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iMate, not dead yet

February 4, 2010 | By Surur

Much like a bad penny, iMate just keeps turning up. The latest showing of this zombie-like smartphone pioneer is at the Mobile World Congress in 2 weeks, where the company will be presenting at the ShowStoppers event, likely with very big promises but also likely with very small deliverables.

iMate has long taken credit for the development of the first Windows Mobile phone, but has floundered since HTC divested itself of its re-banders.

We look forward to see what iMate has to offer, if only for the entertainment value.

If you have an urge to see iMate too the venue is:

Sunday, 14 Feb. 2010
5 to 8 p.m.
Hilton Barcelona
Av. Diagonal 589-591
Barcelona

Via TamsPPC.

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Citrix demos remote desktop app on Windows Mobile smartphone

February 2, 2010 | By Surur

Open Kernel Labs (OK Labs), the leading global provider of embedded virtualization software for mobile phones and broadband Internet devices, and Citrix Systems, Inc., today announced the "nirvana phone" reference architecture, using virtualization to enable both mobile communications and office desktop-type productivity. The nirvana phone concept goes beyond traditional smart phones by allowing users to access their corporate virtual desktop and applications from a single device, in any location. With support for docking to full-sized displays, keyboards, mice and other PC-type peripherals, nirvana phones will offer mobile workers a complete "virtual desktop in your pocket," allowing them to take their desktop anywhere without the need to carry around a full laptop.

The nirvana phone reference architecture emerges from the partnership between OK Labs and Citrix, together with key ecosystem partners ranging from semiconductor suppliers and handset OEMs to enterprise IT suppliers and mobile network operators (MNOs). The design builds on Mobile-to-Enterprise (M2E) virtualization and readily-available functionality like mobile virtualization, cloud computing and wireless connectivity (3G, WiFi, Bluetooth). The nirvana phone reference architecture also incorporates emerging capabilities in mobile chipsets and handsets like full resolution video and HD output. The jointly-developed reference architecture can be viewed at ok-labs.com.

"The nirvana phone takes smart phones to the next level by bringing M2E from paradigm to platform and ultimately to product," noted Chris Fleck, VP of Community and Solutions Development, Citrix. "As HD video and other capabilities come on line in mobile chipsets, Citrix and OK Labs are working together to give OEMs a clear path to building handsets that meet the needs of IT organizations and mobile workers alike, delivering virtual desktops and applications to virtualized mobile devices."

"The nirvana phone will provide groundbreaking capabilities without breaking IT budgets with exotic technology," said Steve Subar, President and CEO, OK Labs. "The nirvana phone represents a near-term paradigm shift — OK Labs, Citrix, and our ecosystem partners envision real-world converged nirvana devices enabled for both mobility and desktop productivity entering the market within 12 to 18 months."

Minimum specs for a Nirvana handset is 528MHz ARM processor, 256MB ROM, 192MB RAM, and the software seem to run pretty well on the venerable Windows Mobile Imate 8150 (so that’s what became of them).

Did HTC buy I-mate?

January 3, 2010 | By Surur

I-mate was one of the pioneers of the smartphone world, and for much of the last few years also one of the most troubled. The company always credited itself as the creator of the first Windows Mobile phone, something that was disputed by most that saw the company as simply a trumped up middle man trying to take credit for the work of others, principally HTC.

When HTC decided to strike out on its own and sever ties to I-mate the company floundered, promising many great handsets and delivering only very few. Most recently the company, after disputes with its ODM’s and claimed internal fraud, shut doors completely, ad we thought we heard the last of them.

However a bit like the villain in a summer movie the company simply refuses to die, with Phonenews.com claiming the troubled company has been bought by a pretty vigorous HTC.

This role reversal apparently came about due to I-mate owning some useful patents and rugged designs which could give HTC a step-up in an area where they have never really done well.

The rumour is far from confirmed, but it is of note that HTC will now be honouring I-mate warranties.

Do you think this is a good deal? Do any of our readers have more information about this? Let us know in the comments below.

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I-mate 810-F video review

August 19, 2009 | By Surur

Cellulare-Magazine.it has reviewed the I-mate 810-F rugged Windows Mobile smartphone and has come away pretty impressed. The review starts with the smartphone being dunked in a bowl of water, and later on the reviewer mentions having drop tested the device by throwing it from his balcony (so much for surviving a drop from waists height onto a concrete floor).

See the video below:

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Video review of i-mate 810-F

June 7, 2009 | By Surur

Ever felt like throwing your phone across the floor? i-mate has a phone for you with the i-mate 810-F. Not only will it survive that behaviour, if you do manage to break it the life-time warranty should sort you out no problem.

The phone is only 111 x 66 x 15.5 mm but is ruggedized to withstand extreme temperatures, humidity and shock, has a 1200 mAh battery, and a 624 Mhz processor.

See this video review by CNET of the device, which looks unusually good for a rugged device, here.

Read the full CNET review here.

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i-Mate’s Latest Design Study is a Small Windows Mobile Standard Device

February 17, 2009 | By marios96

The::unwired had some alone time with i-Mate’s “little secret” as they call it at Mobile World Congress. The petite device is basically a design concept and doesn’t even have a name yet, but plans for production are seriously taken under consideration.

Not publicly on the show, i-mate is showing selected partners its latest design-study which even doesn’t have an official name yet! Nevertheless, I got the chance to play with it a little bit and i-mate’s Credit Card-sized “little secret” could find a good amount of friends, especially if you like Windows Mobile Standard and QWERTY keyboards; even more if you like small devices and if you say that a Samsung BlackJack or Motorola Q isn’t your size (anymore). Features and specs are yet unknown but it’s confirmed that i-mate’s “little secret” is running Windows Mobile Standard, features a camera and most likely WiFi and Bluetooth. GPS isn’t confirmed yet but hopefully it will find its way into the final device.

Via: PocketNow

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More i-mate smartphones discounted deeply

January 12, 2009 | By Surur

It seems last week’s i-mate smartphone discount went down a storm, as eXpansys has managed to scare up another batch of very cheap smartphones.

The i-mate JAMA 101 Pocket PC is a compact smartphone with a 2.4-inch touch screen running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Normally £189.99, eXpansys have has discounted it to only £89.99. Follow this link read more about this device.

The i-mate JAMA 201 Smartphone features a QWERTY keyboard, touch screen and also runs Windows Mobile 6 Professional. This smartphone is also discounted by £100, now only £99.99. Follow this link to read more about this device.

Follow the affiliate links to read more about both devices.

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Imate Ultimate 9502 VGA smartphone for only £199

January 6, 2009 | By Surur

We posted about a great deal on an entry level smartphone a few days ago, but now eXpansys has gone one better and will be selling a powerhouse of a smartphone for not much more.

eXpansys is expecting 100 units fo the Imate Ultimate 9502 Windows Mobile Professional smartphone on Friday, and will be selling it for an amazing £199, £135 off the original selling price.

Of course the danger with buying an Imate device is that the company wont necessarily be around in 6 months to support it, but £199 for a full QWERTY, VGA screened, 3G device with GPS is an amazing steal. The device even features Video out. Imate has also shown some goodwill recently by releasing an upgrade to Windows Mobile 6.1 for the device.

The smartphone, expected Friday, is available for pre-order now at that eXpansys here. (Afflicate link)

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Imate still alive, spotted in Japan

December 11, 2008 | By Surur

After a year of bad news, it seems Imate has found a ray of hope in the land of the rising sun. Imate is set to launch the Imate Ultimate 8502 on Japan Communications (JCI), a company which appears to be what we know to be an MVNO here, which runs its service over NTT Docomo’s wires. JCI commenced 3G services over NTT Docomo, Inc.’s 3G network in August of this year.

JCI CMO Naohisa Fukuda said “We are pleased to offer i-mate unencumbered, SIM-lock free access to a Japanese wireless carrier network. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with i-mate and to facilitating the market entry of many more of their devices.”

Speaking about the i-mate Ultimate 8502’s certifications in Japan, i-mate Founder and CEO Jim Morrison said “I’m proud to be able to work with JCI to offer the i-mate Ultimate 8502 to customers in Japan. As one of the world’s most advanced mobiles, the Ultimate 8502 is fast and fully connected, and well placed to leverage Japan’s advanced networks. This makes it ideal for those wanting a powerful touch screen mobile with extra smarts.”

The Ultimate 8502 offers a compelling list of features and functionality, including Windows Mobile 6.1, QWERTY and touch-screen input, GPS, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. Direct Video Out allows the device to be connected to projectors and Televisions to view presentations, photos, and video calls on the big screen. Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and Powerpoint Mobile come as standard with the device, meaning users can opt to use the Ultimate 8502 in place of their laptops while outside the office. i-mate customers throughout Japan will also receive free and exclusive access to i-mate’s i-Q suite of solutions.

Reflecting on the significance of the i-mate and JCI partnership, Jim Morrison said “Today marks a significant step forward for i-mate. We are delighted to be given the opportunity to work with JCI, and look forward to working closely together to deliver outstanding mobile solutions to customers throughout Japan.”

As one of the first Windows Mobile OEM’s we wish i-mate well in their eastern venture. They certainly need it, after having recently been delisted from the London stock exchange.

Read more about the deal at Hardwarezone.com

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Imate to offer Vito Winterface as free download to their customers

December 4, 2008 | By Surur

Imate is to make the Windows Mobile user interface more user-friendly by offering the iPhone-like Vito Winterface interface for all their recent smartphones. The software normally sells for $19.99.

Imate says about Winterface:

It’s fast – you can cut straight through to the things you need to do every day.

It’s simple – just use your finger to press the icons, push n’slide to move to the next screen.

It’s free – simply download and enjoy.

The following devices are supported:

i-mate JAMA 101
i-mate Ultimate 6150
i-mate Ultimate 8150
i-mate Ultimate 8502
i-mate Ultimate 9502

While the move to add value to their smartphones can only be good, I cant help but feel Imate need to do a lot more to revive their flagging fortunes than this.

Via Gizmodo.com

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