iPhone or Else
Who would have thought there is space for another new player in the smartphone world, but Israeli firm Else is going to give it a go. Their first device is called First Else. Not sure what is behind the name, but suspect it has something to do with providing an alternative to the current crop of smartphones. The device itself looks pretty similar to the iphone and its followers, but the interface looks fresh. The main attraction is called sPlay, a right-thumb-controlled, sci-fi-like fan menu interface.
The 3.5 inch touch screen device runs the Intuition OS which is based on ALP, Access Linux Platform. Palm fans will remember that Access was the company that acquired PalmSource and the Palm OS before Palm bought back the operating system. Access’ work led to the Access Linux Platform.
Else plans to launch the device early next year, together with a self-branded media store which will require no credit card details. Very ambitious for a new player, but I am already seeing comments elsewhere on the internet about Else raising the interface bar and promising to be a game-changer. Worth keeping an eye on this one.
Not everyone is buying the Else promise though. Read UnwiredView for the skeptic take on Else.
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