Engdaget posts up this mysterious device that seems customs designed to mock yours-truly. Why's that, in this week's WMExperts Podcast (coming soon), Mal and I describe what our ideal Windows Mobile form factors might be and I described the above device exactly. It matches it so exactly that I'm feeling a little creeped out right about now.
It's not outside the realm of possibility that the above could end up as a Windows Mobile device -- we see tell-tale soft-buttons on the bottom. More tellingly - a close look at the keyboard reveals it to have not only the same layout but the same button placement as Palm's recent smartphones -- the Treo Pro and the Centro. Seriously, click the image at right to see a full-sized comparison. This could be a prototype for Palm's upcoming Linux-based system, but I'm getting a Windows Mobile vibe off of this, and it's a vibe I'm starting to dig.
Update: At TreoCentral we hear rumblings of codename 'Roteo'
Reader comments
Mystery Smartphone Intrigues, Tempts, Mocks, Smells like Palm
Hey Dieter,
this phone should've been used in the iron man movie not a verizon phone with no 3G video call, and its CDMA which only works here in the US not in Afghanistan
long time man
slow news week..
Holy Frak!
Gotta figure it'll be called the Roto?
(Or is that Herbie from the old FF cartoon?)
http://superherouniverse.com/superheroes/images/fantastic-four/cartoon/h...
Take a look at the actual source of the photos, when translated into english: http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http://media.blogtimes.org/86&hl...
Basically it's a failed UMPC prototype.
In regards to the rumored codename of "Roteo", it appears that it was said by a forum poster on TreoCentral in regards to: http://discussion.treocentral.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=17423&d=12...
While that does share some similarities, there are numerous differences too.
As much as I wish Palm were this innovative, I think we're seeing things based on some coincidences.