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i-Mate JasJar

What do you get?

• i-mate JASJAR
• Battery
• Extra Stylus
• AC Adaptor
• Carry case
• USB sync cable
• User manual
• Headset
• Quick start guide
• Sync software CD

Features

• Microsoft Windows 2005
• Mini Laptop design
• High resolution VGA screen (640 x 480 pixel)
• Boosts all the latest communications including integrated WLAN, GPRS and UMITS technology
• Push Email Service
• Two Cameras
• Built-In 62 Key QWERTY keyboard
• Radio – WCDMA / GSM / GPRS PDA
• Integrated Video and Music Players
• Stereo speakers

Windows Mobile 5
I am not going to talk about WM5 in this review, instead check out these resources to learn more about the OS.
My Windows Mobile Preview
Microsoft Windows Mobile 5 Screen shot Gallery
Windows Mobile 5.0 Fact Sheet
Windows Mobile 5.0 Fun Facts
PDA Buyer’s Guide Review of WM5

The Design
The big draw to the JasJar (HTC Universal) for me is the ability to use it in different modes. As I mentioned earlier, you can leave it completely closed and pair up your Bluetooth headset and use the phone without even touching it, you can unfold it and use it like a mini-laptop with a wonderful keyboard, or flip the screen over and use as if it was just a run of the mill VGA PocketPC.

As you can see above this unit can be folded and flipped to fit your needs.

On one side of the JasJar you have 2 speakers on each end. Just inside of the left speaker, you have the camera button. Next to it is the voice speed dial button, then the back light button. To the left of the right speaker is the sliding volume control.

On the other side, you can find the Hang up and talk buttons that are easily recognized by the phone icons. At the bottom right of the above image, you will find the USB port that allows for syncing and charging, the reset button and a 3.5 stereo earphone/microphone jack. The 2 gray circles you see at the left of the picture are covers for two external antennas.

The bottom of the unit houses the on/off button and the SD slot. Yep, all this machine and only one storage slot. Its ok though, I am over needing a CF slot now.

BEAUTIFUL! This is it, this is the best built in keyboard I have witnessed on any converged or standard PDA period. Yeah, it takes up some space, but it makes using it to check email, browse the net, or work with my spreadsheets much easier than anything previously offered. Notice the standard QWERTY keyboard with some extra buttons that make it easier to bring up your programs or a voice call.

One of the key points for those that have 3G networks available to them (Not us in the US), is the ability to conduct video calling. In the above photo you will notice that just under the 5 way dpad, there is a 2nd camera that doubles as a video cam for video teleconferencing. The 5 way D pad also auto configures itself depending on the screen orientation as well.

On the rear of the JasJar, there is another camera that is capable of 1.3 megapixel photos along with a powerful flash/light. Beneath the surface of the cover(black), is the 1620maH Li-ion battery as well as the Simm slot.

Software
The JasJar comes with the coveted new OS from Microsoft, Windows Mobile 5 built in.

Windows Mobile 5.0 Applications
• Microsoft Pocket Outlook: Inbox, Contacts, Calendar,Tasks
• Microsoft Windows Media Player
• Microsoft Pictures
• Microsoft MSN Messenger
• Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer
• Pocket Office
• Microsoft ActiveSync
• Games
• Calculator
• Voice Notes
• Photo Contact ID

Value Added Applications
• Ring tone SW polyphonic MIDI ring tones SMF/ SP MIDI MP3, AAC, ring tone
• DirectShow Filter for WMP
• Camera / Camcorder
• Video Telephony
• ZIP
• Smart Dialing
• Pictures Enhancement
• T9 Phone Pad
• Wireless Modem
• Wireless data manager (UMTS/GSM/GPRS, Bluetooth,802.11b)
• MMS with video clip support
• DRM: OMA 1.0 engine
• Java virtual machine (J2ME, CLDC 1.1, MIDP 2.0,JTWI)
• PDF Viewer

Connections Settings (Left) – A nifty Wireless Manager similar to the one that comes with iPaq Devices (Right)

Keep up with call times (Left) – This is a nice feature that makes it easy to use your connection to the internet with an external device, turning your JasJar into a modem. (Right)

Voice Tags Arggg… (left) – The phone dialing interface (right)

After clicking Video Call, you get this error message in the US. (Left) – Some of the installed apps (Right)

imate has added a game to the ROM (Left) – The camera interface (Right)

Performance
After using the Dell Axim X51v for the last month, the PocketPC aspect of the JasJar felt sluggish at best. To be fair, the JasJar is not too shabby though. The processor is hard coded to run at 520mhz, but the chip is capable of 624mhz. I wish they would have allowed us to scale this. After working with SPB Software for the last week or so learning more and providing input on their famous Benchmark utility, I was provided a newer version that was more compatible with WM5. While I still believe that comparing results from a Windows Mobile 2003 SE device and a Windows Mobile 5 device is like comparing apples and pears, I have had the chance to run the benchmarks on 3 different Windows Mobile 5 devices.

— Battery Life – It is advertised that this unit supports 8 hours of talk time and 250+ hours standby. Pleas note that this is only using the device as a phone. Of course we will not limit ourselves to phone time only, its a PocketPC!

• With screen brightness to max and WiFi on, the JasJar performed well with 6 hours and 8 minutes of life.
• With screen brightness to max and Standard Use Test (opening and closing Word files), the JasJar performed a bit better than 7 hours.

— WiFi – Wifi strength is strong and easy to set up. I had not troubles with multiple hotspots or my own WiFi network.
— Bluetooth – I have not tested many Bluetooth devices, I do not that several Bluetooth headsets work fine and are clear as can be.
— Display – The display is stunning. VGA is the way, this 3.6" VGA screen is absolutely gorgeous.
— Camera – The dual camera setup is really nice, but semi useless in the US. The video conferencing camera is designed for using as a video phone on 3G networks. The photos that each of the cameras take are as good as expected at the lower resolutions. I was impressed with the option for lighting a file sizes that are included in the software.

Conclusion
I have waited and waited for the device. I have read all the superb specs that made this my next phone/PocketPC. I failed to read that this thing was gonna be spotty coverage for me in the US on Cingular’s network. This is about my only disappointment with the product and other than HTC not making this a Quad Band phone, there is nothing to do about it! The negatives in this review are no problem with me personally since I don’t mind dropping more on a useful device than most spend on a laptop. The size is easy to get used to. So, if you are not in the US on a Cingular Network, don’t mind dropping a grand on your converged device, and the added bulk doesn’t bother you, there is nothing on this planet better suited for you! (at this time) The JasJar’s 3.6 inch VGA Screen with 80 Degree swivel allowing you to use like a Mini-Laptop and Windows Mobile 5 installed put this device at the top of the charts!

Pros

• Windows Mobile 5.0
• VGA Screen
• Convertible, like a mini TabletPC
• Great reported battery life for talk time
• Keyboard
• Nice Software Bundle

Cons

• Price
• Size
• Less than stellar battery life as a PocketPC

Discuss this review

Specifications

Platform • Data-centric wireless PDA with full voice capability and clamshell form factor with 180-degree pivot screen. • Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition • Dimension (Typical): 81mm x 127.7mm x 25mm • Weight (Typical): 285g with battery Processor/Chipset • Intel Bulverde 520MHz Memory • Flash ROM: 128 MB • RAM: 64 MB SDRAM LCD Module • 3.6” 640×480 transflectiveTFT-LCDwithback-lightLEDs • 65K-color • Sensitive Touch Screen • Support portrait/landscape (touch screen input) and landscape (QWERTY keyboard input) modes Dual Mode GSM/WCDMA Function • Internal antenna • Dual-Mode UMTS/GSM • Tri-Band GSM/GPRS (900/1800/1900) + WCDMA(UMTS) (2100MHz) • Audio codec: AMR, EFR, FR, HR • SMS (MO, MT), concatenated SMS (640 Characters) • Supplementary Services Call holding/ waiting/ forwarding CLI (Calling Line Identity) Display own number Multi-party conference call Phase 2+ unstructured supplementary service data • Network Lock • Network selection • Cell broadcast • Network Lock • GPRS Functionality GPRS class B Multi-slot standard class 10 PBCCH MO/MT SMS over GPRS • USIM 3V of UICC USIM Application Toolkit SIM Application Toolkit Release 99 Over the air programming Stylus • Lock Type Mechanism Keyboard/Button/Switch • Built-in 62 keys QWERTY Keyboard (including two softkeys, one start button, one OK button, one send callkey, one end call key, and 56 alphanumeric and symbol keys) • One POWER button • One Backlight button • One Camera shutter • Volume control (up and down) • One 5-way Navigation button – key orientation shall be adjusted after view changed. • Two phone buttons (hinge): SEND & END • RESET switch Notification • 1st lenses – bi-color (green and red) LED for networkstandby, network message, network status,notification,and charging status • 2nd lenses – bi-color (green and blue) LED for WiFi andbluetooth notification • NotificationbySound,Vibration,and Message on the display Audio • Dual Receivers • Dual speakers for Hands-Free supported • Built-in Microphone • Full duplex • Audio sampling rate 16-bits with 8KHz, 11KHz, 22KHz, 44.1KHz Camera • Main Image Sensor: 1.3 Mega Pixels CMOS • Second Image Sensor: CIF CMOS • Operating above 5 Lux • Flash/Video Light • Portrait mode default (Full screen preview)

Interface • 3V USIM card • One mini-USB connector • SDIO/MMC card slot • 3.5 Ø stereo earphone/microphone jack • 2 External antenna connectors (WCDMA and GSM/GPRS) Power • Battery   Removable rechargeable Lithium   Polymer battery (Typical capacity:   1620mAh)   Battery life   Standby time     -GSM: 220~260 hours     -WCDMA 190~250 hours   Talk time (Screen off):     -GSM: 5~8 hours     -WCDMA: 2~4 hours • AC Adapter    -AC input: 100~240Vac, 50/60Hz    -AC input current: 0.2Aac (max).    -Output voltage: 5Vdc (typical)    -Output current: 1A (typical) • USB charging • Ambient light sensor detecting ambient light for keyboard to save power. Device-to-Device Connectivity • Infrared IrDA FIR • Bluetooth Compliant with v1.1 Class 2 transmit power • WiFi 802.11b (manufacture option) IEEE 802.11b compliant WLAN Antenna: internal 11, 5.5, 2 and 1 Mbps per channel, auto fallback for extended range Encryption: 64-, 128- bit WEP standard data encryption • USB 1.1 • SDIO/MMC Accessories • Standard  -AC adapter  -USB Sync. Cable  -Stereo wired headset – stereo earpiece, mono microphone, Volume Control, and pick up/drop calls  -Standard Battery  -User Manual, Quick Start Guide & Software CD  -Pouch  -Stylus Windows Mobile 5.0 Applications • Microsoft Pocket Outlook: Inbox, Contacts, Calendar,Tasks • Microsoft Windows Media Player • Microsoft Pictures • Microsoft MSN Messenger • Microsoft Pocket Internet Explorer • Pocket Office • Microsoft ActiveSync • Games • Calculator • Voice Notes • Photo Contact ID Value Added Applications • Ring tone SW polyphonic MIDI ring tones SMF/ SP MIDI MP3, AAC, ring tone • DirectShow Filter for WMP • Camera / Camcorder • Video Telephony • ZIP • Smart Dialing • Pictures Enhancement • T9 Phone Pad • Wireless Modem • Wireless data manager (UMTS/GSM/GPRS, Bluetooth,802.11b) • MMS with video clip support • DRM: OMA 1.0 engine • Java virtual machine (J2ME, CLDC 1.1, MIDP 2.0,JTWI) • PDF Viewer Regulatory • R&TTE • WiFi Certification • BQB (Bluetooth Qualification Body) certification • Microsoft Pocket PC 2004 Logo (NSTL) • USB certification SAR • 0.172 mW/g @10g

Chris Leckness (3531 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Chris Leckness is the Owner/Administrator of Mobilitysite. He is a Microsoft MVP, Mobile Devices and a member of the exclusive focus group, Mobius. Chris runs a Mobilitysite, GotZune, and a few other smaller sites and blogs. His personal blog is chris.leckness.com.