Produced by its namesake company, Gizmondo Europe Ltd., the Gizmondo handheld device is similar in size and power to a contemporarily high-end PDA, but offers a number of unusual features based on GPS- and GSM-oriented technologies developed by Tiger Telematics (the parent company of Gizmondo Europe). The Gizmondo handheld runs a version of the Window CE operating system, and features a 400Mhz processor with a Nvidia graphics accelerator.
The Gizmondo unit is fairly compact, with most of its face taken up by the 2.8 inch diameter display screen. To the left of the screen is an eight-way D-pad, and four action buttons, arranged in a diamond pattern, are to the right of the screen. The external speaker is below the action buttons. Four narrow function buttons are lined up above the screen. Cylindrical left and right trigger buttons sit on the top edge of the device. On the bottom edge of the Gizmondo are a slot for SD cards, a headphone jack, and a power adapter input. The lens for taking digital pictures is on the back of the unit.
Though it does not function as a conventional mobile phone, Gizmondo uses GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) to offer long-distance multiplayer gaming and other global networking features, such as SMS-style text messaging. A built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) chip allows for location-based services, and Bluetooth wireless technology is used for local file-sharing and multiplayer gaming. In addition to its own system-specific games, Gizmondo can play MP3-format audio and MPEG4 movies, and it also functions as a digital camera.
Gizmondo debuted in the U.K. October 29, 2004. The handheld was slated to launch in other regions, including the United States, throughout 2005. ~ T.J. Deci, All Game Guide