It looks like iMate is going all out with its new range of PDA smart phones due this April with 520 mHz Intel XScale CPU, 256 MB ROM, 256 MB RAM, 640×480 VGA screen, quad-band GSM and tri-band UMTS/3G with HSDPA. Yes, it runs Windows Mobile 6. Links to the full specs on PDADB below:
• iMate Ultimate 5150
• iMate Ultimate 6150
• iMate Ultimate 8150
• iMate Ultimate 9150
The 5150 is a slide up numeric keypad phone, the 6150 is keypad free, the 8150 is a standard keypad phone while the 9150 is a clamshell. Probably the best is the 8150 with the keypad on the front, the dimensions are 50 x 94 x 11 mm (or 90 mm for the 6150). To compare, the Motorola V3 Razr is 50 x 98 x 13.9 mm - so these things must be tiny!
But when will it be released in Australia and when will we ever get mobile plans to rival what you can get in the USA? It’s not worth people buying data plans these days - there isn’t much you can do with them!
They think possibly Q3 2007 for the release in Australia, but nothing stopping you import it from where ever it’s released. As for plans I was thinking about an “emergency” data plan when I’m out and about but using WiFi instead whenever possible and get my phone to auto-connect/disconnect from Skype/IM when I wander in/out of range.