Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

"i-mate, the global specialist in Microsoft Windows Mobile devices and software, today launched the i-mate 810-F, the world’s first complete lifestyle mobile with a lifetime warranty. Designed to meet military specifications, the 810-F combines high-end mobile technology and incredible durability in a single sleek package. Whether you work in the great outdoors or in an office, on the road or on a building site, or you just simply want a tough take-anywhere mobile, the 810-F offers everything you need for work and play. The phone comprises waterproof rubber casing and exposed metal screws to lock in the factory seal, making it impervious to almost anything. A full QWERTY keyboard, and impact resistant touch screen, means you don’t miss a thing while you are out and about... The 810-F is designed around the stringent MIL-STD-810F series of standards. These standards are issued by the U.S. military’s Developmental Test Command, a body whose role is to ensure equipment can withstand the rigours of the most extreme environments. This means the i-mate 810-F can cope with pressure, heat, water, humidity and even extreme shock without missing a beat. The 810-F is equally happy at a chilly -10°C or sweltering 60°C, and can be fully submerged in water."

Amid all the hustle and bustle at MWC, i-mate silently unveiled the 810-F, and if the company's claims are anything to go by, it's one device you probably won't mind leaving in your jeans pocket and throwing into the washing machine. The Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional device packs a Marvell PXA310 (624MHz) processor, 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM, 2GB NAND RAM, quad-band GSM/EDGE and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA connectivity, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, aGPS, a 2.0-megapixel camera, an accelerometer, a 2.46", 320 x 240 (QVGA) touch screen, and fortunately, none of the ugliness that was the JAQ.

More pictures after the break.

Read more...

"i-Mate, the Windows Mobile handset manufacturer, will be delisted from the Alternative Investment Market as the share price sinks below a penny and the CEO takes back control of the company. The Financial Times reports that Jim Morrison, the colourful CEO who still owns more than three quarters of i-Mate, will take full control as the company withdraws from the AIM - itself a listing service for companies with insufficient heft for the London Stock Exchange."

I had no idea i-Mate was losing as much money as they were, but apparently i-Mate has lost over $70m between March of 2007 to September of this year. I guess the real question is how much steam does i-Mate have in the old engine? It has been a while since I have run across some really interesting i-Mate news but you have to figure if Palm can continue to string itself along as long as it has, then maybe there might be a chance for i-Mate after all.

"The 9502 is faster, (a bit) thinner, and more enjoyable to use than the TyTN II. The 9502 is the no compromise, "ultimate" mobile companion that money can buy as of the date of this review. It's expensive, and it's going to leave a bulk in your pocket, but if you want the most capable Windows Mobile device yet, this is it."



Pocketnow.com has put the Ultimate 9502 through its paces and found it pretty good. This is about as premium a device as you could find, even if i-mate haven't done much to spruce up the UI as Sony-Ericsson are doing, and if some of the design decisions leave you scratching your head (telescoping stylus? card slot under back cover? Ugh!). Still, if you're more concerned about capabilities rather than just a pretty face, the 9502 might be just up your alley. Of course, the price is also way up there, though given the weakness in the US dollar right now, it actually looks pretty cheap to me. The Ultimate line has seen its share of controversies and disappointments over their development period - now that they're starting to appear on the street, we'll see if they'll meet the expectations i-mate have raised way back then.

"The JAMA was a real pleaser initially and the styling certainly gained a positive reaction, however the lack of 3G and WiFi were a bit of a disappointment and with continued use the lack of visual notification and the fiddly on screen keyboards were a bit of pain. I wouldn’t replace my current devices with the JAMA at the moment but with an update to iron out the stability issues the JAMA could be a real winner."



Unstable, slow, lacking even wifi, the JAMA 101 lives up to its name - this is a pretty basic WM6 device that has only one thing going for it, namely its compactness. While I'm not expecting JAMA specs to rival the Ultimate line, at the very least, you'll need devices that actually work well to make a dent in consumer market place. I don't know that i-mate are doing themselves any favors by releasing this device.