Fujitsu's splitting F-04B cellphone gets tested, found to contain no Energon cubes
By Tim Stevens 
posted Nov 12th 2009 7:13AM
posted Nov 12th 2009 7:13AM
Sometimes you want a phone with a physical keyboard. Sometimes you want one that fits in the back pocket of your skinny jeans. And sometimes, when you're feeling really crazy, you want one with a pico projector. Impossible dream? Not if you're Fujitsu, who have made official the bizarre splitting F-04B first showed as a prototype last year, and AkihabaraNews has managed a hands-on. Both the touchscreen and keyboard portions operate independently and connect via Bluetooth, as does the 854 x 480 projector that can clip on in place of the keyboard. Overall impressions are good, the phone said to be a bit too bulky with the keyboard attached but quite fit with just the screen, and though that LCD didn't get high marks for responsiveness, the 12.2 megapixel camera did. If you're looking for price or release info you're out of luck, but we'd advise against getting any hopes up. We know, it's hard.
Is it a bottle opener over there?
My guess is that opening on the right side of the keyboard is to accommodate a camera/flash and maybe a speaker. That will make extensive or fast typing more difficult with the long reach for the left thumb, unfortunately. Ergonomically, I'd prefer they ditch that end and have the fully assembled unit show a "shelf" at the top in profile. Not the most elegant looking, but a far better option for usability.
If this thing lands in the US with competitive processor (800Mhz +), Android 2.0, WORKS WELL, preferably under $300 on contract, and preferably on AT&T, I'll buy one. And preferably not white. That is, unless Dell releases their giant 5 inch phone/MID here, then it would be a tough choice. I'm less concerned with size than with usability and performance. Obviously, it will need to be very well engineered and built, as I can imagine that 9-key slider getting wobbly after a few months.
The D-pad on the slider is interesting. This could make a great portable gaming device as well, one where you have the controller separate from the display, like a real console. In that case, you'd need accelerometers in both the screen module (slimphone use) and keyboard module (gaming control when separated). And you'd have the best of both worlds. The display body could be carried as a touch only slim phone, or with the keyboard attached for full QWERTY madness.
hmm... LG, take notes. this couldve been the versa.