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i-mate's JAQ3 heading stateside
Barely two weeks after i-mate's JAQ3 got previewed, and just a single day after some other firms caught the smartphone blues, the now-dull looking device is headed to American shores. Presumably hoping to grab the business of those who just can't wait for an iPhone, our textual begging was apparently heard, as now we US lads can get a little JAQ in us, too. As expected, this Window Mobile 5-powered device will sport a full QWERTY keyboard, massive D-pad for navigating those menus, 802.11b/g, two-megapixel camera, 2.4-inch touchscreen LCD, 128MB of onboard ROM, 64MB of RAM, a microSD slot, and four hours of reported talk time to boot. You'll also find quad-band GSM and Bluetooth 2.0 (with A2DP) connectivity, EDGE, and a side-mounted scroll wheel for one-handed navigatin'. So if the nicely-featured JAQ3 was everything (keyword: was) you wanted in a smartphone, you can rethink your decision to pick one up when they land here later this month.
MMS exploit targets Windows Mobile 2003
What's scarier than a text message luring you into getting your PC all hosed up with virii? An MMS message that somehow manages to do the infection honors all by its lonesome, that's what. Details are now emerging on what appears to be the world's first proof of concept for an MMS virus, exploiting a weakness in the way Windows Mobile 2003 handles SMIL (Synchronized Mutlimedia Integration Language) to cause a buffer overflow -- which in turn leads to the dreaded "arbitrary code execution." The fella responsible for the exploit apparently gave Microsoft the heads-up a solid six months ago; when he never heard back, he went public with it in a big way at Berlin's Chaos Communication Congress. The good news (if you can call it that) is that it's only been tested on the i-mate PDA2K and HP iPaq h6315, both of which are approaching the tail ends of their useful shelf lives. No word on whether the vulnerability applies (or can be easily adapted to) Windows Mobile 2005, but somehow, "we hope not" simply doesn't properly express our sentiments.[Via El Reg]
i-mate SPL Windows Mobile handset reviewed
We first caught sight of i-mate's SLVR-esque SPL handset a few months ago, but the good folks at MobileBurn have now managed to actually get their hands on one of 'em, coming away fairly impressed with the familiar-looking handset. The phone itself is a Windows Mobile number, with 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, a miniSD slot, Bluetooth, a 2.2-inch LCD, and a 2 megapixel camera. That camera looks to be one of the handset's biggest failings, according to MobileBurn, who found it to perform well below average without so much as an auto-focus option. Also taking it down a few notches is the lack of WiFi and 3G data capability, as well as a somewhat slow to respond interface. That said, they still found enough to like to give the SPL a "highly recommended" rating, with the phone's comparatively low price being one of the biggest factors working in its favor.
TechFaith "Pean" hits up the FCC
Though most of us are more familiar with this thing in its i-mate PDA L trim, ODM TechFaith Wireless has a decidedly... uh, different name for its latest Pocket PC phone: "Pean." Yes, "Pean." Your guess is as good as ours. Designed as an entry-level device, the spec sheet isn't anything to write home about, with a 2 megapixel cam, Bluetooth 1.2, and 802.11b taking the spotlight. Though GSM 850 and 1900 are both supported, the manual lists Simplified Chinese as the default language, suggesting it's not likely bound for the US -- at least, not in "Pean" trim. Bummer.
i-mate's JAQ3 previewed
If you hadn't noticed, we had a bit of a time opening our hearts to i-mate's JAQ monstrosity, which is why we're glad i-mate didn't take too terribly long to procure a followup. The phoneArena kids have gotten ahold of the slick new JAQ3, which keeps all that is right with Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC edition in this for factor, but shaves off a few pounds from its frumpy progenitor. Turns out the keyboard ain't too shabby either, and with welcome design perks like a jog dial and hugemongous d-pad, there's a lot more going for this phone than just size. Oddly enough, size might still be the major beef with this thing, since the 2.55-inch display and a well-spaced QWERTY keyboard don't help for skimping on volume too terribly much -- even if the phone looks svelte in comparison to the JAQ. Still, this new-and-improved phone should do plenty for the Pocket PC candybar faithful for now, and if not there's always that JAQ4 right around the corner.
HTC TyTN Music Dock charges, syncs, and delights
While we don't expect the Hong Kong-derived HTC TyTN Music Dock to produce the same level of audio fidelity as Orange's Bluetooth variety, we'll admit that getting a dock, charger, and paperweight for 28 bucks isn't such a bad deal. The device sports a charging / syncing cradle for your HTC TyTN (Hermes), i-mate JasJam, Qtek 9600, O2 XDA Trion, Dopod CHT 9000, Orange SPV M3100, or Cingular 8525, as well as touting a pair of stereo speakers, 3.5-millimeter line in jack, and that oh-so-important LED illumination. You'll even get a stereo cable to save you a trip to Radio Shack, but the lack of a headphone port (or line-out) sort of puts a damper on things. Nevertheless, the HTC TyTN Music Dock can be picked up now for HK$190 ($28), but the overseas shipping just might kill the deal.
i-mate prepping JAQ4 and SP JAM for early '07 release?
In what might be the shortest timespan from first to third product iteration in the recorded history of mankind, it now appears that i-mate is preparing yet another version in its JAQ series of QWERTY Pocket PCs. For those who haven't been keeping count, this would be JAQ4 (remember, there was no JAQ2), which is positively astonishing when you consider that we got our first hands-on glance of the first JAQ just three short months ago at LA's CTIA. There isn't much to write about here; compared to the JAQ3, the specs pretty much carry over (still no 3G) though the inclusion of a GPS antenna is a welcome addition. Perhaps more interesting is the SP JAM, which features a Fastap keypad (of all things), a generous 256MB of internal storage, 802.11g, Bluetooth 2.0, and TV out. Look for both devices to apparently hit the streets around February of next year.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
i-mate gets real with JAQ3
Let's just sweep that original JAQ under the mat and carry on as though it never existed, shall we? The TechFaith-commissioned JAQ3 looks to take a major leap beyond the original Inventec piece in the looks department, thanks in part to its slimmer form and black shell. High-speed data is conspicuously missing here, though it'll top out with EDGE on all four GSM bands -- better than the previous intel we had indicating that GSM 850 and EDGE would be no-shows. Other major features for the Pocket PC Phone Edition device include a 2 megapixel cam, 802.11g, 128MB of ROM, and 64MB of RAM. Initially, it looks like the JAQ3's launch is restricted to the Middle East, but who knows? If we ask nicely, it might just come to grace US shores alongside the JAQ and SPL.[Via the::unwired, thanks kerunt]
i-mate shows "PDA L" Pocket PC phone
It looks like the midrange Pocket PC phone market (is there such a market?) is about to get a little more crowded. i-mate used Microsoft's TechEd in Barcelona to show off its new PDA L, a 16.5 millimeter-thick device packing 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM, a 2.4-inch QVGA display, Bluetooth, WiFi, and a 2 megapixel cam, all sitting atop a 200MHz OMAP800. While we're not sure 200 million clock cycles per second is really going to meet the needs of the speed demon inside us, the phone's dimensions are definitely too our liking -- especially considering that it's running Pocket PC under the hood. No word on a release date or price, but it'll apparently come out some time around "soon" at a price of "not very much."[Via MSMobileNews]
i-mate's JASJAR redux, the K-JAR
It looks like i-mate's ongoing collaboration with TechFaith is starting to pick up a good head of steam, seeing how they've gone and entrusted the Chinese ODM with serving up the de facto successor to the HTC-sourced JASJAR. Not a heck of a lot is known about this pivoting, flipping, QWERTY-sporting monster of a device, though it apparently (strangely) lacks that all-important 3G radio its predecessor packed. Features are rumored to include a 2.8-inch QVGA display, WiFi, Bluetooth, 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, and a TI OMAP750 core clipping along at an undisclosed clock speed. With i-mate making (or at least trying to make) inroads in the US market, this is one Pocket PC phone the full-keypad lovers among us will be tracking with eagle eyes.[Via HowardForums, thanks Galt]
i-mate to take on TechFaith's 501 as "JAQ3"
Finally, a JAQ we can get excited about. After the Inventec-designed original left us wanting less (less bulk, that is), it's good to see that i-mate is strengthening its relationship with TechFaith after the SPL launch and bringing the UBiQUio 501 on board as the "JAQ3." Whether it'll be sold along side the pudgier JAQ or it'll usher in the fastest successor rollout in cellphone history, we don't know, but we don't care -- just make this thing available, guys. Unfortunately, the 501 lacks GSM 850 and EDGE; we wouldn't expect that to change with the JAQ3 variant, so i-mate probably won't be pushing this one stateside, but our congratulations go out to the territories that have the good fortune of seeing a local launch.
HTC buyout of Dopod in final stages: i-mate, O2, HP wail
Continuing their skyrocket beyond ODM-dom, HTC's buyout bid for Taiwanese Dopod has moved into the final stages. Having signed a memorandum of understanding, the only thing left in the estimated $150 million deal is approval from the Taiwanese government. Assuming HTC chairwoman and Dopod controlling shareholder Cher Wang, daughter of petrochemicals billionaire Y.C. Wang and wife of HTC boss-man Peter Chou VIA boss-man Wen Chi Chen has enough influence to push this through (read: she does), then HTC is about to find themselves in direct competition with their own customers O2, i-mate and HP. HTC already confirmed their decision to self-brand phones in Europe, now the Dopod deal could result in HTC designs being sold exclusively under the Dopod branding outside of Europe. In fact, HTC has already cut ties with both O2 and i-mate in Australia, New Zealand, and India. So if Dopod's claim that HTC manufactures 80 percent of Windows Mobile phones is true, well, O2, i-mate, and HP best be looking for fresh design and manufacturing blood on the quick. [Thanks, Ash]
The i-mate ZAQ
Remember the legendary Zack Morris Phone (aka, the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X)? Ok, steel yourselves, we're re-christening it from here on out: the i-mate JAQ is now to be referred to as the ZAQ because it's the largest, ugliest, most plasticy Windows Mobile phone we've ever used. Seriously, straight up like that. We know it's not i-mate's fault -- they didn't design Inventec's reject of a QWERTY phone -- but we really think they should do the real Zack proud and stick with HTC. Morris called us earlier tonight on his 8000X to tell us he doesn't appreciate what's going on, and he's considering going to Belding with all this hullabaloo.P.S. -Click on for more shots of the JAQ and SPL, as that's why we were writing this in the first place.
i-mate rolls out JAQ and SPL models
It's official: i-mate isn't just a HTC rebrand shop anymore. Their new JAQ and SPL models have just been announced for reals, and neither relies on their ol' standby partner to provide the goods. The JAQ hails from Inventec, packing Pocket PC Phone Edition into a fairly clever looking (or different looking, if nothing else) QWERTY chassis with 128MB of ROM, 64MB of RAM, miniSD expansion, Bluetooth, and a 2.8-inch display. The SPL, on the other hand, bears a striking resemblance to a device we first saw outta TechFaith. The slim candybar Smartphone rocks stats similar to its JAQ sibling with the same 128MB ROM / 64MB RAM, miniSD, and Bluetooth, but with a more Smartphone-appropriate 2.2-inch LCD. i-mate is positioning both of these devices as mid-range, suggesting that they might be looking at non-HTC handsets to bring Windows Mobile on the cheap while their HTCs will stay positioned at the top. [Warning: PDF link]Update: We've gotten word that the JAQ will roll for $499, while the SPL can be yours for a hundie less at $399. Both prices are, of course, subsidy-free.
i-mate gets HTC Breeze as "SP JAS"
i-mate, purveyor of all things HTC, has gone ahead and picked up their first 3G Windows Mobile Smartphone -- the Breeze, that is -- and christened it "SP JAS." Nothing about the SP JAS stands out from its brethren marketed under other labels, save for one detail: it restores the front-facing cam lost on HTC's self-branded Breeze, the MTeoR. As with the MTeoR, buyer beware, as the SP JAS lacks GSM 850 and UMTS 850 / 1900, features originally (mistakenly) touted on some of HTC's marketing materials. Pricing and availability remain under wraps, but with Breezes starting to circulate through retail channels, we reckon i-mate'll be dropping shortly.[Via the::unwired]
i-mate sheds HTC for Pocket PC Q-killer?
With info and pic originating from Hungary, you know it's gotta be good. Someone over at HowardForums just spotted this new, unconfirmed i-mate model, the i-mate Jaq, at Hungarian site PDA Mania, and were kind enough to share. Notably, i-mate doesn't appear to be relying on HTC (who has that little Q-killer of their own brewin') for the design here, and while their in-house designers might take a little while to warm up, a bit of diversity in the market never killed anyone. Also of note is that this phone purportedly runs the full-fledged Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition, allowing pen input on its QVGA screen and the software advantages that OS provides. As for the rest of the specs, the phone is a quad-band GSM, GPRS and EDGE unit, with 64MB of RAM, 128MB of ROM and a miniSD slot for expansion. There is IrDA and Bluetooth 1.2, but no WiFi, and the 1.3 megapixel camera is a bit lackluster these days, but with that QWERTY action this just might turn out to be a decent contender from i-mate.[Via HowardForums]
i-mate Smartflip (Star Trek) now available
We always like to put a big, shiny asterisk when we say "now available" in reference to an unsubsidized Windows Mobile device since actually tracking one down could be an exercise in futility for the next few weeks, but for what it's worth, i-mate has announced the release of its rendition of HTC's svelte WM5 clamshell. Cleverly called the Smartflip, availability is said to be for the Middle East only at the moment, but we all know they'll find their way across the globe post haste. With dual displays, RAZR-esque keypad, 64MB of RAM and ROM, and quad-band EDGE, the Smartflip is about as hot a WM5 Smartphone as you can get your paws on for now -- at least until the Breeze drops. [Warning: PDF link][Via Smartphone Thoughts]
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]
HTC Hermes and StarTrek launch plans revealed
Well, well, well, it looks like HTC took the opportunity to detail their 2006 US launch plans at CTIA while dropping that DVB-H capable Foreseer we peeped earlier. According to Phone Scoop who had the opportunity to sit down with an "HTC exec," we’ll see the quad-band GSM/EDGE HTC Star Trek WinMo 5.0 Smartphone arrive on these golden shores in mid-2006 while the HTC Hermes (pictured) should arrive sometime in Q4, most likely with Cingular. The US flavor of the 3G Hermes will go WCDMA 850/1900/2100 with all that high-speed HSDPA we’ve got the rangin' fiend for. Good to know.
