3GSM: i-mate Roundup

Www.Engadgetmobile.Com Media 2007 02 I-Mate-Ultimate-Renderings

Although 3GSM has already given us some exciting photos of devices running WM6, some of the specs and details have been pretty thin. Now that we've had a moment to breathe, let's take a close look at what i-mate has dropped on us ("us" being "the world," as i-mate's history of shipping devices in the United States isn't what I'd like it to be).

Details after the jump.

i-mate Ultimate Line

We'll start with Engadget Mobile, who points out that the i-mate ultimate line is actually going to consist of 5 completely different form factors.

i-mate is taking a pretty interesting approach with its newest range of Windows Mobile devices -- the WM6-equipped "Ultimate" range -- by shoving a full five models out the door

Read: i-mate goes deep with Ultimate line, five models promised - Engadget Mobile

Meanwhile, PocketPCthought's post about the 5 ultimate phones points out an even cooler nugget for you Vista owners:

the devices are SideShow-compatible, meaning they can operate as gadget-displaying secondary screens for Windows Vista. Furthermore, the devices can act as Windows Media Center Extenders, so that great Media Center experience is always within reach.

PocketPCthougts also suggests we will see these monsters in the stores in June.

Read: Pocket PC Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

...What about specs on this Ultimate line? PCMag has the specs, and they are the very definition of overkill:

Windows Mobile 6 Professional, 520 Mhz Marvell Bulverde processors, VGA touch screens, 128 MB of RAM, 802.11 b/g/e/i Wi-Fi (with built-in voice-over-internet calling), Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, 2-megapixel cameras, XGA TV video out, and full-speed USB 2.0 connections.

The even better news from PCMag, in my humble opinion, is that these phones fully support the "Advanced Wireless Services" band that T-Mobile gobbled up last year - raising my hopes not only that we'll see these monsters in the United States but also that my own wireless carrier will support them. Oh, and i-mate is "keen to support the US Market."

Read: I-Mate Unveils Windows Mobile 6/Vista Sideshow Phones - News and Analysis by PC Magazine

JAQ4

The JAQ4 is no slouch, either. With a shape that says "I'm Standard Edition" but is actually the Professional Edition and a scroll wheel (it's the little things that get me), I can appreciate this little guy.

i-mate is also launching the JAQ4 - the first i-mate device to ship with Windows Mobile 6 – a sturdy QWERTY keyboard GPS phone with a five-way joystick and scroll wheel allowing for easy navigation and use of services including push email. Furthermore, the landscape 2.8” colour touch screen supports the use of the stylus as an increasingly popular means of accessing and writing email and messages.

The specs are definitely not in the "Ultimate" category, but they ain't bad. Hello GPS! Goodbye 3G Data!