A Round-Up of i-mate News

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.clubimate.com/' target='_blank'>http://www.clubimate.com/</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050607-imate.jpg" /><br /><br />There's quite a bit of i-mate news today, so read on for the lowdown. <!><br /><br /><b><u>i-mate K-JAM</u></b><br />Well, where do I start? Let's begin with some new i-mate hardware. No press releases have surfaced as of yet, but the i-mate K-JAM (a.k.a. HTC Wizard) has appeared in the Products menu of the <a href="http://www.clubimate.com/">"Club i-mate" website</a>. <!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050925-KJAM.jpg" /><br /><br />The 108mm x 58mm x 23.7mm i-mate K-JAM is powered by a TI OMAP 850 200MHz processor and includes 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support, integrated 802.11b/g/e/i Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.1 (Class 2), IR, a miniSD slot, a 2.8" QVGA (240 x 320) 64K-colour screen, a 1.3MP camera (possibly 2.0MP?), a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and Windows Mobile 5.0.<br /><br />Wi-Fi compliance has yet to be determined, and it's still unknown whether the K-JAM will feature a 1.3MP or 2.0MP camera. Whatever the case, the K-JAM looks to deliver the goods.<br /><br />• More information on the i-mate K-JAM can be found <a href="http://www.imate.com/DETAILS_KJAM.htm">here</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050925-SP5s.jpg" /><br /><br /><b><u>i-mate SP5 and SP5m</u></b><br />Some other hardware news - the i-mate SP5 and SP5m Smartphones have also appeared on the site. Again, no press releases, but they are accessible from the Products menu of the <a href="http://www.clubimate.com/">"Club i-mate" website</a>. The details of these two Windows Mobile 5.0-based Smartphones should be appearing on our sister site, <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/">Smartphone Thoughts</a>, so I'll leave it to them to bring you the news.<br /><br />• More information on the i-mate SP5 can be found <a href="http://www.imate.com/DETAILS_SP5.htm">here</a>, and the i-mate SP5m, <a href="http://www.imate.com/DETAILS_SP5m.htm">here</a>.<br /><br /><b><u>i-mate Trades on London Markets</u></b><br />Now for a bit of financial news: <i>"i-mate plc ("i-mate"), the specialists in Microsoft Windows Mobile devices, is pleased to announce the submission of an application for admission to trading on the AIM market of London Stock Exchange plc ("IPO") and the placing of new and existing ordinary shares with institutional investors in connection with the IPO (the "Placing")."</i><br /><br />Based on a placing price of 210p, total i-mate stock will be worth £249m. According to the <a href="http://www.clubimate.com/press_releases/PR%20-%20i-mate%20plc%20trades%20on%20London%20markets.pdf">press release</a>, i-mate will use the proceeds to support the growth of the company and to drive further product development. CEO and founder of i-mate, Jim Morrison, still retains 80.1% of the company.<br /><br />• More information on the float can be found <a href="http://www.clubimate.com/press_releases/PR%20-%20i-mate%20plc%20trades%20on%20London%20markets.pdf">here</a>.<br /><br /><b><u>i-mate 1-View</u></b><br />Finally, the last bit of news involves an upcoming software product known as <a href="http://www.1-view.com/">1-View</a>.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050925-1View1.jpg" /><br /><br /><i>"i-mate USA, a specialist in Windows Mobile-based devices and supportive applications, today announced the launch of 1-View, an innovative software that allows users to instantly access their music, photos, videos, documents and other files wherever they are, on whatever PC or i-mate device they are using. 1-View is available for all i-mate devices running Windows Mobile 2003 SE Pocket PC and Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC, and can operate over Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPRS, EVDO, 3G and Edge wireless networks."</i><br /><br />1-View is scheduled to be announced on September 27, though it's already being heavily promoted on the <a href="http://www.clubimate.com/">"Club i-mate" website</a>. Using a wireless connection, 1-View allows you to use your i-mate Pocket PC to securely download and upload your music, photos, videos, documents, and other files to and from your home or work computer. 1-View is available now for $89.99.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050925-1View2.jpg" /><br /><br />• More information on i-mate 1-View can be found <a href="http://www.1-view.com/">here</a>. A full feature demo can be accessed <a href="http://www.1-view.com/features.html">here</a> (Flash is required). We'll keep you updated with further details on September 27.

[Paragon]

"1-View is available now for $89.99."

Damn, that leaves a rather large bruise! Especially almost every carrrier out there offers some sort of desktop connection. AT&amp;T and Rogers have "Wireless Desktop" which is free. I know others do as well. I don't get it? Maybe if the interface was real slick and easy I'd pay 10 or 20 bucks for it, but ovet 100 Canadian...no way!

So I have something positive to say.......YEAH! The K-JAM is now offical. :)

Dave

[Darius Wey]

Damn, that leaves a rather large bruise! Especially almost every carrrier out there offers some sort of desktop connection. AT&amp;T and Rogers have "Wireless Desktop" which is free. I know others do as well. I don't get it? Maybe if the interface was real slick and easy I'd pay 10 or 20 bucks for it, but ovet 100 Canadian...no way!

I had similar thoughts. Despite i-mate's efforts to produce an easy-to-use product, I can't help but think what better things to spend that $90 on. Orb and Avvenu appear to offer similar services using a web interface, all for free too.

[Paragon]

I had similar thoughts. Despite i-mate's efforts to produce an easy-to-use product, I can't help but think what better things to spend that $90 on. Orb and Avvenu appear to offer similar services using a web interface, all for free too.

I wonder how long company stocks will be worth 250 million pounds trying to sell apps for 90 bucks, that can easily be found for free?? ;)

[Ed Hansberry]

I am really hating these Mini-SD slots in large devices. :( It pretty much eliminates the device from my consideration.

[aNiMeMaN14]

$90 for a 1-view? That doesn't even equate in my opinion. I bought my 1gb SD card for about $50... that's about two 1gb SD cards. If you have such a DIRE need to download music off your computer in the middle of the day, then I think you're better off just popping them on another SD card. And if you're a businessman who somehow forgot his files at home and would find this program useful.. I honestly don't think you should be a business man at all. Imma have to pass on this product, I'll use my Remote Desktop instead, thank you.

[carphead]

I don't think they (I-Mate) expecting a consumer to buy it for $90.

I think they're aiming it for carriers to provide as a extra "Worth $90 but you get it free because we love you".

[Paragon]

I think they're aiming it for carriers to provide as a extra "Worth $90 but you get it free because we love you".

I want what you're smokin'! ;)

[zohaer21]

from my understanding of 1view...its basically an ftp client ...something that is already built into windows mobile all you need then is a vnc client..there are many out there for ppcs that are free... i have resco explorer and that already has this bulit into it.. if you dont wanna pay for resco then grab a vnc client or even a ftp client for ppc for free...
head over to www.freewareppc.com and search there..

[Paragon]

I am really hating these Mini-SD slots in large devices. :( It pretty much eliminates the device from my consideration.

Ed, didn't a lot of people say that about SD slots when they first started arriving? Geez I have all these CF cards, now what do I do with them?

[Jason Lee]

I am really hating these Mini-SD slots in large devices. :( It pretty much eliminates the device from my consideration.
same here. i love everything about the k-jam. there's just that mini sd problem... :)
i think i would be fine with the processor speed. the one benchmark i've seen it out performed the 416 in the previous jam. i would rather see more benchmarks but i don't think it is gonna be bad.
the wireless standards supported by the k-jam are amazing, edge, new bluetooth, new wifi...
i gotta have they keyboard. don't think i ever want a device without one again.
but why mini sd?? :(

i honestly only use my sd slot for memory and a camera right now. the k-jam has the camera built in and i can get memory in mini sd... but i just got a 1gb sd....... aarrgh. must wait and see. :)

[Ed Hansberry]

I am really hating these Mini-SD slots in large devices. :( It pretty much eliminates the device from my consideration.

Ed, didn't a lot of people say that about SD slots when they first started arriving? Geez I have all these CF cards, now what do I do with them?
Don't recall that. Going from CF to SD was welcome IMHO because of the size. however, just how much smaller can a full sized PDA get with the reduction from SD to miniSD? It is just a cost I don't want to incur yet.

Besides, I like to grumble sometimes. :grumble:

[Paragon]

Don't recall that.............................Besides, I like to grumble sometimes. :grumble:

Don't remember that!!?? Swat teams had to be called into Thoughts to calm the feuds. ;)

Ed, I've never know you to grumble. :)

[Darius Wey]

I am really hating these Mini-SD slots in large devices. :( It pretty much eliminates the device from my consideration.

Ed, didn't a lot of people say that about SD slots when they first started arriving? Geez I have all these CF cards, now what do I do with them?

I can easily see where Ed is coming from. In comparison to SD, miniSD is new into the market. It's pricey and you'll only really see 1GB as the max capacity. The fact is, miniSD just isn't a standard amongst consumer devices at the moment. One of the great things about SD or even CF is the fact that a lot of other consumer devices use them - e.g. digital cameras. Being able to take a card out of one and inserting it into the other is a huge bonus. If you wanted to do that with miniSD, you'd be hung out to dry. :(

In addition, for the consumer who has stockpiles of storage in SD, having to purchase additional miniSD cards isn't the greatest thing in the world.

[carphead]

I think they're aiming it for carriers to provide as a extra "Worth $90 but you get it free because we love you".

I want what you're smokin'! ;)

What? Me? How rude. 8O Nobody complained when I came up with the name JasJar :wink:

[gibson042]

The 108mm x 58mm x 23.7mm i-mate K-JAM is powered by a TI OMAP 850 200MHz processor and includes 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support, integrated 802.11b/g/e/i Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.1 (Class 2), IR, a miniSD slot, a 2.8" QVGA (240 x 320) 64K-colour screen, a 1.3MP camera (possibly 2.0MP?), a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and Windows Mobile 5.0.
Surely this is a mistake on i-mate's part. Nobody releases anything with less than version 1.2 Bluetooth anymore, and wasn't this supposed to be the first handheld with 2.0?

[Darius Wey]

Nobody releases anything with less than version 1.2 Bluetooth anymore, and wasn't this supposed to be the first handheld with 2.0?

Apparently so. I'm willing to wait for an official press release before we start hammering i-mate on it. Their specs sheet might be lying for the moment. ;)

[gibson042]

My post was a little unclear, but I'm certain that i-mate's mistake is in the reporting of specifications (rather than the choice of them). Especially considering that, according to the details page, they don't even know which Wi-Fi version (b or g) or enhancements (e and/or i) they support. :oops:

[Bruno Figueiredo]

I know it's difficult to toss out old memory cards when a new format arises. But consider this: I have a bunch of CF cards, which I bought a few years ago. Considering I now buy SD cards, the CF cards I have are of only a few MB (the larger one is 256MB). So, when a new format is adopted, new capacities also arise, which in the long run, help us ditch the old format.

And Mini-SD cards aren't backwards compatible. In fact, you can use them with an adapter (that comes with almost every card) that allow us to use them in older devices. In fact there are also SD to CF adaptors, if that's the case.

And our older cards, well, it's difficult to part from them, i know, but we can allways use them in older devices and digicams.

[ale_ers]

Although I hate how manufacturer keep forcing us to by new media, I did see this on coming. I held off buying a 1 gig SD card so that I could get a mini SD card. I figured that if my device had regular SD I could always use the adapter.

Now my question is, where is the best place in the US (based on support and price) to buy an Imate product when this becomes available?

[Paragon]

Now my question is, where is the best place in the US (based on support and price) to buy an Imate product when this becomes available?

Based on price and support, I'm not sure it is possible to beat David Weiniger. (MadMonkeyBoy)
http://www.dweiniger.com/

[Jonathon Watkins]

I am really hating these Mini-SD slots in large devices. :( It pretty much eliminates the device from my consideration.

Yup. The devices are large enough to support SD easily. :? I am only just mentally letting go of CF cards in PPCs (even though my cameras use CF cards). Can't they at least standardise on SD? :|

[Jonathon Watkins]

Although I hate how manufacturer keep forcing us to by new media, I did see this on coming. I held off buying a 1 gig SD card so that I could get a mini SD card. I figured that if my device had regular SD I could always use the adapter.

Yes, but where does it end? I would argue that SD should be the 'universal' media card. It is small enough and comes in large enough capacities. 1Gb for Mini SD is awfully limiting........

[Paragon]

Although I hate how manufacturer keep forcing us to by new media, I did see this on coming. I held off buying a 1 gig SD card so that I could get a mini SD card. I figured that if my device had regular SD I could always use the adapter.

Yes, but where does it end? I would argue that SD should be the 'universal' media card. It is small enough and comes in large enough capacities. 1Gb for Mini SD is awfully limiting........

I would argue where does it end as well....Geez, they keep making these Pocket PCs smaller and smaller. I would argue that the 3650 Ipaq with a sleeve on it was small enough...where does it end. ;) :)

People keep pushing ODMs to design smaller devices, but when they use components that effectively half the size of a preceeding component, some folks bitch about....:) If the problem is spending 50 bucks on a new card....geez, it's not like that's the first time we've had to spend additional money to keep abreast, right?

If they can't shrink components how are they going to shrink devices?

[wot_fan]

I would argue where does it end as well....Geez, they keep making these Pocket PCs smaller and smaller. I would argue that the 3650 Ipaq with a sleeve on it was small enough...where does it end. ;) :)

People keep pushing ODMs to design smaller devices, but when they use components that effectively half the size of a preceeding component, some folks b*tch about....:) If the problem is spending 50 bucks on a new card....geez, it's not like that's the first time we've had to spend additional money to keep abreast, right?

If they can't shrink components how are they going to shrink devices?
While I see your point, I am still frustrated with the move to miniSD. It isn't because of my existing investment in SD cards since I only have one 512Mb card. My dissatisfaction with miniSD lies more with current 1Gb limitation (I am aware that 2 gig cards are supposedly coming soon). SD cards have finally reached a size that I would consider combining my phone, PPC and iPod into one device. Since I use my iPod for 8 to 10 hours a day, I would like to have 3-4Gb of storage (1gb for an audiobook or two and the rest for music) so I can go several days without changing the contents of the flash card. With miniSD this requires the hassle of multiple cards. I guess I will just have to be satisfied with combining my PPC and phone. Maybe I can get rid of my iPod on my next upgrade if they haven't gone to SuperMiniSD cards by then. :wink:

Just my $0.02 :)

[Paragon]

If you want 3-4 gig, even SD cards aren't going to give you that today, and surely not at a realistic price. Like all memory cards mini's will climb in size. They very quickly went to 1 gig and at pretty close to the same cost as normal SD.

Dave

[wot_fan]

Like all memory cards mini's will climb in size. They very quickly went to 1 gig and at pretty close to the same cost as normal SD.
I hope your are right and larger miniSD cards are available soon. It is the main reason I have hesitated on ordering a Wizard.

If you want 3-4 gig, even SD cards aren't going to give you that today, and surely not at a realistic price.
After a quick search using pricegrabber, here is what I found regarding price.
1Gb Sandisk SD card $67 ($268/4Gb) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820180610&amp;ATT=Memory+Flash+Memory+&amp;CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)
2Gb Sandisk SD card $137 ($68.50/Gb and $274/4Gb) (http://newsite.pagecomputers.com/store/Product_accessoriesx.asp?catalog%5Fname=Memory&amp;category%5Fname=12g12c97s325&amp;product%5Fid=836871)
4Gb Transcend Ultra-plus 150X SD card $289 ($72.25/Gb) (http://www.meritline.com/transcend-4gb-150x-secure-digital-sd-card.html)

I have to agree that it is pretty pricey now for 4Gb even with SD cards. It is not out of the realm of possibility, but still a little hard to justify the cost/convenience ratio. :(

It sounds like I will have to compromise and keep my music on my iPod and my audio books on my PPC PE. That way I can leave my iPod at work (since that is the only place I listen to music). I can then get by with carrying one device most of the time.
Thanks for the comments. :beer:

[Paragon]

1Gb Sandisk SD card $67 ($268/4Gb) (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820180610&amp;ATT=Memory+Flash+Memory+&amp;CMP=OTC-pr1c3grabb3r)
2Gb Sandisk SD card $137 ($68.50/Gb and $274/4Gb) (http://newsite.pagecomputers.com/store/Product_accessoriesx.asp?catalog%5Fname=Memory&amp;category%5Fname=12g12c97s325&amp;product%5Fid=836871)
4Gb Transcend Ultra-plus 150X SD card $289 ($72.25/Gb) (http://www.meritline.com/transcend-4gb-150x-secure-digital-sd-card.html)

I have to agree that it is pretty pricey now for 4Gb even with SD cards. It is not out of the realm of possibility, but still a little hard to justify the cost/convenience ratio. :(



I didn't realize the the bigger SD cards had dropped that much though...yes, they're pricey, but not that bad.

Dave

[beq]

In a piece of good/bad (mostly bad) news, my PDA2k's touchscreen cracked and was rendered unusable sometime this past weekend while I was in Mississippi (running away when Rita approached Houston). I have no recollection exactly how it had happened though :(

I'm trying to look at this as a fated omen that I should now look to buy the next-gen Universal (or Wizard), but I'm depressed about the money spent on that PDA2k...

[Paragon]

In a piece of good/bad (mostly bad) news, my PDA2k's touchscreen cracked and was rendered unusable sometime this past weekend while I was in Mississippi (running away when Rita approached Houston). I have no recollection exactly how it had happened though :(



Dude....three words...disaster_relief_fund

I swear I saw you on CNN leap from a helicopter to save a drowning man with your PDA2k in hand. It MUST have broke in all the confusion. ;)

On a serious note. You would likely spend a good portion of the cost of a Wizard if you were to repair the screen.

dave

[Jonathon Watkins]

I would argue where does it end as well....Geez, they keep making these Pocket PCs smaller and smaller. I would argue that the 3650 Ipaq with a sleeve on it was small enough...where does it end. ;) :)

Straw man. :wink: You know what I mean. The storage cards have a logical minimum size. They can't keep shrinking, or we would be losing storage cards the size of a grain of sand. An SD card is about as small as I would want to regularly swap between device. A mini SD card is just too small and fiddly.

People keep pushing ODMs to design smaller devices, but when they use components that effectively half the size of a preceeding component, some folks b*tch about....:) If the problem is spending 50 bucks on a new card....geez, it's not like that's the first time we've had to spend additional money to keep abreast, right?

Cost is not the main issue, though it is a big one. Comparability is. Currently my camera etc use CF cards. I regularly swap them into my PPC. My next camera will probably have an SD slot and that is the standard I see emerging as the dominant form factor. Mini SD does not allow you to freely swap cards. Sure, you can swap one way, with a MiniSD to SD converter, but not vice versa.

If they can't shrink components how are they going to shrink devices?

Most components, sure. Just not the SD card sizes. ;-)

[beq]

In a piece of good/bad (mostly bad) news, my PDA2k's touchscreen cracked and was rendered unusable sometime this past weekend while I was in Mississippi (running away when Rita approached Houston). I have no recollection exactly how it had happened though :(



Dude....three words...disaster_relief_fund

I swear I saw you on CNN leap from a helicopter to save a drowning man with your PDA2k in hand. It MUST have broke in all the confusion. ;)

On a serious note. You would likely spend a good portion of the cost of a Wizard if you were to repair the screen.

dave

Heh heh heh, funny :D I'm trying not to think about it too much, lest I should cry (and we all know grown men don't cry).

Anyways, point taken about repair cost, oh well... Thanks Paragon Man.