i-mate JAM Smartphone

Dec 13 i-mate JAM Smartphone
Found in:Devices,

The i-mate Jam is the smallest integrated Windows Mobile PDA and phone you can put in your hands.Combination handheld/phone devices are becoming ever more common, and the trick with such 'convergence' devices is to get the right mix of features for whichever segment of the buying public is being targeted, and make them all easily accessible.

This great handheld device is available in two versions

i-mate JAM 64MB Smartphone

416 MHz Intel xScale processor, 64 MB of RAM, Bluetooth, a 1 megapixel camera, and a 240 x 320 color touch screen.

i-mate JAM 128MB Smartphone

416 MHz Intel xScale processor, 128 MB of RAM, Bluetooth, a 1 megapixel camera, and a 240 x 320 color touch screen.

At just .72 inches thick, the Jam fits into a pocket with ease, and its minimalist design is sure to turn heads. It's also easy to use, thanks to a simple control layout which offers quick access to your Outlook calendar, contacts, and key phone functions.Phone edition devices from O2 (the xda II at 7cm by 13cm by 1.9cm and 190g) and HP (the h6340 at 7.5cm by 11.9cm by 1.87cm, 190g). It matches Orange’s new Windows Smartphone, the SPV C500 for depth, although the C500 is marginally thinner, a fair bit narrower and weighs just 100g. The other comparable device is Sony Ericsson’s P910i:as with the C500, the P910i's dimensions are very close, although it's thicker (2.6cm versus 1.81cm), and weighs 155g. The other handheld/phone combo worth mentioning at this point is PalmOne’s new Treo 650, which we expect to see early next year. The i-mate JAM should interest anyone looking for portability. Clearly, if the rest of our review stacks up, any of the convergence devices mentioned above could face competition.

The Jam's TFT display supports up to 65,000 colors and the Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC operating system is completely touchscreen-enabled. The screen also features advanced handwriting recognition that is compatible with all of the device's applications. The rear of the Jam houses the camera and there's a standard stereo 2.5mm headset jack, while USB data and charging is handled by docking ports on the bottom of the device.

Many of the Jam's calling features are integrated with the Windows Mobile operating system.The included Pocket Outlook software has a contacts list that is combined with the phone's dialing functions. The phone's handwriting recognition software can be used to dial numbers and enter contact information. The Jam's built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Polyphonic ringtones are available, as is a vibrating alert. Custom ringtones, as well as a picture ID system are also supported.

The i-mate JAM's small size makes it easy to hold in one hand and prod at with the thumb -- ideal for making voice calls one-handed. It's also far less of a chore to hold this device to the ear for voice calls than it is with some larger Pocket PC/phone combos -- and you feel less of an idiot doing so.

Battery life is impressive. Our usual MP3 looping test, in which we leave the screen always on, but turn off Bluetooth and the GSM/GPRS radio, delivered 5 hours and 13 minutes of continuous music and overall life of 6 hours and 9 minutes. We have been able to live with this pretty comfortably during the test period, although daily charges via the mini-USB sync/charge connector have been required. Power can be delivered via the mains or a notebook PC, helping to minimise the amount of cabling you need to carry.

Using the Jam's integrated media functions, you can store MP3 files and easily exchange them with your PC. The included Windows Media Player application can also play videos for even more mobile entertainment. You can also use the Jam's megapixel camera to capture photos, or videos in MPEG4 format. Gaming on the device is also fully supported.

The Jam is designed as a complete mobile office solution, so Internet and messaging capabilities are robust. The unit comes packed with pocket versions of Outlook, Internet Explorer and MSN Messenger. In addition to keeping track of contacts, Pocket Outlook features integrated calendar and email functions. Microsoft's ActiveSync software keeps the device synced with all of your PC's Outlook information via USB, IR, or Bluetooth connection. Users who want Internet connectivity on the road with their laptop or PDA can tap the Jam's wireless modem capabilities. In addition to Outlook/Exchange Server email connectivity, the Jam also supports POP3, IMAP4 and BlackBerry email protocols. The unit fully supports basic text messaging, as well as multimedia messaging (MMS).

If you like this post, You can Share it or about!

Subscribe :