0 7 Weirdest Android Phones and Devices of 2011: Volume 3, replenish, girly, Samsung, Slide, and Apple clone

Introduction

Welcome to Volume 3 of Weirdest Android Devices of 2011! With more and more Android devices coming to the market every day, there is more and more to write about! I never imagined that it's barely June, and I'm up to volume 3! (All of 2010 I got 1 volume of 7 devices, period)

This time, I've got some interesting form factors on Android phones that had never been done, as well as some updates on titles previously bestowed onto other devices. So, sit back, relax, and let is explore the wide world of weird Android devices!

See all 5 photos Samsung Replenish, the greenest Android phone (in the US)Source: Engadget

The new Greenest Android: Samsung Replenish

Previously I anointed a different Android phone as the Greenest Android. Unfortunately, it seems that phone didn't come to the US, but the Samsung Replenish did, so Samsung Replenish is the new Greenest Android phone (available in the US).

Only available on Sprint, Samsung claims the Replenish has 34% recycled content, and 87% of the phone is recyclable. The specs are pretty darn low: 320x240 screen, 2 MP camera, but Sprint is practically giving these phones away. If you like the idea of a green Android phone, these aren't a bad idea to get introduced.

Learn more about Samsung Replenish at Engadget Review

See all 5 photos ASUS Eee Pad SlideSource: BGR

Transformer's Cousin: ASUS Eee Pad Slider

Last volume we introduced you to the ASUS Eee Pad Transformer, which can be described as a netbook with a detachable keyboard (so you can use it solely as a tablet). ASUS Eee Pad Slider is its cousin, with a keyboard that simply hides underneath. You slide it a bit and it stands up to be used as a netbook. Slide it flat and it's a tablet again. Pretty neat, heh?

Apparently this device is going to Europe first, as it has appeared on Amazon Germany site, but as a "we'll let you know when we get it" type deal.

Read more about ASUS Eee Pad Slider on BGR

See all 5 photos Press shot of ASUS Padfone's back, showing where the phone is dockedSource: Engadget / ASUS

Now You See It... Not! ASUS Padfone

ASUS Padfone is yet another tablet from ASUS, which had already brought us the Eee Pad Transformer, and as we see above, the Eee Pad Slider. This is from a different side of the family... the Padfone. That's right, you can slide the whole phone INTO the tablet. And they are indeed sold as a pair.

The initial specs are a bit fuzzy, but the phone will be 4.3 inch screen, and the slate / pad will be 10.1.

Learn more about the ASUS Padfone phone/tablet combo on Engadget Mobile

Triple Personality: The Evolve III triple-boot tablet

We had previously brought you news of the dual-booting Viewsonic Tablet, and named it "the Most Schizophrenic Tablet", turns out someone just beat THAT title as well.

From the outside, Evolve III from Australia looks perfectly normal. However, it is only when you turn it on that you realize it holds a triple threat inside... This device tri-boots Android, Windows 7, AND Meego. Apparently dual-boot is obsolete.

Running 1.5 GHz Intel Atom CPU 2GB RAM, and 32GB SSD (64GB available), we have no idea if this will be exported, but it's sure interesting.

Learn more about the Evolve III on Phandroid.com

See all 5 photos LG Genesis (formerly LG enV Pro)Source: Android Central

Dual Screen Android: LG Genesis

The name of Genesis is oddly appropriate for this phone, because this was previously known as the LG enV Pro, as a continuation of the LG enV line for Verizon. In essence, it died and was reborn.

The original enV was big, but it had excellent speakers, and once you open it you see the full QWERTY keyboard and the larger screen much superior to the small screen on the outside with separate numeric keypad. the enV 2 and enV 3 basically shrunk the enV into a sleeker package but retained the form factor. The enV Pro was supposed to revive that line by turning it into an Android phone. However, Verizon dropped the phone, and it ended up on US Cellular with the "Genesis" moniker.

It has two full sized touch screens, inside and out. (the inside screen is actually slightly smaller, but will you notice?) Equipped with a 1 GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM, this phone is otherwise quite normal in terms of Android phone specs.

Oh, why Verizon, did you dump this phone?

Learn more about LG Genesis (US Cellular) on Android Central

See all 5 photos Mystery LG dual-screen slider, possible Optimus Slide?Source: Pocket Lint

LG Mystery Phone: split keyboard, dual screen?

This phone showed up at a press event about something else in London. It appears to be a LG Optimus series phone, but with a very interesting slide-out QWERTY keyboard split in two, with a secondary smaller screen between the two halves.

The keyboard concept is not new. Nokia had a split keyboard phone several years ago. However, this is the first Android phone to have such a keyboard. (Indeed, the concept of split keyboard is now available on many soft keyboards as well for tablets, like Thumb Keyboard) The secondary screen is not new either. Samsung Continuum have a small secondary "ticker display" below the main screen for tweets, SMS updates, weather, or whatever you like. But both together in one phone? That is weird indeed.

Learn more about this mystery LG Android phone on Pocket Lint

The Most Girly Phone (and in a good way)

Apparently, a lot of female users have remarked that the Android phones, are just too... Manly. You can do things like adding a prettier case, but there's only so much you can do to the phone. They want a, for lack of a better word, a girly phone.

According to This is Next blog post, HTC is working on that under codename "Bliss". It supposedly will be gentle soothing green with rubberized back, and some apps aimed at female users, as well as accessories that fits the female image.

There are no pictures available, just artistic renderings.

Learn more about HTC Bliss at "This Is Next"

Bonus: The Most iPhone-y Android

Previously I've highlighted Shanzhai (read: pirate) electronics made by China in an editorial. Turns out this one takes it to a whole new level: Android 2.2 phone in an iPhone 4 case, with UI mods to make it look like iPhone as much as possible. It is called... Goopple 3G.

Watch the video and see for yourself. You can use existing iPhone 4 accessories with no modifications. (No idea about the bottom port though.)

Supposedly, it is available through Sears.com

Conclusion

Thanks for sticking around at another volume of Weird Androids 2011. Stay tuned for more updates! In the meanwhile, check out my other Android related stuff.

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