The Emblaze First Else: A New Kind of Smartphone

Nov 25 2009, 9:35am CST | by Robert Evans

The Motorola Droid sold around 250,000 units in its first week. The iPhone sold over 700,000 units in its first weekend. The reason for this disparity is simple. The Motorola Droid was an evolution, a massive improvement on the functionality of prior devices. The iPhone, on the other hand, was something totally new when it was released, a revolution in hand-held computing. Evolutionary gadgets sell well. Revolutionary gadgets build corporate empires.

It's always difficult to tell where the next revolutionary gadget will come from, but Else (aka Emblaze Mobile) is definitely on the right track with their new smartphone, the First Else. (Pocket Lint)

The First Else is a rare beast, in that every aspect of it has been designed from the ground up to focus around delivering an excellent user experience. Most smartphones are basically PMPs with 3G access built around a phone. The First Else, however, treats the phone as just another application. One that has to work with and around other apps, rather than interrupting or overpowering them.

From what we can see in screenshots, the First Else delivers on its promise of offering a revolutionary interface. Every screenshot we've seen looks simple, intuitive, and utterly minimalist. Selection menus curve with the arc of your thumb, the main menu is built of a set of interlocking tiles, each representing an application. Everything about this mobile looks streamlined, built to work fast and work easily.

In terms of specs, the Linux-based First Else is no slouch. It packs a TI OMAP 3430 processor, the same device you'll find in your Droid or 3GS. The screen is a 3.5" capacitive display with tactile feedback, the camera is 5 MP, and the phone contains both GPS and A-GPS. There are also proximity, ambient light, and tilt sensors. The First Else should hit at some point in Q2 2010.

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Robert Evans
The excitement about new smartphones, tablets and anything mobile drive Robert to unearth the latest rumors and developments in this fast moving space. He adopted 4G as soon as it become available and knows where the mobile market is going.
Robert can be contacted directly at robert@i4u.com.