BPhone Netbook Smartphone now shipping

26th March 2010

BPhone Netbook Smartphone

The mysterious laptop-shaped smart phone BPhone is now up for grab.

The BPhone will be powered by Marvell 624MHz processor running a customized version of ARM Linux 2.6 for the OS. It will have 128MB of RAM and 256MB flash memory. Connectivity options include WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS and quad-band GSM connectivity, but apparently no 3G, which is a major drawback. The phone will ship fully unlocked and the Chinese importer selling them (ChinaGrabber) reports the BPhone’s flip fom factor as “compact and stylish”.

It will be capable of running Java based applications which should give you a wide selection of things to run. Unfortunately, making calls on such a device is probably as horrible as it seems considering it’s a bulky 5-inch unit. The 5-inch touchscreen is convertible, so the device can be used like a tablet, which is a nice addition.

While there are a few netbooks with cell modems that allow access 3G internet on the go, I don’t think many of them allow to make calls so this little BPhone does have an advantage there. To be honest, the UI on the device looks sharp and at 5-inches it can’t be much bigger than the Dell Mini 5 or the HTC EVO 4G, but the laptop
form factor just seems so unappealing. With the iPad around the corner, the JooJoo Pad now shipping and other competitors like the Dell Mini 5 and Archos 7 out there, I just can’t see anybody getting excited over the poor BPhone.

BPhone is available for $569.

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