Gitex 2007 : i-mate announces Ultimate 6150 and Ultimate 8150

[windows]

i-mate™, the global specialist in Microsoft® Windows Mobile® devices and software applications, launches today two of the highly anticipated Ultimate range to the Middle East – the Ultimate 6150 and Ultimate 8150. The Ultimate range consists of high-end, sophisticated 3G Windows Mobile® devices in a variety of form factors designed to suit any user. The whole range is based on Windows Mobile 6, the latest Windows Mobile® operating system.

i-mate Ultimate is an ever-expanding range of compelling devices each with a unique i-mate design. Each device is created to provide a powerful combination of both phone and PDA technology. From powerful processors, VGA LCD touch screens, HSDPA connectivity to the unique XGA direct video out, the range is specified to meet the broad range of needs for all our current and future customers.

“Our new Ultimate product portfolio will range iconic devices specified to meet the growing demands of technology savvy and business customers and provide the best specification and form factor mix, with a device to match everyone’s needs,” revealed Jack Craine, General Manager MEA and India at i-mate™. “The Ultimate device combines sleek design with unbeatable performance and enhanced specifications that will appeal to business users and gadget-lovers who require the very best combination of innovation, design and technology within a complete package – in the form factor of their choice. At i-mate™, we

are determined to develop products that cater to an individual’s unique need and our latest product offering demonstrates our ability to provide a fantastic array of top tier mobile devices.”

The Ultimate 6150 is a sleek modern PDA form factor with Windows Mobile® 6 VGA touch screen and the Ultimate 8150 has both a VGA touchscreen and dial keypad with XT9 for simple and speedy text entry. Both devices run on a powerful 520 MHz processor and are HSDPA enabled which brings a powerful personal computing experience to the i-mate™ Ultimate range improving how business users will be able to access and manage email on the go.

One of the advanced and exclusive features on the Ultimate devices is XGA direct video out. This allows users to present Microsoft® Office applications and videos directly from their Ultimate device onto a secondary display. Business users will find this feature extremely beneficial as they no longer need to take a laptop into a meeting to do a presentation, but can present directly from the Ultimate device. Ultimate devices push the boundaries between laptop computers and the handheld device.

Marianne Roling, EMEA Director, Mobile Communications Business, Microsoft says “The partnership with Microsoft and i-mate™ has seen the successful growth of its portfolio over the last four years. i-mate’s™ Ultimate range will bring Windows Mobile® 6 to the hands of its customers and add further value to i-mate’s impressive record of innovation on our platform. The Ultimate range will add a whole new category of devices that bridge the gap between entertainment and productivity options for business and consumer users.”
“The mobile industry is starting to develop an approach whereby customers are able to select a device based on their personal requirements – not because they are restricted by available options. The i-mate™ Ultimate products, along with further additions to our already impressive product portfolio are designed with the customer in mind, be that a consumer or a business user. We believe in delivering devices that cater to our client and customer demands,” Craine concludes.

Interested parties can check out the new i-mate™ Ultimate devices at GITEX 2007 at Booth B1 in the Sheik Rashid Hall, at the Dubai World Trade Center.

Ultimate 6150 and Ultimate 8150 Technology at a glance:
- Microsoft® Windows Mobile® 6
- Intel PXA 270 520 MHz Processor
- nVidia Graphic Accelerator, nVidia G5500
- Quad-Band GSM/EDGE, Tri-Band UMTS/HSDPA
- WiFi 802.11b/g/e/i
- 256MB ROM, 128MB RAM
- Micro SD card slot
- VGA LCD Touch Screen
- Bluetooth® v2.0 EDR
- Mini USB
- Direct Video Out XGA
- 2.0 mega pixel camera
- FM Stereo Radio
- Supports Microsoft® Direct Push Technology

About i-mate™
i-mate™ was founded in 2001 and has its Head Office in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Other trading offices are spread worldwide including Australia, Italy, UK, South Africa and the USA. In September 2005 following a group restructure, its parent company i-mate plc (incorporated in Scotland), floated on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange.

i-mate™ specialises in Windows Mobile® hardware and software solutions and services. Its cutting edge, customer-centric solutions offer the latest technology and device features. As a Microsoft® Gold Certified Partner, i-mate™ provides customers with the best Windows Mobile® experience.
As part of its integrated solutions support, i-mate™ develops in-house leading-edge software solutions for Microsoft® Windows Mobile® platforms. Exclusive software products include interactive games from Club i-mate, COMS which allows for devices to be customized and personalized by consumers and enterprises at the time of purchase, Control which remotely manages devices in the field, and i-mate™ Suite (i-mateâ„¢ Suite) an advanced management solution for mobile devices that gives you IT support in the field, safeguards data, and allows secure access and information transfers on the go.

Club i-mate™ - i-mate™’s device-owner dedicated portal - provides 24/7 multi-lingual technical support and value-added offerings such as subsidised software and systems updates to help customers take full advantage of their i-mate™ devices. Club i-mate™ is the world’s largest online Windows Mobile® user group.

You can see more pictures of the machines online here and here.

[boz]

The iMate 7150 and these two devices share the same innards, but just have a different form factor. I must say that I am not that impressed to be honest, I do not think they have the wow factor.

[waveydavey]

I have to disagree with you there mate. I find the 6150 intruiging, and depending on how it feels in the hand I may well get one. It's Orbit sized with 35 and a VGA screen. Awesome spec.

[boz]

Another no-go for me is the lack of GPS.

[waveydavey]

No device has everything though mate!

[windows]

The GPS is a lock granted but VGA in a nicely styled housing is pretty good and if the cases are anti-slip as they look to be I think they will be winners!

[B Chau]

The one standout feature to me is the direct XGA output. Unforunately no 7150 in sight yet. I wish the 7150 would also include GPS. That would make that an awesome device.

[windows]

That is likely the dream machine of all of us, we'll just have to see what i-mate come up with as the devices above seen quite different hardware wise to the images already posted.

[waveydavey]

True, and it's difficult enough to choose between devices from photos and videos. When all you have is a spec sheet and a graphic you really don't know what you're getting at all.

[windows]

Well if the review model does arrive ..............