MobileTechReview Reviews the i-Mate JAM

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobiletechreview.com/i-mate_JAM.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.mobiletechreview.com/i-mate_JAM.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Why is it that some of the sweetest phones never make it to the US? The XDA II comes to mind, which was both hugely popular overseas and quite powerful as a Pocket PC and a phone. Now the i-mate JAM (code named HTC Magician, and sold by T-Mobile Germany as the MDA Compact and by o2 as the XDA II mini) has taken every market by storm except the US where no carrier offers it. &lt;...> What is the JAM? It's the smallest Pocket PC phone to date, being similar in size to the palmOne Treo 650 and much smaller than the Siemens SX66. Though it lacks those competitors' built-in keyboard, it does have a reasonably fast processor, Bluetooth, an SD slot and a camera."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/jam.jpg" /><br /><br />Wow! Some of the pictures from the article really do a good job of showing just how small this device is. What I really like is that it's a convergence device without looking like a convergence device. In other words, I probably wouldn't have to worry about flight attendents telling me I can't use the device no matter how hard I try to explain that it's in flight mode. Personally, I think I would still prefer a thumb-pad, but I really like the clean minimalist look of this i-Mate as well. Luckily for those of us in the US, it is available in two tri-band models depending on which GSM carrier you are with (though I would have preferred quad-band). Unfortunately, you'll have to rely on 3rd party importers because none of the major carriers are selling it. Anyway, be sure to check out the review and give us your thoughts!

[TMann]

I have often thought that the JAM is the nicest "converged" design out there, along with the Treo. Both of them are just large enough to be useful PDA's, but are small enough to be good phones as well. The HTC "blue angel" design is just too big to be used as a phone, IMHO. (However, I would guess that people who purchase those are using them primarily as data devices.) It's too bad that there aren't any U.S. carriers selling the JAM.

TMann

[Paragon]

I think it has been a real shame that none of the North American carriers pickup the Magician. It would have helped break a couple of the still existing barriers people have for buying a converged device....size, and price. Although not exactly cheap, it is about 2/3's the price of the Blue Angel. That combined with the fact that it is similar in size to the average cell phone has made it extremely popular in the markets it has sold in.

Here is a picture that I think puts its size in proper persective.

http://www.devans.ca/imate/jamt610.jpg

[SteveHoward999]

What I really like is that it's a convergence device without looking like a convergence device. In other words, I probably wouldn't have to worry about flight attendents telling me I can't use the device no matter how hard I try to explain that it's in flight mode.

What, you mean those tech-savvy people who tell you it is unsafe to use them when you are sitting at the terminal and the plane is not moving, but it is OK to use them once you are at cruising altitude ... because they interfere with the navigation systems??? Yeah you are right, they would be able to tell the difference between a phone and a PDA ... no wait, you are relying on them not being able to tell the difference? That's going to help how???

That's right. I am not bitter :-)

[lsbeller]

So where's the best place (cost and service) to buy this phone for use with TMobile USA?

[Paragon]

So where's the best place (cost and service) to buy this phone for use with TMobile USA?

http://www.dweiniger.com/ Better known as MadMonkeyBoy. David provides exceptional customer service, and at a good price.

Dave

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

What I really like is that it's a convergence device without looking like a convergence device. In other words, I probably wouldn't have to worry about flight attendents telling me I can't use the device no matter how hard I try to explain that it's in flight mode.
Yeah you are right, they would be able to tell the difference between a phone and a PDA ... no wait, you are relying on them not being able to tell the difference? That's going to help how???
No, I wouldn't be counting on them NOT being able to tell the difference, I would be counting on them to believe this is just a PDA. No more, no less.

If it looks anything like a phone, they won't allow it to be used at all regardless of whether it's in "flight mode" or not.

That's right. I am not bitter :-)
Yeah, I can tell. ;)

[lekim2]

I have a Jam and it's great. It travels in my pocket unlike my previous converged device.

I'm no power user, so compromise screen size for functionality. Only gripe is an apparent memory leak with AS, but a soft reset every few days is OK by me.

It should be provided with a better SIP better suited to phone funtionality, IMO.

[Raphael Salgado]

So where's the best place (cost and service) to buy this phone for use with TMobile USA?

http://www.dweiniger.com/ Better known as MadMonkeyBoy. David provides exceptional customer service, and at a good price.

Dave

FYI, David aka MadMonkeyBoy, also sells the new E-ten M500 (a competitor to the JAM), and the PDA2 as well as the PDA2k.

I agree with Paragon, he is the best distributor in the US for all the stuff we have a hard time getting here. His reputation precedes him, as shown in this HowardForums feedback thread (http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=&amp;threadid=528018).

[encece]

Another vote for MadMonkeyBoy. I ordered mine on a monday night around 7:00pm and received it the next day! Great service....and a great device.

[surur]

I would love to get this phone for my wife, but with no WM5 upgrade (which all phone edition devices really need) there's just no future in it.

Surur

Edited for obvious reasons ;)

[Kowalski]

Great service....and a great device.
i would call this device if only it had built in wifi instead of built in camera!

[griph]

I would love to get this phone for my wide
Whoops! An unfortunate slip! :D
But with no WM5 upgrade (which all phone edition devices really need) there's just no future in it.
I dont see why a PE devices NEEDS WM5 - it would be nice - but hardly essential! Most consumers couldn't tell the difference between WM2003SE and WM5 unless it came up and bit them. :)

I have an MDA Compact and having had a number of PPC's in the past (5) it is the best yet. Whilst I am usually an early adopter, I dont feel the urge to dump it just to have to upgrade to a brick in order to get WM5 (after the MDA believe me ALL PPC's are bricks. I might upgrade IF the new Magician is launched with it - but I'm not holding my breath!

[kiwi]

I have a Jam and it's great. It travels in my pocket unlike my previous converged device.

I'm no power user, so compromise screen size for functionality. Only gripe is an apparent memory leak with AS, but a soft reset every few days is OK by me.

It should be provided with a better SIP better suited to phone funtionality, IMO.

likewise, travels in my pocket protected by a silicon case. I cross graded from a P900 and like the WM2003SE OS. The camera bites.. as bad as my T610 camera.. lol!
I reset every so often because GPRS sometimes doesnt want to connect.. I figure its the flakey signal from my carrier(s).

Definetly needs a better SIP - phonepad is okay, but need one thats better to make up for the lack of keyboard. I hate using the stylus.

[Paragon]

I might upgrade IF the new Magician is launched with it - but I'm not holding my breath!

HTC will be releasing the Wizard in the fall which is rumored to be the replacement for the JAM. There is also the Eten M500 which IS getting a WM5.0 upgrade. Plus Eten is releasing the M600 which is the same form factor and has WiFi and WM5.0. The M500/M600 is comparable in size to the JAM.
Dave

[surur]

Well, the improvements in WM5 are really mainly focused on PE devices (one handed usage, soft keys, better dialer, persistent storage). I feel it would be rather stupid to buy now and not have the features which makes the most phone like PPC more phone than pocketpc.

Its really cheap now also (£65 with £25/month contract), so its a real pity :(

Surur

[griph]

Its really cheap now also (£65 with £25/month contract), so its a real pity :(

That's not cheap - got mine in March for FREE with s £23/month 12 month contract - now that was really cheap! Hence why I'm not too bothered in a WM5 upgrade enough to change machine and have to pay a premium!

[dommasters]

BEST DEVICE I HAVE EVER OWNED.
Have had it for about a year. Just brilliant. Mine looks like it has been to Iraq and back but these things are bullet proof.
Dom

[arkman]

I love my JAM and also think it is one of best 'converged' devices on the market.

For those of you in Canada I bought mine from impactwireless.ca. They have very good service and their prices are comparable to MadMonkeyBoys, but you don;t have to worry about customs etc...

Also, I highly recommend buying a Spectec Wireless card to add Wifi. The card is really excellent and nice and small. Worth every cent.

[griph]

BEST DEVICE I HAVE EVER OWNED

Agree totally! This is one sweet little device - beautiful clean lines - great design. Only gripe - crap camera! But then none of my other PPC's had one at all!

[hifiguy]

best cellphone AND pda i've ever owned.

only "complaint" (besides no WM5 upgrade) is the SD slot needs a door/cover. i accidentaly dropped my JAM and only later discovered that my SD card had popped out and was missing. doh, well it was a good excuse to get a 1GB card. :D

[Darius Wey]

only "complaint" (besides no WM5 upgrade) is the SD slot needs a door/cover. i accidentaly dropped my JAM and only later discovered that my SD card had popped out and was missing. doh, well it was a good excuse to get a 1GB card. :D

I don't think that problem is restricted to the JAM only. A number of devices (and I'm not just talking Pocket PCs here) can eject the SD card on impact, although it'd have to be exposed to a considerable force before it happens. Sometimes, you gotta love the spring-loading mechanism. ;)