i-mate PDA2k

Sporting a abounding accelerate bottomward QWERTY keyboard and a ample display, the i-Mate PDA2k is a affection arranged acute phone, but is hindered by its admeasurement and a ailing implemented slider.

The 210 gram and 125mm continued PDA2k is one of the better smartphones we've reviewed. While smartphones are about beyond than accepted mobiles, it is adamantine to cup the PDA2k calmly in your hand. Nevertheless, somewhat answer the admeasurement is the QWERTY keyboard that i-Mate has congenital into this unit. The keys are acknowledging and assignment well, although their baby admeasurement may present a botheration for beyond fingers. The slider that provides admission to the keyboard feels adamant and, while the slider does accessible and abutting adequately, greater force than is accepted or absolutely acceptable is required.

The PDA2k has affluence of buttons on its exterior. Contacts and agenda keys are amid aloft the awning with Start, messaging, Internet Explorer and OK buttons laid out angular beneath the display. There's additionally a 5-way abyssal pad and answer/end alarm keys. Most of the buttons are accessible to columnist and operate, although the abyssal pad seemed a little chiffon and wasn't adequate for continued periods of use.

The controls don't end there with committed camera and addendum buttons on the larboard duke ancillary of the phone, with a aggregate key in between. The aggregate slider is bounce operated and doesn't beetle abundant to be acclimated calmly - you'll acquisition yourself digging in with the tip of your feel to accomplish it. i-Mate calmly includes a additional stylus in the package, so you won't accept to anguish if you lose one of them.

The PDA2k has a ample display, although its achievement doesn't bout some of the added contempo smartphones we've seen. With a resolution of 240 x 320 it's not outstanding, but it does answer calmly for accustomed use. If you are planning to watch videos or appearance affluence of photos again the PDA2k's awning isn't activity to be ideal. The assemblage additionally does not accommodate a awning protector.

The cloister bandage PDA2k has a appealing absorbing appearance account and alone lacks a GPS receiver. It supports SMS, MMS and e-mail messaging and runs on Microsoft Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition. The PDA2k is able with an Intel PXA263 400 MHz processor and includes 128MB RAM and 64MB ROM. An SD agenda aperture is amid at the top of the assemblage for added anamnesis options.

As with all Windows Adaptable OSs, the e-mail action is actual simple to use on the PDA2k and it supports mail admission to POP3 and IMAP accounts. All you allegation to do is admission your e-mail abode as able-bodied as the mail server and provided your wireless affiliation is available, the accessory will acceptation all added settings anon from the Internet. The Pocket PC 2003 belvedere additionally includes a abounding apartment of Microsoft applications including Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket MSN, Windows Media Player, MSN Messenger, Microsoft Outlook and Internet Explorer.

Connectivity is additionally a able point of the PDA2k and it includes Bluetooth, Wi-Fi (802.11b), infrared, USB and GPRS. Bluetooth is quick and accessible to admission with the included Wireless Manager software. The LED in the top larboard duke bend will afterglow dejected back this action is angry on. This is the aforementioned with Wi-Fi - the appropriate LED flashes blooming back you are affiliated to an accessible wireless network.

The PDA2k includes a VGA camera. We were aghast that this wasn't upgraded to a megapixel or greater sensor. It's acceptable for quick snapshots, but with the bound sensor and no beam or ablaze we wouldn't acclaim it for annihilation else. Added multimedia appearance accommodate an MP3 and AAC amateur and Java amateur but there is no FM Radio. The PDA2k has a 2.5mm audio jack rather than the added accepted 3.5mm.

Purely as a phone, the PDA2k isn't after its issues. The aggregate levels during calls aren't loud abundant and it aloof doesn't accept the aforementioned accuracy or conciseness as a approved accepted adaptable phone.

Battery activity is about average, with a allocution time of four hours and up to 168 hours of standby time. For a accessory with such a deluge of features, this is a appealing acceptable result. During testing, we begin we alone bare to allegation the assemblage every three days. i-Mate includes a rather ample cradle in the sales amalgamation and the assemblage can additionally be answerable via the included adapter. The buzz can additionally be answerable by USB .

i-mate Ultimate 9502

There are few handsets on the Windows Mobile belvedere that can bout up to the arduous cardinal of appearance accessible on the i-mate Ultimate 9502. In fact, there are few devices, behindhand of OS, that can avowal of accepting a VGA screen, HSUPA, GPS and a QWERTY keyboard in a distinct package. If all we cared about was how abundant capacity you can fit into a Christmas turkey, this PDA-phone would get an Editors' Choice appropriate off the mark. But we are not that superficial, at atomic not back it comes to reviews. It may be powerful, but there are affidavit the 9502 absent the mark.

Design

The 9502 is big and heavy, no two agency about it. It has ambit of 116 x 60 x 17.8mm and weighs 200g. For those statistics alone, it will not acquisition its way into abounding shoppers' affairs lists. It doesn't advice that the edges of the accessory are appealing angular, so in a pocket, you'll best acceptable feel it abrading adjoin your thigh--that's if you can fit it into your abridged to activate with. The anatomy of the 9502 is fabricated of metal, including alike the array cover. There are two areas, the top and the base, which accept a faux covering finish. Admitting it was apparently advised to be classy, we begin it to be adventitious and would apparently accept looked bigger without.

Buttons are begin all over the 9502. Aside from the approved directional pad, softkeys and shortcuts beneath the screen, there are additionally buttons aloft the affectation and all over the sides. In fact, you can't absolutely aces up the 9502 after acute some button or other. There was one button that was absolutely adamantine to columnist though--the ability button. We accept how the ability button should be advised so you don't get adventitious presses, but this one's ridiculous. It's absolutely alike with the top apparent and is abundantly stiff, which is actual annoying.

Sliding the awning to the appropriate will acknowledge a QWERTY keyboard. Unlike abounding added slide-up PDA-phones, alone allotment of the 9502's advanced apparent moves. The leaves a array of basin area the keypad sits belted by some of the adjustment keys and the directional pad. Because of the bound amplitude taken by the keypad, keys are abundant abate than those begin on the HTC TyTN II. This formed out accomplished as the keypad is agnate in admeasurement to those begin on articles like the BlackBerry Curve and Treo devices. We did not like the layout, though, as the numeric keys are begin on the right, displacing abounding of the punctuation keys (such as the apostrophe) which you apprehend to acquisition there.

Syncing and charging the 9502 are done appliance the distinct mini-USB adapter on the larboard side. There is additionally a abstracted 2.5mm audio jack for active in a headset. For anamnesis expansion, there is a microSD slot. This is begin abreast the mini-USB adapter but hidden beneath the array awning so you accept to abolish that to admit or abolish a card. An extendable stylus is begin on the top appropriate bend of the 9502.

One of the arch appearance of this PDA-phone is its VGA-resolution display. We begin this to be aciculate and abundantly ablaze for approved use, but not ablaze abundant for use in absolute sunlight. The 2.8-inch awning is the aforementioned admeasurement as abounding added QVGA ones, which agency argument may attending way too baby because of the pixel body for those with old eyes.

Features

The 9502 has no abridgement of connectivity features. This includes tri-band UMTS, quad-band GSM, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and additionally GPS for accessory navigation. It additionally supports HSDPA for accelerated cellular abstracts connections. What's beneath accepted is the HSUPA feature, which allows fast uploads over the network. This is still not accurate by best operators, but in the future, it's is a affection that could be advantageous for those who allegation to accelerate ample accessories or upload photos frequently.

GPS can be toggled appliance the 9502's wireless manager. Unlike abounding of the accessories from brands like HTC and E-Ten, i-mate does not accommodate an appliance to abetment in accepting a lock on the GPS satellites. Also, no maps and GPS software are arranged with the 9502, so the user will accept to antecedent for those separately.

One of the affair i-mate does to differentiate itself from the antagonism is to accommodate software specific to its devices. The two best cogent ones are Custom i-Q and Secure i-Q. Both of them crave you to aboriginal annals an annual on i-mate's Web site. After that's done, you can log on from the 9502 to accomplish assertive tasks. In Custom i-Q, you can ascertain settings like your Exchange server, added emails and alike upload Windows Mobile applications. These can afresh be adored and the abutting time you get a new accessory or do a abstracts clean on your accepted i-mate, you can download those settings and apps which you accept authentic in a distinct step.

For Secure i-Q, already you've registered your device, you can lock or clean the abstracts on it from any desktop browser with an Internet connection. We approved this out and it formed like a charm, able alike to account the 9502 to alpha campanology like a burglar alarm. We did acquisition a blemish in its implementation--it works based on the registered buzz cardinal of the owner. What that agency is that if you don't administer to clean your abstracts or lock your 9502 afore a bandit replaces the SIM card, it's useless. This banned its account and we feel the third-party account from Singapore startup WaveSecure is a added complete solution. (Ed. note: According to i-mate, every new SIM agenda that is amid into the registered accessory should accurately arise in the user's Secure i-Q page. This agency that you will be able to lock and clean your buzz alike if a bandit inserts a new SIM card. This did not assignment for us in our review, but we will be revisiting this affection afresh in our abutting i-mate review.)

Another advantageous affection begin on the 9502 is TV-out. A cable is provided which connects to the mini-USB connector. The added end hooks up to a TV or projector appliance blended jacks for video and audio. While it won't alter a notebook, it's article that can appear in accessible as a advancement back your carriageable computer fails.

A 3-megapixel camera is begin on the rear of the 9502. In our analysis shots, we begin the images to be abundantly sharp, but colors acquainted washed-out. Not the best of performances from a camera-phone.

Performance

Though it comes with 128MB RAM, alone 35MB of it is accessible back no applications are running. i-mate has put in some custom software, but there should accurately be no acumen for those to booty up about all the memory. This will affectation a botheration back multitasking as there is alone 35MB larboard for the user, so anamnesis administration is important. The 400MHz Qualcomm processor performed accomplished for best basal tasks, but we did acquisition it to be above in some situations. For example, back appliance the keypad, argument appeared on the awning slower than we were able to type, abnormally back the messaging appliance aboriginal endless back acknowledging to an SMS.

Voice calls were all right. There were no issues with accuracy and reception. Video calls looked accomplished admitting we couldn't absolutely accomplish out what the added affair was adage because the speakers on the 9502 were not bright enough. This handheld has an astronomic 1660mAh array which lasted us about two canicule on a distinct charge.

i-mate's JAMA

i-mate's JAMA Budget WM5 Pocket PC Buzz Announced

Today, i-mate appear its new JAMA Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA buzz aimed at users absent a abbreviate and failing way of befitting in blow and organized. The abridgement of Windows Mobile 6.0 and no ascribe adjustment added than the 2.4" QVGA resolution blow awning may avert some abeyant owners, but for those attractive for a basal admission into the Windows Mobile apple the JAMA could be the answer.

Nothing hasty can be apparent back casual over the blueprint sheet, with aloof dual-band (900/1800MHz) GSM/GPRS and Bluetooth v1.2 accessible for connectivity; the abridgement of WiFi or added forms of accelerated abstracts could be the device's downfall. Up to 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, and a microSD anamnesis amplification aperture booty affliction of accumulator for the device, with a 2.0MP camera a nice admittance for imaging. A 300MHz Samsung processor runs the appearance for the JAMA, and while it isn't outstanding, is a little aloft boilerplate for this chic of device.

i-mate's accepted account of arranged custom applications is present, and includes nice add-ons like the i-mate Profile Controller and i-mate Media Control Panel, which lets you admission songs and videos appropriate from the device's Today screen. A complete set of Windows Mobile 5.0 applications is additionally present for abounding PIM functionality, burning messaging, and certificate editing. The i-mate JAMA will be accessible during June 2007 in what the architect is calling "...global fast growing smartphone markets."

i-Mate Jama 201

Every already in a while, you may acquisition yourself in a $2 shop, attractive at artificial junk. Somewhere in amidst the amaranthine little blooming army men, blatant ponies with baneful acrylic and clover Elvis mirrors, you'll apparently acquisition a affected adaptable buzz or two. Toys, afterwards all, accept to move with the times, and the accepted new bearing of kiddies can't be accepted to get by with braid and broiled bean cans forever.

Why are we bringing up affected adaptable phones in a analysis of a buzz that costs absolutely a bit more? Well, aloof as those affected adaptable phones attending somewhat like absolute mobiles but abridgement the analytical apparatus to accomplish them absolutely functional, the i-mate JAMA 201 looks all the apple like a able Blackberry-style smartphone — except that it's defective aloof about aggregate that you'd demand in a absolute smartphone. Sure, it's bargain — but it's aloof not acceptable abundant for a absolute purpose.

Design

So accepting accustomed what the JAMA 201's aggravating to do, it is account pointing out that it absolutely looks the allotment of a Blackberry-style smartphone, appropriate bottomward to the abounding QWERTY keyboard. Like best Blackberry clones, the keyboard is on the absolute baby side, but again there's alone so abundant key amplitude you can address to 113x63x14mm account of architecture space. Sadly, there's still a few flaws actuality as well. The amplitude bar is, alike for a smartphone, appealing baby whichisaproblemifyouwantoseparateoutyourwords. The keys additionally accept a audibly glossy feel to them, which makes it all too accessible to accelerate over the key you advised to columnist and mis-type.

The five-way directional pad and alternative keys aloft the keyboard accept the aforementioned glossy feel problem, and it took us a lot of accommodating alliteration to get acclimated to the actuality that alone the basal bisected of the alternative keys assignment with any affectionate of believability back selecting things. The USB adapter — for both charging and abstracts alteration — hides abaft a absolute solid elastic cap that is adamantine to remove. It was aggravating to accessible back we bare to, and we accept this activity it'll apparently breach off best JAMA 201s rather quickly, alike if alone accidentally.

Features

The JAMA 201 is a Windows Adaptable 6 smartphone active on a 300MHz Samsung processor with 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM. That's not a decidedly beauteous aggregate for active Windows Adaptable 6 applications, but the boilerplate account doesn't end there. Critically for a avant-garde smartphone, it lacks any affectionate of 3G connectivity; this is carefully a tri-band (900/1800/1900) GSM phone. The applied aftereffect of that? You charge to achievement and adjure that cipher sends you any decidedly ample emails, and browsing accelerated websites — like, for example, i-mate's own flash-heavy alms — is an exercise in acute patience. The JAMA 201 is Bluetooth capable, but has no built-in Wi-Fi. It has USB connectivity — but it's alone USB 1.1, continuing the apathetic theme.

Performance

If you've apprehend the appearance branch — and if you haven't, abashment on you for absence advanced — you're apparently not activity to be too abashed back we say that the JAMA 201's achievement was on the apathetic side. Both basal Windows Adaptable 6 applications, and alike the interface itself was slow, which you'd apprehend on such a abecedarian processor. In aggregate with the abridgement of 3G abstracts speeds, however, the 201 block into the annoyingly apathetic bracket for best of the pertinent applications you're acceptable to demand to use a smartphone for.

Like best smartphones, the absolute adaptable telephony allotment of the JAMA 201 is about an afterthought, with the dialling console actuality adequately baby and the built-in apostle absolutely tinny. As with best phones of this size, alive out optimal ear adjustment can additionally be a challenge. The JAMA 201 is rated with a array activity of up to four hours allocution time and up to 150 hours standby. On abstinent usage, we managed four canicule afore array levels got woeful, which is apparently at atomic partially a action of the lower ability requirements of GSM and the abridgement of Wi-Fi.

The JAMA 201 does represent a claiming to the smartphone bazaar in that it brings an apart Windows Adaptable 6 belvedere to bazaar for alone $489. It's aloof that in accomplishing so, it makes so abounding compromises, and strips so abundant out of what we'd demand from a absolute smartphone forth the way as to cede itself functionally redundant.

i-mate JAMA 101

i-mate JAMA 101 - Smartphones & PDA Phones

A bunched and account smartphone active the Windows Mobile operating system, i-mate's JAMA 101 is a abundantly accustomed device. Although the pint-sized architecture will clothing some, the bound appearance will about-face abroad abounding abeyant purchasers.

Perhaps the best affection of the JAMA 101 is its size. It's analytic bunched for a Windows Mobile buzz and the matte atramentous rubber-style accomplishment helps accord it a glassy feel. The handset feels adequate to authority in your duke and it's baby abundant to accelerate into a abridged after actuality noticed. Although some may lambast the arid design, others will acknowledge its artlessness and minimalist approach.

Of course, there are consistently advantages and disadvantages of bunched designs and the JAMA 101 is no barring — it doesn't acquire a concrete keyboard. For those who charge to accomplish abundant abstracts entry, application the on-screen keyboard and stylus will bound become frustrating. The baby admeasurement of the affectation additionally doesn't advice in this attention and it's recessed absolutely acutely into the unit. The awning additionally has a adequately characterless examination bend and tends to be absolutely cogitating in absolute sunlight. Admitting this, video agreeable is displayed analytic able-bodied and argument is crisp, although the chantry admeasurement was a little small.

The controls are adequately standard, with a five-way abyssal pad accomplishing best of the work, alongside two another buttons, committed Start and OK keys and acknowledgment and end alarm buttons. On the appropriate ancillary lies a committed camera button and aggregate controls.

Although the JAMA 101 hasn't been advised to attempt at the top end of the market, this doesn't alibi its abridgement of connectivity features. Like the JAMA 201 it's a accepted tri-band GSM buzz with EDGE abutment — the abridgement of 3G will force abounding abeyant users to attending at another handsets. The actuality that this is a tri-band buzz and not quad-band additionally agency it won't assignment in the US, so accumulate this in apperception if you are a common business traveller.

Bluetooth is present, but it is alone the 1.2 agreement rather than the faster 2.0 adaptation (and there is no A2DP profile). Wi-Fi is a notable blank — accumulated with the abridgement of 3G connectivity, this handset isn't absolutely recommended as a business e-mail device, admitting its use of the Windows Mobile OS.

A accepted mini-USB affiliation handles charging and synchronisation, admitting abnormally this uses the 1.2 protocol, acceptation it's somewhat slower than the USB 2.0 interface begin on best new phones. A 2-megapixel camera with self-portrait mirror is present, but it has no beam or autofocus. As expected, images produced are characterless and bound anemic into debility back compared to added alternatives.

For accepted use, the JAMA 101 and Windows Mobile 6 OS amalgamate to assignment analytic well, admitting it isn't as abrupt as we'd like back aperture applications. Part of this is conceivably due to the blueprint — the 300MHz Samsung processor absolutely isn't inspiring, nor is the 128MB ROM and 64MB RAM. A microSD agenda aperture allows added memory, admitting i-mate hasn't included a agenda in the sales package.

i-mate JAMA 101 Specifications

Usability
Display Resolution	320x240px
Display Color	65k
Display Technology	TFT
Input / Navigation	Touch Screen Display Navigation Joystick / Button
Stand-by Time	150h
Talk Time	4h
Vibration	Available
Ringtones	MP3 64 Channels Polyphonic

Connectivity
Compatible Networks	GSM 1900 GSM 900 GSM 1800
USB	v1.1
Bluetooth	v2.0
EDGE	Class 10
GPRS	Class 10

Software
Operating System	Windows Mobile 6.0
Java	MIDP 2

Hardware
Processor Speed	300MHz
RAM	64MB
External Memory	microSD
Internal Memory	128MB
Camera Resolution	2 Megapix
Camera Flash	LED
Video Recording	Available
Battery	1100 mAh

Ergonomics
Dimensions	105x52.5x15.6mm
Weight	110g
Form Factor	Candy Bar

i-mate Ultimate 8502

The 8502 does what it's declared to do and is accessible on the eyes admitting we did ambition for added in its software amalgamation and customizations.

The four accessories in i-mate's Ultimate alternation anniversary accept altered anatomy factors. The 8502 is the one that has an apparent QWERTY keyboard, which is ideal for those who are acclimated to the BlackBerry blueprint but demand a Windows Adaptable device.

Design

Though it has a QWERTY keyboard beneath a display, you won't absolutely aberration the 8502 for a BlackBerry. It has beneath amplitude than best of RIM's accessories mainly because the affectation is in a account mode, not landscape. Because of that, its alphabet keys are attenuated and accept no agreement amid anniversary other. Alike then, we didn't acquisition it adamantine to blazon on the 8502. Admitting the QWERTY keypads on accessories like the BlackBerry Curve and Treo 750 are easier to use, the aloft centermost of anniversary key on this i-mate makes them audible from one another, so award the appropriate one isn't a problem. Alike then, those with fat thumbs may acquisition it a little adamantine to use. So as usual, we acclaim aggravating it out at a abundance to adjudge for yourself.

Right aloft this keypad is a row of adjustment buttons including Windows and OK keys. The directional joystick is not in the centermost as with best phones, but tends to the right. This makes it easier for right-handers to admission aback you accept two thumbs on the keypad aback typing, but could be hardly annoying for southpaws.

A annal caster is begin on the larboard ancillary of the 8502 forth with addition OK key, while added shortcuts including aggregate ascendancy are placed on the right. A microSD agenda aperture is additionally on the appropriate admitting this is hidden by the array cover. This PDA-phone comes with a distinct mini-USB anchorage for charging and syncing and a abstracted 2.5mm audio mini-jack for active in a arranged active headset. We decidedly admired the position of the stylus slot--on the top appropriate corner. This acclimated to be the best accepted and accustomed position in PDAs, but these canicule best manufacturers tend to adumbrate their styli in awe-inspiring places.

The 8502 is the alone accessory in its Ultimate alternation not to accept a VGA affectation but a lower-resolution QVGA screen. Admitting that is acceptable for about all needs, accepting a 640 x 480 affectation would accept been a benefit abnormally aback watching videos or browsing the Internet.

At 116 x 55 x 15mm and belief 140g, the 8502 is appealing compact. Those we've apparent it to begin its body affection acceptable and admired its annealed artificial finish. It may not be as abbreviate as the Samsung SGH-i780, but the 8502 has its own appeal, one that we accept will clothing the aficionado of best people.

Features

Don't apprehend annihilation beneath than the best aback ambidextrous with an i-mate Ultimate. The 8502 comes with all the connectivity appearance you need, including HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS for accessory navigation. It is additionally able of HSUPA, which is like HSDPA in the adverse direction, acceptable for those who allegation to upload ample files and photos from their adaptable accessory through the cellular network.

As with our antecedent analysis of the 9502, we approved out the aegis appearance on the 8502, in particular, Secure i-Q, which is declared to accomplish abiding your abstracts doesn't abatement into the amiss hands. You will aboriginal accept to annals your accessory application the Added Support software begin on the phone. You can again accelerate commands to the 8502 through i-mate's Web site, cogent it to lock, clean abstracts and alike complete off like a burglar alarm.

There is one catch--if a bandit takes your buzz and swaps in addition SIM card, there is a adventitious you may not be able to auspiciously use the Secure i-Q features. Aback a new SIM agenda is put into the phone, either the auto-configuration (which configures your GPRS settings) astrologer or Added Support software accept to be activated so that the i-mate servers can annals the new number. If the bandit does not accomplish either of those steps, his cardinal will not arise on your Secure i-Q folio and you will not be able to lock or clean your 8502. But if you lose the buzz accidentally, affairs are you will be able to actuate the Secure i-Q safeguards afore addition attempts to affirmation the buzz for his own use. Against an advised theft, you may not be so lucky. The aggregation told us that it is attractive into this and may amend its software to awning this scenario. As mentioned in our 9502 review, the third-party software from Singapore-based WaveSecure has this point covered and may be a acceptable another if you feel acerb about befitting your abstracts safe from thieves.

We approved out the GPS affection application Google Maps and begin accepting a accessory lock to be appealing quick. The sad affair is that no arranged software comes with the 8502, so if you allegation turn-by-turn GPS navigation, affairs a third-party app is your alone choice.

Like the added accessories in the Ultimate series, a cable is included so you can angle the 8502 up to a TV or projector for presentations. This is hardly commensurable to what you can do with a full-fledged notebook, but it's article that can appear in advantageous for simple presentations or as a advancement in case your anthology dies on you.

A 2-megapixel camera is begin at the aback of this PDA-phone. This comes with an LED for demography shots in low-light conditions. Admitting it is able of authoritative video calls, there is no advanced camera and the added affair will instead see area your rear camera is acicular at.

Performance

With a 400MHz processor and 128MB of RAM, the 8502 is commensurable to best added accessories in the market. Unfortunately, alone 37MB of RAM is chargeless alike aback there are no programs running. This banned the cardinal of programs you can run at one time. Hopefully, i-mate will be able to optimize its use of the RAM in its abutting firmware update. Array activity was good, giving us added than two canicule in a distinct allegation of its 1,530mAh battery.

Conclusion

From a architecture and blueprint viewpoint, we were absolutely blessed with the 8502. It's aloof defective a bit of action aback it comes to customizations like an added interface and access of its congenital software so that it doesn't hog all the RAM. The acceptable account is i-mate has committed to bringing WM6.1 to all its devices, which is additionally a adventitious for the aggregation to abode some of the issues we acclaimed at the aforementioned time. The 8502 is big-ticket at S$1,298. Some operators are alms a abatement for signing up with a adaptable buzz plan. This is accessible alone in some countries in the region, so analysis your bounded operators for details.

i-Mate 810-F

BARCELONA, Spain - In a bid to save its marketshare in the smartphone industry, i-Mate has done what not abounding manufacturers of its class accept done before: architecture a asperous smartphone. The 810-F is advised to the MIL-STD-810F aggressive accepted (although not absolutely certified), but lives up to the old i-Mate legacy.

The 810-F has appropriate offerings for accumulated consumers: it can be corrective in colours added than the bartering blue. A assemblage corrective orange was accessible at the stand, but PhoneReport was not accustomed to photograph it; however, a aphotic blah archetypal was captured for this review.

The small, yet beefy buzz appearance a 2.46" touchscreen affectation with QVGA resolution (320x240 pixels), a abounding QWERTY keyboard, HSDPA, 2.2GB centralized memory, a 2 megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an accelerometer. The buzz has a 624MHz PXA CPU, 128MB of RAM, and runs on the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, to accumulate with the i-Mate tradition.

Specifications aren't the capital affair of the 810-F. The careful apparatus of the buzz - waterproof elastic casing, metal screws, appulse aggressive awning - acquiesce it to sustain accident from pressure, heat, water, humidity, and acute shock, and still abide operating normally.

Another highlight of this new accessory is the Defended i-Q service, which can ascendancy the aegis functions of the buzz accidentally from the web, acceptance one to abolish all data, or artlessly lock it, in case the buzz is baseborn or lost.

One absolutely does not buy this buzz for a accustomed lifestyle. The abstracts acclimated in the phone, and now exposed, accomplish it an anarchistic phone. The keyboard does not feel normal, and its arduous dimension-ratio is abnormal. The buzz weighs 150g.

As said previously, the looks of this accessory are rather unusual: it has six arresting metal screws on the advanced section, and the absolute keyboard is one allotment (mainly to assure it from baptize damage).

The keys are raised, accordingly not all abundance is lost.

Many of the slots and ports are able-bodied adequate in adjustment to accumulate up with the theme, and they were larboard uninspected by us. One of these can be apparent on the appropriate ancillary of the phone. The 810-F does not abutment anamnesis cards, accordingly the anchorage could be acclimated for addition function.

The larboard ancillary of the buzz contains the bang - a rather abnormal place, as it should be on the appropriate side.

The basal and top abandon of the buzz accept been larboard bare (respectively).

The speakers, aback clip, and the 2 megapixel camera are amid on the aback of the phone. A alternation of connectors are additionally placed in this area to be affiliated to a accessible alien array pack.

The i-Mate 810-F is absolutely the ultimate asperous smartphone in the market, accepting all the appearance the customer is acclimated to accept in a Windows Mobile-powered device, but still be absolutely safe and defended - both physically and in agreement of data.

i-mate Ultimate 9502

The i-mate Ultimate 9502 is one of the best smartphones we accept appear beyond -- and if you're blessed with Telstra -- the i-mate 9502 makes an accomplished another to a Blackberry or iPhone. The i-mate Ultimate 9502 is the beyond affinity of the i-mate Ultimate 8502, and shares the honour of actuality Australia's aboriginal HSUPA phone. While this buzz is in the aforementioned alliance as a Blackberry or the iPhone, be alert of Telstra's promised internet speeds.

Design

What is anon arresting about the i-mate 9502 is the ablaze 2.8-inch blow awning that occupies best of the advanced panel. The adequate 640x480 resolution agency you can absolutely accept a acceptable timemultimedia agreeable on this phone.Unlike its abate sibling, the i-mate Ultimate 8502, the QWERTY keyboard on the 9502 is hidden beneath a sliding screen. While it's absolutely small, aloft keys agency accounting is acceptable. In a agnate address to the iPhone, the 9502 automatically detects which way the buzz is aggressive and tips the awning accordingly.

We had no botheration application the baby aloft QWERTY keys on the 9502, but in accuracy we admired the blow awning so abundant that we tended to use it abundant more. The admittance of a stylus stops the awning accepting covered in feel prints, and in case you apart the stylus the 9502 alike comes with a spare. A accessible button is placed at the basal of the awning that provides a adjustment to the 'soft' blow awning keypad.

At 116 by 60 by 17.8mm the 9502 is aloof fractionally beyond than its abate sibling, the 8502. While this isn't a baby phone, it's a bunched for the ambit of appearance it offers -- and abundant abate than a monster like Nokia's E90 Communicator.The 9502 offers a ambit of added buttons, and we like the annal caster placed on the top larboard duke bend forth with the with e-mail and IE key shortcuts. One annoying affection is that the button placed on the larboard duke ancillary of the buzz sits appropriate abutting to the sliding screen, which opens in a bounce loaded fashion. This larboard us occasionally blame the awning rather than the "OK" or "wireless" shortcut.

Given that we adopted the stylus and touchscreen to the QWERTY keyboard placed beneath the screen, it is our appearance that the 8502 is the bigger architecture of the two i-mate releases. However buck in apperception for added AU$100, you get alert the affectation resolution (640x480 rather than a 320x240), added array activity and a college resolution camera in the beyond 9502. This added than justified the added amount in our view.

Features

The i-mate 9502 Ultimate packs appealing abundant every affection we accept anytime apparent in a smartphone -- and accomplished agglomeration added we accept never apparent afore -- including abounding HSPA access. However a chat of attention here; with abounding HSPA Telstra will acquaint at a best of 7.2mbps download and 1.9 mbps upload arrangement maximum, but don't apprehend to get anywhere abreast these speeds.We batten to IDC telecommunications analyst Mark Novosel, who appear a best download acceleration of 2.2 Mbps, and 0.35 Mbps upload acceleration application HSPA in the North Shore and Eastern suburbs of Sydney. He was application an identical i-mate 9502 to our analysis unit. In our acquaintance with the phone, the speeds appear by Novosel are astute or alike optimistic.However accustomed that the 9502 includes abutment for 802.11g/b Wi-Fi networks, you may be able to acquisition a hotspot and abstain the accomplished 3.5G acceleration affair altogether. No agnosticism the congenital in Bluetooth will additionally appear in handy.

Both the i-mates are additionally absolute to Telstra, which is a above check in our view. We are not suggesting that the Telstra is a bad carrier, but a abridgement of best for consumers is never a acceptable thing. Further, barter on absolute affairs will charge to change carriers to get their easily on an i-mate 8502 or 9502.

Battery activity on the 9502 is accomplished -- with abstinent use including video calls -- the i-mate 9502 array lasted about three days. The array activity is additionally aided by the actuality that the awning on the i-mate admiral bottomward afterwards a abbreviate adjournment if it's not in use.

It's no abruptness that that 9502 has accomplished array life, it includes the better array backpack we accept alike apparent -- at 1660 mAh. Compare that to a 1,350 mAh array in the HTC Blow Dual, or 900 mAh on the Blackberry Pearl 8120, and you will see why it comes out on top. If you accessible up the aback of the 9502, you will see the array is huge.

The 9502 additionally packs a 3 megapixel shooter, which takes nice photos on the big screen. It additionally comes with a flash, and ambit of photo alteration and camera appearance which accept become accepted on smartphones. The 9502 additionally comes with GPS, which is added become accepted in smartphones -- apparently because it's a abundant feature.

As a buzz maker, i-mate is a absolute supplier of Windows Adaptable phones -- so if you don't like the OS, don't buy an i-mate. However, the advantage to bark your i-mate with a interface carapace to accomplish it added user affable application a affairs like Sbp Adaptable Carapace 2.0 may accomplish application Windows Adaptable 6 added attractive.

We admired Windows Adaptable 6 as an adaptable OS on the 9502 -- but there is no carper that it's a apathetic platform. The i-mate 9502 packs a lot of processing power, with a 400 MHz Qualcomm processor and 128MB of RAM, it's a lot faster than the desktops we bethink application in the aboriginal 1990s. But already you alpha active several programs, the Windows Adaptable interface starts chewing through your memory. It's additionally apathetic to cossack up on the 9502.

The i-mate 9502 is additionally the aboriginal buzz that we accept anytime apparent with an RCA three pin video achievement -- acceptation you use it as another to a laptop back authoritative presentations. While this is an agitative footfall in smartphones one footfall afterpiece to actuality accurate UMPCs, we see this affection as absolutely to abecedarian to be useful.

The i-mates bound processing and accumulator ability could be a botheration for presentations that accommodate ample images or complicated features, such as video. Additionally buck in apperception that the appearance offered on the Windows Adaptable 6 accession of Ability Point are abundant added bound than the desktop version.One affection of the 9502 that i-mate spent ample time announcement is aegis -- the 9502 will ask you for a pin cipher every time you about-face it on -- a advantageous but hardly different feature.

However a aegis affection which is different to the i-mate is the admittance of "secure i-Q," a affection which allows users to accidentally lock their phones, or alike set off an anxiety application a Web interface. Phones bound application the defended Web interface accept no way to be apart via the handset, and you can alike accidentally clean all the abstracts on the phone.

We are alloyed about Defended i-Q. While it provides a actual able aegis affection -- the Web interface additionally adds added aegis vulnerabilities. If addition was able to breach into it, they could accidentally clean every i-mate phone! And set off loud, abiding alarms! This vulnerability is circuitous by the actuality that the quick alpha advantage for ambience up an Defended i-Q annual alone requires actual anemic aegis details. For archetype it ability be accessible to admission the annual of a new user with alone their "favorite movie" and buzz number.

i-mate offers the 'Secure i-Q', Web interface for added security. Aloof accomplish abiding you set up a added defended countersign than offered in the quick alpha interface.

Verdict

There is no agnosticism the 8502 is an absorbing phone, with a bulk of appearance including abounding HSPA, a big aerial resolution blow awning and Windows Adaptable 6. This buzz is advised for business users -- and we anticipate i-mate accept absolutely hit the attach on the arch in this bazaar with the Ultiamte 9502.

However be acquainted that Telstra's advertised abstracts ante can be taken with a atom of salt, and set up a able countersign back application Defended i-Q.