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i-mate Ultimate 8150 sees FCC approval, and just in time
We're not sure why it took so long for the i-mate Ultimate 8150 to follow its almost identical sib (the keypadless 6150) through FCC labs, but whatevs, it's here now. The Arima-sourced handset rocks the usual array of high-end specs touted by i-mate's entire Ultimate line: HSDPA, Windows Mobile 6 Professional, WiFi, VGA display resolution, 2 megapixel camera, and the list goes on. Seeing how these bad boys are already supposed to be finding their way into retail channels, the FCC certification comes just in the nick of time. Let's hope the units customers receive are black, because we're still not any closer to digging the sickly gold than we were six months ago.
i-mate slots JAMA 101 and 201 below the Ultimates
Remember the i-mate JAMA? Yeah, we don't really remember it either, but it looks like i-mate upped the specs on its JAMA 101 and 201 models just enough so that they might (emphasis on "might") get some notice the second time around. Designed to give the manufacturer a pair of lower-end options to balance out its Ultimate models, the two share an overwhelming majority of their respective spec sheets: 2 megapixel cams, triband GSM / EDGE radios without 3G or WiFi, 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM, microSD slots, and Windows Mobile 6 underpinning the whole mess. i-mate lists the 201 -- its Standard device with a QWERTY keypad -- as having a VGA screen, though we're skeptical since QVGA seems like a far more logical choice for a handset in this class. No word on availability yet, but we don't expect to see 'em stateside without GSM 850.[Via the::unwired]Read - i-mate JAMA 101Read - i-mate JAMA 201
i-mate's Ultimate 8150 out and about
Okay, we've gotta admit, it looks way better in black than it did in the sickly champagne hue we'd originally seen. ce4arab's had a chance to play with the production version of i-mate's 8150, one of the first members of its flagship Ultimate line to see the light of day. We'll save the review itself for the Arabic speakers among us, but the extensive visuals (right down to a test of its TV out capability) here are enough to justify taking a peep. In particular, we're feeling the blue backlighting on the keypad -- and as we said, the black theme is a huge improvement. The specs are less notable now than they were back when these things were announced at CeBIT, but hey, if you can score one at the right price, at least it's not gonna look like you're pulling a brick of fool's gold out of your pocket.
Three of i-mate's five Ultimate devices canceled?
We wish we could say we were surprised about this, we really do. It seems that i-mate has canceled arguably the three most interesting versions of its Ultimate line: the 5150 slider, 7150 QWERTY flip, and 9150 numeric flip. Remaining and now apparently scheduled for October production are the 8150 numeric candybar and keypadless 6150, devices that could be considered pretty uninteresting by the time they enter a market rife with 3G capable Windows Mobile 6 hardware. So far, this is all unconfirmed -- it's being reported by a UK retail firm, Clove Technology -- but it seems plausible considering that the 7150 and 9150 have taken on a certain air of vaporeware-ness that the FCC approved 6150 has not. We have to admit, we're a little surprised that the 5150 bit the dust since it's nothing more than a slider grafted to a 6150, but considering the strength of its competition, it's probably for the best.[Via All About Symbian]Update: Crave Asia is reporting that i-mate says all five devices are still on track, but will be released on a "staggered" schedule starting with the 6150 and 8150. We'll keep you updated as we hear more.
i-mate Ultimate 6150 catches FCC on a good day
Well well well, look what the FCC dragged in! We're still not sold on the sickly champagne color shared by members of the Ultimate line, but there's very little to not love about the i-mate 6150 Ultimate's internals: tri-band HSDPA, WiFi, Bluetooth, Windows Mobile 6, integrated FM radio, and a glorious VGA display -- internals that look to be assembled by ODM Arima, according to the FCC documentation. Of the five Ultimates promised, this particular one might be more of a... shall we say, "acquired taste" than the four others, owing mainly to its lack of a physical keypad. Otherwise, though, we're down. Can we still expect this in September, i-mate?
All five i-mate Ultimate devices to land in September?
It seems i-mate is making good on its promise from earlier this year by delivering its Ultimate line handsets in one 5-round salvo. While i-mate has chosen Singapore as the base of operations for its spring into new Asian markets, we do hope some of these will still trickle over here -- though we doubt they will carry any North American-carrier branding. i-mate CEO Jim Morrison commented on i-mate's ability to customize the new handsets to individual user's needs, and while we're loving the idea of customizing something, we're worried about the process. Another tasty tidbit is i-mate's newfound focus on the bundled software; its new suite will apparently offer tools for remote wipe, the ability to push updates (corporate users rejoice) and even the ability to remotely lock the handset down. We were a bit down on its last announcement, but this news has certainly renewed the shine we all once held in our hearts for Dubai's best, now let's get those shipped.[Via the::unwired]
i-mate announces dual-band JAMA handset
Color us underwhelmed on this one folks, the i-mate JAMA has just hit the streets and it brings little to the game but a small footprint. In a time of quad-band GSM and multi-band HSDPA, dual-band GSM in 900 / 1800 without EDGE, 3G, or even WiFi just don't cut the mustard. Other specs include Bluetooth 1.2, a Samsung 300MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, and Windows Mobile 5, which really nails the coffin shut on the JAMA. While there is some hope that this minimalist device will land with an absolutely stunning price point (we are talking low low, bargain basement pricing) i-mate's efforts usually ring in with premium-flavored pricing, and this little mobile definitely doesn't have premium written on it anywhere.[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
Will it freeze? i-mate JAQ takes a chilly beating
We won't say it's for certain just yet, but we've got a sneaking suspicion that the now-infamous Will It Blend series of destruction videos has created a monster. In a zany spinoff of the violent series, an i-mate JAQ is dealt a chilly beating as a presumably deranged individual ponders if it will "pass the freeze test." The snazzy smartphone was placed in frigid waters and then frozen block solid, only to be bashed repeatedly once it returned from the freezer. As with most of these cases, the JAQ didn't exactly perform admirably, and in fact, it failed to ever turn on again. So if you don't mind seeing perfectly good electronics go to waste, or you'd just like another bright idea to try yourself, be sure to hit the read link for the ominous video.
i-mate's bumper crop for '07
i-mate has wisely decided to keep its release tempo on the up-and-up following its disassociation from Windows Mobile megagiant HTC -- at least that's what we're believing following a strong showing at 3GSM this year and now this, a leaked roadmap document detailing what we can expect out of the Middle Eastern outfit for the next few months. Notable models include the "Odyssey," a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone Edition device with UMTS 1900 / 2100 (what, no 850?), 2 megapixel cam, and WiFi; a four-pack of so-called "X Series" devices in a variety of form factors, blacked out and chock full of dual-band HSDPA, Windows Mobile 6, Bluetooth 2.0, and WiFi; and a Fastap-equipped handset in the Ultimate line -- codenamed "Acorn" -- with triband HSDPA and the video out that is a signature of the series. Healthy competition for HTC? Bring it on, folks. [Warning: PDF link][Via Boy Genius Report]
i-mate's N80... er, JAMA?
Italian site Age Mobile has apparently managed to scoop i-mate's latest Windows Mobile device (my, i-mate's been busy lately, haven't they?), the "JAMA." Rumor has it the Pocket PC phone will help fill in a low-end line underneath the recently-christened Ultimate series devices, and the JAMA's spec sheet shows it in a bad way: data tops out with GPRS (ugh), Windows Mobile 6 is nowhere to be found, and you get some crazy me-too Nokia styling. On the plus side, the 128MB of internal storage is at least par for the course, and you get Bluetooth 2.0, a 2 megapixel cam, and stereo audio in a 16 millimeter thick package. We can't tell if there's a slider lurking underneath that silvery surface, but either way, we're seriously getting some N80 vibes from the front, no?[Thanks, Massimo]
Is i-mate misquoting dimensions on its Ultimates?
i-mate's recently unveiled "Ultimate" Windows Mobile 6 devices from 3GSM a few weeks ago initially looked like an offering to kill all other offerings. In a nutshell, all five Ultimate devices sported the exact same killer specifications except for form factor (and of course, dimensions). But -- egad! -- has i-mate soiled some of the initial excitement over these devices by not proofreading the dimension specs on the 7150 model? You be the judge here. i-mate's official specs state that the 7150 is a 110mm x 74mm x 18mm device. Yet, when set against the i-mate K-Jam, the new 7150 looks huge -- even though there is supposedly only a 2mm difference in height. We think i-mate needs to revisit some dimensional relations for the 7150 -- and fast. We're thinking about 125mm for the 7150's height, no?Read - Official i-mate 7150 websiteRead - Quite a few 7150 pics and angles at phoneArenaRead - Size comparison at Howard Forums
Hands-on with the i-mate Momento 70
Thrown together by well-traveled ODM Inventec, i-mate's new Momento series of digital picture frames break some important ground. First of all, they do WiFi -- a seemingly obvious feature for this category of devices that's inexplicably missing from a majority of the mainstream models currently in the marketplace. Next up, the Momento is among the very first commercially available devices to support Microsoft's SideShow concept for secondary displays that should (theoretically, anyway) untether all manner of information from the PCs on which it typically resides. In that respect, the Momento is very much a first-generation device -- but as a picture frame, we came into the hands-on expecting a certain level of refinement, now that they've had a few years to ripen on the vine. Does the unit deliver on its promise as a highly connected, Vista-compatible accessory? Does it deliver as a plain ol' frame, for that matter? We took the $200 Momento 70 -- the smaller of the two, clocking in at 7 inches of diagonal real estate -- for a test drive to get some answers.%Gallery-1792%
i-mate introduces X-Stream Digital Media Hub HDTV
It looks like i-mate isn't only expanding its ODM horizons with digital photo frames -- last week at 3GSM they were also slyly showing off their freshly rebadged X-Stream Digital Media Hub HDTV and X-Stream Dock. The unpriced LCD HDTV has an embedded wireless router and, of course, Vista Ultimate PC with 720p and 1080i output; the Dock wirelessly streams media from your i-mate Ultimate device (presumably to the TV), apparently, for about $200. Neither have release dates, but we're always wary when it comes to embedded-PC TVs anyway, so we're not gonna sweat this one. [Via MCPW]
i-mate's 7150 QWERTY behemoth live and in person
You already knew the basics: Windows Mobile 6, VGA screen, tri-band 3G (3.6Mbps HSPDA on this one), but we've got a bit more to go on now with i-mate's flip-n-fold Ultimate 7150, not the least of which are pics from all angles. We can't say it looks quite as good in real life as it did in those PR renders the other day, but what ever does? Still, we're willing to forgive plenty with this little guy, with frills like a secondary embedded OLED display on the 7150's shell, a 520MHz Intel processor, and 0.7-inch thick form factor. The 3.8-inch screen of course never did anyone wrong, and it appears i-mate managed to squeeze in WiFi as well. Check after the break for that sexy integrated display, or hit the read link for the full collection. [Thanks, ZSX]
i-mate goes deep with Ultimate line, five models promised
i-mate is taking a pretty interesting approach with its newest range of Windows Mobile devices -- the WM6-equipped "Ultimate" range -- by shoving a full five models out the door, all differing only in form factor. Clockwise from the upper left, we have all five in purely theoretical, rendered form: the 5150, 6150, 7150, 9150, and 8150. The strategy makes sense, really; everyone wants a solid spec sheet, but getting everyone to agree on a single shape is an exercise in futility. With 256MB of ROM, VGA displays across the board, tri-band 3G radios, Bluetooth 2.0, and FM radios, the Ultimates definitely hold their own in the spec department -- the only question, then, is whether they've nailed the industrial design. The first model being shown all public-like, the 5150 slider, is admittedly an acquired taste, but some of the others really caught our eyes (7150 and 9150, we're looking at you).%Gallery-1605%
i-mate JAQ4
By any measure, i-mate and one of its post-HTC era manufacturing partners, Inventec, had some explainin' to do after the debacle that was the JAQ; while packing Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition into a device of its form factor was pretty innovative for its time, the chubby dimensions and somewhat bizarre appearance left us wanting. Enter the JAQ4, which will become i-mate's first phone to launch with Windows Mobile 6 (Professional, no less) and makes good on the JAQ's indiscretions with a more understated look integrated into a black shell. Specs are pedestrian but workable, starting with a quad-band GSM / EDGE radio (no 3G here), 802.11b / g, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Bluetooth 1.2, a camera of the 2.0 megapixel variety, and a 2.8 inch QVGA touchscreen. Follow the gallery link for some shots of the JAQ4 doing its thing, including some alongside i-mate's Ultimate 5150, which is also being announced today. Oh, and don't worry about the blasphemous presence of Windows Mobile 5 on the phone -- we've been assured that it'll be hitting with 6. i-mate JAQ4
i-mate Ultimate 5150 in the wild
That gold sheen just oozes tri-band HSDPA in its natural environment, does it not? This here is one of i-mate's new Ultimate devices, the 5150, packing pretty much every specification we could hope for in a Windows Mobile 6 package: quad-band GSM / EDGE plus the aforementioned tri-band UMTS / HSDPA, 802.11b / g, 256MB of onboard ROM and 128MB RAM, microSD expansion, Bluetooth 2.0, FM radio, 2 megapixel camera, and VGA (yes, we said it, VGA) display atop a 533MHz XScale core. The unusual layout and style of the navigational controls could throw users a curveball, but, uh... did we mention it does tri-band HSDPA? Check out the gallery for some more champagne-hued hotness.%Gallery-1574%
i-mate adds splash of color, WM6 to SPL
It looks like i-mate's SLVR-like Smartphone, the TechFaith-sourced SPL, has gone to finishing school and learned a few new tricks in the process. First up, the phone will now be offered in red, blue and pink -- all welcome additions to the slightly less-exciting gloss black launched back at CTIA last fall -- but that's only half the story. The other (arguably more interesting) half is that we're seeing shots of the phones bearing Windows Mobile 6 Standard, and while no announcement is being made at 3GSM regarding available of the re-upped OS on this particular device, we reckon it's a good sign for the future. Internally, the new colors look exactly the same as the original model -- meaning that 3G, EDGE, and GSM 850 are all no-shows -- but really, who doesn't want a bright red candybar rocking Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel cam, 128MB of Flash, 64MB of RAM, and the platform formerly known as Crossbow? Hit up the gallery for more shots of the full SPL prism! i-mate's SPL in color
i-mate's JAQ3 gets the review treatment
i-mate was quick to right its wrongs after the... uh, unique looking JAQ dropped at CTIA last year. The TechFaith-sourced JAQ3 (there was no JAQ2) improves on the original Inventec piece by leaps and bounds. And yes, we can say that with confidence despite the fact we've never laid hands on the 3; one need only to put up pictures of the two side by side to make that call. Of course, just because it's better than the JAQ doesn't mean it's good. Mobility Site had the chance to put a JAQ3 through the ol' review gauntlet recently and came away with a generally positive impression of the device; the keyboard is apparently decent, and really, what's not to like about a QWERTY Pocket PC with WiFi anyway? Downsides include a relatively pokey 200MHz core, poor battery life (though nothing BlackJack owners can't relate to, we reckon), and -- yeah, we're starting to nitpick here -- the lack of a mirror next to the camera. With the quadband radio and US availability of unlocked units, this is one review that's actually relevant to Windows Mobile fans, so have a look, k?[Via Pocket PC Thoughts]
i-mate K-JAR gets some FCC love
Without 3G, we're still not excited about it, but the i-mate K-JAR's four bands of GSM / GPRS coverage count for something, we reckon. The FCC apparently agrees, giving it its wholehearted stamp of approval -- and as is so often the case with our federal friends, the approval comes complete with a full spread of glamor shots and a user's manual. Though the K-JAR's form factor smacks of the JASJAR (alias HTC Universal) before it, the screen resolution takes a sizable dip from VGA all the way down to QVGA, nixing one of the JASJAR's greatest claims to fame. Still, a swivel display is pretty cool, and if you want to send one over to us, i-mate, well... we're not going to put up a fight about it.
