamshell-packs-dual-super-amoled-touchscreens-06117870/
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- Dave
- myA
- 21 May 2011
MdN, 21 May 2011Errr... no. In real life I have a relative who repairs cel... moreWell thats how the future is going. Look at the top manufacturers all of there top selling phones have touch screens and no keyboards. Sharp should take note they would be able to sell phones in US and Europe.
- ?
- Anonymous
- QGM
- 21 May 2011
as if anyone will buy one lol
- M
- MdN
- Mtr
- 21 May 2011
Dave, 20 May 2011Thats BS what you said.
iphone 4 would last longer than ... moreErrr... no.
In real life I have a relative who repairs cell phones (and other stuff) for a living, and when I ask him about the iPhone 4 and "gorilla glass" he laughs. By now he can probably change them blindfolded, that's how many he replaces. And let's not talk about those who came with their iPhones soaked and useless because they weren't able to remove the battery. Besides, almost all touchscreens use gorilla glass, and all of them break, and phones with glass on both sides... you can imagine.
If you don't need a keyboard, I do. So, iPhone 4 is a nice gadget for sitting at home in a sofa, but I wouldn't take it outside. This Sharp, I would.
- ?
- Anonymous
- t7Q
- 21 May 2011
wow! I've been looking for an android flip phone for a long time! hope this goes to the philippines. definitely getting this.. is i can afford it that is.. there still still something about alpha numeric keypad that feels right when you use a phone.
- A
- A Good Filipino
- t7s
- 21 May 2011
Very clever :)
- 5
- 5ushi
- uBM
- 21 May 2011
GSMArena should reasearch a bit, considering there are so many not in the loop.
Docomo DOES provide unlocking services for all NEW devices (released after April 5th if memory serves correct). That is a FULL UNLOCK, so media, telephony etc etc. Though I'm not too sure about the MMS, 3G, and data system settings.
It costs just a tad over 3000 yen and all you need to do is go into a Docomo store with proof of ownership of the phone, and sign a waiver (in which you basically acknowledge that you know that unlocking and using a NTT Docomo device overseas will not be as reliable as one that is locked).
So come on editors; research and include something like that in at least when writing your next Japanese-related piece of news.
Now, on to the form factor debate.
The Japanese government (and the Korean government too in Korea) isolated its own mobile market from the outside world. Basically, this allowed at-home Japanese companies to grow without international competition for about a decade. Which is why phones in Japan and Korea are so unique; they cater for the culture's likes and preferences without the 'disturbances' involved in foreign companies where the culture and design sense are different. And another reason why phones from Korean and Japan have the most compatibility issues internationally.
I personally DESPISE touch phones. I think they're just a fad and will become yesterday's in sometime soon; Apple started selling the touch so well that other manufacturers simply jumped aboard the touch wagon too, all to take advantage of the 'fad' and the potential mid-term profits it can bring in.
As a power user who only buys what he needs (I don't buy the 'latest and greatest'), I do prefer clams. And to think that all my mates thought I'd be the first on the smartphone band-wagon; I don't think so...
And as mentioned earlier, clams for me are slightly longer lasting in that the screen and anything more fragile is kept protected within the flip form factor. Though in saying that, a flip phone consists of 2 parts, whereas a brick form factor (a touch device for example) only uses one single piece. Though that don't necessarily mean one form will last longer than the other. For all I care I don't see the Apple being able to surive splashes of water.
So Dave; mate, grow up. Under every-day usage the phone will still go. And it's not everyday you hear of a clam literally snapping in half unless the user is:
a) a douchbag
b) has an utter, cold-hearted negligence for his / her own possessions
The iPhone can be destroyed as well, so try not to compare it like you have already.
- N
- NOT_annonymous
- q8r
- 21 May 2011
Absolutely amazing how some commentators here think there are no people at all in the US or Europe that wouldn't like these phones. Why not having a real good phone-keypad? Some physical feedback (other than a BUZZ) is good to have, also, you can type the numbers blindly. Try to do this with an iPhone or ATRIX, etc.
Can't believe that some manufaturers don't want to increase their markets and keep it in their home country. Can you imagine a world without a Mercedes in every country? Anyway.
Now, if this is somewhat of a vanilla-Android one should be able to switch to the English (or other) language. So, if you ever make it to Japan, try it out and let me know so I can get one myself. Thx
- D
- Dave
- myA
- 20 May 2011
Forgot to say its a clamshell so it can snap in half. Try do that to any iphone
- D
- Dave
- myA
- 20 May 2011
Anonymous, 20 May 2011Japanese people prefer to use flip cell phone because:
1) ... moreThats BS what you said.
iphone 4 would last longer than that phone.
The screen on iphone 4 is pretty tough and you can get a case if you are worried about it. You dont need a keyboard so no need to worry about that.
Batterys mite be bigger but why would they make the keypads larger when the japanese people tend to have the smallest hands?
Better balance? I doubt it.
- m
- mcallim7
- pS4
- 20 May 2011
loved my old 902
and even love my galaxy s
but this would be heaven
- p
- prince
- sm@
- 20 May 2011
Amazing phone, if it ran on symbian it would be perfect.
- D
- AnonD-8044
- nFK
- 20 May 2011
My kind of ultimate smartphone.
- g
- glad
- PxM
- 20 May 2011
AnonD-8952, 20 May 2011every nokia phone ever designed is better than this design.... moreGopaljee..it does make sense to others if not you. You always dont type on your phone dont you? Its as good as a slide querty concept. I do agree nokia has some good designs but cmon man. look at this. Its a piece of art
- n
- noro
- nha
- 20 May 2011
I really hoped this day will come,android in clamshell phone,must say looks very neat! Hope come to europe and also other companies make some more ! :D
- ?
- Anonymous
- PBR
- 20 May 2011
Japanese people prefer to use flip cell phone because:
1) They are more rugged and stand up better to heavy use or abuse (important when your phone is expensive and you depend on it for your job/social life/commute/etc.)
2) The screen and keyboard are protected better when the phone is not in use. Important since Japanese tend to use the email/web/etc functions of the phone much more than the voice calls.
3) They are better balanced for one handed use while standing up on a crowded train or walking around town.
4) The batteries and keypads tend to be larger.
5) Other reasons regarding their culture (which I haven't found yet what it is)
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- AnonD-123
- NGf
- 20 May 2011
Now people can finally use their phones in the shower.
- D
- AnonD-4697
- Pr@
- 20 May 2011
This one looks nice, I love clamshells, this will be defenitly a must to use...
- D
- AnonD-7449
- pJd
- 20 May 2011
It's shame that nowadays clamshells are just cheap pieces of c!@p and some descent ones are available for Japanese market only. It has a reasonably sized screen, good old keypad and considering the size, it should be able to accommodate some pretty well sized battery. Oh well, one day...
- r
- rebel
- JyA
- 20 May 2011
why not rest of the world?sharp is the best mobile phone manufacter.could be world n.1