With the PSP and the DS going head to head for gamers' hearts, minds, affections and indeed wallets in this new year, it's easy to forget that the whole world doesn't necessarily revolve around Sony and Nintendo - well not quite yet anyway.[br]Just like certain politicians have always promised, there is indeed a third way and the dark horse coming up on the outside this spring could indeed well be Tiger Telematics' intriguing new handheld the Gizmondo.[br][br]Reportedly causing a fair old stir at the recent CES, where it was exhibited to a wider world for the very first time, the Gizmondo is a Windows CE-based machine, boasting a 2.8-inch TFT colour screen, a Samsung ARM9 400Mhz processor and GeForce 3D 4500 NVIDIA graphics. [br][br]With a host of multi-functional perks like multimedia messaging, MP3 playback, MPEG4 movies, a digital camera and even GPS technology, it's been attracting some major software support from the likes of Microsoft and SCi.[br][br]In fact Tiger Telematics liked UK developer Warthog so much, it did a Victor Kyam and went and bought the company. Even better the Gizmondo will actually launching here in the UK - which is indeed a world first for us plucky Brit types.[br][br]High time then we tracked down some Gizmondo higher ups and put them under the C&VG microscope to learn what their plans really are. The man in the spotlight today is Gizmondo's European Managing Director Carl Freer. Here's what he had to say on Gizmondo's place in the future of handheld gaming...[br][br]With the worldwide launch of both DS and PSP imminent, some would say this is a suicidal time to be bringing a new handheld to market. How would you respond to that assertion?[br][br]Carl Freer: It's actually quite the reverse. The advantage is that mobile gaming is booming this year, and having three players bringing devices to market will draw more media and consumer attention to the hardware genre than, say, if just one new handheld was to release.[br][br]How do you feel you can compete with DS and PSP on the shelves given that both these platforms come stamped with established videogame - and household - brands?[br][br]Carl Freer: The key is offering something different, to give discerning consumers a reason to want to investigate the Gizmondo. When you look at how Sony and Nintendo have positioned themselves, there is definitely room for a third player. The way we've done this is by packing more functionality into the device that the other two combined, not as add-ons, but built in.[br][br]Where does Gizmondo fit amongst the new handhelds, including Tapwave's Zodiac?[br][br]Carl Freer: Nintendo's core audience is traditionally very young, even early on at launch. That's evident right down to the design on the DS being rather chunky. Sony's PSP is a very sexy device which will appeal to the older end of the market, but sexy can also be construed as fragile. The Gizmondo will sit nicely between those as visually compelling, robust enough for day-to-day use, with more cross-compatibility and functionality.[br][br]Do you view the Zodiac as a realistic competitor to Gizmondo?[br][br]Carl Freer: The Zodiac was a nice looking device, but was very badly positioned and most people have forgotten about it already. It's not going to compete with Gizmondo, DS or PSP this year, in all honesty.[br][br]It seems you're making a genuine effort to nail multi-functionality with Gizmondo's music, video and other multimedia features. How important do you feel these additional features are to the core gaming functions, and do you even see gaming as Gizmondo's core function?[br][br]Carl Freer: Gaming is most definitely the core function and Gizmondo's reason for being! Technology right now is all about digital convergence, so leaving the house in the morning, you shouldn't feel like Batman strapping six or seven pieces of technology to your utility belt. By combining all these functions into one device, taking games, and your music and movie collections with you is a reality, not a chore.[br][br]Much has been made by Sony of the PSP's proposed multimedia features, and Nintendo have been quick to emphasise the 'all about the games' ideal of the DS. How do you want to promote Gizmondo's multi-functionality?[br][br]Carl Freer: Nintendo may have had to do this to try and keep the cost down, especially when they're going for a kids market, but personally I think it was a mistake. Owning an MP3 player this year will be as common as owning a kidney and Gizmondo is the only one of the three that is truly multifunctional straight out of the box - especially when you factor in the GPS and communication functions.[br][br]In terms of how we want to promote it, the focus remains on games, but over time we will broaden our communications to include the music, movie, and location-based services elements.[br][br]Given that the multimedia functions of the PSP have come in for criticism (short battery life, lack of storage space, proprietary UMD format
...
Catherine: Full Body’s English translation for the Vita