Official i-mate K-JAM Specs

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.imate.com/DETAILS_KJAM.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.imate.com/DETAILS_KJAM.htm</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050928-imateDevices.jpg" /><br /><br />To coincide with the official release of <a href="http://www.1-view.com/">1-View</a>, i-mate has released finalised specifications of the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050925-KJAM.jpg">i-mate K-JAM</a>, effectively putting an end to all those unknown variables we <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/index.php?action=expand,43214">posted</a> on a couple of days ago. Most of you are well aware that the 108mm x 58mm x 23.7mm K-JAM (a.k.a. HTC Wizard) is powered by a TI OMAP 850 200MHz processor and includes 64MB RAM and 128MB ROM. Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support is there, along with Bluetooth 1.1 (Class 2) and integrated 802.11b/g Wi-Fi. Other specifics include miniSD, mini-USB, IR, a 2.8" QVGA (240 x 320) 64K-colour screen, a 1.3MP camera, a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, and Windows Mobile 5.0.<br /><br />So, what's worth noting from that list of never-ending specs? (1) The K-JAM features <b>Bluetooth 1.1 (Class 2 - ~10m range)</b>. But why? Where's v1.2 or even v2.0? (2) The device will initially support <b>802.11b/g Wi-Fi</b>. <b>802.11e/i</b> will come at a later date via a free ROM update to be made available at <a href="http://www.clubimate.com/">"Club i-mate"</a>. (3) A <b>1.3MP camera</b> is integrated in the device - ending speculation that the K-JAM would feature a 2.0MP camera. A quick glance at the specs sheet and you'll notice that it supports <i>"software interpolation up to 2.0MP"</i>. Suffice to say, there are many ups and downs with these finalised specs, which leads on to the big question - are you still interested in the device? ;)

[kcrain]

I'm definitely still interested. How many accessories are currently available for anything beyond bluetooth 1.1? Not many as I recall, but some. I'll even sacrifice for the mini-SD slot. You still get so much in the smallest package possible. Honestly, it's an amazing feat of engineering, from my perspective.

[kcrain]

A couple other things I forgot to mention: I may use the digicam for snapping photos of my friends for the contacts list, but that's probably it. Real photos will be taken with a real camera, that's just the way I am.

Also, the JasJar/Universal isn't worth the money to me because I can't use UMTS. I realize no one in the US can yet (really), but I don't even have EV-DO available in my area. I do, however, have EDGE, which suits me just fine. It's cheaper, and probably fast enough for that small screen and the mobile websites I would surf. So at this point, the KJam fits pretty well with my situation.

Maybe 3G from Cingular or Verizon will expand into my area better and I can step up to faster data devices. But until that happens, no sense in spending the extra money for nothing.

[Guttrhead]

http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000847057515/
http://qualweb.bluetooth.org/Template2.cfm?LinkQualified=QualifiedProducts&amp;Details=Yes&amp;ProductID=2740

How did it pass bluetooth 2.0 certification then? Not sure what PRD version 1.0 means, but is says spec version is 2.0

[algal]

Hello,

So if the finalized specs are out, how long until it starts to be available in European markets with contract?

I'm sorry if this is a naive question, but I'm a PalmOS refugee and I'm not sure if endless delays and postponed release dates are the rule here as well.

[wardy]

When you read the Specs it doesn't state it is Bluetooth 1.1 but is complient with 1.1 To be complient with 1.1 you would have to be something else .. No ?

[Jason Lee]

i'm still very interested in one. the wifi is a step up, the bluetooth is a bit concusing but still functional.
i'm still un sure of the mini sd slot though... :(
i also wonder what bluetooth stack it has and what profiles it supports.
i am awaiting initial real user reviews and opinions before making the jump.
the atom and the eten m600 are very nice but i think i would rather go with the keyboard.

[Phoenix]

Bluetooth 1.1 ???

:roll: What a bunch of dummies.

Why companies do things like this and can't just get it right the first time will never make any sense to me.

[kcrain]

Bluetooth 1.1 ???

:roll: What a bunch of dummies.

Why companies do things like this and can't just get it right the first time will never make any sense to me.

Maybe it's keeping the price down, it's not ready yet (ie compatibility, etc). Sure, it passed Bluetooth specs, but what's that supposed to mean?

[sstrunks84]

what makes me angry is that it only has a 200mhz processor. The HTC Apache from Sprint has the 416mhz one...also, Skype requires a minimum of a 400mhz processor to run :evil: The 1.3 mp camera was a disappointment as well but i can live with that.

[Jason Lee]

what makes me angry is that it only has a 200mhz processor. The HTC Apache from Sprint has the 416mhz one...also, Skype requires a minimum of a 400mhz processor to run :evil: The 1.3 mp camera was a disappointment as well but i can live with that.

Skype runnes just fine on this 200mhz processor, the guys over at pocket pc italia have done it. Also the first 2 benchmarks i've seen show that this out performs the previous jam running at 416mhz. It's not always about the mhz. The 400mhz samsung is faster then the 624mhz intel. The 1.7ghz pentium m out does a 3ghz pentuim 4 in most every respect. Processor architecture is more important many times than clock speed.

Benchmarks:

http://pocketpcdubai.infopop.cc/groupee/forums/a/tpc/f/6041068401/m/2001070501

http://www.mobigeeks.net/stories.php?story=05/09/23/8674388

Skype running:

http://www.pocketpcitalia.com/cms3/templates/PPC-NEWS.ASP?articleid=2619&amp;zoneid=1

[Paragon]

what makes me angry is that it only has a 200mhz processor. The HTC Apache from Sprint has the 416mhz one...also, Skype requires a minimum of a 400mhz processor to run :evil: The 1.3 mp camera was a disappointment as well but i can live with that.

....it WORKS with skype. A processors abilities are not measured in megahertz......Ask AMD

[kcrain]

what makes me angry is that it only has a 200mhz processor. The HTC Apache from Sprint has the 416mhz one...also, Skype requires a minimum of a 400mhz processor to run :evil: The 1.3 mp camera was a disappointment as well but i can live with that.

....it WORKS with skype. A processors abilities are not measured in megahertz......Ask AMD

Question: Since this chip runs at a lower MHz speed than Intel's processors, does that mean it should have slightly better battery life? That would seem to make sense to me, but perhaps other parts of the processor's architecture will make up for the benefit and drain more battery power in other ways.

[sstrunks84]

you guys are probably right but i was just going along with what the skype website states: Minimum Requirements "400 MHz processor"

[Paragon]

Question: Since this chip runs at a lower MHz speed than Intel's processors, does that mean it should have slightly better battery life? That would seem to make sense to me, but perhaps other parts of the processor's architecture will make up for the benefit and drain more battery power in other ways.

Yes, that is one of the things OMAP processors are known for, better battery life.

Yes, Skype's website states a minimum 400mhz processor. That seems to be based on intel 400mhz processors. The OMAP 850 apparently runs at par with an Intel 400mhz. Consider the Intel>&lt;AMD comparisons.
Now for everyone who is jumping for their keyboard to tell me what a piece of crap the Ipaq 6315 was...two things. First this is not the same processor. Secondly, few if any of that devices problems were processor related. They were bugs and bad ROMs.

Every single report I have seen from anyone who has used a Wizard so far have stated that it works fine. There have be multiple reports of it running Skype without a problem. There have been reports of Skype not playing well with WM5.0 at times though.

We'll know all this one way or the other soon as they start to ship.

Dave

[andydempsey]

Interested? We all know where a bear goes to the bathroom, so damn right I'm still interested. Come on Cingular, be good for once.

[kcrain]

Interested? We all know where a bear goes to the bathroom, so damn right I'm still interested. Come on Cingular, be good for once.

Amen.

Didn't I read somewhere that Oct 20-something was when Cingular may introduce the Wizard? I assume it will be some kind of Audiovoxx device, since previous HTC devices came from them.

[Duncan]

Since this device qualifed with BT 2.0

AND

i-Mate are pretty crap at getting their specs right (they still insist that the JasJar has BT 1.1 - it doesn't)

AND

It would probably be harder to put a BT 1.1 radio in than a 1.2 now

AND

I'm pretty certain that the BT Org aren't even qualifying BT 1.1 products any more...

I think it is safe to assume that it doesn't have BT 1.1.

[revolution.cx]

I'm just a-hoping and a-praying that the keyboard works for gaming (no multiple key press issues). It even inspired me to return to my long neglected build of Doom.

[bnycastro]

Still very much interested! I'm waiting for O2's version [the name K-JAM just doesn't sit too well with me]

[Phoenix]

Since this device qualifed with BT 2.0

AND

i-Mate are pretty crap at getting their specs right (they still insist that the JasJar has BT 1.1 - it doesn't)

AND

It would probably be harder to put a BT 1.1 radio in than a 1.2 now

AND

I'm pretty certain that the BT Org aren't even qualifying BT 1.1 products any more...

I think it is safe to assume that it doesn't have BT 1.1.

I certainly hope you're right.


Maybe it's keeping the price down, it's not ready yet (ie compatibility, etc). Sure, it passed Bluetooth specs, but what's that supposed to mean?

Sorry for my reaction. :oops: Apparrently, we'll just have to wait just a bit longer to absolutely know for sure. It's just that it's frustrating to me to hear an old spec version (in this case, BT) announced for a brand new product when it's brother has the new version. Just like anyone else, I just want to know that what I spend my money on will offer the best of what's available.

[Darius Wey]

Since this device qualifed with BT 2.0

AND

i-Mate are pretty crap at getting their specs right (they still insist that the JasJar has BT 1.1 - it doesn't)

AND

It would probably be harder to put a BT 1.1 radio in than a 1.2 now

AND

I'm pretty certain that the BT Org aren't even qualifying BT 1.1 products any more...

I think it is safe to assume that it doesn't have BT 1.1.

I certainly hope you're right.

Ditto. Bluetooth v1.1 just seems a little "yesterday" to be featured in today's technology. ;)

[Darius Wey]

Every single report I have seen from anyone who has used a Wizard so far have stated that it works fine. There have be multiple reports of it running Skype without a problem.

I'll second what Paragon has said. I've seen and heard these reports too, so it's worth remembering that clock speeds are just a small part in these processor wars. ;) The Samsung S3C244x processors are well known for performing on par with the Intel PXA's, and as far as I can tell, the OMAP 850 is no different.

There have been reports of Skype not playing well with WM5.0 at times though.

And I've heard they're working to have compatibility issues fixed. It's only a matter of time now. :)

[Paragon]

There have been reports of Skype not playing well with WM5.0 at times though.

And I've heard they're working to have compatibility issues fixed. It's only a matter of time now. :)

I've also heard that Skype is also working on an OMAP specific version as well.

Dave

[slalvani]

Sure the bluetooth, the camera and even (worst of all) the 64MB RAM are a bummer, but I got my hands on one at GITEX in Dubai this week, and it ROCKS :mrgreen: ! I'm definately trading in my JAM for this (I just hope the battery life has improved - that is the biggest benefit of bluetooth 2.0).

[psneddon]

I have a feeling that the bluetooth chipset supports 2.0 but the current software only supports 1.1. I mean it seems to me that with blueooth most of the magic that makes it work is implemented in the software stack?

So anyway, I hope I'm right and a rom update is released that emables bluetooth 2.0.

On a different note, does the device have a flash for the camera??

Paul