Skype and Verizon are teaming up to create a phone together — a device aimed towards video chat and Skype related communication. This type of heavy integration with Skype is a bold and interesting move from Verizon.

Here is the updated Saygus VPhone spec:

• Processor: Marvell PXA 310 800 MHz
• Operating System: Android
• Memory: 512 MB ROM, 256 MB SDRAM, SDHC memory card to 16 GB
• Dimensions: 116.5 59.5 x 20.3 mm
• Screen: 3.5-inch capacitive with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels
• Network: CDMA2000 EV-DO REV A
• Communication capabilities: WiFi 802.11b / g and Bluetooth v2.0 + EDR with A2DP
• Camera: 5 megapixel main camera with autofocus and flash
• Front camera: VGA-camera with built-in microphone
• Supported audio formats: MP3, MIDI, AAC, AAC +, AMR-NB, AMR-WB
• Supported video formats: MPEG2, MPEG4, H.263, H.264
• Battery: Li-Po 1500 mAh
• Hours Talk Time: Up to 7 hours
• Hours of standby time: up to 250 hours
• Hours videoconference: up to 4 hours
• GPS-module: with A-GPS E911
• Accelerometer
• Digital Compass
• USB: USB 2.0 OTG / USB Mass Storage
• FM-radio
• Other possibilities: Document viewer, file manager, web browser, calculator, Email, Instant Messenger, Recorder / Voice Notes, Alarm clock, Calendar

Source: Android Authority

Bluetooth · MPEG-4 · Saygus VPhone · Secure Digital · Skype · Verizon · Videoconferencing · Wi-Fi

Not only is the Saygus Vphone V1 the first device to be offered under Verizon Wireless’ Open Development initiative, it’s the first smart phone to be released on a U.S. carrier to offer two-way video conferencing. It will let callers see each other while they talk, as well as allow them to show others what they see around them in real time. Saygus’ proprietary video technology allows two Vphones to stream a video chat conversation over 3G networks at acceptable quality, but the performance isn’t as good when used with other devices, a company spokesperson said.

Packed with Google’s Android operating system, a fast 624-MHz Marvell PXA 310 processor, a 5-megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, a full QWERTY keyboard, and enough battery life for four hours of video chats, this phone could change the way we communicate. But can this device, which has an early 2010 release date, compete with such cheaper, subsidized devices as the Motorola Droid?

Despite analyst predictions that it won’t be subsidized, Saygus’ CEO hopes that resellers will subsidize the Vphone where it’s distributed and that it will be priced competitively with existing smart phones. Saygus also has plans to license its technology to other manufacturers so its two-way video calling service will be available across multiple types of handsets.

Read the full story on Laptop Magazine

Android · Global Positioning System · Google · Motorola · Saygus Vphone V1 · Verizon Wireless · Videoconferencing · Wi-Fi

Saygus are apparently getting ready to launch their first V1 Android handset (known as the VPhone) across the Verizon Wireless network.

The VPhone will mark Verizon’s first Open Development Initiative handset, and will feature a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3.5-inch (800 x 480px) high resolution capacitive touch display, 5 mega-pixel camera (with flash), and support for supports EVDO Rev. A, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR connectivity.
The handset also includes an accelerometer,…

[source: Current]

Bluetooth · Data Communications · Evolution-Data Optimized · Global Positioning System · QWERTY · Verizon Wireless · Wi-Fi · Wireless

Saygus VPhone Wins Prestigious ‘Best of Innovations’ Award for Wireless Handsets Category

2010 International CES
NEW YORK & SALT LAKE CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Saygus, Inc. (http://Saygus.com) unveiled the Saygus VPhone™—an Android equipped smartphone with America’s first nationwide two-way video calling capability—at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Awards in New York Nov. 10. The VPhone won the prestigious “Best of Innovations” in the “Wireless Handsets” category against top smartphone makers.

Expected to be available as a CDMA device through Verizon’s Open Development Initiative (ODI), the Saygus VPhone is the latest Android phone for consumers and businesses alike. It has two cameras – a 5 MP main camera with auto focus and flash and a VGA forward-facing camera for video calling – and provides a host of other features including WiFi, USB and Bluetooth tethering allowing up to eight devices (i.e., laptops, MIDs) to connect as an access point, USB host and client capability, slide-out keyboard with a large keypad and raised keys for fast and easy typing, larger battery to provide up to four hours of video calling and seven hours of talk time, and screen resolution twice that of the iPhone.

Using the major cellular networks in the U.S., Saygus has achieved two-way cellular video calls at 24 to 30 frames per second (fps) in excellent resolution with its proprietary low bandwidth video calling technology. The company has tested its technology on other devices and other cellular networks implementing video calling at 2.5G EDGE data rates. Saygus plans on providing quality video calling to other devices and networks, making video calling available to cell phone users around the globe.

VPhone features:

• Video Calling. Saygus VPhone includes Saygus’ proprietary video calling technology for the world’s first low bandwidth two-way cellular video calling.
• Tethering. WiFi, Bluetooth and USB tethering for up to eight devices.
• 1500 mAh Battery. Supports up to four hours of video calling and seven hours of talk time.
• QWERTY Slide-Out Keyboard. Large keyboard area with raised keys for ease of use.
• Multi-Touch Screen. High-resolution 3.5-inch 800 x 480 capacitive multi-touch capable screen.
• 624Mhz Marvell PXA310 processor.
• Dual Cameras. 5 MP main camera with auto focus and flash and VGA forward-facing camera for two-way video calling.
• CDMA EVDO Rev A.
• USB Charging. Host and client capability.

“The Saygus VPhone is the first two-way cellular video calling phone in the U.S. and the only full-featured Android phone available with two-way video calling,” said Chad Sayers, CEO of Saygus. “It’s an honor to be the 2010 Best of Innovations winner. The Wireless Handsets category is known for recognizing the biggest names in the smartphone world. It is a privilege to be in their company—we’ve literally become the ‘little guy’ with the ‘big guy’ device.”

The Saygus VPhone passed its FCC (Federal Communications Commission) certification Nov. 5, generating considerable buzz with its industry-leading features, and is expected to be available in the United States soon.

The Innovations Design and Engineering Awards recognizes achievements in product design and engineering and is sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association®, the producer of the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) held in Las Vegas annually, and endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America.

The Saygus VPhone will premiere at the 2010 International CES Jan. 7-10, 2010, in Las Vegas and CES Unveiled: The Official Press Event of the International CES on Jan. 5.

Innovations honorees reflect exceptional innovation in design and engineering. For more information on Honoree products, visit www.cesweb.org/innovations.

About Saygus

Founded in 1997, Salt Lake City, Utah-based Saygus, Inc. is a video calling technology developer currently launching America’s first two-way cellular video calling phone as an Android smartphone. Saygus expects to begin licensing its low bandwidth video calling technology to smartphone and feature phone makers soon with requests for their technology already planned in a handful of phones for the U.S. market during 2010. Saygus is operated by a seasoned group of executives including founder Chad Sayers, CEO; Tim Riker, former CTO of Lineo and Project Manager at Texas Instruments, CTO; Greg Merten, former VP and GM at HP’s Inkjet Cartridge Division; Ash Darwish, former VP at LG; and Krishna Rao, former CFO and Board member of Mitsubishi Silicon. Saygus is a privately funded company with the majority of its shareholders in Utah. www.saygus.com.

Business · Cellular network · Consumer Electronics Association · iPhone · Mobile phone · Salt Lake City · United States · Wi-Fi

Saygus, Inc. announced on Monday its Android-powered mobile phone, called the Saygus VPhone, coming to the market with two-way video calling capability. The handset has been unveiled at the International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) Innovations 2010 Design and Engineering Awards in New York November 10, where it won the “Best of Innovations” in the “Wireless Handsets” category award.

According to the company, the new device is expected to become available for purchase via mobile phone carrier Verizon Wireless, through the Open Development Initiative (ODI). The handset comes to the market with two cameras, a 5-megapixel one on the back, with auto focus and flash, and a VGA one on the front, which can be used for video calling. Moreover, the new handset also comes with a wide range of popular features, including Wi-Fi, USB, and Bluetooth tethering, which can offer users the possibility to connect up to 8 devices to it as to an access point.

Read the full story at Softpedia

Android · Bluetooth · Mobile phone · Tethering · Universal Serial Bus · Video Graphics Array · Wi-Fi · Wireless access point

At a pre-CES show in Manhattan last night, handset manufacturer unveiled their first Android handset, the Saygus VPhone. The handset will be available to Verizon Wireless customers but being an Open Development Initiative handset, the device wont be supported by Verizon. Instead, handset support will be supplied by Saygus themselves.

According to Saygus executives, the handset will ship with Android 1.6 but will be updated to Android 2.0 at some point in the near future.

The VPhone will feature a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3.5-inch (800 x 480px) high resolution capacitive touch display, 5 mega-pixel camera (with flash), and support for supports EVDO Rev. A, Wi-Fi, GPS, and Bluetooth 2.0+EDR connectivity.

The handset also includes an accelerometer, digital compass and microSD card support up to 32GB.

[Source: Talk Android]

Android · Bluetooth · Evolution-Data Optimized · Global Positioning System · Manhattan · MicroSD · Verizon Wireless · Wi-Fi

Saygus told Phone Scoop that its V1 Android handset — to be branded as the VPhone — will be Verizon Wireless’ first Open Development Initiative handset. The V1 boasts some impressive specs, and is just “days” away from certification on Verizon’s network. The stand-out feature of the VPhone is going to be a video sharing service that will allow two people to share a live, two-way video feed. It will also be able to act as a Wi-Fi router, similar to the Novatel MiFi. According to the Saygus web site, the VPhone has a 3.5-inch, 800 x 480 pixel, high resolution capacitive touch display. It is powered by a 624MHz processor, has a 5 megapixel main camera and a VGA camera that faces users. It supports EVDO Rev. A, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, accelerometer, digital compass and microSD cards up to 32GB. The device is a sideways slider that has a full QWERTY keyboard. Saygus said that because the VPhone is an ODI device, it won’t be beholden to some of the restrictions placed on Verizon’s regular handsets and it will support applications such as VoIP via the 3G network. Saygus believes the device will be available late 2009 or early 2010 through most of Verizon’s sales channels. The VPhone was recently approved by the FCC.

Bluetooth · Data Communications · Evolution-Data Optimized · MicroSD · Novatel Wireless · VerizonWireless · Wi-Fi · Wireless