Looking much like an iPhone but having more in common with a keyboard-less Nokia N810 Internet Tablet, the OP5-E MID by Optima is currently undergoing one last round of software tests before launch.
While the 5.6" x 2.9" x 0.69" slate's 806MHz Marvell PXA320 CPU, 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM, T-flash/microSD card slot (up to 16GB supported), and 4.3-inch WVGA resistive touchscreen may not be enough to immediately grab your attention, its integrated 3G capability and Maemo Linux operating system certainly make the device more interesting.
GPS, 802.11b/g WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, a 3.2-megapixel camera, future phone functions, and 8-hour runtime (2600mAh li-polymer battery) round out the 10.6-ounce handheld's strong points.
I believe Optima is an Australian company, so I'm not sure why the OP5-E looks to be launching only in China. I'm also puzzled by the inclusion of Maemo, which I always thought was reserved for Nokia's Internet Tablets (no?), though its active developer and user community obviously make it a stellar choice.
I don't know if we'll ever hear anything more about the Optima OP5-E outside of China, but I'm adding it to my watchlist just in case. There appears to be an English language option in the OS, as well as English input methods, so it's possible that Optima could travel Aigo's path and make it to US shores fairly easily.
Update: Optima is now a Chinese company (official website). Here's the news release and product page. Thanks, icurafu!
Photos and early info from PCPop.com (thanks, ruppa!).
maemo is sponsored by Nokia, but it’s open-source, so not “reserved” for anything. http://maemo.org/intro/
Ah, okay. Thanks! I’ve only ever heard of maemo in the same breath as the Nokia ITs in the past, so its inclusion in this unit raised an eyebrow. I’m surprised more devices don’t make use of it.
Phone function? As in VOIP?
At the optima website at Australia… “Please be advised that Optima Technology Solutions Pty Limited (A.C.N. 003 833 074) (“OTS”) has
been placed into Liquidation as per a resolution approved by Creditors at the second meeting of Creditors on 28 August 2008″
http://www.optima.com.au/
The logo looks a little weird, but nearly the same; so I guess the brand was purchased by a Chinese company.
Here we go.
http://www.chinaoptima.com/index.asp
http://www.chinaoptima.com/products.asp?pid=27
http://www.chinaoptima.com/product_view.asp?Id=85
These are called the pure gold series with the category listed in the English page, but no products listed.
Excellent find! I’ve added the links to the post. Thanks.
It looks like it will be VoIP only upon release, with full calling functions and SMS being added in an update.
wow, this gadget is very nice. but i have no money to buy it
Th Nokia IT 810 has a keyboard. The N800 does not.
Yeah, that’s why the article says it looks like a “keyboard-less Nokia N810.” Jenn has both IT’s so I think she’d know which one has a keyboard.
Now the update interests me.
Did we ever figure out if this thing actualy has Maemo on it? as opposed to Mer or Ubuntu or Moblin or something else?
Based on the images and product pages, it definitely appears to be running Maemo.