i-mate JAM: a first look
Published: 10 Nov 2004
You may not have come across i-mate before, but the company is associated with a range of devices made by Taiwan-based HTC. For example i-mate’s SP3 is the phone we know better as the Orange SPV C500.
The JAM is the first i-mate-branded device to reach the UK that does not also come in a carrier supported form – that is, with software and services dedicated to a specific mobile network operator. Furthermore, i-mate has no plans to make this device available with any such associations in the future.
SIM-free, the JAM is expected to cost around £370 (ex. VAT), although one of i-mate's three distribution partners, Expansys, had it available at the time of writing for as little as £140.28 (ex. VAT) with a Vodafone connection.

Our first impressions of the JAM after a brief hands-on experience were extremely positive. Think of your average Pocket PC and then reduce its size by about a third, and you have a general idea of the dimensions – for the record, 5.8cm wide, 10.8cm deep and 1.81cm high. The screen is necessarily small at 2.8in. across the diagonal, but it's much easier to prod at one-handed than larger screens, and in the indoor conditions in which we conducted our test, was clear, bright and sharp.
The tri-band GSM/GPRS JAM is powered by 416MHz Intel XScale processor and runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition Phone Edition. The 2.8in. screen, which measures 240 by 320 pixels, can be operated in both landscape and portrait orientation. The device incorporates a 1.3 megapixel camera, but although Bluetooth (1.2) is present there's no Wi-Fi. According to Jim Morrison, i-mate's CEO, there simply wasn’t enough room to cram both wireless options into the diminutive hardware. Perhaps there will be a user debate on whether Wi-Fi or a camera is preferable when space is at a premium. You get 64MB of RAM and SDIO-compliant expansion card slot. The lithium-polymer battery is removable.
i-mate expects the JAM to appeal to both corporate users and consumers, with the former group able to benefit from i-mate’s ability to customise devices for small numbers of users. For both groups, i-mate will offer a range of free software extras and services via its Web-based Club i-mate service.
At first sight, i-mate seems to have come up with a way of bridging the gap between smartphone and handheld. The JAM appears to combine the functionally we’d like to see in a smartphone (such as a relatively large touch-screen, plenty of memory, solid expansion support), with the latest that the Windows Mobile for Pocket PC OS can offer. And we don’t think we’d feel like too idiotic holding this device to the ear to make voice calls. A longer, more thorough, test will show whether we are right.
Full Talkback thread
2 comments
New Products
ecoquiet RM ONE 50: a first look
Intel is talking up its new Atom processor as a basis for low-cost, low-power 'Netbooks' and 'Nettops'. Here, we examine RM's education- focused ecoquiet ONE 50.
MSI Wind: a first look
MSI is the latest to join the ranks of would-be ASUS Eee challengers. Here are our first impressions of the forthcoming 10in. Wind notebook.
Apple Time Capsule: a first look
With Time Capsule, Apple blends high-bandwidth wireless networking and automated system backup in one tidy-looking package.
Apple MacBook Air: a first look
The MacBook Air is not quite an ultraportable, but it is exceptionally thin. Retaining the same 13.3in. display as the current MacBook line, it tapers from 1.94cm thick to just 0.4cm. Apple calls it the 'world's thinnest notebook'.
Mobile Speed Demon: Wireless Surpasses...
Mobile Speed Demon: Wireless Surpasses Landline Author: Eric Everson, Founder MyMobiSafe.com As I look around my house and throughout my network of friends, I instantly realize... More
Why do you need Portable password mana...
There are much more than 5, but I will start with these main points: 1. You are human... never mind, no one is perfect. 2. We live in modern world with its cons and pros 3. We... More
Over 10000 laptops are lost every week...
Yesterday article in PCWorld with reference to the Ponemon Institute survey claims close to 637,000 laptops lost in large US airports each year. The figure itself is amazing. But... More
Skip Sub Navigation Links to CNET Brand Links
- Security threats
- Mobile devices
- Application development
- Network management
- Desktop platforms
- Security management
- Databases
- Processors
- Server platforms
- Storage
- Mobile working
- Office applications
- After hours
- Mail & messaging
- Training
- Disaster recovery
- Enterprise applications
- VoIP
- Emerging tech
- Green IT
- Outsourcing
- Virtualisation
- SME
- Enterprise open source
- Industry watch
- Online business
- Accessibility
- Management
- Intellectual property
- Compliance
Home
- Site Map
- RSS Feeds
- Content Archive
- ZDNet.co.uk Mobile
- Search Library
Membership
- Log in
- Register
- Membership benefits
- Community FAQs
- Newsletters
About Us
- Contact Us
- Find Us
- Privacy Policy
- Permissions and Reprints
- International
- Advertise
News
- Hardware News
- Software News
- Communications News
- Internet News
- Security News
- IT Management News
- Emerging Technology News
- Leaders
Blogs
Group Blogs
- News blog
- Reviews blog
- Not Safe For Work blog
- Rupert's Diary blog
- Sentry Posts blog
- Vista Upgrade blog
- On The Road blog
- Homebrew blog
- Post Room blog
- Uptime blog
ZDNet UK Staff Blogs
- Matt Loney
- Rupert Goodwins
- Charles McLellan
- Andrew Donoghue
- David Meyer
- Tom Espiner
- Colin Barker
- Karen Friar
Core Techs Expert Blogs
- Adrian Bridgwater
- Peter Judge
- Christian Harris
Tech Community
- Top 100 ZDNet UK Members
- My ZDNet Tour
- Forums
- Competitions
- Community FAQs
Benchmarks
- Business Value benchmark
- Server Value benchmark
- Desktop Management benchmark
- Mobile Security benchmark
White Papers
- Most Popular white papers
Free Software Downloads
- Windows downloads
- Mac downloads
- Mobile downloads
Reviews
Hardware reviews
- Accessory reviews
- Audio reviews
- Component reviews
- Desktop reviews
- Handheld reviews
- Imaging reviews
- Input Device reviews
- Mobile Phone reviews
- Monitor reviews
- Networking reviews
- Notebook reviews
- Printer reviews
- Projector reviews
- Server reviews
- Storage reviews
Software reviews
- Content Creation reviews
- Developer Tool reviews
- Enterprise Application reviews
- Operating System reviews
- Productivity software reviews
- Security reviews
- Utility reviews
- Editor's Choice reviews
- Buyer's Guides
- Tech Guides
Tech Resources
- Company Pages
- Technology Events
- Research Panel
- Tech Jobs
Articles
- Case Studies
- Comment
- FAQs Articles
- Features
- Image Galleries
- Tutorials
- Video stories
- Research
Compare Prices
- Laptop prices
- Cheap Laptops
- Desktop prices
- Mac laptop prices
- Mac desktop prices
- Tablet PCs prices
- PDA prices
- Printer prices
- Printer cartridges prices
- Scanner prices
- Monitor prices
- Windows oftware prices
- Server prices
Special Features
- Broadband Speed Test
- CIO Vision Series
- Dialogue Box




















