CONSOLE UPDATE by
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Official Press Release from Envizions Inc. |
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ANNISTON, Ala./Envizions/Nov. 19, 2009--- Today the Envizions Computer Entertainment Corporation announced it will be broadcasting its first annual live coverage of the official EVO open source game console, called EVO, on Nov. 20, 2009. The broadcast will be streamed on the company Web site at EnvizionsCorp.com, at Facebook and at Ustream. There will be a pre-show and EVO demo units for attending guests. Online guests will be able to send questions via Twitter and get the most update information during the conference. The conference will consist of keynotes from CEO and Founder Derrick Samuels and lead programmer Zachary Sarver. EVO demo stations will be onsite - along with a few other surprises. Envizions will also begin a live Web cam broadcasting on Nov. 19, 2009, from its office for people that wish to have 24-hour access on up-to-the-minute information at Envizions. EVO is the first open console that users can modify, but full support is available to mainstream users. EVO was developed using all open source applications; additional software packages will be added in the future. EVO was developed on the XBMC platform with new updates and upgrades coming in the first quarter of 2010. "We are slowly seeing more sales and have secured a educational contract for more EVO units," stated Derrick Samuels, CEO and founder of Envizions. "EVO is very flexible for both home and business." The system will make it easier for customers to watch live TV, play games, save pictures, play music and also have full access to Envizions' cloud desktop. EVO can be connected to a TV or standard PC monitor. The system will undergo periodically firmware upgrades and free updates. Customers can also opt for additional support for a low cost annual fee or lifetime support for only $195. These benefits will be discussed in detail more at the EVO conference. |
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Received via broadcast email that included Marriott_Guy |
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| Reviews | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The EVO: Phase One was eventually renamed the EVO Smart Console. The console was redesigned to more closely resemble standard AV devices rather than a video game console as initially displayed during its development. I prefer this sleek look - the clean, uncluttered interface is rather appealing to this gamer. |
We wonder where the inspiration for this device came from? Sarcasm aside, Envizions Computer Entertainment had produced a Media Center PC that could be taken as a "PC in a videogame console" shell. The EVO: Phase One was the conceptual brainstorm of founder Derrick Samuels approximately three years ago per their website (circa 2003). One could say "Hey..thats around the time the Phantom console was announced...Hmm." We suppose that's a pretty good assumption.
Although it looks like a console, the EVO: Phase One is still a multimedia PC. It claimed to have featured many bells and whistles like streaming / downloadable content, DVR capability, and the ability to run PC applications and games. It also featured an integrated biometric scanner, HDMI output, and a wireless controller that resembles the Playstation 2 Dualshock. The EVO would also be upgradable like a regular PC. The creators said that the EVO would come in other phases. Phase Two for example would make the device function like a console whereas Envizions will develop its own customized console games.
The first time the system was seen was May 10, 2006 at the Electronic Entertainment Expo. The EVO
was then given a ship date of October 20, 2006. It was given a retail price of $679.95, and then a cheaper model was made available at $579.
The device could be preordered on the Envizions company website. |
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The EVO Smart Console endured continual delays, but in the end the system was made available on a preorder basis through the company's website on November 20. 2009. According to CEO Derrick Samuels, the bulk of the orders were for the Linux version of the console. Though the demand was extremely high, the production run was limited to fulfilling these existing preorders. Various internet sources estimate that approximately 3,000 units were manufactured. To the best of my knowledge, there was not a retail release of EVO Smart Console within the USA. I recently learned that this was not the case abroad. I received an interesting email from Marco, the owner of BrainFusion Video Games, a video game store based in Forli, Italy. Marco let me know that he was the authorized Italian distributor of the EVO Smart Console. He received 10 of the units and actually had a launch day event to showcase the system (see pictures below). This was rather fascinating news for me since I had not read anywhere that any type of retail release had occurred (regardless of region). He has been gracious enough share photographs of one of his remaining systems (see below). Though the positive public reaction to the EVO Smart Console would lead one to continue further production, the Envizions team instead focused on improving their console. This new entry, named the EVO 2, is an Android based system and considerably less expensive than its predecessor ($249 vs. $399-$679). The EVO 2 is currently available for preorder sale at the Envizions website. A special thank you to Marco for providing
his unique insight, knowledge and pictures of his EVO Smart Console! Grazie! |
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Various picture\media for this console. |
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Pictures of the EVO Smart Console courtesy of our good friend Marco at
BrainFusion Video Games Click images to enlarge |
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Pictures of the EVO Smart Console launch at Marco's Store in Italy Click images to enlarge |
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| Specs & Manuals | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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For the hardware enthusiasts out there - all the detail you\we love. These specs are for the NTSC |
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| Games & Emulation | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Games, media format, emulators and screen shots for titles released on this system. |
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EVO Screen Shot - Home
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EVO Screen Shot - File Manager
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EVO Screen Shot - Settings
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EVO Screen Shot - Game Listing
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EVO Screen Shot - Sample App (weather)
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EVO Screen Shot - Shutdown
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Additional authorized releases for this console. These were available for online purchase, but we do not know anyone that actually received one. |
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EVO Smart Console - Linux $399  |
EVO Smart Console - Windows 7 $579  |
EVO Smart Console - Windows 7 w\Blu-ray $679  |
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Non-licensed releases (clones). |
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No clones have been released for this system.
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| Links | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Highly recommended additional sites\resources for this system. |
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Copyright 2008-2011 The Video Game Console Library. This website and the information contained within it is protected by
copyright. Reproduction of part or all of the |
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CONSOLE UPDATE
DW FACTS
