I-mate JAQ: Crystal Clear Display and Spacious Keyboard

Prolific Windows Mobile device producer i-mate has now added a twelfth device to their roster. The JAQ is designed to compete in the mobile messaging device market, which is making a push to compete with the BlackBerry from RIM. This group is getting more and more crowded every day and includes the HP 6500 and 6900 series, Treo 700wx, Samsung BlackJack, Motorola Q, and several others.

Clear screen, big keyboard

The most striking feature when you first power up the JAQ is its crystal clear 2.8 inch diagonal (320×240 pixel) color touch screen. It is among the clearest and sharpest I have seen on the Pocket PC units in its class. It is also one of the lightest Phone Edition devices, but its form factor is a bit longer than most and I did not find it as attractive as the Treo 700w. To be fair, the length accommodates a keyboard that provides a little more space between the keys so that big-thumbed people like me have an easier time hitting them correctly.

The JAQ runs a 200 MHz processor, has 64MB of RAM, and an ample 128 MB of flash ROM. It’s powered by a 1,440 mAh battery and ships with an AC power adapter, USB sync/charge cable, wired stereo headset with microphone, carrying case, and spare stylus. Memory expansion is accomplished via a miniSD card slot, which is accessible on the right edge of the device. There is no built-in digital camera.

The JAQ is a long device accommodating a spacious keyboard, making it easier for big-thumbed people to hit the right key.

Targeting a converged mobile user

I-mate is targeting people who want to carry only a single device instead of a PDA and a cellular phone. Wireless carriers like this market because the users of these devices tend to generate more revenue for the carrier with the combination of voice and data plans. Windows Mobile devices in this market have consistently been bulky and awkward, and the ever-aware consumer is now demanding devices that are more compact and stylish. Unfortunately, most of the manufacturers are failing to deliver. This market demands a permanent (not a slide-out) physical keyboard on the device and a form factor similar to (or ideally smaller than) the popular RIM BlackBerry.

The phone is based on quad-band GSM technology, which means it works with the Cingular and T-Mobile networks, but not Verizon or Sprint. The GSM technology also means it will have broad support in Europe and most of the world. It also supports EDGE data services which gives it very high speeds of data access (100K to upwards of 400K) on an EDGE network. In addition to GSM, it has Bluetooth for short range wireless connections with headsets and other accessories. It does not have built in 802.11 Wi-Fi, which will be a deal breaker for a few users. However, the vast majority of users buying these phones aren’t using them on Wi-Fi connections, and the high-speed EDGE network is rather peppy for downloading. It also comes with Modem Link software, allowing it to be used as a modem for laptops, which is convenient for road warriors who want to sync up their laptop e-mail while on the go.

The dimensions are 4.8 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches, and it weighs 5.6 ounces. This makes it one of the longest and lightest Phone Edition devices, and is similar in size and weight to the Nokia E62 and older BlackBerry devices like the 7780. The JAQ and other Phone Editions with permanent keyboards are nowhere near as slim and light as the Motorola Q Smartphone. However, unlike the Smartphone, they incorporate the more feature-rich Pocket PC application suite and can run the larger library of third-party applications and games designed for the Pocket PC.

In terms of call quality, the JAQ stacked up about the same against the Windows Mobile phone-enabled devices using GSM technology, which is to say it is solidly mediocre. Not all phones are created equal and I haven’t tried every one, but Pocket PC Smartphones have been widely criticized for their call quality, so this is an area that all the manufacturers need to work on. In general, I have experienced better call quality using CDMA-based Pocket PC devices such as the Treo 700w on the Verizon network.

Add-on software from i-mate

The i-mate JAQ is a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone Edition device and comes with the complete suite of Pocket PC applications. In addition to this, i-mate has added the Modem Link software mentioned earlier, a slick poker game that you can play online with other people, and an over-the-air backup utility. The latter, however, is subscription based, costing $100 initially and $10 per month-you might want to stick with backing up your device to a memory card. In addition to all this, there is on-board anti-virus software from eTrust and a few other nice accessories.

It’s sold as an unlocked GSM device for $499-you still have to buy a service contract. You can purchase competing devices with a 2-year contract for much less. This coupled with the call quality issues I raised may dampen the success of the device.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

The 320×240 landscape format screen is extremely crisp and easy to read in a variety of light conditions.
Keyboard layout is spacious and has good tactile response.
Standard mini-USB port for charging and syncing means that any mini-USB cable can do the trick.
Runs Pocket PC software suite and accepts third-party apps designed for the Pocket PC.
Cons:

The JAQ is a bit bulky, and I find it unattractive.
I was not impressed with the call quality. I experienced a great deal of drop-outs in mid conversation as well as dropped calls on the network. (I believe this is an issue with Phone Edition devices running on GSM networks. I do not experience it with Phone Edition devices running on CDMA networks.)
Spec Sheet

Model: i-mate JAQ

Price: $499.99 (unlocked GSM phone without service plan)

Information:http://www.clubimate.com/t-D…

Purchase:http://www.mobileplanet.com

Hardware

CPU: 200 MHz TI OMAP850

Display: 2.8″ diagonal, 320×240 pixel, 64K color, transflective TFT touch screen

Memory: 74 MB RAM, 128MB flash ROM

Input and control: Pen entry with handwriting recognition, soft keyboard, block and character letter recognizers; built-in, QWERTY thumb keyboard with integrated number pad; send and end call buttons; Home and OK buttons; buttons that activate two onscreen “soft buttons,” 4-way navigation button with center select button, voice record button, up-down navigation button.

Built-in wireless: Phone: Quad-Band EDGE-capable GSM/GPRS, Bluetooth 1.2, IrDA infrared.

External ports: Standard mini-USB, 2.5 mm stereo headphone/speakerphone jack.

Card slots: miniSD

Battery: 1,440 mAh L-Ion removable / rechargeable (mfg. est. 4 hrs talk time, 150 hrs standby time)

Dimensions/weight: 4.8 x 2.7 x 0.8 inches (12.2 x 7.1 x 2.2 cm); 5.6 oz (160 g)

In the package: JAQ, USB sync/charging cable, AC power adapter, wired stereo headset/microphone, carrying case, spare stylus, Microsoft Companion CD, user guides.

Optional Accessories: Replacements for standard accessories, car power kit, carrying cases.

Software

Operating System: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 software for Pocket PC Phone Edition

Application and Utilities: BUILT-IN from Microsoft: Windows Mobile OS, Phone Dialer, Outlook Mobile (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Messenger), Word and Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile, Internet Explorer Mobile, Media Player 10 Mobile, MSN Messenger, Notes, Calculator, Solitaire, Pictures & Video, Terminal Services Client. A description of these is in the At A Glance section. ADDITIONAL FROM I-MATE: Modem Link, Blackjack, Poker, eTrust anti-virus, ClearVue PDF viewer, Java Virtual Machine. USER INSTALLABLE (On Microsoft companion CD or links to download-varies without notice): ActiveSync, Outlook 2002 (desktop PC version).

ASUS P735

If only ASUS made that GPS-packin’ P535 with a 3G radio… well, by George, they do! (Sorta.) The P735 takes the P535’s winning formula (for folks that consider a keyboardless design a “winning formula,” anyway) but trades GPS for some glorious UMTS data in a 19mm-thick package. Other features include 256MB of onboard Flash, 2 megapixel primary and VGA front-facing cams, 802.11b / g, Bluetooth 2.0, and miniSD expansion. Conspicously missing from the spec sheet, though, are Crossbow and any form of 3G usable this side of the pond. Maybe next time you’ll think of us, ASUS.

Nokia N95

Mmm, launch dates. We can’t help but thank our lucky stars a bit for this one, but we’ll admit, knowing that we’ll have to wait around two extra months to see Nokia’s N95 make its way into retail distribution channels is a bit tough to stomach. After finally seeing this mobile get legit, get reviewed, get set back, and get picked up by Doctor Z himself, we’re delighted that the blokes (and gals) across the pond won’t be waiting too much longer for their own turn. According to MobileToday, the forthcoming Nokia will hit UK users “in the second week of March,” and after a fortnight of exclusivity in the UK, it’ll then be loosed onto other parts of Europe. Of course, Nokia is mum on the whole deal, so we’re not hearing any more juicy details just yet, but hey, knowing how long you’ve got to save up is reason enough to celebrate, right?

LG kicks out SH110 HSDPA slider for Korea

It looks like LG’s on the slider train again, adding a dime to its SH100 and calling it the SH110. This pocket-friendly phone sports a basic array of buttons on the front face, but is primarily dominated by the QVGA display. Other features on the well-styled handset is a two-megapixel camera, MP3 playback, included headphones, Bluetooth, HSDPA, and a music sharing function to stream tunes to two nearby individuals. Furthermore, this mobile supports video telephony via the VGA camera, letting you get your video chat on without having to locate a webcam. Per usual, there’s no word yet on pricing or availability outside of Korea, but a little wishful thinking just might get this thing outside of its comfort zone.

Meizu’s M8

We’re not sure if the pics above are the result of an engorged, Chinese fanboy fantasy or actual product renderings of Meizu’s rumored M8. We wouldn’t be surprised either way what with China-based Meizu’s history of uh, Apple inspired design. Posted by a senior discussion-forum jockey on the Meizu site, the M8 is now said to measure in at a scant 57×105x11.5-mm and packs both a GSM and Chinese TD-SCDMA 3G radio, a 3.3-inch 720×480 pixel display, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel camera, and an ARM11 CPU capable of recording video at 30fps at the device’s full 720 x 480 resolution. Too good to be true? Perhaps, but if not Meizu than certainly some other nimble Chinese outfit will be unveiling their iPhone clone soon enough and likely well before the iPhone hits Asia sometime in 2008. And as we’ve seen, even Apple’s tenacious legal team can be helpless in the face of shutting down copycats on foreign turf. Picture ’round back after the break.

i-mate K-JAR

Without 3G, we’re still not excited about it, but the i-mate K-JAR’s four bands of GSM / GPRS coverage count for something, we reckon. The FCC apparently agrees, giving it its wholehearted stamp of approval — and as is so often the case with our federal friends, the approval comes complete with a full spread of glamor shots and a user’s manual. Though the K-JAR’s form factor smacks of the JASJAR (alias HTC Universal) before it, the screen resolution takes a sizable dip from VGA all the way down to QVGA, nixing one of the JASJAR’s greatest claims to fame. Still, a swivel display is pretty cool, and if you want to send one over to us, i-mate, well… we’re not going to put up a fight about it.

2.4″ QVGA touch screen
TI OMAP 730 200Mhz CPU
Triband GSM/GPRS (no 3G!)
128MB ROM
64MB RAM
Wi-Fi (802.11b only!)
2.0MP Camera (no auto focus or flash)
miniSD
1100mAh battery
USB1.1 (nice and slow then )

The Windows Vista Windows Mobile Device Center ( "ActiveSync" do VISTA )

O2 Flame

- Intel Xscale(R) PXA 270 processor 520 Mhz.
- NVIDIA(R) GoForce(R) 5500 GPU
- Wireless LAN 802.11b+g
- SRS Mobile HD surround sound
- USB On-The-Go
- 2 GB Flash ROM + 128 MB RAM
- TV out connector
- Display 3.5 ” VGA 640 x 480
- Windows Mobile 5.0
- Bluetooth 2.0
- Micro SD expansion slot
- 3G – Tri band phone
- Second camera for videocall
- Digital Camara 2.0 ล้าน Pixels Auto Focus และ Flash
- BattaryLithium Polymer 1,620 mAh
- FM radio Tuner

Slider QWERTY vs. Fixed QWERTY

The Windows Mobile Smartphone devices have evolved over the years; from the early chunky candy bar to the pocket-able QWERTY devices, we have come a long way. There is still room for improvement and perfection, HTC is proving it by introducing the Vox with its slider keyboard. I love this design primarily because it brings back the “phone first” approach that was so appealing about the Smartphone devices. The recent wave of QWERTY devices have degraded the phone functionality a bit, and the other thing I don’t like about the current QWERTY devices is that they still look like calculators (and BlackBerries). Yes, they are extremely slim and small compared to BlackBerries but the resemblance is there. The new Vox will be a true phone first device, and will look like a regular mobile phone thanks to the slide out QWERTY. The second reason why I love the HTC Vox design is because of its size.

Won the “Best of Innovations” Award of CES 2007

A-DATA “info SD” has won the 2007 CES Best of Innovations Award in the Computer Accessories category. The info SD flash card is also the only product in that category to win the Best of Innovations from the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA). Being recognized with the premier design awards at CES reflects A-DATA’s commitment to delivering the best designed products in the market.

A-DATA’s info SD flash card is the world’s first SecureDigital™ (SD) flash card that utilizes bi-stable display technology, allowing the independent display of the available space on the card at any time without additional power. It is capable of showing 2 characters for name and 4 digits for free capacity via auto-calculation. It utilizes the bi-stable technology, allowing all users, computer-savvy or not, to know the remaining capacity of the memory card whenever they want, to enrich user’s digital life!