Gizmondo

{{See also|Tiger Telematics}}

The Gizmondo was conceived by Carl Freer, chairman of Florida-based Tiger Telematics, Inc. Originally the plan was for a GPS child-tracking device before the idea turned into a game system. The device was originally called Gametraq. Tiger Telematics first published on their website in October 2003 about the device being developed.{{cite web|url=http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tiger-telematics-inc-announces-a-new-joint-venture-to-develop-the-new-advanced-series-of-gametrac-products-71199157.html|title=Tiger Telematics, Inc. Announces a New Joint Venture to Develop the New Advanced Series of Gametrac Products|publisher=Tiger Telematics|via=Prnewswire|date=2003-09-29|access-date=2013-01-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313090955/http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tiger-telematics-inc-announces-a-new-joint-venture-to-develop-the-new-advanced-series-of-gametrac-products-71199157.html|archive-date=2015-03-13|url-status=dead}} This came in response to Nokia's N-Gage. During December that year, Gizmondo made its debut as a concept product at the Las Vegas CES in January 2004,{{cite web |url=http://www.xilinx.com/prs_rls/design_win/0405gametrac.htm |title=Xilinx, Plextek And Intrinsyc Enable CES Debut Of Gametrac - Latest Mobile Entertainment Device From Tiger Telematics |publisher=Xilinx.com |date=2004-01-08 |access-date=2013-01-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130112210118/http://www.xilinx.com/prs_rls/design_win/0405gametrac.htm |archive-date=2013-01-12 }} and later appeared at the German CeBIT show in March 2004.{{cite web |last=Smith |first=Tony |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/12/01/gametrac_mobile_console_to_ship/ |title=Gametrac on The Register (uk) |publisher=Theregister.co.uk |date=2003-12-01 |access-date=2013-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025112430/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2003/12/01/gametrac_mobile_console_to_ship/ |archive-date=2012-10-25 |url-status=live }} The company and the console were renamed Gizmondo around April 2004,{{cite web |author=i4u |url=http://www.pvp4u.com/archives/2004/04/_gametrac_annou.html |title=Portable Video Player News: New Windows CE .NET Game Console from GameTrac |publisher=Pvp4u.com |date=2004-04-12 |access-date=2013-01-14 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110095607/http://www.pvp4u.com/archives/2004/04/_gametrac_annou.html |archive-date=2016-01-10 }} and made an appearance under this name at E3 2004.{{Cite web |last=Tierney |first=Adam |date=2004-05-14 |title=E3 2004: Meet Gizmondo! |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2004/05/14/e3-2004-meet-gizmondo |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=IGN |language=en}} The exterior design was designed by Rick Dickinson.{{Cite web |last=Editor |first=Christian Donlan Contributing |date=2018-04-29 |title=Obituary: Rick Dickinson, industrial designer of the ZX Spectrum |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/obituary-rick-dickinson-industrial-designer-of-the-zx-spectrum |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=Eurogamer.net |language=en}}

File:Gizmondo on Regent Street.jpg

London-based Gizmondo Europe Ltd. was formed and became the arm responsible for the game system. British Formula One driver Jenson Button appeared on magazine adverts for the Gizmondo,{{cite web |url=http://2or4.co.uk/2012/06/28/gizmondo-jenson-button-jordan-le-mans/ |title=Motorsport and Gizmondo didn't mix well – 2or4.co.uk – a motorsport blog |publisher=2or4.co.uk |access-date=2013-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508144616/http://2or4.co.uk/2012/06/28/gizmondo-jenson-button-jordan-le-mans/ |archive-date=2013-05-08 |url-status=dead }} and also had his own licensed video game for the device, Chicane, though it never released due to a dispute with Tiger Telematics and the developer of the game. In London's Regent Street, Tiger Telematics threw a party with several celebrities invited to promote the device at the time of the March 2005 release. Busta Rhymes, Jodie Kidd and Pharrell Williams were among the celebrities invited, of whom some performed. There were also two television adverts that aired after release. Also, in an attempt to promote the console, Gizmondo's executive Stefan Eriksson took part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race of 2005 in a Gizmondo-sponsored Ferrari 360 Modena GTC. Overall, the Gizmondo had attracted much media attention and hype in Britain even before it was released.

In September 2005, Tiger Telematics confirmed a redesigned Gizmondo model for release in 2006. It was intended to have a larger, 4" widescreen screen and upgrades like Wi-Fi, TV-out support, an improved 480 × 272 pixel resolution, a 2-megapixel camera, and a 500 MHz processor.{{cite web |last=Rojas |first=Peter |date=2005-09-17 |title=Widescreen Gizmondo specs and pics |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005/09/17/widescreen-gizmondo-specs-and-pics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121206031225/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/17/widescreen-gizmondo-specs-and-pics/ |archive-date=2012-12-06 |access-date=2013-01-14 |publisher=Engadget.com}} It also included tri-band GSM technology with voice telephony, effectively making it a mobile phone too.{{cite web |date=19 September 2005 |title=Gizmondo goes widescreen - Hardware - News - HEXUS.net |url=http://hexus.net/gaming/news/hardware/1618-gizmondo-goes-widescreen/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202004400/http://hexus.net/gaming/news/hardware/1618-gizmondo-goes-widescreen/ |archive-date=2017-02-02 |access-date=22 January 2017}} It also featured new icons on the buttons. Carl Freer stated at the time of announcement that development of the revision was complete.{{Cite web |title=Widescreen Gizmondo on the way |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/widescreen-gizmondo-on-the-way/1100-6133653/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}}

The widescreen Gizmondo was announced just a few weeks before the U.S. launch of the Gizmondo, possibly prompting some potential customers to not buy the Gizmondo, and instead wait for the improved model, in an example of the Osborne effect.{{cite news |date=2005-09-17 |title=Widescreen Gizmondo specs and pics |url=https://www.engadget.com/2005/09/17/widescreen-gizmondo-specs-and-pics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221180115/http://www.engadget.com/2005/09/17/widescreen-gizmondo-specs-and-pics/ |archive-date=2007-12-21 |access-date=2007-11-23 |publisher=Engadget}} Tiger Telematics promised to show the device at CES 2006 in January; however, it never appeared there.{{cite web |title=More woes for Gizmondo |url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/more-woes-for-gizmondo/1100-6142505/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725033220/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/more-woes-for-gizmondo/1100-6142505/ |archive-date=2018-07-25 |access-date=22 January 2017}} Shortly thereafter, Gizmondo Europe went bust and thus the new Gizmondo was never released.

The Gizmondo was further overshadowed when, in October 2005, Sweden's Aftonbladet revealed criminal pasts of several executives, causing their resignations including Tiger Telematics CEO Carl Freer. Gizmondo Europe's head Stefan Eriksson was involved in a Swedish criminal organisation, the "Uppsalamaffian" (the Uppsala mafia), while his fellow mafia friends Johan Enander and Peter Uf, both at key positions at the company, had spent time in prison for either fraud, grand theft or extortion. This occurred shortly before Gizmondo's American launch and by this time both Freer and Eriksson had moved to the United States, residing in Bel Air, Los Angeles.

In January 2006, Gizmondo Europe went into administration (a British legal term similar to filing for bankruptcy) despite a loan from its parent Tiger Telematics, putting the system's future into doubt.{{Cite web |title=Gizmondo Europe bankrupt |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gizmondo-europe-bankrupt/1100-6142801/ |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} Failing to recover, the company was liquidated in February 2006 after amassing US$300 million (£160 million) debt, and the Gizmondo stopped production. Its UK and Sweden based development studios were also liquidated.{{Cite web |title=Gizmondo Europe to be liquidated |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gizmondo-europe-to-be-liquidated/1100-6143823/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=GameSpot |language=en-US}} Liquidators also reported that they couldn't explain where "as much as half" of sustained net losses by Tiger Telematics (close to US$400 million) had gone to.

Weeks thereafter Eriksson crashed a rare Ferrari Enzo driving at 260 km/h (162 mph) in California,{{cite web |last=Winton |first=Jeffrey Fleishman and Richard |date=15 May 2006 |title=Life in Fast Lane Long Before Ferrari Crash |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fg-ferrari15may15-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213234652/http://www.latimes.com/local/la-fg-ferrari15may15-story.html |archive-date=2017-02-13 |access-date=22 January 2017 |website=Los Angeles Times}} and was later jailed and subsequently deported for driving under the influence in connection with the crash and other criminal offenses. He pleaded guilty to numerous criminal charges which led him to 2 years in jail.{{cite news |url=http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,718447,00.html |title=Direktörerna har fått långa fängelsestraff |language=sv |publisher=Aftonbladet |date=2005-10-24 |access-date=2007-11-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070608100457/http://www.aftonbladet.se/vss/nyheter/story/0,2789,718447,00.html |archive-date=2007-06-08 }}{{cite news |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=23885183 |title=Rumor: Gizmondo execs with ties to the Swedish mafia have resigned |publisher=GameSpot |date=2005-10-26 |access-date=2007-11-23 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070216050112/http://www.gamespot.com/news/show_blog_entry.php?topic_id=23885183 |archive-date=2007-02-16 }}

Although U.S. sales figures were not officially released,{{Cite news |last=Taub |first=Eric A. |date=2006-02-08 |title='Game over' for Gizmondo |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/08/technology/08iht-game.html |access-date=2024-08-20 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} the GamePro website cited less than 25,000 units overall (without further clarifications) and called it the worst selling handheld console in history.{{cite web |last=Snow |first=Blake |date=2011-06-07 |title=The 10 Worst Selling Handhelds Of All Time |url=http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/125749/the-10-worst-selling-handhelds-of-all-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607130452/http://www.gamepro.com/article/features/125749/the-10-worst-selling-handhelds-of-all-time/ |archive-date=2011-06-07 |access-date=2013-01-14}} In 2007, GameTrailers named it "the worst console of all time."{{cite web|date=May 6, 2007|url=http://www.gametrailers.com/videos/g08xm5/gt-countdown-top-ten-worst-consoles|title=Top Ten Worst Consoles|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201219181045/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dg8-Ymu2n5o |url-status=dead|archive-date=December 19, 2020|website=GameTrailers|access-date=November 14, 2012}}

Gizmondo soft launched on 29 October 2004 following TV teaser commercials in Europe and the opening of global preorders.{{Cite web |last=Contributor |first=GamesIndustry biz |date=2004-12-02 |title=Tiger Telematics' Gizmondo Pre-Orders Surge |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/tiger-telematicsrsquo-gizmondo-pre-orders-surge |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} Gizmondo was released in the United Kingdom on 19 March 2005, priced at £229,{{cite news | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4361847.stm | work=BBC News | title=Gizmondo gadget hits the shelves | date=2005-03-19 | access-date=2010-06-20 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081229151914/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4361847.stm | archive-date=2008-12-29 | url-status=live }} with only one game, Trailblazer. It was available from the Gizmondo flagship store on London's Regent Street, via Gizmondo's online shop, and other high-street and online retailers such as Argos, Dixons, Currys, John Lewis, although it was never clear how many units were actually introduced into those retail channels. The SMS service of the Gizmondo enabled people to send messages by pre-pay SIM cards from Vodafone bundled in with the device. The Gizmondo sold 1000 units within an hour of launch. In April, a month after the initial release, a variant of the console with GPS-assisted "Smart Adds" advertising enabled was released with an RRP of £129.{{cite news |url=https://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/13/gizmondo_smart_adds/ |title=Gizmondo unveils 'adverts-for-consoles' scheme |publisher=The Register |access-date=2013-11-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505052720/http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/13/gizmondo_smart_adds/ |archive-date=2014-05-05 |url-status=live }}

The company said that it would roll out to the rest of Europe starting from 19 May 2005,{{Cite web |date=2005-04-19 |title=Europäische Handelseinführung des Tiger Telematics(R) Gizmondo(TM) angekündigt |url=https://www.presseportal.ch/de/pm/100005805/100489037 |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=presseportal.ch |language=de}} including Germany, France, Italy, Spain and Nordic countries.{{Cite web |last=News |first=games ch-Aktuelle Gizmondo |date=2005-04-19 |title=Gizmondo - Preis und Deutschland-Termin |url=https://www.games.ch/2245-gizmondo/news/preis-deutschland-termin-xQ/ |access-date=2024-10-01 |website=games.ch |language=de}}https://www.gamer.no/artikler/gizmondo-kommer-til-norge/14943 Its stated price in Germany was 349 euros, or 189 euros for the Smart Adds version. Confirmed retailers for distribution include Virgin Megastores in France and Karstadt in Germany. However, this date passed by without it being released for undisclosed reasons.{{Cite web |last=Matthias |first=von |date=2005-05-19 |title=Gizmondo Wo ist er denn? › News › DemoNews |url=https://www.demonews.de/games/news/gizmondo-wo-ist-er-denn/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.demonews.de |language=de-DE}} Gizmondo only received a limited release that year in Sweden, launching with both Smart Adds and normal units available, and rather than opening flagship stores Gizmondo Europe relied on established retailers such as Webhallen.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

By September 2005 the device had still not been released in Europe outside of Britain and Sweden.{{Cite web |last=Matthias |first=von |date=2005-09-12 |title=Gizmondo Der 05.09. ist vorbei… › News › DemoNews |url=https://www.demonews.de/games/news/gizmondo-der-05-09-ist-vorbei/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=www.demonews.de |language=de-DE}} A French gaming journalist reported that staff at the London flagship store claimed a French release by Christmas, writing in December 2005 that this looked like it wasn't going ahead. The journalist claimed that contacts stated to him that European stocks of the Gizmondo were instead used to supply the American release.{{Cite web |title=Et la Gizmondo alors ? |url=https://www.jeuxactu.com/et-la-gizmondo-alors-12465.htm |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=JeuxActu |language=fr}}

File:Gizmondo booth.jpg

In the United States, the Gizmondo launched much later, on October 22, 2005, with a line-up of eight titles, including Trailblazer. Retail price was $400 for a unit without "Smart Ads", or $229 for a "Smart Ads" enabled device.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/gizmondo-portable-handheld-game-system-what-happened-to/ |title=What Happened To: The Gizmondo handheld game system |publisher=GamerTell |date=2010-05-24 |access-date=2013-01-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100727193430/http://www.gamertell.com/gaming/comment/gizmondo-portable-handheld-game-system-what-happened-to/ |archive-date=2010-07-27 |url-status=live }} It was available only at kiosks located in shopping malls throughout the U.S. (operated by National Kiosk, LLC, located in the western corner of North Carolina). Only 8 of the planned 14 games were ever released in the U.S., along with no CoPilot GPS software, though the software was sold on the British site for a week or two. There was little to no advertising, and some of their advertising was even put in magazines of Nintendo Power (Nintendo's official magazine). Plans to distribute the handheld through other retailers never materialized.

The "Smart Adds" system was intended as a way for advertisers to subsidize part of the cost of the unit. The apparent misspelling of the name was intentional and a trademark and company name were registered in the UK as "Smart Adds", though even Tiger Telematics occasionally slipped up and referred to it as Smart Ads in their publicity material.{{cite web |title=how not to spell gizmondo |url=http://www.defunctgames.com/shows.php?id=feuds-65 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709011649/http://www.defunctgames.com/shows.php?id=feuds-65 |archive-date=2011-07-09 |access-date=2010-10-18}} A "Smart Adds"-enabled Gizmondo cost less (£129/$229), but would display advertisements on the Gizmondo's screen at random intervals when the user entered the home screen. These advertisements would be downloaded via the device's GPRS data connection,{{cite web |last=Caie |first=Martin |date=2005-04-15 |title=In-service advertising reduces price of Gizmondo |url=http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/i126443/In-service-advertising-reduces-price-of-Gizmondo/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924020627/http://www.gameplanet.co.nz/news/i126443/In-service-advertising-reduces-price-of-Gizmondo/ |archive-date=2015-09-24 |access-date=2015-08-27}} and would be targeted based on data inputted to the device. A maximum of three ads would be shown per day. Some ads would include special offers in the form of vouchers or barcodes, and some would utilize the device's GPS system to direct users to the nearest store carrying the advertised product.{{cite video |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVc6e1mCa1c |title=Gizmondo - all about smart ads |access-date=2016-01-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150708223446/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LVc6e1mCa1c |archive-date=2015-07-08 |url-status=live}}

However, the "Smart Adds" service was never activated, and users who paid the reduced price for a "Smart Adds"-enabled device did not receive any advertisements through their device.{{Citation needed|date=August 2010}}

In addition to 14 games, a further 30 titles were known to have been in development for the system but all were canceled before their release due to Gizmondo Europe's bankruptcy. Also all games released in North America were effectively launch titles. There was also one non-game software, Gizmondo Navigator CoPilot 2006, a satellite navigation software using the device's GPS.{{Cite web |date=2005-09-13 |title=Gizmondo Navigator |url=https://hexus.net/gaming/news/hardware/1599-gizmondo-navigator/ |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=HEXUS}}

Certain games were claimed to be capable of using "augmented reality", most notably the unreleased game Colors. It was intended to be the first GPS video game, with the ability to track a user's real world movements in real time.{{Cite web |last=Contributor |first=GamesIndustry biz |date=2005-10-20 |title=Gizmondo announces US launch details |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/gizmondo-announces-us-launch-details |access-date=2024-10-08 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en}} Additionally several games including Gizmondo Motocross 2005, Hockey Rage 2005, and Sticky Balls had Bluetooth multiplayer features.

File:Gizmondo Main Menu.png

{{div col|colwidth=30em}}

• Display: 72 mm (2.8 inch) TFT screen
• Resolution: 320 × 240 pixels
• CPU: Samsung S3C2440 ARM9 processor running at 400 MHz
• Graphics: Nvidia GoForce 3D 4500
• Graphics RAM: 1.2 MB 128-bit SRAM
• Graphics Performance: 1,000,000 polygons per second
• RAM: 64 MB 16-bit SDRAM
• ROM: 64 MB
• Sound: Built-in speaker
• Communication: Bluetooth class 2 for multiplayer gaming, GSM tri-band
• Ports: Stereo headset socket, Mini-USB client, SD flash card reader
• Power: Removable battery
• Temperature Range: {{Convert|32|-|130|F}}
• OS: Windows CE
• Multimedia: MPEG 4 video playback, ability to play back MP3, WAV and MIDI files via Windows Media Player 9
• JPEG camera
• Removable SIM card
• GPS tracking application
• GPRS mapping application
• GPRS Class 10
• SMS
• MMS receive and send
• WAP 2.0
• Polyphonic ring tones
• Flight mode

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Former Tiger Telematics chairman Carl Freer announced to a Swedish newspaper in November 2007 his intentions for a new Gizmondo, and said there were already 35 games in place, a manufacturing base in Shenzhen, China, and that he hoped the handheld would retail at US$99.{{cite web|url=http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Gizmondo-back-from-ashes_a499.html|title=Gizmondo, back from ashes?|first=Ludovic|last=Privat|access-date=22 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001005/http://www.gpsbusinessnews.com/Gizmondo-back-from-ashes_a499.html|archive-date=2017-02-02|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.realtid.se/carl-freer-talar-ut-i-realtidse-0|title=Carl Freer talar ut i Realtid.se|date=13 November 2007 |access-date=22 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827215506/http://www.realtid.se/carl-freer-talar-ut-i-realtidse-0|archive-date=2016-08-27|url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.realtid.se/ArticlePages/200711/13/20071113094753_Realtid421/20071113094753_Realtid421.dbp.asp |title=Carl Freer startar om Gizmondo |publisher=Realtid.se |date=2007-11-13 |language=sv |access-date=2008-01-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090901031541/http://www.realtid.se/ArticlePages/200711/13/20071113094753_Realtid421/20071113094753_Realtid421.dbp.asp |archive-date=2009-09-01 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://sandberghans.blogspot.com/2008/01/carl-freer-starts-over-with-gizmondo.html |title=English translation: Carl Freer Promises to Resurrect Gizmondo |access-date=2008-04-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080127104808/http://sandberghans.blogspot.com/2008/01/carl-freer-starts-over-with-gizmondo.html |archive-date=2008-01-27 |url-status=live }}

The original planned launch date was May 2008,{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/carl-freer-im-going-to-resurrect-gizmondo/ |title=Carl Freer:"I m going to resurrect Gizmondo" -- indeed he is |publisher=Engadget |date=2008-01-24 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090218010848/http://www.engadget.com/2008/01/24/carl-freer-im-going-to-resurrect-gizmondo |archive-date=2009-02-18 |url-status=live }} but this was quickly pushed back to November 2008,{{cite web |url=http://sandberghans.blogspot.com/2008/02/carl-freer-gizmondo-arrives-late-2008.html |title=Carl Freer: Gizmondo Arrives Late 2008 |date=2008-02-18 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515074700/http://sandberghans.blogspot.com/2008/02/carl-freer-gizmondo-arrives-late-2008.html |archive-date=2008-05-15 |url-status=live }} along with details of a new company, Media Power, behind the launch, headed by Carl Freer and his Swedish partner Mikael Ljungman, with development apparently proceeding according to the new schedule at least until September.{{cite web |url=http://sandberghans.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-to-come-gizmondo-2.html |title=The Nordic Link: Gizmondo 2 Is Here - Sales start in November/December |date=2008-09-10 |access-date=2009-07-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090528082435/http://sandberghans.blogspot.com/2008/09/more-to-come-gizmondo-2.html |archive-date=2009-05-28 |url-status=live }} By December 2008, the console had still not appeared, which Freer blamed on the 2008 financial crisis. The device was delayed to 2009 as a result.{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/gizmondo-2-pushed-back-to-2009-only-delaying-the-inevitable-115573.phtml|title=Gizmondo 2 pushed back to 2009, only delaying the inevitable|date=22 December 2008 |access-date=22 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202001535/https://www.destructoid.com/gizmondo-2-pushed-back-to-2009-only-delaying-the-inevitable-115573.phtml|archive-date=2017-02-02|url-status=live}} The latest design prototype turned it into a smartphone running both Windows CE or Google Android.{{cite web |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/gizmondo-2-turns-into-a-smartphone-496745 |title=Gizmondo 2 turns into a smartphone |date=2008-12-22 |access-date=2009-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507055953/http://www.techradar.com/news/portable-devices/gizmondo-2-turns-into-a-smartphone-496745 |archive-date=2010-05-07 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2008/12/20/surprise-no-new-gizmondo-for-2008/ |title=Surprise! No new Gizmondo for 2008 |first=Joseph |last=Flatley |date=2008-12-20 |access-date=2008-12-02 |publisher=Engadget |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081224095620/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/20/surprise-no-new-gizmondo-for-2008/ |archive-date=2008-12-24 |url-status=live }}

However, since then the Media Power website went offline. Co-founder Mikael Ljungman was later arrested, extradited to Denmark and convicted of serious fraud due to his activities at IT Factory.{{cite news|url=http://www.cphpost.dk/news/crime/45916-bagger-points-finger-at-swedish-partner.html |title=Bagger Points Finger At Swedish Partner |publisher=Copenhagen Post |date=2009-06-10 |access-date=2009-07-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111113143801/http://www.cphpost.dk/news/crime/45916-bagger-points-finger-at-swedish-partner.html |archive-date=2011-11-13 }} Nothing more has been announced about the device by Freer, effectively confirming its cancellation.{{Cite web |date=2010-01-31 |title=msmobiles.com - Reflections: Gizmondo today is no more |url=http://msmobiles.com/news.php/5131.html |access-date=2023-07-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100131183413/http://msmobiles.com/news.php/5131.html |archive-date=2010-01-31 }}

A reference to the Gizmondo is made in the British movie Goal!, when a meeting takes place in a Gizmondo store.{{Citation needed|date=October 2024}}

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