There's a JAQ in the Box (1/3)

i-mate JAQ Pocket PC Phone

By: Brandon Miniman | Date: 9-Oct-06 | Comments

WHAT'S HOT

When we're evaluating new handheld devices, we try to 1. consider the intent of the manufacturer when releasing this device and 2. compare the device with similar handhelds on the market. In regards to number 1 - this device is intended as a "Heavy-duty" messaging device - and I'm taking this directly from the i-mate website. So - bulky, yes. Rugged,yes.

In regards to number 2, the i-mate JAQ is actually a rarity: there aren't many candy-bar GSM Pocket PC phones with a full keyboard available today. The HP hw65xx and hw69xx messenger would fit this description. The Palm 750v also comes to mind, which is not yet available in the US. If you want to be even more particular, you can exclude the 750v and HP devices as a basis of comparison because the JAQ has a rectangular screen, not square. That, in my mind, makes the JAQ the only "GSM Pocket PC candy-bar Phone with a rectangular screen and full keyboard." Try saying that 10 times in one breath.

Let's talk specs. The JAQ is running Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC phone addition with AKU 2.5, features a 200MHz TI IMAP processor, 2.8" landscape QVGA touchscreen, 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM, Quad band GSM/EDGE, Bluetooth 1.2, a 1440mAh battery (with 4 hours talk/120 hours standby), and has a full QWERTY keyboard.

Device (no cover)	Size (inches)	Weight (grams \| ounces)
i-mate JAQ	4.80" x 2.79" x 0.86"	160 \|6.40
Palm Treo 750v	4.37" x 2.28" x 0.86"	154 \| 5.40
i-mate JAMin	4.18" x 2.31" x 0.68"	150 \| 5.30
Palm Treo 700w	4.40" x 2.30" x 0.90"	180 \| 6.40
Asus A636	4.80" x 2.88" x 0.76"	186 \| 6.56
HP iPAQ hw6515	4.60" x 2.79" x 0.82"	165 \| 5.82
i-mate K-JAM	4.25" x 2.28" x 0.93"	160 \| 5.64
i-mate PDA2k	4.92" x 2.81" x 0.71"	210 \| 7.40
i-mate JAM	4.18" x 2.31" x 0.68"	150 \| 5.30
Dell Axim X51v	4.70" x 2.90" x 0.70"	175 \| 6.20
Dell Axim X3i / X30	4.60" x 3.21" x 0.58"	138 \| 4.80
HP iPAQ hx4700	5.17" x 3.03" x 0.59"	187 \| 6.60
HP iPAQ rx3715	4.50" x 2.80" x 0.64"	158 \| 5.57

It's interesting that the JAQ weighs less than the 700w, but appears to be much larger. Also note that the JAQ and the new Treo 750v are the same height.

BOX CONTENTS

(all images link to higher resolution)

Here's the typical i-mate box, with pictures of business people smiling and the blue i-mate logo.

Box contents include: user manual, warranty, software, headphones with microphone (for use on calls), plastic leather-textured case, power adapter, USB cable, and the device itself.

PRODUCT FEATURES

The JAQ's body is silver-metallic in color, and is entirely plastic.

In hand the device feels comfortable, and is actually quite light. This light-weight-but-bulky-exterior makes the device "feel" empty...perhaps a bit cheap.

Back into the shooting studio, let's take a closer look at the keyboard. One of the advantages of the JAQ being large in size is that its keys are spread out nicely and are quite tall, so typing is easy and fast - probably the best I've ever felt on a device of this nature. The space bar is also well sized, and placed in the center, where it should be. There's a "fn" key that is used to access the symbols in orange. The trouble is that the fn function won't turn off unless you press the button it again, so inserting 1 character effectively requires three key presses.

Notice that the number buttons aren't set off by a different key color, as you'd expect from a Windows Mobile device with a full keyboard and no dedicated number pad. That was a bit annoying.

Also notice a factory error on my unit - I've got two Windows hardware buttons! This confused the heck out of me as I wondered why the device didn't have dedicated buttons for the softkeys. In fact, the second Windows logo on the right should actually look the same as the button just to the left of the jog dial, which is the dedicated softkey button.

Did I mention the keyboard was backlit? Indeed it is, in a warm orange color. You can adjust the brightness of the keyboard, which is helpful to curb battery usage. Unfortunately, the device doesn't have a light sensor, so the keyboard backlight is active whenever you use the device. You can shut off the keyboard backlight altogether.

Here's another shot of the screen and keyboard in a darker environment.

Ah - it's great to see a mini-USB port for charging and syncing. Some other companies are trying to use proprietary connectors, and it's good to see i-mate keeping it simple with mini-USB. Notice the reset hole on the left side, and the microphone near the top.

Yes - that is the stylus, on the BOTTOM LEFT side of the device. If you're a righty, this is quite an inconvenience. Perhaps this device was made for lefties. To the left of the stylus is the voice note record button, and the volume adjustment buttons.

The top reveals an IR port (does anyone use this technology anymore?).

And near the IR port are some notification lights. From top to bottom: new mail notification, Bluetooth status (I'm unsure why i-mate didn't use the Bluetooth logo here), and a battery/cell signal status.

On the other side, we have a headphone jack, an external mini-SD slot (bravo to i-mate for keeping the expansion slot where it should be: on the outside and not behind the battery), and the power button.