| Windows Mobile 6.1 phone has sportscar styling |
May 12, 2008
 Asus has entered the "designer" phone market with a new Windows Mobile 6.1 device co-branded with the automaker Lamborghini. The Asus-Lamborghini ZX1 offers a carbon-fiber case, customizable "racing" user interface, nine-way directional controller, GPS, WiFi, and a bevy of software add-ons, says Asus.
(Click here for a larger view of the Asus-Lamborghini ZX1)
Asus says the overall shape of the ZX1 has a "chassis-inspired aerodynamic flow," while the bottom of the phone sports a Lamborghini crest and hood-shaped molding. It features a visible stainless steel frame and a carbon-fiber shell.
 
The Asus-Lamborghini ZX1 features "chassis-inspired" styling
(Click either image to enlarge)
Other "automotive" features include a user interface that has a customized "today" screen, and that can optionally be spiffed up with engine noises, according to Asus. The ZX1 also has an unusual nine-way controller that is said to have been inspired by a car's steering wheel.
Under the hood, the ZX1 has 450-horsepower -- make that 450MHz -- via a TI OMAP2431 processor (see block diagram, here), along with an EMP (Ericcson Mobile Platforms) U360 radio. The latter part gives the phone tri-band WCDMA/HSDPA along with quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE WAN capabilities. HSDPA downloads occur at up to 3.6Mbps, says Asus.
The ZX1 has 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory, plus a microSD slot for storage expansion. It has a 2.8-inch touchscreen display, and its camera has a higher-than-average three-megapixel resolution. In addition to the wide area capabilities mentioned above, its wireless interfaces include GPS, 802.11b/g wireless local area networking, and Bluetooth 2.0.
Asus has also included optical character recognition software, intended for use on business cards, and a program that uploads newly-taken videos or photos to YouTube or Flickr. Additional proprietary utilities, as listed by Asus, include:- Anytime launcher
- Asus status
- Asus zip
- Auto cleaner
- Backup
- Call filter
- ClearVue PDF viewer
- EziMusic
- EziPhoto
- GPS catcher
- Meeting time planner
- MultiHome
- Network auto configuration
- Remote presenter
- Ur time
- Voice commander
Other features and specifications listed by Asus for the Asus-Lamborghini ZX1 include:- Processor -- TI OMAP2431 clocked at 450MHz
- Memory -- 128MB RAM and 256MB flash
- Display -- 2.8-inch touchscreen display
- Camera -- 3 megapixel
- Wireless:
- WAN -- UMTS 850/1900/2100 MHz, EDGE/GPRS/GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
- LAN -- 802.11b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- GPS
- Other I/O -- USB 2.0
- Expansion -- microSD expansion slot
- Battery type/life:
- 1100mAh lithium-ion battery
- Standby time -- from 150 to 200 hours
- Talk time -- from 2 to 3 hours, 3G, or 4 to 5 hours, 2G
- Dimensions -- 4.6 x 2.3 x 0.5 inches
- Weight with battery -- 7 ounces
Asus did not release pricing or availability information for the Asus-Lamborghini ZX1. However, the device is reportedly on sale in Europe and India for around $1,500. Even at that price, it costs less than some other jewelry-like Windows Mobile phones, such as Gresso's recently introduced Luna Steel, which is nearly $5,500.
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