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Sinobytes

Navigating the bamboo scaffolding of China's rapid-rising tower of technology

by Steven Millward, China


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Hands-on video: The Dell "OPhone" from China Mobile

Oct 6, 2009 20:33

Dell Mini 3i, on the right


Dell's upcoming "OPhone" is a very important product for both Dell and China's largest mobile carrier, China Mobile.

The hardware itself is actually called the Dell Mini 3i, while China Mobile has coined the OPhone as corporate branding for its heavily madeover "skin" of Google's free Android mobile OS. I reviewed it a couple of weeks ago as part of a wider look at many upcoming, Chinese-made Android phones.

As you can see in the hands-on video, below, China Mobile has seriously rejigged and glammed up Android, and the carrier has put lots of its own services on the phone homescreen. I'll leave you to judge how it looks. Though to give you my own 2 cents, I think China Mobile has put way too much crap there.

Remember, this Dell Mini 3i doesn't have 3G (as its name might suggest), so I feel the carrier is trying to milk its pay-as-you-go GPRS/EDGE customers.

Here's the video. The voiceover is in Chinese, but we don't need narration to check out the homescreen widgets, nice 3D touches, SMS function, keyboard, and Web browser. Still no release date given for this thing.



(The video is here on Youku, if you want to see/add to the comments!)



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    Talkback
afx says...
I guess cheap because no 3G and wifi. I think it should be about 2000 RMB (200 EUROS) with no contract.

Oct 10, 2009 11:03
 
 
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About Steven Millward

Six years after arriving in China to 'check it out', Steven Millward has decided to stay put, and is hooked on the fast-changing dynamic of mainland China. He's not too intimidated that his current city of residence has a greater population than his entire homeland of Wales. A freelance editor, lifestyle magazine writer, English teacher, and enthusiastic blogger, he can also be found on twitter (as @SirSteven) discussing media, tech and music. You can email him with any tips, queries or feedback.

 
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