Microsoft Philippines is never one to back down from competition, and today, they came out in full force to support their Windows Mobile 6.5 smartphone OS. The HTC HD2 was there, and so was the Sony Ericsson Xperia X2. Then again, what's really a gift for the budget-conscious is the Cherry Mobile Eclipse.
Think of the Eclipse as the "entriest" of the entry-level smartphones. Its feature set is bare, but the essentials are covered. There's Wi-Fi (no 3G), a touch screen (no multi-touch), a camera (only 2 megapixels), a solid chassis (plastic with aluminum finish), and a real processor (only 416MHz).
The installed Windows Mobile 6.5 OS and dual-SIM capabilities, however, more than make up for the lack of hardware. It can do all the things its more expensive brethren are capable of, including PC syncing courtesy of the free Microsoft My Phone software. Note: MyPhone should not to be confused with the other Pinoy phone brand.
The Eclipse is due out anytime during the first quarter of 2010, which is actually from now until the end of March. Projected retail price, as Cherry Mobile's Reggie Ramos puts it, is P20,000 - P10,001 = P9,999. This officially makes the Eclipse the cheapest dual-SIM WinMo 6.5 phone in the country, and possibly the world. Not bad for CM's first foray into the smartphone market.
We're expecting a review unit soon, so until then, keep your pants on.