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Hands-on with TechFaith's QiGi i6 in Android mode

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 17th 2009 @ 6:43AM

Remember that mysterious dual-boot QiGi i6 from a few months back? If you dream of Windows Mobile / Android dual-boot devices at night, then odds are you do, and we've been able to spend a little time with one humming along in Android mode today. It turns out that the i6's manufacturer is none other than TechFaith Wireless, an ODM more closely associated with WinMo devices -- but like so many other manufacturers these days, TechFaith is apparently looking to branch out by adding another platform into the mix.

Anyhow, let's just be straight about this: odds are you don't really want this phone, even if you think you do. The physical design feels one or two iterations behind, but the real problem stems from the fact that you're rocking QVGA resolution here; yes, granted, Android runs -- but in its default layout, it's clearly designed for a few more pixels both horizontally and vertically. Furthermore, we're told that end users can't swap ROMs themselves (in other words, distributors would choose one platform or the other and be done with it) -- the hardware is designed to run both Android and Windows Mobile, but it's not like you get some fancy Boot Camp-style setup for booting into either environment. Also, since the i6 features no physical keyboard and Cupcake was little more than a twinkle in Google's eye by the time the phone was released, you're dealing with a pretty poorly-designed soft keyboard that's been grafted onto the build; individual keys are small enough so that you need a stylus to press them, and when you call up the keyboard, it takes up the full screen so you can't see whatever app you were in while you're typing. Check it all out (for the hilarious power-on splash screen, if nothing else) in our video after the break!

Gallery: Hands-on with TechFaith's QiGi i6 in Android mode

Continue reading Hands-on with TechFaith's QiGi i6 in Android mode

TechFaith "Pean" hits up the FCC

by Chris Ziegler posted Dec 22nd 2006 @ 5:55AM

Though most of us are more familiar with this thing in its i-mate PDA L trim, ODM TechFaith Wireless has a decidedly... uh, different name for its latest Pocket PC phone: "Pean." Yes, "Pean." Your guess is as good as ours. Designed as an entry-level device, the spec sheet isn't anything to write home about, with a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth 1.2, and 802.11b taking the spotlight. Though GSM 850 and 1900 are both supported, the manual lists Simplified Chinese as the default language, suggesting it's not likely bound for the US -- at least, not in "Pean" trim. Bummer.

Tech Faith Wireless sells 501 under UBiQUio brand

by Ryan Block posted Aug 23rd 2006 @ 8:42PM

Looks like the TechFaith Q-killer's finally headed into the discerning hands of the general public under the UBiQUio brand, outfitted with a more BenQ P50-like keyboard, and badged with the model number 501 (as listed on Expansys). You'd have thought a device from a still-no name Chinese ODM would require a little less cash from your pocketbook than the $514 it's being sold for, but aside from having a touchscreen and running Pocket PC, little did you know this thing also has 64MB flash memory, 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 1.2 with A2DP, 2 megapixel camera, miniSD slot, and a mini USB port? Motorizon better just hope like the dickens that TechFaith doesn't find someone like Cingular to pick 'em up Stateside -- though that could be a while, considering the 501 is still tri-band with 900MHz, and only has GPRS class 10. A device just can't be perfect, can it?

[Via MobilitySite]

TechFaith's i320, SLVR, and Universal rips

by Ryan Block posted Jun 23rd 2006 @ 9:12PM

You know, we might have done another TechFaith keepin' it real fake post, but honestly we don't really see the point. Oh sure, TechFaith is totally knocking off these other guys with their phony Q and Hermes and so on, but when they showed off their new fake i320, SLVR, and Universal at CommunicAsia this week, we started to realize not only were these guys moving at lightning speed emulating these phones, they were also improving them. The SLVR rip has an impressive 512MB integrated flash memory; the i320-alike uses Pocket PC -- similar to their Q ripoff, and differing, of course, from both the original devices which are stuck with Smartphone; we'd imagine the faux-Universal won't have a VGA display or some of those other ultra high-end niceties, but damned if they don't have the twist n' swivel display in a form factor smaller than the original. TechFaith Wireless, we think you're about one post away from getting your own category on Engadget Mobile.