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I-mate debuts two Windows Mobile smart phones

I-mate debuts two Windows Mobile smart phones

Bonnie Cha Former Editor
Bonnie Cha was a former chief correspondent for CNET Crave, covering every kind of tech toy imaginable (with a special obsession for robots and Star Wars-related stuff). When she's not scoping out stories, you can find her checking out live music or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California.
Bonnie Cha
We've been patiently waiting for I-mate to release some follow-up hits to its , and it looks like we've got them--well, sort of. The company introduced two new smart phones at CTIA this week, the I-mate JAQ and the I-mate SPL. Images and rumors of the former started appearing on the Web a few weeks before the show, and it was quickly dubbed a Moto Q killer, but we saw it live and in person, and umm, not so much. Though it's packed with features (Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Edition, Bluetooth, 128MB ROM/64MB RAM, 2.8-inch touch screen), the quad-band smart phone is huge. Plus, it feels plasticky and cheap. On the other hand, the second model they announced, the I-mate SPL, is another story. This sleek candy-bar-style phone reminded us of the Motorola Slvr and runs Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone Edition (so no touch screen). It also features a 2-megapixel camera, 128MB ROM/64MB RAM, and Bluetooth. Both models offer push e-mail capabilities. The I-mate JAQ will go for about $399, while pricing was not available for the I-mate SPL. We're in line to get these devices, so hopefully they'll be waiting for us when we get back to San Francisco. Check back soon for full reviews.