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Page 5:
Software Customizations and Additions,
Media and Final Conclusion
Software customisations and
additions
Apart from tweaking a few of the older
applications, a few new applications have been added to make the whole
experience even smoother.
Voice Dialling
The biggest and perhaps the most awaited
of them all is the ability to Voice Dial through Bluetooth headset. HTC has
incorporated the services of “Cyberon” for this purpose. Cyberon voice commander
is the program used for this purpose. This application has already been in the
market since a couple of years but I suppose this is its true calling as it is
now a part of WM 5.0. Not only can it voice dial contacts after recording voice
tags but it can also access all the applications in the same manner. A few
screenshots below shows the workings of this program:
.png)
Recording voice tags
.png)
Voice tags for contacts
.png)
Voice tags for
applications
.png)
The verdict for this program is:
SIMPLY SUPERB. It is extremely accurate and picks up words very well and in
all the times that I tried, it only messed up 1% and that too because I was in a
noisy surrounding. I have only one thing to say about this….Its here and it’s
about time!!!
Few other applications noteworthy of
mentioning are:
1)
Office applications which include
a)
Pocket Word
b)
Excel Mobile
c)
PowerPoint Mobile
d)
Clearvue PDF reader
All these above applications have now
been updated and are even more robust than before. For instance Pocket Word now
supports tables etc.
2)
Download application:
You can set applications for
download. It is homologous to the download manager on our desktop PC.
3)
eTrust Antivirus software: Viruses
are only made for those platforms that are extremely popular. Initially it was
limited to desktop OS, but once the symbian OS started getting popular, it got
targeted too. With WM’s fast gaining popularity, it is no shocker, that in time,
viruses will be made for these too.
This
application comes with a 12 month license from the day it is activated and comes
free of cost from Club-Imate. It is made by a software developing firm known as
“CA” short for “Computer Associates”.
Clear
Storage
Hard-Reset on WM 5.0 devices can be
done in 2 ways.
Firstly, by pressing the 2 soft
buttons which are normally mapped as “calendar” and “contacts” on the keyboard
along with the soft-reset button located on the back of the device next to the
mini-USB port.
The more easier way would be to use
the “Clear Storage” function. This basically does what a hard-reset would do and
revert your device to factory state. Before performing the action, a pre-defined
password (set by you) will be asked for. Once you enter the password, the device
will hard-reset.
By default the password is “1234”.
Pocket MSN
It integrates the following as shown
below:
.png)
In the earlier OS, there was no
possibility of checking hotmail messages without installing a 3rd
party application. But thanks to the new OS, we can now check our hotmail
accounts and log on to MSN Mobile for alerts and updates.
When the hotmail account is
configured using Pocket MSN, the “Messaging” application is used to manage the
emails. Definitely a step in the right direction.
Pocket Internet Explorer
Now supports opening of attachments
from we-based email accounts. Full screen mode along with single column
scrolling makes it an absolute pleasure to browse on the device. There seem to
be some issues with pages containing a lot of java-script. Other than that, its
just great.
.png)
Media
PDA’s have always been very good with
media functions and the JASJAR is no exception. It does everything, only better.
Watch movies, that favourite episode of “Friends”, stream video via WiFi (using
for e.g. Pocketstreamer), listen to your favourite tracks etc are all extremely
easy to setup. Active Sync 4.0 now supports synchronising your favourite media
content which makes the process a breeze. The next relevant added advantage here
is the 2 tiny stereo speakers placed on the front of the device. Expecting true
stereo quality from these speakers would be rather unfair as they are spaced
only about 5 cm from each other but I must add that the audio quality is the
best I have heard. With the volume all the way up, it can actually get
uncomfortable, so those people who are worried about the speaker quality, set
sail your worries
I would like to stress here specifically
regarding the VGA screen. If you have a large 1/2GB SD card and have some
movies/sitcom encoded FROM LEGALLY PURCHASED DVD’s, then the JASJAR can give you
a fantastic PVP (portable video player) experience. The screen is stunning;
colours are superb and there are absolutely NO skipping of frames whatsoever;
smoother than a baby’s skin
The best part is there is no need to hold the
device in the hand anymore as it can be placed on a desk/table etc in a notebook
fashion. I hated having to hold my PDA2k in my hand while watching video on it,
but don’t have to worry about that anymore
J
Video Screen capture
Active Sync 4 with Media Sync option
A bug I would like to mention here is
that, those videos that you have earlier encoded at 320x240 will not get fully
stretched to fill the screen. I-Mate is already aware of this and some fix is in
the pipeline.
Conclusion
Pros
1)
WM 5.0 (persistent storage)
2)
Form factor (can be used in notebook
and PDA form)
3)
Good build quality
4)
Full keyboard (with backlight)
5)
Mini-USB
6)
Voice dial
7)
A usable camera, finally
8)
3.5mm Headset jack
9)
Stereo speakers
10)
3G video/data
11)
Well connected (3G, WiFi, BT, USB, IR)
12)
Negligible bugs out of the box
Cons
1)
Poor quality bundled case
2)
Recessed buttons (preferential
opinion)
3)
Not Quad-band
4)
No EDGE (So far!)
The JASJAR is a device that is out to
get your heart (not to mention your wallet
). If you can afford it and are in the market for a good dependable device then
consider your search ended
The
device has set a new standard for convergent devices and my only hope is that it
is improved on in the coming years. It is a head turner in every way you can
think of and it certainly deserves to be. Over and out from the Docc.
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Discuss this review
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Last revised on:
December 7, 2005 (more feedback added on testing Jabra BT800 Headset with JJ)
Still want to see more pictures and further details!!
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January 22, 2006:
Jasjar's Proporta Alu-Leather case review
January 19, 2006:
Jasjar's Brando Metal Case Review
January 19, 2006:
Piel Frama Jasjar case review
December 09, 2005:
Steve's photo review of Freelink Jasjar accessories
September 12, 2005:
i-Mate JASJAR First Impressions
September 10, 2005:
Mohd's JASJAR First Impressions and Photo Gallery
September 3, 2005:
i-Mate JASJAR Photo Review
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