Philips GoGear Connect PMP Powered By Android

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Let’s face it, Philips isn’t exactly the most notable technology company these days, but now they’ve caught our attention with a new portable media player (PMP) device that will be running the latest cutting edge Android 2.1 mobile OS. The device will be sporting a large touch screen and feature 8GB of memory.

The new device is being called the Philips GoGear Connect. Philips was rumored to be releasing an Android-based PMP device around CES but now they’ve revealed it at a press event. The device will be sporting a 3.2-inch touchscreen, with 8GB of flash memory, along with WiFi and GPS connectivity.

The device will reportedly have support for voice recording (which means a microphone) and of course, WiFi connectivity, so some pundits are already speculating that this PMP could be turned into a cheap VoIP Skype phone with the help of a few third-party apps. The Android Marketplace will reportedly be out on the device, which only adds fuel to the fire for these VoIP rumors. The GPS function isn’t just thrown on for a bulletpoint on a specs list, either. Philips is pushing the device as a personal navigation device as much as they are a PMP.

The Android 2.1 OS will be running it’s own custom UI from Phillips. It isn’t clear how much of the “smartphone” Google Experience will remain on this PMP, or if it’ll be heavily modified. It’ll also have a front-facing camera, a microSD slot, and a HDMI-out port for TV viewing. Although unconfirmed, the HDMI-output leads me to suspect that the device is capable of 1080p or at least 720p.

Although the base model will be coming in 8GB, Philips will be selling bigger models in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB. Unfortunately, no word on pricing or release dates for this awesome looking PMP.