i-mate PDAL

The quad band i-mate PDAL smartphone claims to be the answer to most people's business and multimedia needs, especially to people who uses a Microsoft based PC at home or at work, since the PDAL delivers many familiar Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 applications for the pocket PC. This means that the Windows PC operating system can integrate the Windows Mobile-based user interface seamlessly.

This also gives its users the advantage of being able to get instant access to emails through the use of Windows Mobile Direct Push Email, as well as MSN Mobile including Hotmail and MSN Messenger access, Internet Explorer Mobile, Windows Media Player Mobile 10, and Microsoft Office Mobile. Aside from this, the PDA also claims that it is one of the smallest PDAs in the market to date, which measures at 112mm x 56mm x 17mm and weighing at 116g.

Some of the main features of i-mate PDAL include a built in hi-speed Wi-Fi connectivity, with a mandatory Bluetooth and push email, giving its users the ability to roam the world while still being able to keep in contact with the office. It also supports features that offer its subscribers with fun and entertainment such as a 2 mega pixel camera, music and video media player that support files in WMA, WMV, MP3, MIDI, WAV, MP4 and ASF formats. It also features a pocket office which supports Microsoft Office Mobile applications such as Word, Excel and Powerpoint, so that its users can view and edit PDF documents.

The i-mate PDAL's design keeps true to user's preference, making it into either a PDA-style device, or a fundamental choice of a messaging form factor. The PDA is equipped with a 2.4" colored touch screen which also includes a stylus located at the side of the device. The orientation of the screen can also change, from portrait to landscape orientation, giving its user a much better angle and perspective when viewing pictures, especially videos.

The unit is housed in a silver or black casing enveloping the d-pad which is surrounded by Windows Start menu, OK button, contacts and calendar buttons. It looks sleek, and is considered by many as an attractive PDA phone, especially with its 5-way navigation button which helps make using the phone easier. The phone is also designed to be a reliable tool for communication, which is why there is a messenger button that alerts the user when an email has been received by him. The power and reset buttons can be found at the side of the device.

The i-mate PDAL's other features include the ability of the user to customize the PDA phone according to his specifications, such as the use of the polyphonic ringtones that are available in 64 channels together with the phone's MP3 features. It has a vibrate option wherein its users can activate it whether alone or with a polyphonic ringtone.

The i-mate PDAL's memory for storage, which is at 64MB RAM, 128 MB ROM, especially for the music, pictures and videos, can be expanded using a microSD (TransFlash). It also has a handwriting recognition system wherein when you are writing a message using the stylus, the PDA phone can identify your handwriting, making it easier to write at times. The PDA phone also supports java games - most of which can be downloaded by its users. The only unfortunate thing about it is that i-mate PDAL is still not 3G capable.

Pros

• Vibrant and resilient touchscreen
• Stylish and compact
• Offers cheaper Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0

Cons

• Not 3G capable
• Games and music just so-so

Overall

Overall, the i-mate PDAL is one of the great PDA phones around in the market today. If you are somene who is looking for a PDA phone that can offer you a reliable communication tool for work and play while on the move, then this phone is definitely for you.