Via-based Handheld Game Console Runs PC Games

An anonymous reader writes "Via Technologies has teamed up with Ministry of Mobile Affairs (no, it's not a government agency) to build a handheld game console based on Windows XP Embedded that runs existing PC games. Described as the world's first handheld gaming device based on the x86 architecture, the Eve Mobile Gaming Console is said to be capable of instantly running thousands of existing PC games. Eve's embedded computer is built around a 533MHz Via Eden-N processor (which supports SSE and MMX) equipped with 128MB DDR266 SDRAM, and a 20GB hard drive. A built-in 4-inch LCD screen supports resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels." The initial impressions are pretty grim, and the form factor leaves something to be desired, at least for a product vying for a share of the GBA market.

Is that a Moma in your pocket?

[l810c]

First thing I thought when I looked at it, is where are you going to carry it? That thing wouldn't fit in a pocket or bookbag or briefcase. The pictures don't quite jive with this comment from the Moma website:

Modular -- Screen unit detaches from the controller. Carry just the screen unit around for media on the go. Swap controllers for a customized gaming experience.

This and the fact that there's nothing on the screen lead me to believe this is a Very early prototype and I'm doubting it's going to make it out 1st Q 2005.

I hope it comes to market

[AVryhof]

I hope this thing comes to market. Then Fails, Think Dreamcast Folks!

It's likely to be cheaper than an iPaq, and if it has USB (which makes me wonder how you get the games onto the 20GB Hard Drive) you can plug a USB Mini Hub into it for Keyboard/Mouse and have a sweet little Linux Box... or even a portable Emulation System....The possibilities look appealing.

Arrgh! But I don't think you'd want to try word processing on a 4" screen.

Vaporware

[KrispyKringle]

This is just plain vaporware. According to the Gizmodo article, it's a mini-ITX. Gee, the advantages of that over an x86 laptop are what, exactly? The lack of a folding screen?

So let's see...it's a 500MHz x86 with only 128MB of RAM, a fixed LCD that goes only to 640x480, and a case that exists only in the crappy renders of second-rate designers. And it seems like it's meant to be limited only to games, not other Windows applications. Sure beats a standard laptop...

Anybody care to explain why I should think this is more than (exceptionally incompetent) vaporware?

x86? So what?

[homeobocks]

It claims that having an x86 CPU is a big plus, but how many consumers either: a) know what a processor architecture is, or b) care? It could be so that it runs Windows, to play Windows games, but with the size of the hard drive (20gb) and the current size of games (UT2004 is >5gb), how many PC games will fit? In a year, when the MoMA is released, I don't think that games will be getting any smaller.

PDA/iPod Hybrid?

[SamBaughman]

Look at Palm devices: more and more games are being added to the library for this family of PDA's. A lot of games are coming out for Microsoft's Pocket PC platform. The only drawback for these systems is a lack of internal storage.

Look at iPods: a ton of local storage, a well-designed user interface, and the "cool" factor that marketing companies spend billions searching for. But other than video and some basic text notes (that you can't edit on the device), the iPods and other hard drive-based media centers can't play games or do other "computerish" tasks.

What happens when we combine these two products? Eve. It's a Pocket PC, but since it runs "XP Embedded" you can theoretically run any existing PC game. Spend a little time and effort, and you won't even need a USB keyboard. You could also just store music or video on there.

It's an RCA Lyra with a bit more processing power and an add-on controller. If they can hit the $500 point next year, there might (might) be a market, but I think more people will buy it for high quality video on a teeny screen than for any gaming options.

Ooooh, and wi-fi, so you can watch the videos on the other Eves are you...

Re:I hope it comes to market

[Anonymous Coward]

The Dreamcast was (and still is) one of the greatest 3D game system ever made. Its failure comes from the lack of good advertisment and the possibility to copy games very easily. It has absolutely no connection with this piece of crap [windowsfordevices.com] that won't fill any so called needs.

Bad form factor, but look at the games

[pridkett]

If you're astute and look at this picture [ziffdavisinternet.com] you'll see that it's not just a Ministry of Mobile Affairs logo on the screen. In fact, it's a logo photoshopped over a Half Life screen. Mmm...portable half life.

Re:Solution in search of a problem

[ComputerSlicer23]

I'll point out the truely ironic part, Andrew "Bunnie" Hwang, is the hardcore X-Box hacker who figured out a number of ways to overcome the X-Box security features. A number of slashdot articles have mentioned him, or his projects. Including the facts that he had a really hard time publishing his books on hacks for the X-Box.

Interesting. Very intersting.

Kirby

It all depends...

[mrgreen4242]

The key to this device's success is going to come down to 2 things, imho...

1) Price. If you can get a PSP cheaper, it's going to fail. Period. The PSP is probably going to start at, what, $200-250? So I'd say it'd better be around $150-175 MAX if it wants any chance at all.

2) Accessories. It was mentioned above that they intend to have a detachable game pad area, and I hope that it uses some sort of customized USB 2.0 connection for that so they can have a large array of easy to develop add-ons. Examples: A mini-keyboard, a stand with a built in USB HUB, so you can plug in a mouse/keyboard or external HD/DVD drive, or whatever you want. Also, a Wi-Fi add-on (or standard built in) would be an obvious must have.

A 533mhz cpu with 128mb ram will run some pretty decent games. If this GPU subsystem is decent at all, and they have some sort of widdled down version of widows running you could conceivably run Q3 based games, which is pretty nice for a handheld system.

Personally, I think that if this does make it to market, it will fail on both points 1 and 2. It will likely be in the $300-400 range, since they will have to actually make money on the hardware, as they don't get licensing fees from software sales like Sony and Nintendo. The accessories will likely be available, but will be either too expensive, reach market to late, or be just plain stupid (think GB camera and printer).

If it does manage to hit the shelves at a decent price and they improve the form factor some, it could be a very cool gadget. In all likelihood, however, I think I will be one the ones grabbing one of these as they get discontinued so I can turn it into a bathroom email/web browser!

WAH

[cubicledrone]

It SUX! It Blows! It's stupid looking! Sony RUL3Z!! Gamecube SUX!! BLAAAHH!!.

Four months ago everyone (and that means EVERYONE) said the Nintendo DS would tank. Now people can't get enough of how cool it is. Now everyone is saying the PSP will tank, when four months ago it was to "instantly stomp Nintendo out of the handheld market."

Face it folks. Everything sux. Because everything sux, nothing has any value. When nothing has any value, it is much easier to ignore the suffering of other people.

People are losing their jobs right now because "everything sux." Little gets invented at large companies any more because "everything sux." Good projects never get funded because "everything sux." Businesses can't get capital becuase "everything sux." Society suffers because "everything sux."

Yeah. It's important.

Re:Solution in search of a problem

[torpor]

no, you're missing the point. the iOpener was a $99 device which really should've cost something like $249... the only reason it was so cheap was because the company was expecting people to subscribe to their ISP services with it ... in the end, though, it became a "$99 PC", courtesy of wily hackers...

and hey, its not so freakin' hard to hack an iOpener, or find details on how to do it ... there's this web site called 'google', which you might be able to find the URL for if you're really elite ... that'll tell you all about it ...

Re:Solution in search of a problem

[bunnie]

The security "features" are designed to make a compromise between developers and users like you and me. So there are two options you can take. You can take the blue pill, and have XPe pre-installed, but have a locked console that you can later unlock with a card. Or you can take the red pill, and get a console with no OS, but unlocked. From the cost perspective to us, the price is about the same. However, XPe is not free to us, so we have to pass on the cost of that to users somehow, hence the unlock card. The unlock card architecture is not designed to be bulletproof. It is hackable. Making it unhackable would be too expensive. However, I'm placing bets that the unlock card will be cheaper and easier to use than a mod. Plus, the unlock card contains some useful features for other useage contexts (I'm not saying that everyone will find it useful) that are essentially irreproduceable. So--hackers who want to explore, they are free to explore and have fun. The security architecture of the console will be fully disclosed, I'll even tell you how you could mod it, but that might ruin the fun. Users who just want to extend the console hardware and software, have an easy path to do so from day one. It only helps me if the guys here want to slap a keyboard on this or build a beowulf or drive a toaster--I'm trying to provide hardware, other people make the apps. And users who just want to play games in a traditional model can do so too. I'd also like to point out that this is not an iOpener because it's not sold at a loss. Think of it like a portable DVD player, when they first came out. They were larger and heavier than this, had a shorter battery life, and sold at around $1000. Now, they are *still* larger than this (the DVD format fundamentally limits your size...) but at least some of them are as cheap as $200, most of them hovering around the $300-500 price point. Do these sell at the million per month rate? no. Is this meant to sell at the million per month rate? no. Unfortunately, with all the hype these days around the PSP and DS, people try to compare it to these consoles, thinking we're in the same market they are. We aren't. The upside is if mass market starts adopting the product, but our business model is flexible enough to survive on a smaller market.