| Unlocked GSM phones touted as "laptop replacements" |
Oct. 22, 2007
 Dubai-based i-mate has unveiled two high-end Windows Mobile phones and a plan for targeting U.S. business professionals. The Ultimate 6150 and 8150 can drive external XGA-resolution displays and will be sold as unlocked GSM devices, aimed at frequent travelers who can use them as laptop replacements, the company says.
i-mate has previously released Windows Mobile phones such as the Jama, PDAL, and JAQ, concentrating mostly on its home market in the Middle East. Now, according to an interview in the Seattle Times, the company will use this week's CITA Wireless and IT Entertainment event to showcase its new strategy of selling unlocked phones to "power users."
 
imate's Ultimate 6150 (left) and 8150 (right)
(Click each image to enlarge)
The Ultimate 6150 and 8150 -- which have already appeared on several reseller websites -- are essentially the same phone, except for the former's slightly larger screen and lack of a hardware numeric keypad. Both feature built-in FM tuners and, even more notably, an Nvidia GoForce 5500 graphics accelerator that supports external displays with up to XGA resolution.
The phones' XGA (1024 x 768) video output can be connected to an external monitor or video projector with an included adapter cable, according to i-mate. The company claims that in conjunction with the included Powerpoint Mobile software, this means presenters no longer need to carry laptops on business trips.
Thanks to an Ericsson Mobile Platforms (EMP) U360 radio, the 6150 and 8150 support tri-band WCDMA/HSDPA along with quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE WAN capabilities. Additionally, the devices provide offer both 802.11b/g and Bluetooth according to the company. Consequently users should have high-speed Internet access almost anywhere they go, suggests i-Mate.
A wide range of Bluetooth profiles, such as A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile), AVRCP (Audio/Video Remote Control Profile), and HID (Human Interface Device profile), allows the phones to transmit stereo music or be connected to an external keyboard. They can also act as wireless modems for a computer, the company adds.
i-Mate claims the phones' laptop-replacement status is also ratified by their USB on-the-go ports, said to enable digital cameras and other devices to be connected to them directly in order to transfer information.
Like a number of other recent designs, the Ultimate 6150 and 8150 feature dual cameras. The main cameras in both devices are 2 megapixel, with autofocus and flash, and separate VGA-resolution cameras face the user for video conferencing.
Key features and specifications listed by i-mate for the Ultimate 6150 and 8150 include:- Processor -- Marvell PXA270, clocked at 520 MHz
- Memory -- 128 MB RAM; 256 MB flash
- Display:
- Ultimate 8150 -- 2.6-inch touchscreen
- Ultimate 6150-- 2.8-inch touchscreen
- Keypad/controls -- 12-key numeric keypad (Ultimate 8150 only); five-way controller, left and right soft keys, jog dial, camera and wireless manager buttons
- Cameras -- 2 megapixel camera with flash and autofocus; separate 640 x 480 camera for video calls
- Wireless interfaces:
- WAN -- dual-mode UMTS & GSM/GPRS/EDGE WCDMA/HSDPA (2100, 1900, 850 MHz); GSM/GPRS/EDGE, quad band GSM 850/900/1800/1900
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- WPAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- Other I/O:
- USB 1.1 (connector includes power charging)
- Video out port; adapter supports HD15 VGA connectors
- IrDA
- Expansion:
- Dimensions -- 4.7 x 2.4 x 0.6 inches (119 x 61 x 16 mm)
- Weight -- 5.3 ounces (152 g) with battery
In addition to all the software normally included with Windows Mobile 6 Professional, the Ultimate 8150 and 6150 are said to come with a 30-day trial edition of the i-mate Suite, the company's software for backing up data to a remote "data vault" and accessing files on desktop PCs.
Pricing and availability information were not disclosed. However, the Ultimate 6150 and 9150 will reportedly sell for between $600 and $700.
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