Smartphones come in various shapes, sizes, and specifications in order to address the different needs of a user. Despite being an entry-level, Windows Mobile 6 smartphone, the new Jama 101 comes with proprietary programs that allow users to customise and protect their unit effortlessly.

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The Jama 101 makes do without the glossy, piano-black finish found in other smartphones. Instead, this phone sports a plain black fascia and is made out of hard plastic. It is able to prevent fingerprints from sticking to the phone, which is a plus for us, despite looking tacky in comparison to other phones in the market.

The button placement of the Jama 101 is straightforward – the left and right softkey, Start, OK, Send, End (Power), and five-way navigation keys are located right below the 2.4-inch Transflective touch screen. An RF plug and a microSD memory expansion card slot is found on the left spine, while the volume up/down key, camera button, and stylus are located on the right spine.

The bottom of the unit hosts an earphone jack, microphone, soft reset button, and mini-USB connector for charging and synchronisation. Finally, the speaker, 1.3-megapixel camera, and mirror are located at the back of the unit.

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 Performance:

The Jama 101 runs on Samsung’s SC32442X processor running at 300MHz, has 64MB RAM, and uses Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional for its OS. The today screen displays the date and time, wireless manager, owner information, phone mode (Normal, Meeting, Silent, Outdoor, Headset) and screen rotate function, messaging, calendar, tasks, live search, and windows media player toolbar. These background items can be removed or changed by going to the settings tab.

Accessing the Programs menu reveals the ActiveSync, Calculator, Camera, Device Customisation, Enhanced Support, Enterprise Activation, File Explorer, i-mate Configurator, Internet Sharing, Messenger, MIDlet Manager, Notes, Pictures and Videos, Search, SIM Manager, SimTkUI, Tasks, Windows Live, and Windows Media Player. It also comes with an Office Mobile application that allows a user to create/access Word, Excel, or Powerpoint files while on the go.

Users can synchronise contacts, appointments, e-mail and text messages, tasks, and favourites between the Jama 101 and any desktop/notebook using the Microsoft ActiveSync application that comes bundled with the device.

Besides being able to display JPEG photos and read PDF, DOC, XLS, PPT files, the Jama 101 also supports MIDI, MP3, WMA, WAV, and AMR audio files as well as ASF, WMV, MPEG4, and 3GP video files.

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Shots taken by the 2-megapixel camera are good for MMS and small prints, but don’t expect stellar photo output from this smartphone. Keep in mind that the camera does not have any auto-focus function and may result to blurry pictures along the way. The Jama 101 can also be used as a video recorder, with footages recorded on either a 3GP or WMV file format.

Like i-mate’s 8502, the Jama 101 offers a security function that automatically locks your phone and/or erase stored data in case it gets lost or misplaced. The phone can be restored to its previous state by simply re-activating the unit and synchronising the files via Microsoft ActiveSync.

The unit is not 3G and uses GPRS to connect to the internet, which means browsing will be slow.

The Jama 101 has a talk time of up to 4 hours and a standby time of up to 150 hours. It has an RRP of $489 and can be purchased from Dick Smith and Powerhouse.

See page over for product specifications and final rating.

 i-mate Jama 101 Product Specifications:

Platform: Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Professional
Processor/Chipset: Samsung SC32442X 300MHz
Memory: ROM: 128MB / RAM: 64MB
LCD Module: 2.4-inch 65k colour 240×320 Transflective touch screen LCD

GSM/GPRS Function:
– GSM/GPRS
– GPRS Class 10
– Tri-band 900/1800/1900 MHz
– GSM services
– Speech services with EFR/FR/HR v1 codec
– Emergency call
– DTMF tone generation
– Call holding, waiting, forwarding, barring
– SMS texting
– GPRS functionality
– GPRS class 10
– GPRS CS 1 to 4 coding scheme supported
– SIM function
– 3V SIM operation
– SIM application toolkit
– Integrated Antennae

Keyboard/Buttons:
– 4-way navigation pad and action button
– Left soft key and Right soft key
– Start key and OK key
– Volume up, down & camera button
– Send key / End (power) key
– Reset button

Notification:
– One Bi-colour LED (Green and RED) for missed calls or e-mail alerts, and charging status
– Vibration for notification and incoming calls

Audio:
– Handsfree
– Speakerphone
– Ring tone / Playback
– Supports MIDI, MP3, WMA, WAV, AMR

Video: Supports ASF, WMV, MPEG4, 3GP

Camera: 2.0-megapixel sensor with up to 6x digital zoom

Connectivity and Interface:
– mini-USB
– microSD card slot
– RF connector
– Earphone/microphone jack with stereo sound
– Bluetooth (V1.2)

Accessories:
– AC adapter
– USB Sync cable
– Stereo headset with microphone
– Manual, Quick Start Guide, Getting Started CD

Power:
– Capacity: 1000 mAh Lithium-Ion
– Talk Time: Up to 4 hours
– Standby Time: Up to 150 hours

Dimensions:
Size: 106 x 52.5 x 15.6mm
Weight: 110g with battery pack

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i-mate Jama 101 | $489 |  | www.imate.com

For: Robust construction; Screen quality; Ease of use; Responsive touch screen; Proprietary security programs; Battery life; Attractive price point
Against: Not a 3G smartphone
Conclusion: A simple and affordable Windows-based smartphone