i-mate Launches in North America

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/55832.html' target='_blank'>http://www.ameinfo.com/news/Detailed/55832.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"-mate - industry innovators of wireless device solutions - announced the opening of their North American headquarters based in San Diego, CA at the opening of CTIA Wireless yesterday. The move comes on the heels of a global expansion underway for the dynamic young company that has strategic alliances with Microsoft, Computer Associates, Pointsec and Skype™. Distribution deals with Sound Solutions Americas LLC and Portable Add-ons USA, have been secured to sell the i-mate™ JAM and i-mate™ SP3i into the U.S., two of the most coveted devices in the i-mate™ range. The i-mate™ JAM, the world's slimmest Pocket PC phone, made its US debut at this year's Oscar's as part of the VIP goody bags for the Vanity Fair party."</i><br /><br />This is great news! North American customers will have a much wider selection of devices, and since the i-mate line of devices are unlocked, you won't have to switch to another operator to use your Smartphone (Provided your operator is already using GSM ;) ) There is no mention of price, but I'm guessing it will be a little less than the UK versions that Expansys is selling. We'll have to wait and see on that one. I've got my eye on that SP3i, and this might push me over the edge. :D

[Bushrod]

No mention of 850 MHz...

[Graffiti]

Definitely good news! I too, would be very interested to find out how i-mate's gonna price its great products in the US, especially since they have not officially announced any distribution deals with wireless carriers (and thank heavens for that.) Your guess on it being significantly lower than Expansys' "luxury" pricetags would probably be just right, Mike :wink:

"Availability mid-March 2005"? That's just about, um ... now right? :D

[shonnyb]

Is there a number for i-mateUSA. I was just about to order the Sp3i from Expansys. I guess I will wait a bit now. I really want to get my hands on that phone. If any word on a number for them please post it.

thanks

[Graffiti]

No i-mate USA info, but appointed distributors - we got links up to them here (http://www.pda-1.com/2005/03/i-mate-in-america-finally.html). Your closest bet would be with Portable Add-ons; call (714) 689-0040. Do let us know their prices by posting in return here :)

P/S - Hey Mike: We got bets on (http://www.pda-1.com/2005/03/i-mate-in-america-finally.html) that you're gonna fall for the JAM instead of the SP3i :wink:

[ricksfiona]

Very cool! I consider this company to be on the cutting edge of technology. The sooner they come to the U.S., the better.

[Mike Temporale]

P/S - Hey Mike: We got bets on (http://www.pda-1.com/2005/03/i-mate-in-america-finally.html) that you're gonna fall for the JAM instead of the SP3i :wink:

:lol:

Well, I haven't put my hands on the Jam yet, but I have seen and held the SP3i. Which is a very nice phone. The main problem I'm having with Pocket PC's as a whole, is the two handed aspect. I've really gotten to like the one-handed operation of the Smartphone. I tend to get frustrated using my iPAQ now, because I'm trying to do it with one hand and it's not working out very nice. With that being said, the Jam looks to be much smaller, which might allow me to operate it easily with one hand. ;) Too many choices... If I could, I would get one of everything i-mate sells. I like the PDA2K, but again, this is just too big. :(

[Kris Kumar]

How is this announcement different from the SP3i being sold on eXpansys USA and MobilePlanet? :? Am I missing something?

[encece]

Eeeesh! I am this close (pinches fingers tightly) to buying the 850 Jam from here at imported prices:
http://www.dweiniger.com/

I wonder how much cheaper they will be. I'm ready for the JAM....just trying to justify $620!!!

[Mike Temporale]

Usually what happens is these places are smuggling the phones into the country. Most likely they aren't paying the duty and customs.

[encece]

They dont smuggle. The phones were in customs and tied up there for a few days.

[Mike Temporale]

Things may be different with these models then. I know this to be the case with some specific models in the past.

[Graffiti]

How is this announcement different from the SP3i being sold on eXpansys USA and MobilePlanet? :? Am I missing something?

The difference would be:

Technical Support &amp; Warranties - By having i-mate offices in USA, you (rightly) would not need to ship the thing to faraway lands for repairs, and should (theorectically) receive swifter online/phone support.

Better Prices - Generally the market would benefit from better prices (and manufacturer rebates) when there are officially-appointed distribution and sales channels. This is mainly due to the fact that distributors are getting the products direct from source, cutting out middlemen profits.

[Kris Kumar]

Thanks Graffiti, the warranty and tech support will really add value to an already awesome product.

[Graffiti]

Anytime, Kris :)

I wonder how much cheaper they will be. I'm ready for the JAM....just trying to justify $620!!!

You got it made. Malaysian retailers have been selling the O2 XDA mini (which essentially is the i-mate JAM re-badged) for approx. $690 street - with no shortage of buyers. It's THE phone; Windows-powered or otherwise, to have or at least be seen with :lol:

[Graffiti]

Just an update to this thread, if not widely known:

* i-mate JAM, $644.95
* i-mate SP3i, $459.95

Read the rest here (http://www.pda-1.com/20050330/i-mate-jam-pda-phone-sp3i-smartphone-us-pricing/), and you'd wanna do that cos there's a surprise in the article :D