Stunning New Design for the Latest i-mate Smartphones

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://smartphonedubai.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/868104131/m/431101423' target='_blank'>http://smartphonedubai.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/868104131/m/431101423</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050906-NewImateSP5.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Alright, so it's not all that earth shattering. In fact, it was pretty much what we all expected, at least for those of us familiar with the C500/Audiovox SMT5600/Qtek 8010/Dopod 565 etc.. phenomenon. The specs are identical to the <a href="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9025">Qtek devices</a> that we told you about a couple weeks back. Still no official word on when we can expect them to be released, but it must be coming soon. :)

[Slacker]

If they have the same specs what is the difference? what gives the m in SP5m?

[Mike Temporale]

The M is for music. The SP5m is the one with the extra music buttons which is exactly the same as the Qtek 8310 device. While the SP5 doesn't have the music buttons, it's more of the business model. It is the exact same as the Qtek 8300.

Nice phones, and it I had to choose between the Qtek and the i-mate version, I would go with i-mate. i-mate has a better track record of releasing updated device ROMs. They may not release upgraded ROMs, but they have certainly released patches. 8)

[mpaquette]

These look pretty sweet! WiFi, 64k color QVGA :D

Anybody wand to buy a slightly dusty SP3i?

[mar2k]

What is i-mate's position in the USA market now? Do they have an office in North America?

I was tempted to pick up an SP3i but it seemed only a couple of online stores carried the model with GSM 850 and it seemed that you would have to ship to Dubai for service (that can't be cheap). Since there were rumors of joystick problems with that model I'm glad I passed for now with these WM 5.0/QVGA/Wifi units coming out, but I still don't want to have to send it halfway around the world if it requires service. I'd feel better if they carried these at a local brick and mortar store but I can't see that happening with the carriers having a presence there and all their phones have price subsidies...

The rumor is Cingular will replace the SMT5600 with one of these two new HTC devices but the Wifi will be stripped out. I would refuse to buy it like that since I don't carry a data plan and having Wifi would be ideal. Hopefully i-Mate can come through for me.

[Kris Kumar]

What is i-mate's position in the USA market now? Do they have an office in North America?

I believe they have service center in the USA.

[Kris Kumar]

As always eXpansys USA has them on pre-order for $494.95.

i-mate SP5 (http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=124583)
i-mate SP5m (http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=125726)

[Mike Temporale]

As always eXpansys USA has them on pre-order for $494.95.

And both devices are listed as having WiFi. :mrgreen:

[Kris Kumar]

And both devices are listed as having WiFi. :mrgreen:

Thanks Mike, I forgot to mention the most important part. The reason for my posting those links. :oops: :-)