Zodiac finally lives (tapwave Helix)

[RoboJoe32]

http://www.brighthand.com/article/Attentio..._Gamers_Tapwave

What do you think? I think if the controls are good and it's comfortable and easy to program for, we may just have a big brother to GP32 to play with.

 

[Axeman]

Hmmm - interesting. Dont like the idea of non-replacable batteries though - couldn't carry around a spare set...!

Bit pricey too!

Ah well... Lets wait and see

 

[khephren]

Probably over double what the GP will sell for. Nice specs though. But with the GP in europe, and the GBA with lots of games already availabe+PSP on the horizon for a similar price....I can't see it being to successfull, apart from the mobile business community. I've spoke to quite a few friends in the handheld dev community, and they think it's ok, but are not to enthuised. The palm developers are frothing at the mouth though

 

[tomjack264]

but it has an ati chip on it and I have seen a video and games run smooth I had to force my mouth to shut

 

[DarkWolfNine]

They didn't really mention anything about being backlit or frontlit either.. Maybe I am just to naive to have not assumed it being one of those.. but it was a bit suprising for that price.

 

[bradley]

ok what does

Tapwave has fitted it with dual rechargeable (but not replaceable) batteries that provide 1540 milliamp hours.

mean

15.4 hours?

i would hope this thing does well, far more interested in this than the psp

 

[Dolfhin]

It's a nice thing but the price is way to high. Who's going to pay 300-400 bucks for a handheld with some 3d games when the're is a GP32 for half the price with loads of emulators
It look nice but i gues it's to expensive for most of us

 

[kraahl]

It´s powerfull as hell, but it costs a bit much.

 

[k_man316]

the games look pretty decent (from the 1/2 of a second video's they show!) and could have some potential...

Check this out:

http://www.godoplay.com/tapwave2.html

Is it just me or does most of the video have nothing to do with a PDA/gaming device?

 

[Mofokubik]

Oh yeah, thats mine.

 

[johnno15]

Sounds poo to me ill stick with my gp32

 

[r0lf]

ok what does

Tapwave has fitted it with dual rechargeable (but not replaceable) batteries that provide 1540 milliamp hours.

mean

15.4 hours?

it means, if the device draws 1540 milliamps, it will run for an hour.

1540mA is alot for a handheld though....

Another way to think about it is, if the device draws (at a complete guess), 500mA
it'll run for about 3 hours.

In the GP32, I get about 5 or 6 good hours of gamage outta some 2000mAH batterys. If this device draws the same amount of current as the gp32, then it'll run out one quarter quicker (2000mAH vs 1540mAH).

An interesting point made by Axeman, these batterys are supposed to be 'unreplaceable'. So, if the chagre - discharge cycle is short (like 3hours use over say 3 days) the batterys are going to get a memory and over time would render the handheld useless. Even sexy new lithium rechargables will eventually develop a memory effect.

It looks sexy, it has sexy specs, but still I probably won't buy one any time soon.

EDIT: my arithmatic is almost as bad as my spelling.

 

[Icefox231]

If you're concerned that it will be a device without games, don't worry. (Remember, Tapwave has been working on this for two and a half years.) Tapwave has lined up dozens of developers and expects to have up to twenty Zodiac-optimized games, including "Neverwinter Nights," "Spy Hunter," "Tony Hawk" and "Doom II," available at launch. Games will sell for $29.95. Expected games for Palm OS handhelds will also run on the Zodiac.

LOOSE!

 

[Azure]

It's pretty exoensive, especially if it isn't back/front lit.

 

[bringoutthegimp]

that video really sucks. if thats the advert theyre releasing for it then they are in trouble.

 

[NeoAP]

It's very interesting, but it's way to expensive. And I also think that video sucked, and if that is there marketing they are in trouble, just like bringoutthegimp wrote.

 

[Dolfhin]

To expensive and a extemly short batery live
Sounds like a sega gamegear
I'll stick with my GP32

 

[FroZtByte]

I doubt they're after beating the GBA or PSP...

They're really after the market of gamers who think they're "above" the gameboy etc and want PDA type applications, the PDA community and adults who need an excuse to buy and use a games console while being able to say "it's a PDA, it's a serious business tool"

This, like the GP32 will make it easier for developers to release things, compared to nintendo and sony who expect huge amounts of money in licencing fees. (To become an official GBA developer, it's something like $20,000).

I may buy this system, although it will never replace my GP32.

 

[Sonic-NKT]

i think this is the one i buy in one year or so
have to earn a bit money for it, but i think this thing will be great...
a 200mhz cpu and a 3D accelerator (isnt it ? the ati thing)
also PSX emulation could be possible on it, perhaps even n64 if it has enough ram and good coders... also neogeo.. this list is endless.

 

[CTLance]

*sigh* This is how Gamepark should have made the GP32...

Seriously, though, a 3D-capable graphics chip, serious onboard memory and of course the on-board wireless gaming thingy are great stuff. The higher resolution isn't too shabby, too. And remember it uses a non-declining storage medium (at least IMHO SMC's are not anymore the storage medium of choice, although they will be around for a long time to come...) with standardized expansion options.

The GP32 looses in all aspects besides the battery, price and availability. IF - and only IF - this thing gets accepted Gamepark could face some serious competition. But I'm a pessimist in these kinda things, so don't take my ramblings too seriously.

I think Gamepark has a serious headstart, so they should be OK. If they make use of their chances, that is. B)

Ah well. I love my chubby GP32... I doubt it will lose to ANYTHING.