Update: Velocity Mobile delays

By David Ciccone, posted Thursday, Jun. 5th, 2008
Reader Comments: 11

I just spoke with my contact who represents Velocity Mobile and was given some news. As many of you already know they announced two very slick looking devices the 103 and the 111. From what I am told due to some manufacturing delays (parts related stuff) the 103 will be delayed into Q3. I know this might be very disappointing but going back to what we are complaining about with the Diamond I would rather they take their time and get the product out clean.

Originally the 103 was slated for late Q2 so the push back is smaller than one might think anyway. The 111 is still slated for Q3 and has not been affected.

My hats off to Velocity for making sure this gets comminicated clearly and expectations are understood. Not many vendors would disclose this information and I think it shows they are making sure they are delivering the best possible product they can to the consumer.

Velocity 103 HSDPA 3.5G smartphone

Velocity 103 smartphone specifications

• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional• Qualcomm Mobile Station Modem' (MSM') MSM7201' chipset• GSM/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900• UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850, 1900 (1700), 2100• 640x480 VGA touchscreen• 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM• Bluetooth 2.0,• 802.11b/g Wi-Fi• GPS• 2.0 megapixel camera• 0.3 megapixel videoconferencing camera• TV/VGA out• MicroSD expansion slot

Velocity 103 smartphone with user interface shown

Specifications of the Velocity 111 smartphone

• Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional• Qualcomm MSM7201' chipset• QWERTY keyboard• GSM/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900• UMTS/HSDPA/HSUPA 850, 1900 (1700), 2100• 320x240 QVGA touch screen• 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM• Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, GPS• 2.0 megapixel camera, 0.3 megapixel videoconferencing camera• TV/VGA out• MicroSD expansion slot

The Velocity 103 will be available in Q2 2008 and the Velocity 111 will be available in Q3 2008, both in unlocked configurations.

For more information, please see Velocity Mobile.

StackPack,

No, I don't have an "in", I just know somebody who does. As for the interface, this is public knowledge. The interface will not be as extensive and or as slick as TF, TF3d, or even the Xperia. However, the system will be at least finger friendly as far as the today screen is concerned.

Posted by JNGold, Sunday, Jun. 8th, 2008

I have also heard that Inventec are the puppet masters here. You do not see news from Velocity without it having a plug for Inventec. No one else advertises their manufacturer so proudly.

JNGold - you seem to have an "in" with Velocity. You say the software is not as extensive as HTC. So does that mean i still have to pull out the stylus after dispatching a thin top layer menu?

Posted by stackpack, Friday, Jun. 6th, 2008

JNGold,
Your friend "deals with" or "works for" VM?

I guess the real news is that Inventec is having supply problems. That's NEWS as they are one of the largest manufacturers in Asia. You have to wonder why? They are not going to run out of parts just before the launch of a new device. These deadlines do not sneak up on you. This device must have been working for some time now as Inventec has made it clear that they are seeking to compete with HTC. VM is just a vehicle for them.

VM do not even have this news on their web site. In fact, the only news there is the April announcement of the phone. Don't you think it is just a little bit odd that your friend would pick Mobility Today to leak this kind of announcement to the world in anonymous fashion?

HTC Diamond is clearly having software problems and iPhone 2 is having patent issues in Europe. Those are believable industry standard problems. VM's rumour is subterfuge.

I'm just searching for the NEWS in this article.

Posted by stILLro@ming, Friday, Jun. 6th, 2008

@stillroaming,

I know Dave's source personally, and he is VERY reliable. :) He is in a position that deals directly with Velocity.

Posted by JNGold, Friday, Jun. 6th, 2008

David, I don't mean to question your source, but VM are hardly being forthcoming about their problems. This is the first squeak of news since April from VM, and they release this news by leaking it to you? Keep your hat on. I would question the authenticity of this. How could Inventec have supply problems!? Sounds like VM have put the cart before the horse and over promised.

Maybe you are just helping out a friend by posting some kind words.

Posted by stILLro@ming, Friday, Jun. 6th, 2008

Physboy,

You are correct, just pointing out the VM hasnt made any official mention of AWS support, which they should be able to do as they are not tied to any carrier and thus leads me to believe they wont offer such a model. Remember the chipset in the Kaiser supports 1700 but that is not mentioned anywhere in HTC's literature for the Kaiser nor any other device they have released since. Hopefully, one day T-Mobile will have a comparable selection of phones to the other carriers, I know I would buy one today even though there is no AWS in my area yet.

Posted by efjay, Thursday, Jun. 5th, 2008

Efjay,

That would be why I said "maybe T-Mo picks this up..." ;)

The hardware supports the specs, whether or not they are implemented is based on the carrier that picks up the device, no?

Posted by Physboy, Thursday, Jun. 5th, 2008

The official specs on the Velocity site dont mention 1700 so I would think T-Mobile AWS support is more theoretical based on the chipset capabilities until there is an official statement.

Posted by efjay, Thursday, Jun. 5th, 2008

Yea, I know what you mean URPREY. I notice this device is slated for the 1700 UMTS band which is T-Mobile 3G. Hmmm, maybe T-Mo picks this up instead of HTC Diamond Touch Pro?

Dave, image is still wrong for the 111 device.

Posted by Physboy, Thursday, Jun. 5th, 2008

Man - they're dropping like flies! I'm slowly losing all hope that I'll get a new phone anytime soon.

Posted by URPREY, Thursday, Jun. 5th, 2008

You are right Dave, it was good Velocity offered that info to the consumer base. Not much you can do about manufacturing delays, especially when you are waiting for parts. However, as the Diamond shows, it's the software that is the real culprit here. From what I understand Velocity's WM shell is not as extensive as HTC's TF. So, maybe that's a good thing.

Posted by JNGold, Thursday, Jun. 5th, 2008

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