Tapwave Gets Duke Nukem, Genesis Classics

Thanks to BusinessWire for hosting the press release announcing pre-order availability and new software for the Tapwave Zodiac handheld, following advance news of the Palm-compatible's specs a couple of weeks back. But newly announced as "...coming in January 2004 is 'Duke Nukem Mobile,' which will open a new chapter of Duke's Universe for the mobile-minded gamer", and Tapwave have also hooked up with Sega, so that "several classic Sega Genesis titles will also be available for the Zodiac console in the months ahead." Forbes has an enthusiastic preview of the Zodiac, noting "Bluetooth wireless connectivity" and "its gorgeous screen display" as positives, although quibbling with the "convoluted interface" for Palm software.

Comments

Perhaps this is the one!

[old-lady-whispering-]

First lets dispell the typical myth about gamming being mainly the interest of teenage boys. The GBA and SP have played well to that myth, infact it appears to be common sense that Nintendo owns the teenage mobile game market. Everyone though knows that the bulk of gamers are not in highschool and many are even college graduates. That being said the Zodiac is set to dominate the +18 mobile gamming crowd. I am part of that demographic and this device looks very exciting. I will wait for a reputable review before I buy though. The Zodiac appeals to almost all of my wish list for a mobile gamming platform. So if there are no significant snags that come with the Zodiac then they have my $400 or so dollars. The specs read like a mobile gamer's wet dream:

Memory:
Zodiac1 = 32MB*
Zodiac2 = 128MB*
* 12MB reserved for system use.

Processor:
Motorola(R) i.MX1(TM) ARM9 processor (200 MHz)

Graphics Accelerator:
ATI(R) Imageon(TM) W4200 graphics accelerator (with 8MB dedicated SDRAM).

Display:
3.8 inch transflective display
480 x 320 (half VGA), 16-bit color backlit display (65,536 colors)
Portrait and landscape display capabilities
Digitizer for enhanced interactive game play, navigation and text input.

Sound:
Yamaha(R) audio component and stereo speakers
Standard 3.5mm stereo headphone plug
Earbud-style headphones included
Support for select third-party portable speakers

Vibration:
Supports silent notification and interactive game play.

Controls:
Variable pressure analog controller (joystick)
2 triggers, 4 programmable action buttons, 1 special function button,
1 home button, 1 power button, and 1 Bluetooth button.

Expandability:
Dual expansion slots for MultiMediaCards, Secure Digital (SD) cards
and SDIO cards, including digital cameras and more.*
Zodiac Connector for additional peripherals.
* Slot #1: supports MultiMediaCards, Secure Digital Cards (SD).
Slot #2: supports MultiMediaCards, Secure Digital Cards (SD), and
SDIO cards.

Wireless
Connectivity:

Built-in Bluetooth radio with dedicated activation button.
Ideal for multiplayer wireless gaming, sharing information and connectivity to other compatible Bluetooth enabled devices.

PC Desktop
Connectivity:

USB Cable
USB Cradle (sold separately)

Cover:
Protective Flip Cover

Wrist Strap:
Convenient strap

Battery:
High-capacity Rechargeable Lithium Batteries - 1540 mAh

Power Supply:
AC Adapter / Battery Charger (120 volt AC, 60 Hz)
International connectivity kit (sold separately)

Size/Weight
5.6" (143mm) x 3.1" (79mm) x .55" (14mm) / 6.3 ounces

Color
Zodiac1 - Slate Gray
Zodiac2 - Charcoal Gray