Via-based Handheld Game Console Runs PC Games

An anonymous reader writes "Via Technologies has teamed up with Ministry of Mobile Affairs (no, it's not a government agency) to build a handheld game console based on Windows XP Embedded that runs existing PC games. Described as the world's first handheld gaming device based on the x86 architecture, the Eve Mobile Gaming Console is said to be capable of instantly running thousands of existing PC games. Eve's embedded computer is built around a 533MHz Via Eden-N processor (which supports SSE and MMX) equipped with 128MB DDR266 SDRAM, and a 20GB hard drive. A built-in 4-inch LCD screen supports resolutions up to 640 x 480 pixels." The initial impressions are pretty grim, and the form factor leaves something to be desired, at least for a product vying for a share of the GBA market.

Comments

Solution in search of a problem

[erick99]

Sometimes folks come up with a solution for a problem that doesn't exist. Then, they try to reverse-engineer the problem. Anyway, from one of the articles:

"It's funny that you say that it comes out of nowhere," said Andrew "Bunnie" Hwang, the "minister of mobile affairs" at The Ministry of Mobile Affairs (MoMA), based in San Diego. "It actually fills a vacuum in the market," of an X86-based handheld, he said.

It actually gets better when he explains that you can pay to "unlock" the device (like hackers won't figure this out within a day or two...":

If a user wishes, Hwang added, he can purchase a separate SIM card "for a reasonable price" that will completely unlock the console, so users can download whatever content they wish.

I guess we will see what happens in the marketplace.....

Happy Trails!

Erick

Re:Solution in search of a problem

[Lord Kano]

like hackers won't figure this out within a day or two

Can you say iOpener?

LK

It can play PC Games but....

[tsunamifirestorm]

most PC games have too many buttons.

Re:It can play PC Games but....

[Carnildo]

Whereas this has too many joysticks. The renderings show a directional pad, a pair of joysticks, four buttons, and what looks like a rocker switch. How are you going to emulate games that need all that on a PC?

Existing games.

[Humorously_Inept]

When they say existing PC games, they must really mean it! Not current, but existing. The question is how long do those games have to have existed for? The hardware config is totally insufficient, aesthetics and usability aside.

Forget gaming - this gadget has other uses

[Weaselmancer]

Looks like a low power server to me. Or a GPS unit with software you can update. I'd sit one on the dash of my van.

It'd also be great for emulation. The thing just screams MAME. Or Ultimate Amiga Emulator.

How about portable network analyzer? It'll probably run standard Linux distros.

This thing is not a toy. Well..ok. It is a toy, but it's useful too.

Weaselmancer

Can it run outlook or palm desktop

[Billly Gates]

... and maple or mathmatica?

Yes it wont sync but it would be nice to use it as a pda/calculator/game machine. Why settle on just one this.

Hmm maybe if any VIA employee's are reading this, you may want to consider mathmatical keys and a mini qwerty keybord. If it runs more things than games you could expand your marketshare.

CD-ROM

[rayde]

how about all those PC games that require the CD to be in the drive while playing??

*COUGH* vaporware *COUGH*

VIA vs. VAIO

[Kozar_The_Malignant]

I think this niche is already filled by the Sony Vaio TR series. At 1.4"x7.4"x10.6" the Sony is pretty darn small. The Sony has a 1 GHz pentium M, .5 GB DDR ram, and a 40 GB drive. It comes wireless equipped, and, no, I don't own one. Base model runs $2,200 US, which is probably a bit more than the VIA/MOMA will sell for, I'm sure.

Re:Is that a Moma in your pocket?

[black mariah]

Well, what happens when you lose your Gameboy? You bought it, you take care of it. Lose it, tough shit.