iMate Has A Replacement For The JASJAR: Not Quite

[Nurhisham Hussein]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/25/i-mates-jasjar-redux-the-k-jar/' target='_blank'>http://www.engadget.com/2006/10/25/...edux-the-k-jar/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"It looks like i-mate's ongoing collaboration with TechFaith is starting to pick up a good head of steam, seeing how they've gone and entrusted the Chinese ODM with serving up the de facto successor to the HTC-sourced JASJAR."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/hisham-20061026-nghia-03.jpg" /><br /><br />iMate is confirmed picking up the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=51386&">UBiQUiO 601</a> as the K-JAR - tri-band GSM with GPRS, TI OMAP CPU, 2.8" QVGA TFT-LCD, Bluetooth 1.2, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and miniSD slot. Apart from the form-factor, this is very far in terms of specs from the 3G, 3.6" VGA, SDIO-packing JASJAR - anybody else of the same opinion? BTW, IMHO, the iMate name is only marginally an improvement of the original - I keep thinking it sounds like the latest in avant-garde tableware.

[whydidnt]

This is a definite step back in terms of technology from the JasJar. It may be smaller and easier to carry around, though. I'm not sure who would want one of these instead of something like the Hermes (I think i-mate brands it as the JasJam), the keyboard may be marginally more useful, but everything else seems to be a huge step back.

[Darius Wey]

Ever since i-mate switched partners, their devices have been a little ho-hum. Hopefully, this isn't a sign of things to come. :(

[mmidgley]

"iMate" reminds me of a branch off device of my old Apple Newton. anyone remember that one? full keyboard, almost laptop-looking, NewtonOS based device? low tech in today's standards, but then this new jasjar-like device is not helping raise today's standards, eh? i'll stick with my htc prophet jamin for now.

m.

[jickbahtech]

Step down from the Jasjar?
This is a step down from my 6700...

[Paragon]

This quote just in from Jim Morrison, CEO of iMate. " We built the K-JAR with such low specs because we had a customer tell us they wanted a device with crappy specs, and if it was ugly as well, that would be a real bonus"

Sorry, I couldn't resist. ;)

Dave

[HTK]

The screen size is laughable.

[DaleReeck]

The screen size is laughable.

Yeah, really. There' more dead space around the screen then there is actual screen.

[saru83]

what the #$%^&amp;?? iMate is going down, really going down.. i expect the only iMate market from now will be the Middle East, its pretty well recognised out there.. thats there only hope..

[phreaker18]

what r they thinking..... i seriously dont understand the thought process of the people in the RnD n marketing team........ bah !!!!

[moaske]

I understand the iMate-bashing over this pathetic supposed JASJAR replacement... But it's actually pretty sad to see that iMate isn't capable to replace the terrific hardware of HTC, who actually pulled the plug on iMate...
HTC is becoming too big; just like M$, Apple and other bohemoths who think they can dictate and shape the market. HTC wants more more more, and iMate had to die for that purpose for at least the european market and the north american one...
Maybe Quanta would have been a better option for iMate, but i guess even they are already in the boat with too many partners.
iMate is defenitely going down...it'll never survive on the middle-east market alone... :(

Too bad... my trusted JAM will never be replaced with another iMate :cry: