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Telstra Debuts i-mate Ultimate On Next G
Posted by Angus Kidman at 2:11 PM on March 19, 2008
i-mate first showed off its Ultimate 8502 and 9502 models at 3GSM in Barcelona last month, but Telstra is claiming the first actual rollout of the device anywhere in the word. Both the candybar 8502 model ($999) and the slide-out keyboard 9502 (effectively the JASJAM's successor at $1,099) will go on sale for use on the ludicrously speedy Next G network on March 25. A post-paid model will follow on April 8 ($100 a month over 24 months).
While i-mate is still largely a business phone company, apparently the JASJAM also found quite a following in the consumer space, and both Ultimate models are being similarly pitched at a dual audience. Keyboard aside, the main differentiator is the camera, which boasts 3 megapixels on the pricier 9502 and a more standard 2 megapixels on the 8502. The phone can be remotely locked via a password-protected web site, handy if you're prone to losing devices. It runs Windows Mobile 6.0 (a 6.1 upgrade is in the works, apparently).
You can access the expected Next G features such as Bigpond TV, though we can't really recommend that given the costs involved. We've currently got our slippery hands on an 8502, and will post a lightning review before the models go on sale next week.
Comments
Mr.Gadget
Posted March 19, 2008 2:52 PM
I've called up Telstra every week for the last 3 weeks and no one can give me a proper answer on the handset. 2/3 consultants didn't even know that the phone existed...
Regards, bring it on!
Morris
Posted March 20, 2008 1:05 AM
I was looking at hunting down a HTC Tytn II but I may wait to see what reviews say about this phone first (specifically the 9502).
As Mr Gadget said - Bring it on!
j-mann
Posted March 20, 2008 3:51 PM
I agree Mr Gadget. I've been ringing different stores for weeks too and most times the consultants don't even know these phones exist! That includes this week. Seems kinda strange they have a phone coming out Tuesday that most of their sales people haven't even heard of. Finally found one store that knows what he's talking about, but he told me today the stores still can't even order them, and it takes a few days after ordering them for them to hit shelves. Either their reps are extremely unfamiliar with their product range, or sadly, and more likely I think, these units are still a way off. How relaible is the date of March 25th anyway? There's been so many dates for these announced online, which just seem to come and go wihout a sniff of the actual devices in sight. With the regular pushing back of release dates for these units, it's a case of I'll believe them when I see them.
But looking forward to the review anyway. The 8502 is the unit I want. My biggest concern is that if these are like previous i-mates, they're going to be buggy as hell anyway, and the release date getting constantly pushed back doesn't help that perception! So I'd be interested to see if you come across any glitches, bugs, etc.
astro
Posted March 24, 2008 1:42 PM
Due tomorrow......hope the review for the 8502 is put up by tonight, as advised in this story!
I look forward to reading it.
astro
Posted March 25, 2008 1:12 PM
Well it is March 25. What a surprise that we can still not seem to buy this anywhere. Furthermore, where is the review we were told about on this site, which was to be out prior to this date as per the original story. The release of these imate units is fast becoming a massive joke. The date keeps slipping further and further into the year. Telstra and Imate should be hiding their heads in the sand as they released a world wide media release, stating it would be out in early March.
Gizmodo, where did you get your information from for the 25th release date and are you posting the review soon as originally stated.
Cheers
Marcus
Posted March 26, 2008 5:59 PM
Ive just received a call from my local telstra shop to say that my 8502 is ready for collection, I am going to pick it up in 30 mins!!!!!
(ive had it on order since they sold the last jasjam out from under me 3 months ago *sigh*) well at least i have a new model to look forward to for that time.
I cant wait to test the GPS inside also,