I-mate to release HTC Hermes as Jas Jam?

The HTC Hermes Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC phone -- the HTC Wizard's successor -- has already surfaced a few times, and T-Mobile has made their branded MDA Vario II version no secret, but we're happy to see it in a less carrier-dependant form in this supposed Jas Jam from i-mate. The peeps at i-mate have quite a thing for HTC handsets, so it wouldn't be much of a surprise for them to release a version, and all the specs look just the same (and beautiful) as before. There's Windows Mobile 5.0, the 300MHz processor, 2.1 megapixel camera, 2.8-inch screen, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, and all those sweet GSM, GPRS, UMTS, HSDPA, Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11b/g radios. The Jas Jam was spotted on the On The Go Solutions online store for the price of $0.00 and with no indication of a release date or even i-mate branding, so we're not sure how indicative this is of when -- or if -- such a product will ship from i-mate, but things are looking good.

[Via Mobility Site]

[Dar @ May 23rd 2006 8:56PM]

Not Another One. Although this ones does have some sweet specs though. Wifi, Bluetooth, lots of RAM, and Windows Mobile. sheeekazzzz. It'll probably cost a nosebleed or so. But it'll be worth it. ($_$)

[rafa @ May 23rd 2006 9:00PM]

son of a bitch! i knew i should have waited before i got the 8125!!

[Adam @ May 23rd 2006 9:17PM]

How does this actually compare to the Cingular 8125?

Also, does this mean that it might actually be released by Cingular?

Also, how much do we think it will be compared to the Cingular 8125?

[PJ @ May 23rd 2006 9:20PM]

I read 400 MHz CPU in the Hermes

http://shop2.o2online.de/o2/interessenten/necos/details/index.html?articleId=04&salesChannel=SHOP

[StammesOpfer @ May 23rd 2006 9:27PM]

What I find interesting is that there is an AT&T logo and although it has been rumored and expected the AT&T would go back to a unified brand and ditch the Cingular brand name I havent haerd much lately about it.... just an observation

[boss sauce @ May 23rd 2006 9:32PM]

I know lots of folks with Windows Mobile smartphones, but nobody considers themself a "fan" of the system. I've known a few people to return them, too, since it was too hard for them to do seemingly simple things. Where did the Xbox-360 usability team go?!

[john @ May 23rd 2006 9:37PM]

Why would they set the price to $0, is it a mistake or are they doing it on purpose. We might never know

[ikk @ May 23rd 2006 9:49PM]

$849.99 USD woot

[bob @ May 23rd 2006 10:12PM]

look at you all getting sucked into windows dependency again, suckers for pain, theyve wasted countless hours of productivity time on pcs and now its starting again with the phone companies.

[Dovid Feldman @ May 23rd 2006 11:01PM]

B"H

I'm not sure how engadget stumbled upon this "unreleased" page. Officially the unit is not available yet, and pricing is TBD only. If you are interested, place a pre-order, and we will keep you posted.

-Dovid

[Big Sam @ May 23rd 2006 11:03PM]

My next phone...

[Chris @ May 23rd 2006 11:10PM]

price is posted now, $849.99
that's gonna hurt the ol' money clip

[iskndr @ May 23rd 2006 11:54PM]

imho it's not THAT much of an upgrade from the 8125.
(trying to comfort myself here)

[AppleFunatic @ May 24th 2006 1:39AM]

I agree Bob. Dumb Windows suckers.

I use my Motorola iTunes phone. It can store 100 songs on it. Only Apple could give us something as awesome as that.

When will people learn?

[Rajat @ May 24th 2006 3:03AM]

I hope this doesn't happen so soon. I recently went for O2 EXEC which is like jasjar and the only downfall it has is the size so hope this new unit is a bit smaller than that and I can upgrade but if I upgrade then losing out on some more $$$ :(( so wish it comes after a year or so.

[Adrian Graham @ May 24th 2006 5:41AM]

I use a Palm 650, which is a great phone - it's so simple and easy to use. I think Microsoft's GUI design team still have a lot to learn from the Palm interface (as MS has from Apple with Vista). Look at Google ... make it work - make it simple.

Unfortunately for palm MS mobile 5 is a much more powerful OS. i'm pretty sure my next smartphone will be one ... i just wish they could make the GUI simpler for handheld usability.

Back on topic i think this unit is great but i want an ms mobile with 580x480 screen resolution and a thumb board. oh and please can the make these units slimmer!

[TC @ May 24th 2006 8:07AM]

PJ: Yeah you're right it's 400Mhz and imate announced their version would be the JasJam ages ago. Its called the XDA Trion in Germany:

http://shop2.o2online.de/o2/interessenten/necos/details/index.html?articleId=04&salesChannel=SHOP

The price with a 24month O2 active contract is €100-299 and is estimated to be €699 without contract (TBC - launch beginning of July)

Annoying things: No headphone jack, MicroSD only and not HSDPA out of the box (You can upgrade later).

Good things: Only slightly larger than the Vario, Upgraded/much improved OS (Still not amazing tho), JogWheel (finally!) and pretty much every singal feature you could want in a phone (except GPS).

[Chris's Mammasan @ May 24th 2006 8:36AM]

Retarded quote "I agree Bob. Dumb Windows suckers.

I use my Motorola iTunes phone. It can store 100 songs on it. Only Apple could give us something as awesome as that.

When will people learn?"

Wow. 100 songs. My PPC-6700 has a 2GB card. It can play music, movies, work on Office documents, play games, surf the internet, and oh yea use as a phone! It's a nano extreme!

When will people learn?

[Phil Garner @ May 24th 2006 9:11AM]

I think you need to work on your sarcasm detector Chris, most people on engadget know how lame the ROKR was.

[Kel @ May 24th 2006 10:00AM]

#16 I had not read anything on UMTS frequency upgradability (link?), only that there would be a US version (UMTS 1900) available much later in the year. Fingers crossed that I'm wrong.

OT: Cingular, err AT&T, really needs to get UMTS/HSDPA rolled out. The EV-DO sirens are calling. must..be..strong....

[Orneta @ May 24th 2006 5:32PM]

this one is going to be popular.