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View Full Version : i-mate JAQ: Right Design Gone Wrong?


Darius Wey
08-20-2006, 05:00 PM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pdamania.hu/shop/shop.php3?do=2&prod_id=46968&catalog_id=82' target='_blank'>http://www.pdamania.hu/shop/shop.ph...8&catalog_id=82</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060821-imatejaq.jpg" /><br /><br />i-mate's getting ready to slap its logo on the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=46258">Inventec Mercury Pocket PC Phone Edition</a> and labelling it the JAQ. It isn't the JAQ of all trades, though. No Wi-Fi, 200MHz processor, and still the same old 64MB RAM and 128MB ROM configuration. On a brighter note, it does have a QWERTY keyboard, Bluetooth, a landscape-oriented QVGA display, quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support, and a 1.3-megapixel camera.<br /><br />Anyone like the design? Sure, it resembles the Q, Excalibur, and i320 Smartphones (which all look great), but I think Inventec and i-mate got it all wrong here. "Ugly" is an understatement. :pukeface2:

jdhill
08-20-2006, 05:52 PM
I own a Motorola Q.

JAQ, you ain't no Q.

You are, if you'll pardon the expresion, "butt ugly"! 8O

Paragon
08-20-2006, 06:28 PM
It's ugly and HUGE. It is twice as thick as the Q.

Any reports I have read from people who saw this when Inventec displayed said that it was easily the cheapest device they had ever seen.

iMate seems to be stooping very low to find a new OEM where they can stick on their name and make a buck ;)

Dave

JesterMania
08-20-2006, 06:38 PM
Wow... 8O in terms of looks the Moto Q, Treo 700w, and iPAQ hw69xx blows this out of the water. But what is really bugging me is the extremely large font they used for "imate JAQ" right in the center of the device. That precious space could have been used to expand the screen, keyboard, etc.

SuperFreak
08-20-2006, 07:07 PM
Hey guys, I think you are mis-pronouncing the name all along. The name is actually quite appropriate if you read it correctly.

It's not J = J, but rater J = Y.

So, it's iMate JAQ = YAK or Yuk.... :lol:

WyattEarp
08-20-2006, 07:52 PM
Ugly doesn't quite express what I think of that thing. It should have just been left on the drawing board or better yet the waste paper basket.

Truly anything to make a buck or maybe a cent in this case because I'd be shocked if they made a buck off it.

My wife just saw that and cringed. Don't tell me that's really going to sell.

stllhogan
08-20-2006, 09:04 PM
I don't find it to bad if they have a cheap price on this, and if that happens they can get more people to come to smartphones and pda's, like let's say this is a free phone a carrier gives you. they look at it, find it kinda fun but need to upgrade and increases popularity of other more highend devices. well they show them the light to a more advanced phone compared to people looking at a camera phone and saying it can do anything.

Paragon
08-20-2006, 09:38 PM
Remember how big the old Dell Axim x5 was? By volume this thing is bigger!! :rofl:

X5: 128x81x18 mm = 186624
JAQ:122mm x 71mm x 22mm = 190564

ctmagnus
08-20-2006, 10:02 PM
:idontthinkso:

More like wrong design gone wrong.

MitchellO
08-20-2006, 11:57 PM
If it was smaller and thinner it might be ok

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6259/imatejaqimprovedfz2.jpghttp://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060821-imatejaq.jpg

ctmagnus
08-21-2006, 12:18 AM
Oh, anyone remember Jaq the UBS guy on classic Mad TV?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_MADtv_(2000-2005)#Recurring_characters &lt;- That should be all one link.

freitasm
08-21-2006, 12:59 AM
Goodness... Why companies still work on underpowered devices? 64/128MB is terrible, 200Mhz is not even a start, and no UMTS or HSDPA?

Please....

MitchellO
08-21-2006, 01:55 AM
No UMTS! No WiFi!! What are they thinking? There is absolutely NO chance my next Windows Mobile device won't have both.

I think a WM5-based Sony Ericsson P990i would be awesome :D Excellent form factor, UMTS, WiFi, Video calling, builtin thumboard. Brilliant! I will be ditching the M600i for either the P990 or a similar WM5 device when they are available and I have the money. Until then the M600i is gold :D

isajoo
08-21-2006, 03:36 AM
did they just take a motorola Q and add a Shell over on top of the old one.

why does a great company like this make such a dumb move like this.

jsnielsen
08-21-2006, 09:43 AM
If that continues, I'm changing to a Sony Ericsson P990i or a Nokia E61 when I'm going shopping the next time.

Oh my GOD it's ugly ! Hello 80's digital watch design !

And what is it btw with the WM hardware manufacturers ? They're lacking SO much behind ! Why can't I get a model with QWERTY, wifi, BT 2.0, QVGA minimum, AND A PROPER CAMERA !

I need both the business part and the camera part (became a dad 2½ months ago). Both for "right now" pictures and for photoblogging.

I'm telling ya, if it wasn't for the .NET framework, I would've been moving from the WM platform very soon.

Oh, and please also: Better build quality, WM hardware manufacturers ! Stop using that cheap plastic crap, and get into some light metals, alloys or carbonfibers.

jsnielsen
08-21-2006, 09:48 AM
No UMTS! No WiFi!! What are they thinking? There is absolutely NO chance my next Windows Mobile device won't have both.

I think a WM5-based Sony Ericsson P990i would be awesome :D Excellent form factor, UMTS, WiFi, Video calling, builtin thumboard. Brilliant! I will be ditching the M600i for either the P990 or a similar WM5 device when they are available and I have the money. Until then the M600i is gold :D

Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox T830 ;) If you can stand carrying around 195g of phone. Only thing that's a bit on the light side is the screen. But, I think maybe the next generation of those phones will (hopefully !) be lighter, and have a bigger screen area.

Otherwise I'm right there with you. Nokia and Sony Ericsson are FAR better at introducing great new models with really really great features. ONLY thing holding me back, is that I can't .NET on those platforms. And at some point I'll probably just ditch the WM platform entirely, .NET or .NOT, to get the proper hardware that does what I need it to do. And way before any tolerable solution built on WM is available ;)

MitchellO
08-21-2006, 10:17 AM
The Loox T830 is so incredibly ugly!! And if the screen wasn't lo res enough, they decided to put a 5mm boarder around the edge!!

As I said, the P990i and WM5 would be the PERFECT combination of size, features and OS.

jsnielsen
08-21-2006, 12:49 PM
The Loox T830 is so incredibly ugly!! And if the screen wasn't lo res enough, they decided to put a 5mm boarder around the edge!!

I agree. It looks more like a barcode scanner than a specced out phone/ppc ;)

As I said, the P990i and WM5 would be the PERFECT combination of size, features and OS.

I completely agree :)

Currently, I'm waiting for the Excalibur, which I hope will be an able replacement on the WM side.

MitchellO
08-21-2006, 12:51 PM
The Loox T830 is so incredibly ugly!! And if the screen wasn't lo res enough, they decided to put a 5mm boarder around the edge!!

I agree. It looks more like a barcode scanner than a specced out phone/ppc ;)

As I said, the P990i and WM5 would be the PERFECT combination of size, features and OS.

I completely agree :)

Currently, I'm waiting for the Excalibur, which I hope will be an able replacement on the WM side.

But does it have UMTS (2100mhz variety for me) and WiFi?

jsnielsen
08-21-2006, 01:44 PM
But does it have UMTS (2100mhz variety for me) and WiFi?

WiFi yes. 2100mhz UMTS (which is also what I need since I live in Denmark, I believe ?) is still to be announced. But, nothing has really been announced very officially on the Excalibur, so I'm still holding my breath and hoping ;)

What's left though, is the fact that the WM market is controlled primarily by Microsoft and HTC. It's unhealthy, and device features are simply not released fast enough. Again, look at SE and Nokia - they have a lot more vision when it comes to the phone being your one and only converged device, at least I think it's true for the time being.

They invest in proper cameras, better UI, "the experience of using a phone", etc. So does WM to a degree. But camerawise WM is still on the stage of "let's just throw in some camera, just so we can say we have one in the device".

First phones that got really interesting for me, outside WM: Nokia E61, N73 and SE K800i, P990i.

The time is right for camerausage of the phone, and the bandwidth to actually do something with the content. Blogging is becoming more and more popular, same with mobile- and photoblogging. Plus e-mailing, both from a client and the web. And instant messaging (Yeah sure, there's messenger on WM, but let's get real - WM Messenger isn't really very good now, is it ?)

Nokia and SE are doing something about that. WM is as conservative as ever. If there was a Symbian client for Wordpress, I'd actually consider skipping WM entirely, except as a development dummy. Have fun with Nokia/SE, make money with WM ;)

MitchellO
08-21-2006, 02:05 PM
WiFi yes. 2100mhz UMTS (which is also what I need since I live in Denmark, I believe ?) is still to be announced. But, nothing has really been announced very officially on the Excalibur, so I'm still holding my breath and hoping ;)

What's left though, is the fact that the WM market is controlled primarily by Microsoft and HTC. It's unhealthy, and device features are simply not released fast enough. Again, look at SE and Nokia - they have a lot more vision when it comes to the phone being your one and only converged device, at least I think it's true for the time being.

They invest in proper cameras, better UI, "the experience of using a phone", etc. So does WM to a degree. But camerawise WM is still on the stage of "let's just throw in some camera, just so we can say we have one in the device".

First phones that got really interesting for me, outside WM: Nokia E61, N73 and SE K800i, P990i.

The time is right for camerausage of the phone, and the bandwidth to actually do something with the content. Blogging is becoming more and more popular, same with mobile- and photoblogging. Plus e-mailing, both from a client and the web. And instant messaging (Yeah sure, there's messenger on WM, but let's get real - WM Messenger isn't really very good now, is it ?)

Nokia and SE are doing something about that. WM is as conservative as ever. If there was a Symbian client for Wordpress, I'd actually consider skipping WM entirely, except as a development dummy. Have fun with Nokia/SE, make money with WM ;)

The difference is that Sony Ericsson and Nokia have rivals in each other, fighting for customers. HTC/Microsoft have very little opposition that would stir development. Yes there is Palm with the Palm OS 5 Treo, but that hardly counts as "stirring development". I mean how old is Palm OS 5 now!

I would definately consider the Excaliber if it had both WiFi and UMTS, but without those two I wouldn't be happy. UMTS is great, but I prefer to use WiFi at home. While the M600i is really only an intermediate phone, I am still very impressed with it. The form factor is simply outstanding. It is nice as slim, has a brilliant touchscreen, and quite a capable thumboard. The only thing really missing from this device is WiFi.

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/2371/cimg6781smallmt9.jpg

Look at the size of the M600i compared to the imate SP5. The M600i is slightly wider, but with that width it accomodates 3G, thumboard and a touchscreen. Come on MS/HTC!! Bring out devices like this!!!

DaleReeck
08-21-2006, 03:21 PM
Maybe it would look better in black :)

jsnielsen
08-21-2006, 04:19 PM
The difference is that Sony Ericsson and Nokia have rivals in each other, fighting for customers. HTC/Microsoft have very little opposition that would stir development. Yes there is Palm with the Palm OS 5 Treo, but that hardly counts as "stirring development". I mean how old is Palm OS 5 now!

I know. But it's dangerous to just kick back and relax. People will buy whatever phone is most attractive to them, and often it's simply not a WM phone. I think mostly professionals, geeks and gadgetguys buy them. Because we're datacentrics.

But the masses are going for the media experience. The pictures. The music. The FM radio. And of course the connections. Fast is good, now that the content gets bigger.

It's as if HTC/MS have gotten lazy.

And again, pppplllleeeease: Build quality ! My SP5 is very plasticcy, and the keys seem so thin and wobbly.

I would definately consider the Excaliber if it had both WiFi and UMTS, but without those two I wouldn't be happy. UMTS is great, but I prefer to use WiFi at home. While the M600i is really only an intermediate phone, I am still very impressed with it. The form factor is simply outstanding. It is nice as slim, has a brilliant touchscreen, and quite a capable thumboard. The only thing really missing from this device is WiFi.

Look at the size of the M600i compared to the imate SP5. The M600i is slightly wider, but with that width it accomodates 3G, thumboard and a touchscreen. Come on MS/HTC!! Bring out devices like this!!!

I know. I seriously considered it, and I've held it in my hand. If it wasn't for the lack of wifi and a camera, I'd have bought it in an instant :)

However, now I'm waiting to see if the Excalibur will deliver, I'd really like to keep my .net device, as I have plans for several apps I just wouldn't know how to do on a Symbian device.

But in the end, I'll settle for not doing the development part on the phone, if I can make great use from a SE P990i.

PPCRules
08-21-2006, 07:23 PM
I think it looks rather spiffy. And how many times on these pages have people weighed in an opinion based on the first picture of a device and it goes on to be quite popular?

I give them a lot of credit for trying the landscape screen, which is the basis for the rest of the dimensions. Many people have been whining about device makers not 'innovating' any more, that all devices look alike, and then someone makes something different and people jump all over them.

We haven't seen a 'perfect' PocketPC device yet, but we weigh our criteria and pick the closest match. I agree that this is probably not going to be the first perfect device, but there may be plenty people for whom this will be a best match.

haesslich
08-21-2006, 08:27 PM
I think it looks rather spiffy. And how many times on these pages have people weighed in an opinion based on the first picture of a device and it goes on to be quite popular?

I give them a lot of credit for trying the landscape screen, which is the basis for the rest of the dimensions. Many people have been whining about device makers not 'innovating' any more, that all devices look alike, and then someone makes something different and people jump all over them.

We haven't seen a 'perfect' PocketPC device yet, but we weigh our criteria and pick the closest match. I agree that this is probably not going to be the first perfect device, but there may be plenty people for whom this will be a best match.

The problem here is that it's a smartphone, and it's using Windows Mobile 5 - which, given the lack of RAM and CPU power there will leave it vulnerable to being completely overwhelmed by the Treo 700w, much less the 750p or any other Palm-based smartphone device - 200MHz is simply not enough for WM5, especially with the way they restructured the memory model by introducing persistent memory. About the only thing they did right, compared to the Treo, was add 32MB of RAM on top of what the Treo had, so you won't be limited to single-tasking as the Treo 700w was.

Plus, for better or worse, many smartphone users (especially business types) are at least a little conscious about the look of their device - one which looks like a Fisher Price Speak-and-Spell is not going to win a lot of fans, and probably will send them scurrying towards Palm. About the only thing that thing has going for it is the 64MB RAM and the landscape QVGA screen - otherwise, the MotoQ probably has that beat in terms of features and aesthetics.

If the price is the same as the MotoQ, then expect whoever licenses that design to lose a LOT of money to Motorola and Palm.

beq
08-22-2006, 05:31 AM
BTW, isn't Inventec the manufacturer making Netgear's stand-alone Wi-Fi Skype phone, which was announced awhile ago but is being continually delayed due to problems. On the other hand, the Accton-made Skype phones from Belkin, SMC, and Edge-Core were announced later but are shipping earlier...

jsnielsen
08-22-2006, 10:18 AM
We haven't seen a 'perfect' PocketPC device yet, but we weigh our criteria and pick the closest match. I agree that this is probably not going to be the first perfect device, but there may be plenty people for whom this will be a best match.

And they'll probably go for the Moto Q or the Samsung i320. Devices that offer the exact same, but in a much sexier wrapping :)

Problem is, QWERTY landscape devices aren't exactly that "new". Or rather, the ones available don't really offer much more than the pda/phone part.

The 3G and WiFi are lacking. Both crucial features this day in age. Same goes for the camera.

Jason Lee
08-22-2006, 01:09 PM
Problem is, QWERTY landscape devices aren't exactly that "new".

but this one is a pocket pc not a smart phone like all the others. so in that respect it is the first. You'll get much more functionality out of this... well you might if they hadn't left all the functionality out. lol

MitchellO
08-22-2006, 01:26 PM
You'll get much more functionality out of this... well you might if they hadn't left all the functionality out. lol

Exactly.

I know that after having two PPC phones, and then going to a Smartphone, I am SOOOOOOO glad to be back to a phone that has a touchscreen. The lack of one is amazingly limiting, and I didn't realise that I would miss it so much until it was gone. I would be hardpressed to find a phone that would make me consider going without a touchscreen again.

jsnielsen
08-22-2006, 02:45 PM
You'll get much more functionality out of this... well you might if they hadn't left all the functionality out. lol

Exactly.

I know that after having two PPC phones, and then going to a Smartphone, I am SOOOOOOO glad to be back to a phone that has a touchscreen. The lack of one is amazingly limiting, and I didn't realise that I would miss it so much until it was gone. I would be hardpressed to find a phone that would make me consider going without a touchscreen again.

I could easily live without the touchscreen. Correctly designed apps that have the correct functionality for the two action buttons on a smartphone is way faster than having to maneuver manually with a stylus.

Only thing I actually miss my touchscreen for, is notetaking at meetings. For that, the PPC beats the Smartphone hands down.

Other than that, if I had the QWERTY and a d-pad, I could easily make due with what I had, instead of a touchscreen ;)

MitchellO
08-22-2006, 02:58 PM
I have to disagree with that. I find the interface and touchscreen on my M600i to be excellent for both stylus use and onehanded use without a stylus.