i-mate, a specialist in Windows Mobile powered devices, has unveiled the latest devices in its Ultimate range, the Ultimate 9502 and the Ultimate 8502 at the Mobile Congress World.



The Ultimate range is a collection of four devices in various forms to suit individual preferences, from classic PDA to a notebook replacement, and were designed to provide the latest and best in phone and PDA technology. The devices include a wide variety of features ranging from to HSDPA and HUSDPA connectivity to the 262k color TFT screen.

The Ultimate 9502 represents the flagship of the Ultimate range and delivers an all-in-one Windows Mobile device. Powered by 3.5G (HSDPA and HUSDPA), and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, the Ultimate 9502's VGA display is ideal for multimedia viewing, or checking through maps using the its integrated GPS functionality for navigation. There are dedicated shortcut keys all around the 9502, allowing easy and fast access to often used applications.


The 9502 includes integrated support for Direct Video Out capabilities, providing you with the option to connect it to monitors or projectors and watch videos off it or even use Windows Mobile on a larger screen. This feature was especially included in a business sense so users can perform video conferencing or project slideshows and presentations from the phone itself, making it a viable alternative to a notebook.

The Ultimate 8502 delivers a customized out of the box experience in a slim line QWERTY keyboard form factor. With a 2.6-inch touchscreen with 65k color TFT backlight, it is fully loaded with Microsoft Office Mobile giving users access to popular applications such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint on the go. This device also comes with built-in GPS navigation functionality offering users satellite navigation. The 8502 can play video clips directly and a variety of music file formats on the inbuilt Windows Media Player 10 Mobile media player.

"2008 sees i-mate continue to deliver on its iconic devices and sophisticated services," said Jim Morrison, CEO, i-mate. "The Ultimate range has already won plaudits on its design and strong specifications. The Ultimate 9502 and 8502 will continue to build on i-mate's, the best of breed combination of innovation, design and technology. Each of our devices is designed with different users in mind giving our customers real choice."

As part of its service proposition, i-mate has also launched its I-Q Services, a portfolio of services that ensure the best wireless experience out of the box. With I-Q, i-mate can immediately customize user devices, fully support devices on a 24/7 basis and fully protect, and if necessary, remotely wipe devices that are lost of stolen in as little as 48 hours. Mobile Operators can use i-Q to improve their services to the enterprise segment and to accelerate their time-to-market with new mobile devices to address the rapidly expanding mobile workforce.

"The mobile industry is starting to develop an approach where a customer can select a device based on what they want and need, not because they are restricted by available options. With the latest Ultimate devices powered by Windows Mobile and customized for the enterprise, we believe we are delivering what our customers are asking for," added Morrison.

Source:http://www.itnewsonline.com/showstory.php?storyid=11770&scatid=7&contid=4

The Modu phone can take many avatars--GPS device, digital camera, business phone, MP3 player


The GSMA Mobile World Conference 2008 in Barcelona saw loads of action, including product launches, new concepts, and prototypes of products on the anvil. One of these products was the Modu phone.

The Moduis an ultra-light, ultra-small "basic" phone, which can make and receive calls. The skeletal phone can be given any number of manifestations by slipping it into various "jackets" or "mates," which turn the phone into different devices, such as a GPS device, an MP3 player, or a digital camera, all of which are mobile telephony enabled.

The company has announced the availability of 10 such jackets, some of which will come bundled with the phone. Consumers can buy the other jackets separately as needed. There is also a possibility that Modu will tie up with third-party manufacturers to expand the range of jackets.

These jackets enable you to do different things with your Modu or to metamorphose it to suit your various connectivity needs. You can slip it into a jacket with a full-fledged QWERTY keypad to use it on a typical workday. For a night out with friends, you can use a cool jacket that has MP3 player functionality. You can slip it into a digital camera jacket to share your photos with friends in your contacts list. You will also be able to slip it into devices such as GPS systems or car stereos. The company claims that the jackets will be “custom branded” and will contain “exclusive content” related to fashion, movies, or music.

The advantage is that you buy one basic phone and several add-ons, which would be cheaper than buying each of those as standalone gadgets. You also get a lot of variety in looks and functionality. Moreover, the jackets are interchangeable, so you can swap with your friends to get even more out of the Modu.

The phone is slated to be available by October this year in Israel, Italy and Russia, and subsequently in other parts of the world. Modu has also tied up with Sandisk, Magellan, and Blaupunkt to incorporate slots for Modu in their devices.
Source:http://computing.in.msn.com/Articles/Article.aspx?cp-documentid=1247920