| Windows Mobile phones are built to order |
Feb. 06, 2008
 Zzzphone is bringing the factory-direct, "build-to-order" model to the Windows Mobile phone arena. Customers can order a $149 device from the company's website, then gussy it up with options including colored cases, gold plating, a TV tuner, seven-megapixel camera, and even preloaded movies, the company says.
(Click here for a larger view of the Zzzphone)
The basic Zzzphone is a tri-band phone offering 800/850, 1800, and 1900MHz on versions shipped to the U.S., and 900, 1800, and 900MHz for European customers. The unlocked device features dual SIM slots, so the phone can be accessed via two different accounts/phone numbers if desired, the company says.
Running Windows Mobile 6 Professional, the Zzzphone has a three-inch, 320 x 240 touchscreen display and an unspecified processor. The phone features 512MB of RAM, an unlisted amount of internal flash memory, plus 2GB of storage on an SD card that is supplied with every unit, according to the company.
The phone's standard configuration additionally has a three-megapixel camera with flash, Bluetooth, and 802.11b/g wireless networking. It also includes an FM radio and what Zzzphone calls an "integrated MP3 player," presumably referring to the standard Windows Media Player software.
 
The Zzzphone can be ordered in pink, purple, and 12 other colors
Beyond that, customers can use a online configurator to start customizing the phone, viewing the results on screen. Its black case can be changed to any of 13 other colors for free, given gold chrome accents for an extra $19, or be completely gold-plated for an additional $29. Unusual colors such as pink (above left) or purple with gold accents (above right) are possible, for better or worse.
Technical options include adding GPS (chipset unspecified) for $119, or upgrading the camera to five or seven megapixels ($39 or $95, respectively). An extra front-facing camera for videoconferencing is $18, according to the company's website.
It's also possible to include water resistance (add $7), four stereo speakers (add $18), flashlight functionality ($11), and an integral TV tuner ($29, video system not specified). Other hardware options include the more typical spare battery, hands-free kit, and car charger.
Finally, Zzzphone lists some unusual software options, such as preinstallation of MP3 music, presumably legal, for $1.70 per song, and MP4 movies for $2.50 each. The company says it will quote pricing on request for other custom software installations, including games, and for modifying the phone's welcome screen.
Features and specifications listed by Zzzphone include:- Processor -- unspecified
- Memory -- 512MB RAM, integral flash unspecified, 2GB flash supplied on standard SD card
- Display -- 3-inch 320 x 240 touchscreen display
- Camera -- 3 megapixel standard, 5 or 7 megapixel optional
- Wireless interfaces:
- WAN -- tri-band (800/850, 1800, and 1900MHz, U.S., 900, 1800, and 900MHz for Europe)
- 802.11b/g wireless networking
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Other I/O -- not specified
- Expansion -- SD card
- Battery:
- 1800 mAh (2200 mAh optional) lithium-ion
- Standby time -- 360 hours
- Talk time -- 240-360 minutes
- Dimensions -- 4.1 x 1.9 x 0.7 inches (106 x 48 x 18mm)
- Weight -- 4.2 ounces (110g)
The Zzzphone appears to be available now from the company's website, here.
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