i-Mate To Be Available In Australia

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.asp?contentid=2141' target='_blank'>http://www.geekzone.co.nz/content.a...?contentid=2141</a><br /><br /></div>"The Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition branded as i-mate is to be released in Australia through Telstra and Vodafone. The same model is not officially release in New Zealand, where I know it's being tested with the Vodafone network, although I've seen it listed in channel distributors. Based on the Microsoft Windows Mobile Pocket PC 2003 Phone Edition, the i-mate Pocket PC is a PDA and mobile phone (GSM/GPRS) in one."<br /><br />This is the same device known as the XDA II. Anyone willing to place bets on when <i>any</i> North American carrier will stock the unit? Buying one unlocked is a little too expensive. :|

[Jeff Song]

Yea seriously I would love this unit but $900 is a bit too steep

[Paragon]

."
Anyone willing to place bets on when any North American carrier will stock the unit?

All bets are off on this for me.....I smell something coming. I have a feeling something is about to hit in the next 1-3 months that so far has been kept very quite. Maybe HPs device really is close......None of the North American carriers seem to be too excited about the XDA II. There has to be some reason for it.

Dave

[Anthony Caruana]

If the info poster earlier in the week is correct then the iPAQ 6000 series should be released before the middle of the year. As an Aussie, I'd rather wait for a BT/WiFi/GSM/GPRS combo device.

Having had nothing but good experience with Spike, my 2210, and his predecessor, a 3850, I'll wait for an iPAQ PPCPE device

[arebelspy]

I have an i-Mate, and it's wonderful. But by the time a H6000 comes out, has been out for a month and had the major bugs worked out, I'll have had my device 6+ months and be ready for an upgrade. :)

It simply wasn't worth waiting, I knew I'd rather pay more and get an awesome PPCPE 6+ months before most of North America. I agree with Paragon Again though, something big is coming. Probably to AT&T - thus the selloff of the XDA Is.

-arebelspy

[Sparkomatic]

Just got my PPC from someone in Austrailia and I must say it's by far the best PPC I've ever owned! Although I do think that something will be coming out soon. The i-mate is too good to keep from the US.

Oh, this is my first post from my i-mate. :D

[hshortt]

Doesn't T-Mobile carry the MDAII which is the same device only rebranded a few minor cosmetic changes.

Surely you could get a deal on that?

Oh well, I just bought an XDA II on ebay myself and am waiting for it. It's going to replace my Motorola MPX200 .... or maybe not. Have to wait and see!

Cheers

[UCCOFFEE]

It's AU$1449.00 from www.ow.com.au

I still think it's too heavy... Hope the H6000 ll be a little bit lighter / less bulky
:>

[Kevin Daly]

Actually, it looks like the i-Mate is already on sale here in New Zealand (the Vodafone web site doesn't reflect this, but that's nothing new).
I visited a Vodafone shop this afternoon and they had one there, and according to the sales guy they are on sale now.

[adamz]

eh, I've lost faith in HP. Ever since they cancelled the H5600 with GSM/GPRS/Bluetooth... never really released the GSM/GPRS expansion pack... and publicly said that people don't want converged devices... I'm going with the XDA II for now. I find it hard to believe that after saying that people don't want built in phones that they can turn around right away and make a new Pocket PC Phone that can compete with the dozens of others making their way onto the market.

[belial]

Actually, it looks like the i-Mate is already on sale here in New Zealand (the Vodafone web site doesn't reflect this, but that's nothing new).
I visited a Vodafone shop this afternoon and they had one there, and according to the sales guy they are on sale now.

Tech Pacific also have them, at a much nicer price than Vodafone.