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`Rugged PCs | Case Studies | Industry leaders | Digital Cameras | Editor's Columns | New Gadgets | Q&A
`
`Neonode N2
`A new version of the phone that pioneered touchscreens
`
`November 4, 2007 -- This is a review of the Neonode N2, a little multimedia touchscreen phone that almost no one has ever
`heard of. It's different from anything else on the market, although since the advent of the Apple iPhone no longer quite as
`different as it once was. Listening to Apple's claims of all the patents covering the iPhone's user interface one might assume
`the iPhone broke completely new ground and went where no phone had ever gone before.
`
`HOT
`
`HOT
`
`NEW
`
`00:00/
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`00:00
`
`That is not entirely so. Neonode, a small Swedish company with headquarters in Stockholm and a US office in San Ramon,
`Calif. (a somewhat complicated merger took place in early 2007 between US-based and publicly traded SBE, Inc and
`Neonode, with the resulting company called Neonode, Inc.), announced the Neonode N1 back in 2002. It was very small. It
`had no keypad or keyboard at all. It did not use a stylus either. Instead, it used a swipe and tap system on a novel touch
`screen that used a grid of infrared beams to sense finger movement.
`
`So those who marvel at how a swipe from left to right unlocks the iPhone, well, the Neonode N1 was unlocking that way
`more than five years ago. And if the iPhone's swipes and taps seem futuristic, they are not. Neonode has been using them
`since the first N1 came out. In fact, the company's Neno user interface is based entirely on swipes and taps. With one
`exception. Just like the iPhone has that one physical button below its display, the Neonode does have a 4-way navigation
`stick that's used for this and that. It's not even needed much.
`
`We reviewed the predecessor of the N2, the Neonode N1, in great detail (see our review of the Neonode N1) and I have now
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 1 of 11
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`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
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`Pen Computing Magazine: Review of the unique Neonode N2 multimedia phone
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`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
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`lived with the new N2 for several weeks. The N2 is different and, coming from a nearly unknown manufacturer, faces an
`uphill battle to claim its place in the sun. Based on what we've seen, it certainly deserves your attention.
`The swipe and tap system
`
`To get right to the heart of the matter, the Neonode N2 is operated by swipes and taps even more so more than the iPhone
`that still uses some conventional menus. Initially the N2 interface seems a bit confusing and you can get lost. However, play
`with it for just a few minutes and all falls into place and makes sense. The swipe & tap system is implemented very
`consistently throughout the N2's applications and setup screens, though there are some exceptions that can throw you.
`
`We captured the below pictures from a video on the Neonode site. The red grid on the left is not actually visible. That
`just illustrates the grid of infrared beams the N2 uses to detect your finger. The close-up on the right shows little
`arrows. They always show up on the screen to show, or remind, you where you can swipe to make things happen. You
`operate the N2 entirely with swipes and taps.
`
`Here is how it works and fits together and how you use it:
`
`The Neonode N2's display is separated into functional areas. There are horizontal areas and vertical areas.
`
`Horizontal swipes
`
`Horizontally, the Neonode's display is divided into three areas.
`
`The top is the "change view" area. Swiping left and right may move
`through tabbed menus or bring up different screens of an application.
`
`The center in the "navigation area" where you can navigate up and
`down and left and right within a view.
`
`At the bottom is the Accept/Close/Notification area. It is used for two
`purposes. Swiping right is usually equivalent to "ok" or "accept." Swiping
`left is generally equivalent to "esc" or close. Sometimes an application
`uses that area to prompt for input from the user, like tapping on it to bring
`up options.
`
`Vertical swipes
`
`Vertically, the left third of the screen is the "Start menu swipe area". The center third is the "keyboard swipe area". And the
`right third is the "tools menu swipe area".
`
`To close an application entirely, you do a diagonal swipe from upper right to lower left. To select an item from a list, you
`swipe up and down, then tap, just like on the iPhone. With the difference that Neonode phones have been doing it this way
`since 2002.
`
`How it works and what screens look like
`
`Below are a few N2 screens that illustrate how it works. On the left is the Alarms screen. Swiping up along the left would get
`you back to the Start menu. Swiping up on the right would bring up a utility/settings screen like the one shown next to it.
`Swiping right to left at the bottom backs out.
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
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`Page 2 of 11
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`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
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`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
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`The second screen is the utilities screen for the built-in browser. It, too, is tabbed so you can swipe right along the top to get
`to the next screen. To select a function, tap on it.
`
`The third screen shows a playlist. Here you'd scroll up and down by swiping, or tap in the Accept/Close/Notification area to
`create a new one.
`
`The fourth one shows the standard keyboard that is used for phone calls and data entry. Tap in the URL or phone number,
`then swipe bottom right to enter, or bottom left to back out. Simple as that.
`
`Below that are a few more N2 screen: calendar, camera live view and playback, and the different data entry methods you
`can select.
`
`The Neonode phone
`
`When we did our detailed review of the Neonode N1 a while ago we commented on its relatively large size and dated design.
`That's because it went all the way back to 2002, an eternity in cellphone product cycles. When it was conceived, the N1 had
`been considered tiny and sleek, but by 2006 it was, for a cellphone, large and a bit dated with its shiny plastic body and
`overall design. Truth be told, the N1 was no larger than a 2007 Sanyo flip phone I am using, but the Sanyo is an inexpensive,
`utilitarian lossleader whereas the Neonode was supposed to knock your socks off.
`
`Well, the N2 is a different story altogether. It is tiny: 3 x 1.8 x 0.59,
`and it weighs 2.1 ounces. That is small, and Neonode claims it's the
`smallest form factor in the mobile phone industry. It is a marvel in
`miniaturization in every respect. It's cute and definitely a
`conversation piece.
`
`The N2 is an unlocked quad-band GSM phone, which means you
`can use it with any GSM-based carrier. You're not locked in like
`iPhone customers. That is a huge advantage. To insert the SIM card
`you manipulate a slider on top of the device and then open the
`clamshell housing. This opens up the entire inside of the N2, but
`where you'd expect the usual circuitry, all you see is the Sim card
`slot, the MiniSD card slot, the camera and that's about it. No
`exposed electronics. They all must be condensed into an incredibly
`small space on the backside of the display.
`
`The battery is integrated into the back part of the N2's housing. It is
`a Neonode-branded Li-Ion rechargeable providing 3 watt-hours
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
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`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
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`(3.7V/820mAH). That's on the order of what you find in today's ultra-slim digital cameras and is supposed to yield up to four
`hours of talk time and over eight days of standby. But while those camera powerpacks are replaceable and to some extent
`standardized, it looks like you'll have to replace the entire backside of the N2 if the battery dies. Below you can see what the
`N2 looks like inside. The picture is actually way larger than the phone is in real life.
`
`Using the phone
`
`The N2 is, of course, foremost a phone, and a pretty good one. There are no green and red
`buttons. Swipe right to answer or place a call, swipe left to hang up. When you make a call
`with the N2, you hold its backside against your ear, and not the screen. That results in far
`fewer greasy smudges and really makes more sense, though you have to get used to it.
`
`You swipe up the middle to bring up the keypad, dial, then swipe right to call. When you're
`done, swipe left to hang up.
`
`In Phone mode, swiping right brings up Contacts either as icons or as a list of contacts.
`Swiping left terminates the Phone mode and returns to the status screen.
`
`Like with most phones, you can use the "Call History" screen to quickly place a call. Select a
`call and you can see what number it was to, who it was to, what time the call was placed, and
`how long it was.
`
`Alternately, you can use the Address Book. Addresses are listed alphabetically either by last
`name or first name. You can toggle between address book and favorites, and there are various settings. A neat touch: if an
`explanation does not all fit onto a line, the text moves backwards and forwards so that you can read it without having to do
`anything at all. The screen on the right above shows the N2's sial pad. Below are a few of the phone options: the address
`book, telephony settings, phone options and keyboard settings.
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 4 of 11
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`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
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`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
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`Sending an SMS
`
`To send a SMS text message to someone, you select them from the address book, swipe up into utilities, select "Send
`Message" and type the message. Alternately, you can tap on the Messaging icon and start a new message. You can select
`from numerous keyboards (or rather keypads, including the standard cellphone way of doing it, Tegic T9, numeric, Smileys,
`symbols, and, this being an international phone, half a dozen of the world's major languages.
`
`The display
`
`The N2's display measures 2.0 inches diagonally. It is 176 pixels wide and 220 pixels tall. That makes for a resolution of
`about 141 dots per inch. That is less than the iPhone, but still considerably sharper than most computer displays. It can show
`65k colors and it is significantly better readable outdoors than most phones. Of course, it needs to be readable as there is no
`hardware keypad. The display surface seems to be plastic, which makes it more prone to scratches than glass.
`
`Built-in 2-megapixel camera
`
`There's a 2-megapixel digital camera that can take very
`passable pictures. The camera application uses the
`entire screen with the exception of the tab bar on top of
`the display. There you toggle between camera and image
`viewer.
`
`You can select from picture resolutions from 174 x 144 all
`the way up to 1600 x 1200. You can set White Balance
`(auto, home, office, outdoor, cloudy, sunny), Brightness,
`Color Saturation with sliders on a 1-8 scale operated by
`the joystick, and also set vibration and sound on or off.
`
`In playback mode you can make pictures fit the little
`screen in width or height, view them in actual size (you
`pan around), rotate them, add them to a contact, save
`them as wallpaper, or even send them as a MMS or via
`Bluetooth.
`
`In a comparison with the iPhone's highly touted camera
`that also does 2-megapixel, the N2's camera does quite well. Snapshots were of similar quality.
`
`NeoMagic MiMagic 6+ processor
`
`Interestingly enough, while the Neonode N2 runs its Neno interface on top of Windows CE 6.0, the hardware is based not on
`one of the better known Marvell XScale chips or ARM-based processors from Samsung and others. Instead, Neonode has a
`long-standing relationship with NeoMagic Corporation (the similarity in names is totally coincidental), a semiconductor
`company headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif. NeoMagic very much believes in a great future for multimedia phones and
`aims to cover that market with high performance application processor chips that run on very little battery power.
`
`To do that, they use a technology called APA, which stands for Associative Processing Array -- programmable parallel
`processing where multiple operations are performed in each processor cycle. In essence, NeoMagic seeks to replace all the
`complex and powerhungry specialized hardware accelerators and DSP chips with one programmable parallel processing
`chip that can run MPEG-4, H.264, full duplex 2-way video and such. The chip itself, the MiMagic 6+, combines an ARM 9
`core with an APA-based multimedia engine (see MiMagic 6+ block diagram). Performance is very good. There is virtually
`none of the delay you've come to expect from a Windows Mobile device. Everything happens instantly -- likely a benefit of
`having an optimized proprietary interface interacting directly with embedded Windows CE.
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 5 of 11
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`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
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`Pen Computing Magazine: Review of the unique Neonode N2 multimedia phone
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`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
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`Unique "zForce" infrared touchscreen
`
`Equally interesting is the Neonode's touchscreen that was used in the N1, and now in the N2. It employs a patent-pending
`technology called "zForce" that enables a touch screen unlike any you've used or seen on such a small device.
`
`In contrast to most touch screens that sense the pressure of a stylus or a finger, the Neonode's zForce technology uses a
`grid of infrared beams to determine the location of your finger. The grid consists, I believe, of ten horizontal and eight vertical
`"beams." You can't see them as they are integrated in the roughly 1/16-inch rise of the bezel that surrounds the display. This
`is how the display senses the location of a finger.
`
`An array grid of nine by eight intersecting infrared sensors obviously is very different from a conventional digitizer. It is not
`meant for handwriting recognition or digital ink. You can't write or draw on the N2's screen with a stylus. Instead, the zForce
`infrared grid is used to determine the position of your finger and the direction in which you swipe a finger. The latter ability is
`used to give the Neonode its unique personality and mode of operation. In contrast, Apple combined a projected-capacitive
`touchscreen that is capable of interpreting multi-point touch, allowing the now famous "pinching" to zoom in and out.
`
`Neonode added another interesting feature that the iPhone does not have. When you dial a number, type, or provide other
`input, the phone provides a tiny vibrating feedback to tell you that it registered your touch. This is invaluable and greatly adds
`to the usability of such a small device. You know your input has been received. You don't even have to look.
`
`Note that infrared touch by itself is not a new technology. It originated in the late 1970s and is widely used in point-of-sales
`terminals and ATMs. However, Neonode pioneered its use in mobile devices and they managed to shrink the required
`technology first in the N1, and now even more, by a significant degree, in the N2.
`
`PC communication
`
`Amazingly, if you connect the N2 to a PC with Microsoft ActiveSync installed on it, ActiveSync will recognize the N2 as a
`Windows Mobile device without any problem at all and you can set up a partnership. Then things work as they do with any
`other Windows Mobile device.
`
`You can also click "My Computer" on the desktop or notebook the N2 is connected to and then select "Mobile Device." Once
`again, the Neonode's file system will show up there and you can drag and drop files any which way you want.
`
`What this means is that you can use standard Microsoft ActiveSync and set up a relationship between the N2 and your
`desktop or notebook computer. Or you can use the N2 essentially as a USB drive, just dragging files onto its miniSD storage
`card.
`
`Mac users, however, are out of luck.
`
`Will it hold up?
`
`How well does this clamshell design keep out dust and moisture? There isn't an O-ring for sealing and I would not expect the
`N2 to be waterproof, but neither have I found dust in it so far. In fact, the N2 seems a more durable design than the N1 was.
`Light weight makes a device inherently less prone to damage from falls, and at 2.1 ounces, the N2 can probably survive
`rather substantial drops. Its surface is matte-black and has a rubbery feel to it. Apart from the display getting crunched by
`force, I can't see the N2 getting damaged or broken in everyday handling. Also, "soap bar" designs don't have a hinge to
`worry about -- the part that almost always breaks or gives out first in flip phones.
`What is different in the OS?
`
`All Neonode phones are running the very innovative Neno interface on top of Windows CE. I am not sure what version the
`N1 used, but the N2 runs Windows Embedded CE 6.0 Pro. This is a componentized operating system designed for small
`footprint devices. It's an impressive architecture with impressive features and excellent development tools. The new 6.0
`kernel can handle 32,000 simultaneous processes with huge virtual memory space, the file system supports media and file
`sizes up to 4GB, there is plenty of driver support, it's SDL (Security Development Lifecycle) compliant for security, and it runs
`on x86, ARM, SH4 and MIPS based processors. It is media-friendly, supports multiple video streams, and designed for
`optimal cellular networks voice and data connections. Platform Builder for Windows Embedded CE 6.0 is a plug-in for Visual
`Studio 2005, various Microsoft development technologies are available (Win32, .NET, or MFC), there are device emulators,
`and developers have source code access. To view the Windows Embedded CE 6.0 product brochure, click here. What
`exactly the "Pro" designation signifies, is unclear.
`
`The Neno 2.0 interface
`
`The swipe and tap-driven Neno OS interface looks different from earlier versions, albeit not that much. The basic theme now
`is an almost monochromatic white on black with red glow whereas the N1 used a red background. The N1 had color icons
`that looked very Windows CE-like whereas the N2 has white icons that have labels beneath them. To be honest, I prefer that.
`It immediately makes it clear what an application does instead of having to first interpret the icon, and it is especially helpful
`in submenus. Whereas the N1, for example, used the standard Microsoft Internet Explorer icon, the N2 has its own and the
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 6 of 11
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`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
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`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
`
`splash screen says "NeoExplorer." With the N1, different screens were shown as a row of dots along the top of the display.
`The N2 uses a tabbed system. The basic set of applications remains unchanged. Unlike the Windows CE/Windows Mobile
`interface with its list of apps on the Start menu and everything else in one big Program screen, Neno offers a clean, tabbed
`icon-based system where you flip from screen to screen with swipes. The screens are customizable. The default offers the
`following pages:
`
`Page 1:
`
`Status Screen
`Contacts
`Lock
`History
`Camera
`Messages
`
`Page 2:
`
`Music
`Files
`Video
`Calendar
`Notes
`Tetris
`
`Page 3:
`
`Alarm
`Internet
`Calculator
`Tasks
`
`Page 4: all your shortcuts
`
`You can move items on the first three pages, and add others. On Page 4 you can add your own shortcuts.
`
`Personally, I feel Neno needed some other changes. As intuitive as the swipe and tap interface is for the most part, some
`aspects are confusing and I never got used to them. For example, it can be confusing how to switch between applications or
`escape out of a settings screen without completely closing an application and having to start over. Apple elegantly solved
`this issue, and Nenonode should, too.
`
`The Start menu
`
`The N2's opening screen shows a red-glowing Neonode icon on a dark screen. It shows three
`sets of up arrows along the bottom of the display.
`
`Swipe up the first and you get into program selection. The first program screen shows up
`with six icons that you can tap. Subsequent program screens can be selected via tabs along
`the top of the screen. Swipe left or right along the top to select those tabs. The Start Menu
`can be customized. You can move applications around, assign icons and actions and even
`images.
`
`Swipe up the second and you're in phone mode. A standard numeric keypad shows up.
`
`Settings
`
`Swipe up the third and you get a settings screen. Settings are grouped into Display, System,
`Communication, and Audio, all represented by a tappable icon.
`
`Display lets you customize the Status Screen; select Themes; set backlight level and duration; show or hide Menu
`descriptions; show or hide gesture hints; and set the KeyLock timeout.
`
`System lets you set date and time; regional settings; display system information; error reporting on or off; and the device
`name (which can be changed).
`
`Communications sets telephony, GPRS, and Bluetooth
`
`Under Telephony, you can set call waiting to active or inactive; set and change a PIN code; getting a list of available
`networks and selecting from one of them (in my case, it found T-Mobile and AT&T Wireless); enter and change the
`SMS Central number; clear the voice message indicator; and set call forwarding status.
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 7 of 11
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`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
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`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
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`Under GPRS you detect GPRS access points.
`
`Under Bluetooth you can either enable or disable Bluetooth; discover devices; and select the active headset.
`
`Audio, finally, sets the Loudspeaker on or off; enables or disables the vibrator; sets the ringtone; sets the volume; routes
`ringtone to headsets, if worn, or not; sets the call default volume; and sets audio for alarms, appointments, birthday
`reminders, and incoming message alerts.
`
`Navigation is always the same: swipe up to get into either program screens, phone mode or settings. When presented with a
`menu list, use the navigation stick to move up and down, then tap field to select that choice. Selecting may either toggle
`between values or bring up another screen with a list.
`
`Swiping left at the bottom is "esc" or backing out. Swiping right is "ok" and accepting a selection.
`
`Other apps
`
`Below are screenshots of some other applications. NeoExplorer is an adapted version of Internet Explorer. There is a rather
`addictive Tetris game. You can use the Notes application to type documents of any length. Frequent SMS users will probably
`use the Tegic T9 text entry method that's on most cellphones. The screen on the right shows all currently running
`applications.
`
`The N2 as a Media player
`
`Neonode stresses the N2's media player talents, and they have a point. Everything is saved
`on a standard miniSD card, and you can stick in any size card.
`
`The N2 can accommodate standard 3.5mm headphone plugs. The plug does not go directly
`into the N2, but into a tiny volume and pause/play control that has a little rocker to adjust
`volume in 20 steps.
`
`The media player is Windows Mobile-based, but uses the cool Neno interface. Operation is
`slick and easy, and the M2 plays MP3, WMA and Wav audio files and MPEG and WMV video.
`Video on a 2-inch display in 176 x 220 resolution has its limitations, of course, but you get
`used to it, especially since the N2 has excellent stereo sound through its very good and nicely
`padded headphone buds.
`
`The latest version of the Neno software provides separate icon access to music and video
`files. That makes sense.
`How does the N2 compare to the N1?
`
`Not many people will be in a position to compare their old Neonode N1 with the new N2 as not very many N1s were sold,
`and none in the US. Still, it is interesting to see how Neonode advanced the technology. Also, Neonode had generated
`considerable hype about the N2 and that led to lofty expectations. Just like the Neonode phone itself, Neonode marketing is,
`well, different. Witness the Pregnant man blog leading up to the official announcement in February of 2007.
`
`Anyway, place the N1 and N2 side by side, and it's immediately clear that the N2 is a far more advanced design. It is smaller
`(3 x 1.8 vs 3.4 x 2.1), much thinner (0.59 vs 0.8) and much lighter (2.1 ounces vs. 3.2 ounces).
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 8 of 11
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`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
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`The screen has the same 176 x 220 pixel resolution,
`but the N2's is smaller (2.0 inches vs. 2.2 inches
`diagonal). The zForce touch screen requires a
`recessed screen so that the infrared sensors can span
`their grid on top of it. The N1 screen was recessed
`about 1/8th of an inch whereas the N2's is only
`recessed about 1/16th of an inch. This actually makes
`a huge difference in everyday handling. The shallower
`recess makes the device look better and you no
`longer bop into the sides quite as much as with the
`N1.
`
`Both the N1 and the N2 have physical four-way
`navigation in addition to the touch screen. However,
`whereas the N1's was a somewhat odd and unwieldy
`plastic shield where you had to depress flaps, the N2
`has a handy little navigation stick. It's still not perfect
`as it is slippery and requires too much force, but it is
`much better.
`
`The N1's 1-megapixel camera had a weird square
`1024 x 1024 pixel format whereas the N2's 2-
`megapixel imager uses the standard 1600 x 1200
`pixel format. Both the old and the new device have a black plastic housing, but whereas the N1's was glossy and slippery,
`the N2's is matte and has a rubberized feel that makes it much easier to hold, and there are no reflections.
`
`The camera application now uses the entire screen to view the picture whereas on the N1, it was just a small window.
`However, whereas what you saw on the N1 was pretty much real-time, the N2's display becomes blurry and falls way behind
`when you move the camera.
`
`Another cool improvement: In most applications, when you type, Neno starts out with a large, very readable font, then
`switches to a smaller font once you reach the end of the first line. That makes a lot of sense.
`
`One thing that has changed, dramatically, is the responsiveness and accuracy of the zForce touch screen. The N1
`occasionally struggled to properly interpret a tap in the center of the screen, where the "5" is on the calculator and on the
`phone dial pad. That is no longer a problem with the N2. Also, this being a touch screen using infrared, strong daylight
`tended to affect the N1's operation. The N2 seems virtually immune to daylight interference -- likely using special filters and
`specific frequencies to differentiate from the infrared component of sunlight.
`
`My N1 ran the Neonode Neno OS version 1.4.394, the latest one available; my N2 initially ran version 2.1.290.6 which works
`the same way but is considerably more user-friendly thanks to the addition of text labels instead of just icons. Just before this
`review was published, I downloaded the latest version, 2.1.339.5, which fixes a number of bugs and is said to improve
`battery life. It also replaces the "Media" icon with separate "Music" and "Video" icons that launch the music and video
`players, making things simpler.
`
`So the N2 is quite different from the N1, but some say not different enough. They had hoped for WiFi (we had, too) and
`perhaps more substantial hardware improvements. But the company apparently believed better design and ultra-small size
`was the road to go.
`The Neonode N2 and the Apple iPhone
`
`As far as the Neonode folks go, the iPhone is likely a huge thorn in their side. I am sure in legal terms the respective
`intellectual property has been respected by all, but it must be vexing to see Apple essentially claim ownership of concepts
`the Neonode phone has been using for at least five years. On the other hand, Neonode may view the glass as one-quarter
`full and welcome the iPhone as Apple's product sure legitimized the touchscreen for phones and a lot of people are looking
`at the Neonode who otherwise would have simply written it off.
`
`As the picture below shows, one thing is instantly clear: if you like your phone as small as it can be, the Neonode is the clear
`winner. The screens are simulated here, hence the different times, but both are, in fact, clearly viewable in bright daylight.
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 9 of 11
`
`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
`Page 2024 - 9
`IPR2021-01041, Google LLC v. Neonode Smartphone LLC
`
`
`
`Pen Computing Magazine: Review of the unique Neonode N2 multimedia phone
`
`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
`
`And here is how the two compare:
`Apple iPhone vs Neonode N2
`
`Neonode N2
`Apple iPhone
`OS
`Neno on top of Windows CE 6.0 embedded
`OS X
`Size/volume
`1.8 x 3.0 x 0.6 inches/3.24 cubic inches
`2.4 x 4.5 x 0.5 inches/5.4 cubic inches
`Weight
`2.1 ounces
`4.8 ounces
`Memory
`1GB miniSD card
`8GB built-in
`Bluetooth
`yes
`yes (2.0+ EDR)
`WiFi
`no
`yes (802.11b/g)
`Cellular voice/data GSM quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, EDGE GSM quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS
`Display size and
`3.5 inches; 320 x 480 pixel (163 dpi)
`2.0 inches; 176 x 220 pixel (141 dpi)
`resolution
`Camera/video
`2 megapixel (1600 x 1200); no video
`2 megapixel (1600 x 1200); no video
`Touch technology
`Projected-capacitive touch with multi-point touch
`zForce infrared touch
`Navigation/operation Swiping/tapping and control button
`Swiping/tapping and 4-way navigation stick
`Integrated Li-Ion rechargeable 1400mAH, 3.7Volt
`Integrated Li-Ion rechargeable 820mAH, 3.7Volt
`Battery
`(5.2 watt-hours)
`(3.0 watt-hours)
`Battery talk time
`"up to 8 hours"
`"up to 4 hours"
`Windows/Mac
`iTunes 7.3 or later Windows or Mac
`Windows (ActiveSync); no Mac support
`Browser
`Safari
`Internet Explorer
`POP3 and IMAP4
`none (SMS and MMS available)
`Application
`Safari-based
`Visual Studio and other Win CE tools
`development
`Carrier
`AT&T
`unlocked
`Price
`US$399 with 2-year AT&T service agreement
`Euro 439, no service agreement needed
`
`From a technology point of view, Neonode clearly counts on touch as the up-and-coming technology in smartphones. Here,
`the broad acceptance of the iPhone certainly helps, though the iPhone's projected-capacity/multi-point touch technology is
`different from Neonode's zForce IR touch technology. A 2007 iSuppli forecast ("Touch Screens: The Right Touch for High
`
`http://www.pencomputing.com/WinCE/neonode-n2-review.html
`
`Page 10 of 11
`
`Neonode Smartphone LLC, Exhibit 2024
`Page 2024 - 10
`IPR2021-01041, Google LLC v. Neonode Smartphone LLC
`
`
`
`Pen Computing Magazine: Review of the unique Neonode N2 multimedia phone
`
`3/22/22, 11:29 AM
`
`Growth") predicts 20.7 million projected-capacity mobile phones by 2012, still fewer by far than more conventional resistive
`touch phones (65.7 million) and just 3.8 million using other touch technologies. A 2007 forecast by Strategic Analytics sees
`far higher numbers for touchscreen phones, mostly capacitive. Walker Mobile's forecast is between the two and views the
`projective-capacitive method used by Apple as becoming widely adopted.
`Neonode N2 -- The Bottom Line
`
`It is hard to judge the Neonode N2 because it is so different. For an analogy, I can image that car magazine editors in the
`1970s felt that way when they reviewed cars with rotary engines. They were very different and offered compelling potential.
`The Wankel motor was small and elegant, offering excellent performance with very little complexity. Was it the future or just
`an oddity? It is almost 40 years later and one of the most fascinating cars on the road, the Mazda RX8, is rotary-powered.
`Yet, it's the only one. Great idea, but for a variety of reasons it just didn't catch on. Neonode hopes that won't apply to its
`technologies.
`
`On the plus side, the Neonode N2 represents a convincing proposition. Take very solid
`underpinnings -- Windows CE 6.0 -- but use a much s