Wired writer Chris Kohler doesn’t have much nice to say about the Gizmondo which had a US launch on Saturday. The Gizmondo promises: games, music, movies, messages, GPS and a camera all-in-one.

But there’s no way I could recommend buying a Gizmondo. Given what happened to Tapwave (and given Tiger’s dismal SEC filings, which report a $210 million operating loss so far in 2005 alone), it’s not hard to imagine the plug getting pulled on this experiment in the near future.

Those living in the greater Seattle area can buy Gizmondo at Northgate Mall (where, it doesn’t specifically say?) in Seattle according to their website store locator. Others can buy this via the website for $229 and get this … it comes with ads! The Wired article says a non ads version comes for $400 but I didn’t see it very obviously advertised on their website.

It gets worse. I love how that GPS is used: “WARNING: This Gizmondo will only be fully functional when used in the USA. If you require a Gizmondo for use in another country then please buy it from that country’s shop.”

Are you kidding me?! How portable is that? So if we drive north to Canada does it just quit working or what? Lame if that’s the case. Lame even if that isn’t the case. Region locking for a portable device?

I remember seeing Gizmondo at CES. I thought it was kind of cool but figured it would be doomed before it even got off the ground. Why? Unless you have solid third party gaming support you are toast. The Xavix console gaming system will likely meet the same fate.

The console and portable gaming markets are tough. Nintendo is tough to beat with their Game Boy Advance, but PSP has swiped at them. If Sony can’t do it, though, somebody nobody has ever heard of is going to have trouble.

A navigator system is coming in 2006 that might make this device worthwhile compared to other GPS navigation systems running as high as $1,000 or more. Gizmondo is sure playing up the fact that they are “The world’s first ever GPS-enabled handheld game” but why isn’t the GPS navigation available at launch?

No, I will not be paying $229 to look at ads and wait until 2006 for useful software that should come packed in at launch.

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