Dual-Band i-mate JAMA Revealed

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.agemobile.com/home/blog/dax/2007/03/18/svelato_il_nuovo_i_mate_jama' target='_blank'>http://www.agemobile.com/home/blog/...ovo_i_mate_jama</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070320-imatejama.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.agemobile.com/home/blog/dax/2007/03/18/svelato_il_nuovo_i_mate_jama">AgeMobile</a> (<a href="http://babelfish.altavista.com/babelfish/trurl_pagecontent?lp=it_en&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.agemobile.com%2Fhome%2Fblog%2Fdax%2F2007%2F03%2F18%2Fsvelato_il_nuovo_i_mate_jama">translation</a>) is reporting that a certain i-mate JAMA (who comes up with these names?) of the relatively unknown and budget-friendly Urban series will be out this May at €299-349. What's under the hood? Dual-band GSM/GPRS connectivity (yuck), a Samsung 300MHz CPU, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, Bluetooth 2.0, a 2.0-megapixel camera, a 2.4" QVGA display, and Windows Mobile 5.0 to boot. Yes, it's a far cry from the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=54013">Ultimate series</a>. Sorry to disappoint.

[Mark Larson]

Disappoint?

Just like not everyone buys Automotive magazines for the Ferraris and Bentleys, not every PPCThoughts surfer is interested in the $1000 units which aren't really worth the astronomical price tag anyway.

[Spanky]

I think Mark Larson is right, as we've seen the latest time - PDA/Smartphone companies are delivering a broader range in both technical specification and in price. Hopefully as Microsoft continues their steps, slowly, towards making both the PDA and the phone possibilities a better experience for the user - prices will fall, better CPUs and more memory will be added. The Jama looks nice - and I look forward to have it in my pocket! And the Ultimates..and the JAQ4 and perhaps I will have some HTCs on the desks next to me..all in all, people are different - having different needs and wallets. Btw this is not an Urban device.

[Darius Wey]

Disappoint?

Just like not everyone buys Automotive magazines for the Ferraris and Bentleys, not every PPCThoughts surfer is interested in the $1000 units which aren't really worth the astronomical price tag anyway.

Well, my "disappointment" statement was aimed at the majority of Pocket PC Thoughts readers who seem to get all giddy when device XYZ is announced with all the hottest innards. I certainly don't refute what you or Spanky have said. In fact, I'd like to see more budget-friendly devices out there. I know plenty of people who wouldn't hesitate migrating to the Windows Mobile platform, if cost wasn't such a prohibitive factor for them.

[MitchellO]

I have to say though these days dual band is pretty weak. But still this could be a great handset if priced right. If they can get the price low enough it could see a greater adoption of Windows Mobile by those who don't want to spend $700 on a phone. I think US$299 would be a very sweet price for this, but 299 euro comes it at almost US$400.

[Paragon]

Disappoint?

Just like not everyone buys Automotive magazines for the Ferraris and Bentleys, not every PPCThoughts surfer is interested in the $1000 units which aren't really worth the astronomical price tag anyway.

Mark, unfortunately at 50 bucks this would still be a disappointment. No, actually disappointment is the wrong word. Severely over priced would be better. Being dual band, it will be pretty much useless. This isn't a device that has weak features by today's standards. Dual band cellular is technology that is a decade old. At $450.00 USD this thing is severely over priced. Not just for thoughts users or power users everywhere, but to the average Joe who just wants to make a phone call......WOW!

I agree that budget devices are needed, but they have to meet some basic standards if they are going to be of "value" Value=usable features combines with a good price. This device does not deliver on that. I even wonder if this isn't a hoax or joke, or perhaps a mistake in stating that it is dual band. It's a bit like saying your new house has a coal furnace. ;)

Dave

[MitchellO]

Yeah a dual band Pocket PC Phone does seem odd these days.