It's Here - My i-mate SP5m Has Finally Arrived

[Mike Temporale]

My SP5m has finally arrived. Apparently, it just missed the delivery truck on Friday, so it was stuck in the UPS warehouse all weekend. :( Happily, it's here now, and I have it over on the counter charging the battery. I hope to get it fully loaded up later today. You can expect a review in the not too distant future! I'll tell you right now, the screen is simply awesome. :mrgreen: Anyway, here's a little teaser picture for you. ;)

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20051107-iMateSP5m.jpg

[Jason Dunn]

Awesome! Can't wait to hear what you think about it. :D

[possmann]

DA-ROOL!

[Jerry Raia]

I don't think he is gonna come up for air for a while. We could be waiting here a bit. :lol:

[ARW]

Just got mine on Friday and I would concur that the screen is fantastic. Still in the process of getting everything sorted out, but it's so much improved over my i600 that it's hard to express.

Some brief observations...

Still trying to get Bluetooth Activesync to work. No experience with Bluetooth, so if anyone has some suggestions.

The keypad is small, but not so that it's hard to use.

Joystick isn't as usable as the nav pad on the i600.

Wi-Fi is cool, though I haven't been able to get it to work with my home network that runs WPA security. I can connect and get an IP address, but no data transfer. Ideas?

Love the variable snooze times available on reminders.

Step backwards in Inbox, in the sense that you have to scroll down line by line. This is painful for long messages. SP 2002 was this way and then 2003 made it possible to move down or up page by page.

Not sure if I'm sold yet on the grid menu system. I'd like to be able to use the toggle feature, but haven't been able to get it to work yet.

Suffering the available memory issue despite installing everything to the storeage card.

Sound quality for calls is great, both speakerphone and regular.

Having mixed luck with apps. Some that I've come to rely on don't work, some work with limited resolution, some have been upgraded to WM5 but still don't work. Basically a work in progress.

[lagsun]

Wow. I'm very envious. Can't wait for the review...

[Jerry Raia]

Mike vansihed soon after his post. What a bunch of geeks. I would never get so wrapped up in a new toy like that ever! 8)

[revolution.cx]

Still trying to get Bluetooth Activesync to work. No experience with Bluetooth, so if anyone has some suggestions.


Activesync over bluetooth? You may find hitting yourself in the head with a board much more soothing.

However, after 12 hours of trying I found this guide and it worked perfectly for me:

http://www.psychoman.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=1fe83fcc300d02c8c2fe37a0db21ed43&action=dlattach;topic=11.0;id=360

[Jerry Raia]

It always seems to take 12 hours of struggle and then bumping into the answer. One of the mysteries of life.

[runbuh]

Congrats!

Hey - can you check something for me (us!). Can you go into ActiveSync (on the phone), set it up for syncing to an Exchange Server, and then look in your "schedule" options to see if you have a sync "As items arrive" option?

I've finally got a phone with MSFP, and push email appears to be working. I have the "As items arrive" option, and access to an Exchange Server 2003 with SP2 applied. We don't have the web admin tools, so we can't do a remote wipe, yet. We're working on it.

[Jerry Raia]

I think we need to send a dive team to search for Mike. He still hasn't surfaced. His air supply must be low.

MIKE COME UP FOR AIR!

If we loose him I might get stuck doing all the stuff he does here!!

[xultar]

Mike vansihed soon after his post. What a bunch of geeks. I would never get so wrapped up in a new toy like that ever! 8)

Jealous? :lol:

[xultar]

As for the new shiny gadget

http://home.ripway.com/2003-11/38936/FAINTx.gif

[Jerry Raia]

Mike vansihed soon after his post. What a bunch of geeks. I would never get so wrapped up in a new toy like that ever! 8)

Jealous? :lol:

Of course not. These toys mean nothing to me. :sleeping:

[encece]

I almost went over to the other side AGAIN!
I bought a KJAM and sold my SMT5600.

The keyboard did nothing for me. PPC still doesnt offer anything that I need over Smartphone. I'm sure many think it's a small PPC, but when you're used to holding a Smartphone....it's a HEAVY BRICK!!!

Anyway...I received it last thursday. Sold it yesterday and my SP5m will be here tomorrow.

So I'm back AGAIN! :P

[encece]

I was going to wait for the SP5, which MadMonkeyBoy should have this or next week....but the SP5m grew on me. Cant wait!

[Darius Wey]

Of course not. These toys mean nothing to me. :sleeping:

Says Mr. Mobile Messenger. :rotfl:

And yes, we've lost Mike to the land of eternal geekness. Better send in a SWAT team to get him back.

[Jerry Raia]

I almost went over to the other side AGAIN!
I bought a KJAM and sold my SMT5600.

The keyboard did nothing for me. PPC still doesnt offer anything that I need over Smartphone. I'm sure many think it's a small PPC, but when you're used to holding a Smartphone....it's a HEAVY BRICK!!!

Anyway...I received it last thursday. Sold it yesterday and my SP5m will be here tomorrow.

So I'm back AGAIN! :P

You can live on both sides as I do!! Yes you can!

[Jerry Raia]

Says Mr. Mobile Messenger. :rotfl:

That means nothing! :robot:

[encece]

I have no need or desire for multiple devices. I never could. Plus I go thru so many a year (average 4 or 5) that I need to sell the previous model before it loses any value.

Ahhhh to go back to the days when the US was smartphoneless, when I used to buy overseas use it for a couple of months and sell here in the US for a profit!

[ARW]

Still trying to get Bluetooth Activesync to work. No experience with Bluetooth, so if anyone has some suggestions.


Activesync over bluetooth? You may find hitting yourself in the head with a board much more soothing.

However, after 12 hours of trying I found this guide and it worked perfectly for me:

http://www.psychoman.co.uk/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=1fe83fcc300d02c8c2fe37a0db21ed43&action=dlattach;topic=11.0;id=360

I ran across that guide too, but I'm using a Linksys Bluetooth device and therefore Linksys drivers. There's enough of a difference that I couldn't make it work.

Did figure out how to unlock the phone and so I'm now able to get the grid toggle app to work.

[Kris Kumar]

I think we need to send a dive team to search for Mike. He still hasn't surfaced. His air supply must be low.

MIKE COME UP FOR AIR!

If we loose him I might get stuck doing all the stuff he does here!!

I think Mike is working on the review. I am pretty sure tomorrow morning you will see a twenty page review. :)

[Kris Kumar]

......
Having mixed luck with apps. Some that I've come to rely on don't work, some work with limited resolution, some have been upgraded to WM5 but still don't work. Basically a work in progress.

Ahhh! The challenges and the joys of being an early adopter. I envy you guys. :)

Wish I had the self control and gadget-craze-immunity, that Jerry has. :wink: How do you do it Jerry? How do you manage? Guide us, Jerry?

[Mike Temporale]

I think we need to send a dive team to search for Mike. He still hasn't surfaced. His air supply must be low.

MIKE COME UP FOR AIR!

If we loose him I might get stuck doing all the stuff he does here!!

I think Mike is working on the review. I am pretty sure tomorrow morning you will see a twenty page review. :)

:lol: Sorry to let everyone down, but I haven't been working on the review or playing with the device. I was attending the pre-launch party for VS and SS 2005. The party was geared to industry experts, MVPs, launch speakers, and Microsoft staff. It' was a pretty good time. My phone seemed to lead me around the room.

The review will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon. Until then, I have a couple other things to post for you guys. In short, this phone ROCKS. :rock on dude!: :mrgreen:

[Jerry Raia]

OK now I'm mad! You should have been geeking with the phone! :lol:

[Mike Temporale]

OK now I'm mad! You should have been geeking with the phone! :lol:

I was showing it off to everyone, if that counts. :mrgreen: ;)

[Jerry Raia]

OK now I'm mad! You should have been geeking with the phone! :lol:

I was showing it off to everyone, if that counts. :mrgreen: ;)

Alright you get points for that. :lol:

[Kris Kumar]

We need p-i-c-t-u-r-e-s. Keep'em coming. :lol:

[Jerry Raia]

We need p-i-c-t-u-r-e-s. Keep'em coming. :lol:

Yeah he is being awfully coy with this. Look at the stir he caused! All these posts about it and he is busy! Too good for us now eh Mike??

Kris, I say we go start our own board. :P

[encece]

Well, I just got mine today. It's the most beautiful Smartphone, I've ever held. Beautiful screen, great heavy metalic feel...even on the keys.
WM5 is really cool looking. (The first time I've seen it on a smartphone). I'm glad I didnt keep the KJAM. This is much better for me.

The CommManager is a cool way to turn On/Off Bluetooth and WiFi directly from a homescreen plugin.

When you lock the keys...you can have it so that the time and date pop large on the screen....great way to check the time.

I'm sure that's not the most important information you wanted to know...but that's all I got for you so far! :) I JUST opened the box!

Came here to get my Cingular settings so I can set this baby up! What a great Smartphone-Boost for me....I'm all excited about them again!


More later tonight...maybe some pics too
-Nick

[Jerry Raia]

Oh man more gloating. No one cares about you guys' new phones ok?? :cry:

[Slacker]

Mike,

Up until this point I had lots of respect for you, and for your knowledge of Windows Mobile Devices. But I feel I must launch a formal protest on behalf of WM users everywhere. While self-gratifying, your post was the electronic version of

NAH-NAH-NAH-NAH-NAH-NAH!!!

I believe you owe your entire reader base an apology. And as a supporter of the Windows Mobile community I feel it is my duty to take the new device from you to spare the rest of the community the mental anguish of your childish showing off.

Please contact me privately for the address where you may ship my new phone. :lol:

[encece]

wow is this internet fast! is this edge or is the phone just that fast? ;)

Oh man more gloating. No one cares about you guys' new phones ok?? :cry:

[Jerry Raia]

Grrrrrrrr, payback is hell! :twak:

[encece]

On my post I saw one of my posts about how fast it is...posted three times. DOnt know if Jerr fixed it.

But the next post only posted once. (This is all from the phone by the way.) I was going to edit my post to say that it was a one time goof...but the site tells me I can only edit my own posts.

I am posting from my PC right now. Does the site see users as two differnet people if they post from two different locations or from a mobile device or is it another glitch in the system. Sorry to go so off-topic.

[possmann]

OK guys - when are we going to see the phones out on Cing and T-mo - it's suppose to be like next week - right? anyone? bueller?

I wanna play too...

[encece]

I think Cingular's is in a week or two...but they wont have WiFi and have that extra nub at the top. Though the price should be better than the $499 I just paid.

[surur]

What a great Smartphone-Boost for me....I'm all excited about them again!

I saw some of you were down about smartphones earlier. Did you know MS Smartphone grew 50% from 380 000 to 560 000 from q1 2005 to q2 2005? By the end of next year MS Smartphones will outsell all PPC's.

Surur

[possmann]

Wait until the Treo hits...

I don't think I'm going out on a limb when I predict that the Treo - with it's success rate already - it's going to BOOM when it rolls-out.

That is the only really cool form factor PPCPE device I have seen yet - others are just not as well designed (ergonomically speaking).

[encece]

I go back and forth about where the success of the Smartphone lies.
With us...it's the PPC functions on a phonecentric device.
With others (non-enthusiasts) it's just a better phone than the norm.

The Treo will still be a PPC and that may be too much for some.

[sub_tex]

The Treo will still be a PPC and that may be too much for some.

Agreed.

But the current Treo is already too much for some, yet I'd say it's split 50/50 with Treo users I talk to on the street (I'm in NYC so I see LOTS of treos) between people who don't even know you could install software on it, and those that are Palm/PDA users who love the full features and use it for all it's worth.

[possmann]

The form factor of the Treo is what makes it cool - for those who don;t know you can install software on it - it's great for messaging - for the rest of us it is not a clumsy as that HP brick just released and just a bit larger than the average smartphone.

I think it is a win-win for those really looking to bridge the gap.

[sub_tex]

Form factor and the great one handedness of the device. And Palm did a sweet job integrating the phone with the rest of the OS.

I never take out the stylus at all unless I'm playing a game that requires tapping.

But enough Treo talk, I want my T-Mobile WM5 smartphone already. :D

[jfreiman]

Has it been 36 hours since the initial post promising us a review?

How about a post telling us that you are or aren't working on a review yet?

-John

PS. if you are doing a battery life test, you you save that for another post? I'm really excited about this model phone and would enjoy hearing about it ASAP.

[Mike Temporale]

Has it been 36 hours since the initial post promising us a review?

How about a post telling us that you are or aren't working on a review yet?

-John

PS. if you are doing a battery life test, you you save that for another post? I'm really excited about this model phone and would enjoy hearing about it ASAP.

36 hours? I think it's a little closer to 26 maybe 27. ;) I am working on the review. Unfortunately, it's been a busy week at work and with the Visual Studio launch. I would expect that the review won't hit the front page until late this week or more likely - Monday of next week. :)

[Kris Kumar]

Oh man more gloating. No one cares about you guys' new phones ok?? :cry:

I agree! And I think we should moderate these posts, because it is traumatizing our readers. :lol:

[jfreiman]

Sorry Mike, my adding isn't as good as it used to be.

And as far as the gloating goes! -- Heck if the phone's as nice to use as it looks on paper -- GLOAT! :)

I'm going to buy whatever Cingular releases on the 18th - wifi or no wifi. I for one feel like wifi for me wouldn't be useful. I use the GPRS for internet browsing and would like faster connection speeds, but wifi is overkill - that is until I find a convienent hotspot. ;-)

Can't wait to read your review.

-John

[Reland]

Please forgive my ignorance, guys. I'm new to this stuff.

Can anyone tell me why, besides the price, I would wait and hope for the T-Mobile version of this phone to become available?

[Kris Kumar]

Please forgive my ignorance, guys. I'm new to this stuff.

Can anyone tell me why, besides the price, I would wait and hope for the T-Mobile version of this phone to become available?

Price is the biggest incentive. And pretty much the only incentive.

But T-Mobile support would be the second reason; the ability to return/exchange the Smartphone easily if you are not happy. Also people to help you out with some basic configuration etc.

The downside is that you might end up (if you buy the carrier branded phone) with an application locked Smartphone. Also you will be at the mercy of the carrier for the ROM updates.

[Mike Temporale]

On the flip side, i-mate released more ROM updates over the life of Windows Mobile 2003 SE than Cingular/Audiovox.

[mar2k]

Well, I just got mine today. It's the most beautiful Smartphone, I've ever held....

Came here to get my Cingular settings so I can set this baby up! What a great Smartphone-Boost for me....I'm all excited about them again!



encece,

Please let us know if you have any hiccups setting up the device to work with Cingular and where are you getting the settings from - I assume they are posted around here somewhere. I am with Cingular as well but will not pay $20 a month for glorified dial-up speeds (GPRS/EDGE) so a phone with Wifi is perfect for me. Still, I would want to make sure I could get GPRS/EDGE working with the i-mate phone in case that changes in the future.

If the Cingular 2125 does not have Wifi as everyone speculates that it won't, I will be interested in the SP5 when it gets released soon, though I am a bit concerned that the black finish might scratch easily....

[ARW]

My SP5m works just fine with Cingular data. I got the setting via a cab file that imate provides. Ran the file and all the settings filled themselves in.

I know that the phone is Edge capable and Cingular in theory offers the service, but there is no indication that I'm using Edge when doing data. All I get is a static G indicating GPRS availability and then when I start a data session the g appears about the signal strength meter. Anybody know how you can tell if you're getting Edge? Running a bandwith meter it would appear that I'm not getting Edge speeds.

[encece]

I have the same question about EDGE. Data seems faster at times, but I cant tell if it's the phone's speed or EDGE data. If it is indeed edge, it's snappier, but not as fast as connecting thru wifi.

I entered the cingular setting in myself based on the settings thread I wrote in the cingular forum. I couldnt find the cab file on imate's site. But I will download it and put it on my SD in case of a hard reset.

Speaking of WiFi, I dont know what to use it for other than internet. Any ideas?

But I still love the phone and would say it's the best Smartphone I have EVER had! Even over the Audiovox which was previously my fav.

[encece]

http://www.mobiletechreview.com/phones/imate_sp5m.htm

4-1/2 out of 5 stars in this review.

[jfreiman]

Mike, I've been reading a forum on DoCoMo on the Tornado and it seems that people are having problems with smooth video playback (WMV w/desktop registry settings for 320x240res) to playback smoothly.

If you get a chance, could you look into this?

Eagerly looking forward to hearing about how you like, enjoy or even dislike the phone. ;-)

[Mike Temporale]

Mike, I've been reading a forum on DoCoMo on the Tornado and it seems that people are having problems with smooth video playback (WMV w/desktop registry settings for 320x240res) to playback smoothly.

If you get a chance, could you look into this?

I'll see what I can do. I don't have any video's handy, but I'm sure I can find or make some. Any idea on the fps rate that they are using?

[stuartforrest]

I got my SP5m about a month ago and can definately tell you that it is a wondeful phone. I have both an SP3 and an SP3i but am glad I paid the extra for the new phone.

The screen is much better.

Many apps are slightly improved.

There is a push email option in Exchange with SP2 but I believe that the phone still needs the new windows mobile messaging update which is not yet available.

WIFI works well when you want to copy stuff quickly or download lots of email etc.

MP3 player is great.

Sync is dodgy with AS4 but there is an update coming out at the end of the month. I cant sync MP3 on my work PC but can at home. Once you get this set up it is great.

What I dont like:

Cant edit tasks on it, only view them without third party app. That is stupid.

Cant edit diary entry when the reminder is going off. You have to cancel or snooze all the reminders then enter the diary app to change to later times.

Standard menu view was crap but found how to edit it on a dubai website.

Browser button defaulted to Imate home page which was stupid as 100k download of completely unsuitable page each time you pressed that button. Found out how to change this to whatever I wanted on same Dubai website.

Still cant sync notes???????

Otherwise I cannot fault this phone and cant believe how after years of trying every possible smart phone and pda version I have finally found my dream phone. I use the web browser all the time. Email every day, Diary every day, Camera sometimes.

This is an awesome phone. Sell your granny to get one.

[liquidsg]

I was gonna get one of these from cingular but i relized the sp5m is so much better with the wi-fi and no hump...but where are you guys getting these things from? I was looking all over the web and could not find any site that had these. Thanks for the help.

[stuartforrest]

Expansys.com in the UK! Got it about 6-8 weeks ago.

[MitzEclipse]

I got my SP5m about a month ago and can definately tell you that it is a wondeful phone. I have both an SP3 and an SP3i but am glad I paid the extra for the new phone.

The screen is much better.

Many apps are slightly improved.

There is a push email option in Exchange with SP2 but I believe that the phone still needs the new windows mobile messaging update which is not yet available.

WIFI works well when you want to copy stuff quickly or download lots of email etc.

MP3 player is great.

Sync is dodgy with AS4 but there is an update coming out at the end of the month. I cant sync MP3 on my work PC but can at home. Once you get this set up it is great.

What I dont like:

Cant edit tasks on it, only view them without third party app. That is stupid.

Cant edit diary entry when the reminder is going off. You have to cancel or snooze all the reminders then enter the diary app to change to later times.

Standard menu view was crap but found how to edit it on a dubai website.

Browser button defaulted to Imate home page which was stupid as 100k download of completely unsuitable page each time you pressed that button. Found out how to change this to whatever I wanted on same Dubai website.

Still cant sync notes???????

Otherwise I cannot fault this phone and cant believe how after years of trying every possible smart phone and pda version I have finally found my dream phone. I use the web browser all the time. Email every day, Diary every day, Camera sometimes.

This is an awesome phone. Sell your granny to get one.

stuartforrest, could you tell me the dubai website you found out how to change the PIE homepage link?

Thanks!

[ARW]

I was gonna get one of these from cingular but i relized the sp5m is so much better with the wi-fi and no hump...but where are you guys getting these things from? I was looking all over the web and could not find any site that had these. Thanks for the help.

Got mine from Mad Monkey Boy http://www.dweiniger.com/

Was a great buying experience I might add.

[ARW]

stuartforrest, could you tell me the dubai website you found out how to change the PIE homepage link?

Thanks!

Not Stuart, but I believe this is what you're looking for.

http://smartphonedubai.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/228104131/m/835102384

[MitzEclipse]

stuartforrest, could you tell me the dubai website you found out how to change the PIE homepage link?

Thanks!

Not Stuart, but I believe this is what you're looking for.

http://smartphonedubai.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/228104131/m/835102384

Thank you ARW - i hopw this works on wm2003!

[stuartforrest]

www.smartphonedubai.com

http://smartphonedubai.com/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/228104131/m/835102384/r/217101056#217101056