Given that the Sendo X2 seems to be one of the more popular topics on the AAS Forums since it was announced at Cannes, we took the chance to catch up with Hugh Brogan, the CEO of Sendo, to ask him about launch dates, price, and clarify the issue on the Series 60 version they're using. And the answers we got were pretty interesting...
Firstly, the X2 uses Series 60 v1.2, and Symbian OS 6.1. With all the announcements going on about v9.1 and Series 60 version 3.0, there might be some people thinking that Sendo are behind the times. Far from it. With the extensive changes Sendo have made to Series 60 v1.2 (including the Now! screen and their own theme support), there is a stable and reliable platform. Why change a version number that a tiny fraction of the market would expect, when genuine end users just want something that works? It's as simple as that.
The Sendo X had two other recognisable features. The first was the thickness. The X2 has went on a serious diet, and is now only 18mm thin. The second of course is the time that it took for the X to be available after the announcement.
Sendo are aware of that as well, and although the X2 will still be available through the networks on both Monthly Contract and Pay As You Go, the Operator checks, market conditions and delivery to stores does lengthen the time to market on this route. Of course there are certain end-users who want to get their hands on a SIM free handset as soon as possible.
So come Summer 2005, anyone will be able to go to the Sendo website and buy a SIM-free, unlocked X2. And the expected price?
Under �150.
A high quality MP3 and AAC Music Player, with dedicated control keys. 32mb of Ram available for storage, mini-SD, connectivity and charging over USB... sounds like the X2 is going to be a very desirable unit when July comes around.