Are we going to see wireless gaming focused devices from TechFaith?

[Guest Paul (MVP)]

Have you heard of TechFaith Wireless? Quite possibly not, but chances are you've heard of some of their devices! TFW design and build devices for UBiQUiO and i-mate amongst (many others).

Not a huge amount of information here, but the following release was recently posted on the TFW site:

TechFaith Wireless Communication Technology Limited (NASDAQ: CNTF), an original developed product (ODP) provider focused on research and development of cell phone solutions, today announced the formation of TechFaith Tech-Interactive Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary focusing on the development and operation of wireless application and content.

The new wireless content unit will initially set up three studios to develop interactive online gaming content. As a unique ODP provider, TechFaith offers the market mid to high end and tailor-made multimedia phones, dual mode dual card phones, smartphones and Pocket PC phones. Extending this strategy, TechFaith is now adding handsets with interactive online gaming and professional game terminals with phone functionality to its current product portfolio. In addition, TechFaith will engage in gaming operations in the Chinese market and provide original design wireless gaming application and software services to the international market. This will enable TechFaith to gradually evolve from an original developed product provider to an original developed product and content provider. TechFaith's wireless game terminals will be Windows Mobile based and ultra small PCs will be based on Windows Vista and Windows XP.

Click the link above if you want to read the release in full, but for me the line 'TechFaith's wireless game terminals will be Windows Mobile based' indicates that TFW's intentions are more than just to create wireless content, they are to create wireless content for use on gaming-centric devices they are producing likely for one or more of their partners?

The announcement is also particularly interesting to me as Chris and I discussed gaming recently in Podcast Two. With Nokia moving their NGage concept to a multi-device software platform rather than a specific handset, is the game-centric phone device model dead? Is there potential for TFW to succeed here? I'm interested to hear your thoughts! :)

P

[Pic courtesy of Wired!]