Neonode N2: A cautionary tale of recall

When I was at CES last January, I had a very friendly salesperson introduce me to the Neonode N2. I was amazed at this tiny device that was about the size of a flip-top cigarette lighter, and yet it was a phone.

It wasn’t just any phone, but the kind with a full touchscreen interface. All interaction with the screen is done with the user’s thumb, and in addition to the phone, there is email, camera, and calculator options. So I guess the best description of the product would be a one-handed iPhone.

Unfortunately, it may be quite a while before you can get a hold of one, because the company is recalling them. Not just the ones that have problems, but all of them. Apparently, the N2 is having reception problems of some kind.

Well, these things were due to come out in the second quarter of 2008. Now, who knows? I suppose there is a lesson to be learned here. If you have a great product, make certain all the bugs are out before you start marketing it.

Via [Engadget]