Russia’s YotaPhone finally launching in November
Remember the YotaPhone? It was announced toward the tail end of 2012 as an Android smartphone featuring two displays, one a standard LCD and the other e-ink. The concept sounded a bit farfetched at first, but when we went hands-on with the device at Mobile World Congress we were more than impressed. In fact, it was one of our favorite things at the show. We’re happy to report that the handset will finally make its public debut later this year.
The YotaPhone will see its officially launch in November, according to a report out of Russia, but the handset still faces an uphill battle. Yota has had their work cut out convincing Russian mobile providers to carry the locally produced smartphone in the face of competition from foreign brands (these would be the Samsungs and Apples of the world). Nevertheless, the device is up for pre-order on Yota’s site (though the company doesn’t name a ship date).
The bad news? If Yota can barely drum up enough business in Russia for their dual-screened smartphone, fat chance ever seeing it in other parts of the world. Which is sad, because we really dig what the YotaPhone offers. Rather than attempting to win the space race that is the spec war, it goes for a unique design that, in the end, is actually quite functional.
[via hi-tech.mail.ru]