Finally! A device ...

Well,
After near 20 months of research and procrastination, to which all around me I must have driven mad, I decided on the device for me! Today I went and aquired an Imate JasJam, on Tel$tra's NextG network.

Smaller form factor won me over the JasJar, as well as improved features. Despite the lower screen res of 320 x 280 compared to 640 x 480, the smaller size seemes to be becoming the accepted standard with most similar devices and the recent launch of a new website domain, .mobi specifically provides mobile internet content for them.

First impressions .. WOW!
The features are overwhelming, and I'm not going to list them because they're here: http://www.clubimate.com/t-DETAILS_JASJAM.aspx I haven't read the manuals or set the phone up fully yet. The first play was like, where to start ? ... seriously! This thing does so much!
Screen looks nice an crisp, everythings easy to read. Intuitive interface - if you're used to Windows XP - even right down to LAN settings. I picked up two unprotected LANs with it sitting on my desk at work in under 30 seconds - and another walking to my car! Slide the keypad out - locks firmly into place, slightly rounded keys are small, but I got thumb typing accurately pretty quickly in Word - but later I went to enter in my email password! I found the onscreen kbd easier there, but it also does character recognition pretty darn well too! 2MP cam quality seems reasonable with only a few shots through the window. Video, audio recording are fine
Oh, that's right, it a PHONE! A quick call to home - answering machine. Still, it sounded nice and loud though the built in speaker. Called it from my phone at work - just to check - sounded good - lol.
Picks up the NextG network no problems in the Enclave, yet to test wireless here.
Anyway, I'll provide a detailed review, after a few more plays and then some, but for now, G R I N N I N G !!

Mobile Phone EXTRAS ...

The following has been emailed to me 3 times, but handy stuff none the less.

*I*
* The Emergency Number worldwide for **Mobile** is 112.*
If you find yourself out of coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialled even if the keypad is locked.


*II*
* Subject: Have you locked your keys in the car? Does you car have remote
keys?*
This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).
Editor's Note: *It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!"* (I haven't tried it though - Edge)


*III*
Subject: Hidden Battery power
Imagine your cell battery is very low , you are expecting an important call and you don't have a charger. Nokia instrument comes with a reserve battery. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.
AND


*IV*
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?
To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. when your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

DANGER Email HOAX ...

SUBJECT: About your photo

MESSAGE: I've accidently found your photo at a flickr and i'm very interested in it.Can you tell me what place i can see in the background of it?
---wbr, Jean Lacy [the name here changes]

WARNING: the above email is being distributed by a virus using random email addresses and it's likely the link contained in it [your photo] will lead to further infection.
DO NOT CLICK ON THE LINK !! DELETE THE MESSAGE IMMEDIATELY.

quote ..

Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the tradewinds in your sails. Explore, dream, discover." Mark Twain.

Germ Warfare ..

I opened my eyes this morning feelling some-what less than ordinary. Like I'd slipped over the Edge, hanging on by my fingernails. I knew it was comming, I'd had a dry throat for a few days now and yesterday, my nose wouldn't stop secreting mucus all day. Where does this gook come from? I don't remember eating it! Why do you never seem to empty your face of it, no matter how hard & long you blow? Is it my brain leaking thinking juice? Is it produced by my body to try and expel the virus which is trying desperately to multiply and mutate within? Or perhaps it's a way of the virus trying to get from my chest into my tummy to wreak more havok, afterall, it's pretty difficult to avoid swallowing at least some of it. Anywayz, it's now worked its evil way down into the lower tracts of my lungs so now I cough too.
I've been pondering where I caught this virus. Could this possibly be the first actual virus to affect humans which was transmitted through cyberspace? After all, my friend "Parts" emailed me several times earlier during the week, specifically mentioning a similar ailment which has afflicted him. Maybe I caught it from his blog http://partstas.spaces.live.com/, afterall, I read about it there too!
Bastard. I hate being sick. Especially when its A WEEKEND!!! At least it's been raining on and off for most of the day, so I've been doing the right thing and taking it easy, even to the point of enjoying a long hot bath. I did however achieve one important task today, I successfully sold our old "family wagon", a 1993 Toyota Camry, as we've moved up to a MY03 Subaru Forester. I think I'm in the wrong profession. Geez I have some amazing luck selling my cars, well over 20 of them since learning to drive. As usual, I had it advertised for less than a week. These folks were the second to call, but the first (and only) to come and look! I think the secret is be honest, and give the buyer plenty of time. They took it for a lengthy 3 hr test drive to their mechanic, then they took 3 days to decide our car was for them, and I didn't have to compromise overly on price.

Anyway, I'd best get the Kiddies some lunch before they start eating the dog!

Hold the phone ...

3G or not 3G, that is the question. Do you long for a “broadband speed” mobile phone service, which promises live video conferencing, fast file transfers & streaming internet content? Telstra’s upcomming 3G network signalled for launch sometime in 2007 is touted at the answer, but beware!!!

Apparently NO phones currently on the market, including those claiming to be 3G will be compatible with Telstra’s new 3G standard!! From information given to me verbally from Telstra sales staff, there will be no phones available to suit this new network until “... sometime early next year”.

If your thinking of aquiring a new phone as I am, it may be best to wait until at least mid 2007, or you may find yourself with outdated technology very quickly.This poses a quanundrum for me, as I’m now a cashed up buyer, with money burning a hole in my back pocket (for a change!). The PDA/phone I had pretty much settled on is the HTC Tytn or Imate JasJar as it’s sold in Australia, with a retail price of around $1500. Hunting around, the JasJar can be had for under $1000au, but that’s still a lot of funds to throw at something which is ALREADY outdated. There are newer & smaller form-factor models (which run Windows Mobile 5.0), like the JasJam, but the JasJar’s main attraction for me, aside from what I thought would be 3G compatability, is the larger, more useable 640 x 480 screen resolution, Most other PDA phone’s I’ve looked at have a screen size around 320x280 pixels.

Let’s face it, the JasJar is not perfect and will no doubt be replaced by a similar device which has a built in hard drive, built in GPS, a 5MP camera and the all important TV & garage door remote control learner which I requested before, but how long before I can afford it?So ... do I get the JasJar NOW and connect via Tri-Band UMTS or the faster Quad-Band EDGE for phone and data use when out of WLAN range, or do I wait for the “promise” of what 3G and upcomming devices have to offer? Chances are Telstra 3G compatible phones will be very expensive when first released and discount second hand availability won’t be for another 6 months at least, meaning a sub $1000 compatible device may even be another year’s wait! And in another year, who know’s what will be around the corner – time to upgrade again?

It's like re-arranging the deck chairs on the Technology Titanic.