News

Gizmondo Europe Begin Retailing First Windows-Powered Games and Multimedia Handheld in London (30/3/2005)

Windows CE Based multi-entertainment device goes on sale with the opening of a flagship store in London's busy West End

Gizmondo Europe Ltd, subsidiary of Jacksonville, Floridabased Tiger Telematics Inc. (other OTC, TGTL), this weekend begins retailing the Microsoft Windows CE based Gizmondo multi-entertainment device and opening of its flagship store.

At the heart of the Gizmondo is the Windows CE.NET operating system and Windows Media Player. This, coupled with a Samsung ARM9 400MHz processor, 64MB onboard memory, limitless storage via SD card, and a 128-bit NVIDIA GoForce 3D 4500 graphics accelerator, makes it the most powerful mobile entertainment and handheld gaming devices available. The compact handheld device delivers an armory of features, which include gaming, music and video playback, SMS, picture messaging, email, a camera, and Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) hardware.

One of the many things that make this pocket-sized device unique is the GPS functionality.

As well as offering location-based services, the Gizmondo will be able to perform satellite navigation, permissions-based tracking, geofencing, and location broadcasting to mobile telephones. But one of the most significant advances affects the mobile gaming genre; GPS functionality is already being developed into games to make the users' location in relation to other gamers and their environment an actual game element.

The Gizmondo flagship store at 175 Regent Street, London, is the perfect location to showcase the Microsoft software in action. Three games titles have already been announced for the Gizmondo from Microsoft Games Studios, with further announcements expected later in the year.

Carl Freer, Managing Director, Gizmondo, says: "We've used best-in-field components in every aspect of the design, and we believe the Gizmondo is taking an ambassadorial role in showing the versatility and robust nature of the Windows software. Essentially it is allowing us to spearhead the onset of digital-convergent devices. We enjoy an extremely close working relationship with Microsoft, their entire Windows Embedded team has been thoroughly supportive throughout this process, and we welcome their continued backing as we turn our attention to global markets with the Gizmondo."

Doug Follett, European Partner Manager in Microsoft's Device Solutions Group, says: "The Gizmondo is an impressive device and we've been following its development intently. It epitomizes digital convergence through the use of Microsoft Embedded technology, delivering a breakthrough in device integration and a platform for a multitude of incremental services."

The Gizmondo device and its games are in retail stores from 19th March 2005 in the UK, and in North American and Continental Europe markets from Spring 2005.

www.gizmondo.com