14 DAY TRIAL // If you were wondering if the name in the title is misspelled, it's not. Gupp Technologies is a start up business from Malaysia that is releasing its first handset, which is dubbed the 'Phreedom' phone.
The company, founded in 2006, is aiming to offer a product that can do more than the average mobile device can. The Phreedom phone can connect via WEP, WPA and double tri-band GSM radio supporting 850/1800/1900 Mhz and 900/1800/1900 Mhz. While most would expect such a handheld to run Windows Mobile, the Phreedom is a Linux-based device.
It boasts a Treo-like QWERTY keyboard, 2.5 inch 265k color color screen with a QVGA resolution and VoWiFi (voice-over WiFi) capabilities based on SIP standard.
According to the company, the Phreedom phone targets consumers and cost-conscious businesses and can significantly reduce roaming costs by using VoWiFi whenever it is possible and GSM/GPRS as a backup.
Other features include a PXA processor running at 312 Mhz, and combined 320MB flash and SDRAM. The handheld will apparently last for five hours of talk time or 144 hours on standby.
Blogger Jeff Pulver, of Pulver.com, stated, "The convergence of VoIP and mobile has been a long time coming and while many barriers still remain, innovative organizations like GUPP are paving the way towards the development and availability of true dual-mode phones."
The Phreedom is scheduled to start shipping in the second quarter of the year and will be distributed by 3P Elctronics, a global electronic vendor that is said to serve a broad network of retail chains. Details regarding the price are not yet available.