The gadget: The i-Mate Ultimate 8502, the company’s new entry-level workhorse touchscreen and keyboard smartphone which is making its local debut on Telstra’s Next G network.
The price: $999
The verdict: It’s a nice enough phone and the network is speedy, but the BlackBerry gang don’t need to get too worried just yet.

On sale this week, the 8502 (and its keyboard-sprouting sibling the
9502) are making their global debut on Telstra’s impressively quick
(and impressively pricey) Next G network. According to i-Mate, an
increasing number of these devices are finding their way into consumer
hands — but despite that claim,
the main target audience remains business users who would otherwise
probably be sporting a BlackBerry.
There’s some nice features — remote locking via a website if you lose
the phone and the ability to build a custom internet presence for
managing it — and the overall design is a logical successor to
previous models. All the Windows Mobile apps are present and correct,
and call quality is good. But given the choice between this and a
BlackBerry, we’d still be feeling fruity.
A big part of the problem is the reliance on Windows Mobile, which is
still far more Windows than Mobile and lacks the really integrated feel
delivered by RIM. Tellingly, despite the full keyboard, there are some
features you can only access using the stylus, which is pretty much
useless for one-handed operation. Typing on the keyboard is adequate,
but even our rather thin fingers slipped up fairly often.
By far the worst feature is the battery life. We used a fully charged
device for half an hour or so’s light web browsing one day — no calls
or high-power activities — and the thing was dead by breakfast the
next morning.

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.

Sony reveals new ’smarter’ Cyber-shot digital cameras
Sydney – 17 March, 2008 – Sony Australia expands its line up of Cyber-shot digital cameras with the launch of five models and a new digital photo frame.
A new T series model (T300) and four new W series models (W110, W120, W150 and W300) all feature intelligent functions and digital imaging innovations to deliver enhanced imaging performance with crisp, rich image capture, and convenient photo viewing and sharing.
“The latest Cyber-shot digital cameras showcase a number of new technologies to enhance both the shooting and post shooting experience. For example, face detection technology now features adult and child recognition for improved image quality, while the popular Smile Shutter function is now available across a wider range of models, including the W series,” said Sony Australia’s Digital Still Cameras Senior Product Manager, Kieran Gallagher.
Sony’s advanced face detection technology now allows users to select either children or adults as the focal point of photos, automatically customising exposure, focus and skin tone of the subject’s face for natural, evenly-exposed images. The enhanced Intelligent Scene Recognition technology also senses ambient conditions and automatically selects the optimal setting from up to five different scenes, for more natural and accurate image reproduction.
Also enhancing the shooting experience are imaging innovations such as the popular Smile Shutter function, which allows the camera to shoot automatically when a smiling face is detected, and the body-integrated Super SteadyShot™ optical image stabilisation system that eliminates blurring caused by camera shake and ensures sharp, vivid images.
Image management solutions let you playback your pictures by date, folder, faces or your list of favourites. In camera retouching options allow for trimming and red eye reduction, while a new Happy Faces function allows you to put a smile on frowning faces. You can also playback your images in high-definition (HD) with the HD Slideshow and music slide show with Photo Music.
W Series
Cyber-shot W SeriesLeading the line up in the new W Series range is the DSCW150, which delivers 8.1 mega-pixel resolution, 5x optical zoom and a  wide angle lens, allowing convenient photo capture of distant objects, greater image depth enhancement and larger, sweeping perspectives.
The DSCW150 (available in silver, black and red), DSCW120 (available in pink only), DSCW110 (available in black and silver) and DSCW300 (available in titanium grey) now all incorporate advanced face detection technology with child and adult recognition, and Smile Shutter function. Selected W Series models also include Intelligent Scene Recognition mode.
Slim and compact, these cameras also utilise the BIONZ image processing engine and Carl-Zeiss lenses.
Cyber-shot T Series
Continuing the success of the T series range, the new DSCT300 Cyber-shot digital camera is the slim and stylish successor to the DSCT200. With a 3.5 inch LCD touch screen and 5x optical zoom, the T300 now also features 10.1 mega-pixel resolution, Intelligent Scene Recognition and Music Slide Show. The DSCT300 is available in red, black and silver and weighs 149 grams (without battery).

[Sony]