A new model has appeared in "G'zone", which has been released until 2012 and is still very popular.And it's not a smartphone, but a 4G feature phone.The terminal is "G'zone Type-XX".This is a direct successor of the "G'zone Type-X", which was also said to be the completed form of the G'zone series, with power up toughness specifications, and other specifications are updated to the latest model.The design is the G'zone itself of the past.
On the other hand, G'zone is no longer released because it was not popular.This is because the Casio Computer (NEC Casio) has withdrawn from the mobile phone terminal business.This terminal also produces Kyocera, not Casio.However, it is different from the toughness model "TORQUE" developed by Kyocera.KDDI is led by Casio, and it is one that dyed the user interface from the exterior to the user interface.
KDDI is planning to stop 3G ahead of other companies in March 2022, but still remaining G'zone users must change the model in the meantime.One of the aims of KDDI is to move these strong G'zone fans to 4G with G'zone Type-XX.So how far can this model reproduce the successive models?I touched the actual machine and checked the usability.
G'zone Type-XX of the feature phone type revived as the 20th anniversary project of G'zone
Let's start with the design.The appearance that combines a car or a spacecraft that seems to appear in science fiction movies is transmitted from the exterior.It seems to be the opposite design of the recent smartphone that has been clearly summarized in a straight line.When closed, the center of the main unit is equipped with a circular sub -display, and information such as time, incoming call, weather forecast, and temperature can be displayed.It is the strength of folding mobile phones that can be confirmed to some extent even when closed.
A unique design that emphasizes sturdiness.There is also a mechanical taste that appears in SF
The display is circular.It is one of the specifications that could not be realized with the predecessor G'zone Type-X
The design itself is close to the G'zone Type-X released in 2010, and is also equipped with a bumper that was a symbol of the model.However, in G'zone Type-X, the bumper was located at the bottom of the main unit, whereas G'zone Type-XX was transferred to the hinge.At the bottom of the main unit, it may hit your hand when opening and closing, so G'zone Type-XX seems to be a more reasonable arrangement considering the usability.
The bumper is attached to the hinge
The main unit has parts such as duct, but it is interesting that this is not a decoration.According to KDDI, by capturing outside air from this hole, the temperature sensor inside can measure the temperature.Of course, I think that there are aspects of attaching these parts as a toughness mobile phone in the production of design, but the fact that it is actually functioning, not dummy, tickles the enthusiast.
The duct of the main unit is not a duct style, but it really incorporates the outside air inside.
The size is 55mm and the thickness is 23mm, which is a toughness mobile phone, but the width is slim, so it fits firmly when you hold it in your hand.This ease of holding is unique to a mobile phone that is not on the recent smartphone.The buttons when opened are circular, and the motif of G'zone is also used here.Because each button is independent, there is less mistake in pressing and the click feeling is solid, so it is easy to press.
It has a little thickness, but it is acceptable if you think it is G'zone.Fits firmly in your hand
There is a cover on the bottom, locking with screw -like parts.Because the cover itself is in close contact with the main unit, it does not easily come off, but it seems that there is no need to worry about falling off when it falls.The cover has a built -in battery and can be removed.It was a common specification during the feature phone era, but it looks fresh when you get used to the built -in battery smartphone.
There is a cover on the bottom, and you can replace the battery pack when opened.
The charging terminal is also covered with a cover, but the one that is not exposed is G'zone -like.Of course, the terminal is USB Type-C, and the latest smartphone charger and cable can be used to some extent.The update of these specifications to the latest technology is likely to be a nice point for users who have been using G'zone.
The charging terminal is USB Type-C.It is firmly covered with the cover
The user interface is also designed by Casio designers.When you open it, a standby screen with a G'zone circle is displayed, and the menu is a familiar style with 4x3 icons.The OS is a customized Linux, and the deeper the menu hierarchy, such as the settings, and the Android -like appearance oozes out, but the manner of operating with the direction key or menu key can be said to be the feature phone itself.
UI designed by G'zone designer
It does not support touch panels for mobile phones.Because the icon size of the menu is relatively large, if you are used to your smartphone, you will want to touch it, but even if you touch the screen, it will not respond at all.The use of key operation is where you can start an application such as email, camera, and browser with one touch.This is the same for other mobile phones, but it can be operated more smoothly than a smartphone that needs to unlock and tap the application icon.
Required apps such as emails and browsers can be launched with one touch
G'zone Type-XX also has two shortcut keys, "F1" and "F2", so you can assign your favorite functions yourself.In the initial state, the point where F1 is simple is a G'zone point, but if the outdoor use is not necessarily the main, you can change it to another.
Equipped with two keys to assign your favorite apps and functions
G'zone's uniqueness also extends to the ringtone.The model has a built-in ringtone called "Adventure" about 10 years ago as the G'zone Type-X, and also includes a melody that became "bot" due to memory capacity.The sound when opening and closing is also g's specifications everywhere.Not only visual and tactile sensation, but also hearing G'zone, you can feel the gulone -like feeling, and you will have the impression that you can taste the world view in total.
Until the ringtone, it is a G'zone specification
Unlike Android's smartphone, Google Play is not compatible, but you can download apps via au Smart Pass.Apps such as "au passenger seat navigation", "au navigation walk", and "officesuite" are pre -installed, so you can use them as a smartphone to some extent.Just because it's a feature phone, you don't have to limit how to use it only for telephone or email.
The app can be used via au Smart Pass.Standard -equipped apps
There is also a built -in app unique to G'zone.That's "Outdoor Apps".Outdoor Apps is a G'zone -only tool that has an item separately from the menu's "app service".Information that is likely to be needed for outdoor activities, such as weather, temperature, air pressure and altitude, is aggregated here.In a strange place, there is also an application that anticipates the amount of fish from the phases of the moon and the tide level.
Outdoor App, which specializes in outdoor use, is also built -in.These unique functions seem to be G'zone
However, since the base OS and chipset are diverted from the smartphone, it is not only compatible with 4G, but also connected to Wi-Fi, and other terminals are connected to the Internet with tethering.You can do that.Because the display size is small, it is not suitable for browsing, but it is possible to use a Wi-Fi tablet and communicate with G'zone Type-XX.
Tethering is also possible.This is a function that was not in the previous G'zone
On the other hand, Osaifu-Keitai, which was mounted on G'zone Type-X, is not supported.Instead, it is possible to use the code payment au Pay, but it is still not a complete alternative to FeliCa's non -contact payment.You can't get on the train on au Pay, and some stores can't shop.Some FeliCa -compatible services for feature phones have ended, so it is not a good idea, but if you want to use Osaifu -Keitai, you need to use another terminal.
au Pay is available, but it doesn't support FeliCa
However, for users who want to continue to use feature phones and users who want to continue to use G'zone, the presence or absence of FeliCa may be a trivial problem.Rather, this design, G'zone, revived in this form on the 20th anniversary.The degree of perfection is very high, and it can be said that it is one of the users who have already stopped using the feature phone and have moved to the smartphone.
[Ishino's Judgment] Texture ★★★★★ Easy to hold ★★★★★ Display performance ★★★ UI ★★★★ Music performance ★★★ Cooperation & network ★★★★ Biological authentication ★★★ Payment function ★★ Battery mochi ★★★★ * Judgment is determined by 5 points for each item
Coverage / sentence / Junya Ishino
After graduating from Keio University, joined Takarajimasha.After independence, he has been active in a wide range of media as a mobile journalist/writer.He has authored many books, including "Cataill Doren" (SoftBank Shinsho) and "Easy to Understand in 1 hour" (Mainichi Shimbun).