i-Mate PDA-N Review - Page 2

By: Saravana Kumar Paulraj

April 28, 2006

Page 1  |  Page 2

Page 2: WiFi, Bluetooth, Memory, Device Usage, Benchmark Test, Audio & Video, GPS, Conclusion.

This is only 802.11 b. I tried to connect to the home SpeedStream router capable of 256 Kbps. The device had absolutely no problem in identifying the WiFi point and neither did it have problem to connect to it. As a matter of fact, the ‘Signal Quality’ shown by PDA-n was much MUCH higher than my PDA2k / HW 6515.

This was taken when the device is little away from the modem. Check the signal. My PDA2k literally shows 75% strength in this area.

It worked like charm when I took to the nearby room also (where my PDA2k refused to see the WiFi point). This says that the WiFi signal reception is really great.

Internet browsing in this scenario was really great. I tried a couple of online radio software, which worked perfectly great. More and more marks can be awarded to PDA-n here.

It supports only the ‘b’ part of the protocol. It misses the ‘g’ and what ever future supported protocols. This is a negative part of the device. However, for the rasio, online video… I guess it is enough!

Bluetooth

The device comes with Bluetooth version 1.1 only. This is poor to this device; I can say a bad news itself.

A very simple BT settings screen.

But, let me think loud something. Having the GPS on the device itself, and not phone, the Bluetooth to my knowledge can be used for file sharing, serial port, exchanging the business cards etc., when you can’t use your USB cable. So, version 1.1 is ok and acceptable.

Data transfer between a PC and PDA-n was seamless. Also the file transfer between other devices (tested with i-Mate PDA2k, Nokia 6670, Nokia 7610, ETEN G500) was also perfect. No questions or doubts about it.

Memory

The image shows the memory configuration immediately after a cold-boot (hard reset – which was pretty easy). Remarkable space, as we literally have no apps related to phone and related functionality. So, we have more real-estate for our applications.

I didn’t have problems in installing my apps. And the performance was perfect.

Few benchmark testing shows that the memory is remarkably great. Having WM5 as the operating system, we should say that the memory is managed perfectly.

Device Information

Let the images do the talking here also,

ROM Version information:

Hardware Information:

Hardware identity: You can find the IMEI for registration purpose.

Package details: (sun details of the OS)

Device Usage

Same as we would have done in ANY windows mobile device. I really liked the soft-key concept.

Few highlights includes,

Icons in Today

There are few icons now site just above the ‘soft key’ on the screen. This helps as the status indicator which was in the WM 2003 SE device, but also acts as the short cut icons. It’s like the system tray in PC, works fine.

Just see in between the bush, you can find the tray-icons

I have a concern; the icons are too small and difficult to notice in the default theme given in the device. The grass really hides them.

Landscape Mode

The portrait and landscape modes worked seamless and no flickering in the switching process. The processor and RAM usage has worked on it.

This today screen doesn’t have the bush, you can see the icons clearly.

Device Lock

The device comes with the lock this time. So, no accidental clicks resulting in the battery draining.

Screen Locked,

Unlocking the Screen by clicking the soft-key or on the screen:

When the screen was locked for the first time, it took me long time to realize that the screen is locked. I thought that the touch-screen was not functioning. I wish, the screen shows SOME message when the screen is tabbed on locked state.

Communications

The device doesn’t come with phone, that doesn’t make the device stopping from communicating. We have seen the WiFi in the sections before. Here its time for miscellaneous items.

Active Sync

Since it is WM5, it connects only with ActiveSync 4 or higher. This A$ 4 installs only in the Windows XP + SP2 machines. The active sync screen in the device is filled with some more information than in the PDA2k.

 

Communication Manager

A simple shortcut to the Bluetooth, ActiveSync and WiFi settings, activations etc. I feel this is required and is neat in terms of the options.

System Settings

Personal settings are as usual. Only difference is, the device comes preloaded with the Pocket-MSN. Good news for die-hard MSN users (like me).

System settings are also same as you could expect. It also comes with the Microphone-AGC. For those who would be wondering why MIC: we need MIC for a phone less PDA, we can use for the audio recording. The quality was clear and good.
 

Connection settings cant get better that the current one.

PDA Volume

I missed the vibrate alerts. This would be useful for the reminders of the meetings / tasks, when the device is in silent mode. I definitely miss that option.

Where is my vibrate option?

CAB File installations

The device asks, where to install the application when we install a CAB file directly.

eTrust AntiVirus

Ok, this software comes as a part of the device. But, I have a question? Is there any virus for PPC at all? Anyway, it looks good, and didn’t find any virus in my SD Card contents

Skype

To be very honest, I didn’t try SKYPE. This is for people, who want to know the Skype versioning etc.

Settings Information

Version

Benchmarking with SPB

Again the images will take the main stage here. I have picked up all the images where PDA-n excelled in the benchmarking. Note that this device is better compared to devices without a built-in phone module as a PDA only.

The images JUST describe what kind of benchmark result it is.

Benchmarking the Device

Benchmarking the Memory (RAM, SD Card)

Regarding the benchmarking for memory, I have taken all the possible snapshots. We can clearly see that the memory read from the SD Card and the RAM is slow and ALL others it is really good.

Audio & Video

The device is exceptionally good when it comes to audio. And it is same with the video. The device was used as a MP3 player in my car for few occasions after I loaded few songs to my small 512 MB storage card.

The device comes with Windows Media Player 10, which is the latest on in the arena. The video quality is simply the same as it should be. No dithering or frames problem. This is because of the processor and the RAM power the device has.

One thing I have to mention here. The right side is so flat that I can keep the device standing in landscape mode.

GPS

The device comes with the GPS and it didn’t come loaded with any software for testing purpose. Anyway, I borrowed the Destinator Version 5, from my colleague for testing. For those who don’t know the Destinator, please check the detailed review of HP 6515 we have done here in PPCD.

Since, this software is owned by the person, I have been forced to ‘NOT’ include the images of the usage with PDA-n. But I know there should be some other way to test and add in this section.

For those who are looking for MAP software, we have lots of thread discussing the same.

Few applications came on the rescue. Images given below, just for reference.

Few seconds after the device was taken to balcony, Signal Information

Few seconds after the device was taken to balcony, satellite information

Few seconds after the device was taken to balcony, dashboard information

Few snapshots, after the device got the signal (faster signal pickup than G500).

The device picked up the signal, signal information

The device picked up the signal, signal information after some movement

The device picked up the signal, satellite information. We can see 4 satellites in view.

Thanks Docc, for recommending the VisualGPSCE. This is a literal comparison between PDA-n and ETEN G500 n the GPS. Few observations,

PDA-n picked the satellites pretty faster than the G500.

It was bit bad in handling the satellites when it comes to shady areas. I took the device for few moments inside the building and back to the streets, it took more time than the G500, to catch back the signal.

But once more than 6 satellites are in its ‘eye’, it was pretty strong in measurements – speed. We literally made a sudden break (thanks to the Land cruiser driver to drop from 140 kmph to 20 in seconds) and the device didn’t make any mistake at all.

There was some problem in calculating the altitude. There was same problem with G500 too, so, I gave benefit of doubt away to the software, and ignore it.

Conclusion

Simple conclusion I have ever written till date.

If you don't want a Pocket PC Phone but a good Pocket PC with GPS and with the Windows Mobile functionality, just drop to your nearby showroom and buy the i-Mate PDA-n.

Available at: Gadgets World