Gizmondo

“Hey, that’s a nifty little gizmo you got there. What’s it called?”

“A Gizmondo.”

“Ok, so it’s a mondo gizmo, what’s the name of the thing?”

“A Gizmondo.”

“Ok, I got that it is a ‘gizmondo,’ but what’s the name of that device.”

“Not what, it’s a Gizmondo.”

“Look Abbott, I’m asking you ….”

“Who’s Abbott?”

The Gizmondo is the latest in handheld gaming and the sleek little unit is much more than just a gaming device, but it serves as a text-messaging device, comes equipped with GPS and even has a built-in digital camera – although do not expect high resolution from it, it is more of the point-and-shoot variety – so you can send images as well as text. And you can download movies and music to the device. And oh yeah, it also plays games.

Measuring approximately 5 ½” wide by 3 ½”  tall and an inch deep, the Gizmondo is a multi-functional device that has a black easy grip, accessible button array and a screen that has a 2 ¾” viewable area.

The unit is lightweight, comfortable in the hands and the display itself is very good. It has connections for a USB port to a PC, a chip for mobile phone service (for the messaging capabilities) and tracking and map services available.

And this little device packs a pretty solid audio punch. The main menu screen for the system basically outlines all this machine can do. There are tabs for Games, Movies, Music, Messaging, GPS & Web (browsing), Camera & Images, Contacts, Applications, Settings and Smart Adds. If one registers on the Gizmondo home page (www.gizmondo.com), one can find some downloads, like wallpaper. The Applications tab will give you several sub-menu options – such as setting an alarm clock, a calculator, Currency Converter and Bluetooth Receive Menu. (Bluetooth is a mobile download service, as a basic explanation.)

The device has a lock-out system and even can be set for flight mode (for those frequent flyers).

Games do not actually play until a chip is inserted into the flat-slot, and then the load is semi-automatic. The screen is very bright and displays games well, and there is a brightness setting as well.

Given the exclusivity of development for the handheld market, the Gizmondo may never have the high-profile titles seen on the PSP or Nintendo DS. However, the developers of this product were smart in that, so far, the release titles seem to be of the arcade, on-the-fly style of games that are easy to play, and do not require huge allotments of time per sitting. And with the other additions to the sytems, like the map capabilities and GPS tracking, this seems to be a device marketed for those who are not so much serious gamers as those who are looking for a hand-held system that performs a variety of functions and does them well.

Pros:
Sleek design and the added features, such as the GPS tracking and map system are handy. Quality sound and the screen is nice and bright. Nice selection of launch titles as well – nothing too serious, but fun.

Cons:
After a prolonged time inactive (several days), the device was reticent in turning back on and the battery had to be reseated several times to get a response. The five buttons at the top of the device are very hard to depress, at times, and during those times they require solid pressure from a hard surface – like a nail, not a flesh – to trigger their functions. The game cartridges are also very small and may be easily misplaced.

Verdict: 8.7
Will it replace the PSP or NDS? No, but this is a device that has more than a few nice features. The interface between PC and Gizmondo is not exactly intuitive and players will have to spend some time figuring how to get the two to communicate well. Slow shutter speed on the digital camera built in makes it merely a point-and-shoot device, not something a semi-serious photographer could use. And the messaging services are a phone-based service that needs to be paid for, as one would expect. It is a nice little device, and just fine for anyone looking for a multi-tasking handheld that plays, for the most part, mobile-style games.