Envizions, creators of the Evo: Phase One PC/Console hybrid, have announced that the media entertainment console will go on sale via the internet October 20, 2006. The suggested retail price is USD 679.95 (80 GB HDD). The system will ship with the Akimbo video on demand application pre-installed while customers will be able to apply for an additional discount on over 1,600 games from the Evo: Direct store upon purchase of their EVO unit.
For those of you not yet familiar with the Evo: Phase One and its features, the MegaGames Evo Q&A should help clear things up.
Evo: Phase One combines computer functianality, a media center and PC gaming into one unit. The system will also boast stunning graphics supported by the Sapphire RADEON HDMI X1600 Pro graphic card. The Sapphire RADEON X1600 Pro has 12 pixel pipelines that provide next-generation graphics performance and shader intensive gaming. Equipped with 128MB of DDR3 memory and this model features clock speeds of 500MHz (core) and 800MHz
(memory).
Other key features include: a customized liquid cooling system, built-in biometric fingerprint reader and digital video recording features. EVO is designed like a PC and customers can purchase extended warranties and get next day onsite assistance or 24/7 IT phone service and remote access service packages.
The system's online and network-ability will be more apparent in phase two when customized games will be available as the system continues to expand. EVO will give customers the option to upgrade certain aspects of the system. The EVO: Phase One will offer one package option, with the suggested retail price of USD 679.99. The package will carry one wireless PC game controller and an EVO: Direct discount card. Other accessories will sell separately. In addition, customers can order customizations for their EVO.
Derrick Samuels CEO and Founder commented on the new information, Evo will be one of the first true gaming hybrid consoles that will be built-to-order with few restrictions, but at the same time offer a platform that will constantly evolve to suit the customer's needs. Evo is a computer but it will also provide the entire family the opportunity to access the different applications throughout the home via wireless network.
The final hardware units should be done in late August and will be greatly improved over the unit displayed at E3 this year in Los Angeles. Envizions' goal is to build on quality, service and reliability. To reward our customers we plan to ship all pre-orders first since the unit will have limited release quantities available at launch, added Samuels.