06-23-2005, 12:00 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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MobileTechReview Reviews the i-Mate JAM
"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. <...> 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."
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!
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06-23-2005, 02:15 AM
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Intellectual
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 157
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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
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06-23-2005, 02:51 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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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.
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06-23-2005, 03:06 AM
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Pontificator
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,183
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Re: MobileTechReview Reviews the i-Mate JAM
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Originally Posted by 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.
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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 :-)
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06-23-2005, 03:38 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 47
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So where's the best place (cost and service) to buy this phone for use with TMobile USA?
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06-23-2005, 04:04 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,341
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by lsbeller
So where's the best place (cost and service) to buy this phone for use with TMobile USA?
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Better known as MadMonkeyBoy. David provides exceptional customer service, and at a good price.
Dave
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06-23-2005, 04:38 AM
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Magi
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,386
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Re: MobileTechReview Reviews the i-Mate JAM
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Originally Posted by SteveHoward999
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Originally Posted by 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.
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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.
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That's right. I am not bitter :-)
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Yeah, I can tell. 
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06-23-2005, 04:57 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 10
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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.
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06-23-2005, 05:01 AM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 349
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Paragon
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Originally Posted by lsbeller
So where's the best place (cost and service) to buy this phone for use with TMobile USA?
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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.
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06-23-2005, 06:09 AM
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Mystic
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,632
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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.
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Linear Mode
