24 hours after unboxing my new iMate Ultimate 8502 I thought I’d make a video and share it with the world!
Mr.Gadget : Australia's No#1 Gadget Site!
26
Mar
Tags: imate, imate 8502, imate ultimate 8502, PocketPC, Ultimate 8502, windows mobile
33 Responses to “iMate Ultimate 8502 Video Review by Mr.Gadget Australia!”
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in 3-27-2008 at 06:46:50
Great Initial Review, looking forward for a full user experience opinion.
I have some questions:
1. How much did it cost ? and can it be purchased unlocked ? any OnLine Stores sell it?
2. How usable is the keyboard ?
3. How is the screen in direct sun light ?
4. How long does the battary last for low/avarage/Extreme usage ?
5. How good is the reception (its a phone first) ? (inhouse/outside/etc.)
6. How good is the sound quality (how well can you hear others/how well can others hear you) ?
7. how strong/clear are the speakers ?
8. can you post some pictures smaples taken with the camera (indoors/outdoors/night w/o flash)?
9.how long does it take to recharge ?
10. can it be operated easly using one hand ?
11. how good is the XGA Out when connected to TV or Projector (for Movies/Presentation files) ?
12.how much of the memory is free for user applications ?
13. Does it suppoert 4gb microSD ?
14. Does the device work fast ? or does it hang ?
15. how good is the GPS Signal ? (in car ride/in buildings/etc)
16. How comfortable is the joystick compared to regular 5-way D-Pad ?
17. how good is the sound quality of mp3 using the 2.5mm jack ?
that’s all i can think of, i will really appriciate an answer to some/all of the above questions.
enjoy your new 8502 phone 
in 3-27-2008 at 09:10:36
Thanks for the video Mr Gadget. Just following up on some questions from your first impressions post, have you had a chance yet to test video performance (e.g. movie playback), and have you been able to test the SDHC patch?
Thanks for all the info! It looks great…except for that dirty great Telstra logo on the back! Please tell me that’s optional! I’ll be buying mine unlocked and using it on a different network.
Oh, one more thought – what comes in the box? Do you get anything extra above standard fare? Micro SD card, screen protector, spare stylus, etc?
in 3-27-2008 at 20:57:25
Ido sure you put down enough questions? 
1. I believe it’s locked to Telstra since they have exclusive rights in Australia
2. Keyboard is ok, no where as easy to use as say the Jasjams. Easy to make mistakes since keys are small
3. Screen is readable in sunlight
4. Haven’t had it long it enough to do proper tests of battery life. But so far it’s living up to its expected standby and talk times.
5. Reception is as good as any Telstra phone I’ve had. Nothing different here.
6. Sound quality on telephone calls is good but I find max volume isn’t super loud.
7. Inbuilt speakers are clear and loud – better than Jasjams
8. Photos coming soon
9. 45 minutes or so using USB cable charger
10. Jog dial & OK button on the left make it easy to operated with one hand.
11. Hooked it up to my TV however resolution made it very squarish. If you can adjust your TV accordingly it would be great
12. Right now with SPB Shell 2.0 running I have 80MB Storage Free and 27MB Program Free.
13. With the SDHC patch fix yes it supports 4GB I believe. I’ve installed the patch but only have a 2GB card – forums say it works.
14. Performance if fantastic – it will glitch when trying to perform tasks while just beginning ActiveSync but that’s normal
15. GPS only works outside not in buildings
16. Love the joystick
17. The packaged 2.5mm headphones aren’t Sennheisers but sound decent. Need to find my 2.5mm to 3.5mm.
Hope this helps
in 3-27-2008 at 21:03:49
J-Mann, good news movie playback is ok. I tried both high and low quality 320 x 240 rips. On the highest quality & audio settings I did find it slow a little with high action scenes but still satisfactory.
I’ve installed the SDHC patch but haven’t tried a MicroSDHC yet. Hopefully tomorrow or the weekend when I get into the warehouse.
Included in the box are:
- Video Out RCA Cables
- USB Cable Charger
- AC Power Adapter
- CD with ActiveSynch 4.5, WM6, Windows Mobile Device Center
- 2.5mm mobile stereo headset
- Holster Vinyl Case (actually looks good)
- 1 x Stylus
No memory card, screen protector. Get our very own Mr.Gadget 8502 screen protector which comes in next week – the best
Hope this helps
in 3-27-2008 at 21:28:20
I’ll definitely order a screen protector next week from you, been looking for one the right size (don’t wanna have to cut one to size). Any idea approximately when they are coming in?
Thanks for the details. I have my own now and so far it is great! I can confirm you can buy them unlocked, as I’m on the Optus network and it’s working fine. Except you get an annoying Telstra splash screen on startup! Anyone know how to get rid of this? Anyway, I digress. It is definitely unlocked apart from some of the Telstra branding here and there.
Thanks again for all the info Mr G.
in 3-28-2008 at 05:06:49
Thanks alot for all the answers Mr.Gadget
J-Mann : Where did you buy the unlocked phone ? (any Online store selling ?) how much did it cost ?
in 3-28-2008 at 09:05:38
I got mine from a Telstra shop. I dunno about online stores, but given they are a Telstra exclusive, I imagine you could only get it from Telstra online or from a third part with a Telstra contract.
in 3-28-2008 at 09:20:26
The 8502 only supports Composite output, not true VGA output, which is unfortunate when it comes to quality.
J-Mann:
Screen protector ETA unknown – Size being worked out by suppliers.
You might be able to edit the bootup in the registry, and even your own custom one.
in 3-28-2008 at 10:56:47
By the way, for those that are interested, the SDHC patch is working with my 4GB Micro SD.
in 3-28-2008 at 22:29:12
Yay! I was going to test an 8GB Micro SD on the weekend.
Thanks JMann!
in 3-31-2008 at 14:44:54
Hey here’s another question…has anyone tried playing video above 320×240 on this yet? Just tried it and it so stuttery it’s unwatchable. Looks like it may have the same issues as the TytnII with the chipset and drivers.
So my question is, what’t the point of being able to output VGA (i.e. SD TV quality) via the video output if the unit can’t play them?! I quote from the box “The ultimate BIG screen experience…view your photos, videos, emails and the internet on the big screen of your television…” Yes, enjoy the big screen video experience…at 320×240! (and even that stutters every now and then at higher quality).
It’s still a good phone though, I really like the form factor. But if you’re counting on being able to play video on the ‘big screen’, you might want to think again…
in 3-31-2008 at 23:11:58
J-Mann, I ripped a DVD on the weekend and it played fine. Which app did you use?
in 3-31-2008 at 23:58:18
Sweet dude! Is this your new phone now?
Just checking – it’s a pocketpc and not a smartphone, right?
By the way, check out my new site – http://tiiny.com
Very useful if you surf on your pda / phone a lot…
in 4-1-2008 at 00:19:22
Yes it is a PocketPC. That’s what I love about it – it has the size of a Smartphone with the functionality of a Windows Mobile device.
Go go 8502!
in 4-1-2008 at 10:14:58
Hey Mr Gadget. I didn’t rip a DVD, I converted an exisitng DivX file. When you ripped the DVD, did you rip it at 320×240, or at a more TV friendly resolution? Mine copes reasonably well using a 320×240 file converted using Pocket DivX Encoder, but if I drop a DivX file in at say 640×368, the phone virtually can’t play it using TCPMP. It’s just completely jerky and stuttery. That’s fine for most things, since I usually only watch on the small screen anyway, but in order to output to TV, you’re gonna need a higher res. Can’t really watch TV at 320×240. Again, not expecting a Pocket PC should be able to do this, except that that is one of the features they market the phone with – watch your videos on the big screen! OK, great, it outputs at VGA quality, but that’s not much good if the phone can’t play the file.
So just interested in what res you ripped your DVD at? And which app do you use to play them?
in 4-2-2008 at 12:32:30
Just wondering weather you have had any problems with the patch for the memory card (SDHC). It’s just htat my wireless keeps dropping out. Try to download google maps and it download 3/4 and then stop and sh1t’s itself. Also can you please email some good sites for other apps and links please. GPS software, better win modile software
in 4-2-2008 at 13:29:26
Hey guys. If you want to speed up your 8502, get a program like MemMaid (or something similar that lets you edit startup processes) and disable the imate service that is running. There is only one imate service – not sure what it’s called now. But that bad boy takes up about 2.5MB of memory! Perhaps it is for the IQ service or something (which I’m not using). My phone is noticeably quicker without it, and on soft reset starts with around 39MB free. And so far that’s for no loss of functionality.
in 4-2-2008 at 19:22:27
@J-Mann, thanks for the speed tip! I’ll try that out tonight. In regards to the DVD ripper app, I used IMtoo DVD Ripper. The trial version allows you to rip 5 minutes worth of movie.
@Matthew, I don’t think that the Google Maps issue is related to the SDHC patch. With my Jasjam I experienced similar issues that you are describing with Google Maps.
For GPS software check out “Travroute”, “Route 66″, “Tom Tom” in Google. I am currently using CoPilot 7 and I am loving it except for the non-presence of Text-To-Speech which is said to be on the way.
Other PocketPC software:
- handango.com
- freewarepocketpc.com
Regards, Mr.G
in 4-3-2008 at 09:24:48
I just wanted ask how your 8gb SDHC card is going Mr Gadget? Is it a Sandisk? My 4GB Transcend (a cheapie, I know) worked with the SDHC patch but kept dropping out when not in use, so I had to reinsert it to get the phone to pick it up each time. I tried a Sandisk 2GB and it’s been flawless (with the SDHC patch still installed). But of course, the 2gb card is not SDHC. So now I’m not sure if my card is working fine now because it’s simply a different brand and card, or because it’s not SDHC. I suspect the former, which is why I’m interested in how your 8gb card is going? I want to get a Sandisk 8gb, but want to make sure it works consistently. I read somewhere that Taiwanese cards can be prone to this problem, which the Transcend was.
in 4-3-2008 at 17:11:06
Looking for my first smart phone but I only need a few functions… phone, texting (good abc keyboard) and connection to outlook. What would you suggest? I want EASY to use!Is this a good option for me or can you suggest better? thanks… Peaches.
in 4-3-2008 at 17:59:19
Just wanted to know where to get the sdhc patch
can you please post the link
Thanks
in 4-3-2008 at 18:01:48
how would you compare this to motorola q for the functions I need? I like the motorola q but concerned about bat charge time… For what I need which would you suggest?…peaches.
in 4-3-2008 at 23:59:25
Hi Peach, it depends what you are going to be using it for. The Motorola Q is an older device so it’s not much of a comparison – 8502 basically kicks it butt in all areas.
Only thing the Q has over the 8502 is perhaps more easier to use keyboard since it is wider?
@yossil: SDHC Patch Link – http://tinyurl.com/3afztk
It’s now official that there are WiFi and SDHC patch conflicts…
in 4-4-2008 at 09:17:22
Hey Mr Gadget…what are the ‘official’ conflicts? Is it just with IE? If so, perhaps use Opera instead? Are there any other issues? Is a patched patch going to be released? Do you have a link maybe so we can follow this?
Also, just wondering if you could confirm how your SDHC card is going, per my previous post.
Peaches – I’ve had a few different Windows Mobile devices, and this is easily the best and most stable I’ve had. I can’t comment on the Q, since I’ve never used one, though I know on paper the 8502 kills it. No crashes at all, good battery life (for a Windows Mobile device) and the keyboard is fantastic once you get used to it. And although the keyboard is smaller, if gives the device a (in my opinion) much nicer form factor than the Q.
in 4-4-2008 at 23:51:40
Hi JMann, it was official because I experienced the issue personally
The conflict isn’t browser based rather bus related as SDHC and WiFi are trying to tap the same hardware resource?
I got my 8GB SDHC to work however reverted back to my 2GB since I had 2 weeks worth of installations, data and music that wasn’t easily picked up in the new card. Will re-do it when I have time, but can confirm that the full memory amount appeared in the Systems > Memory Information section.
Have a great weekend guys
in 4-6-2008 at 22:18:34
Yes, alas, I too have experienced this too now with the SDHC patch and have uninstalled it. Can’t use wifi with the patch installed – just locks up. If anyone comes across another solution or hears of a ROM update or something to fix this, please let us know! So disappointing, in a device that is supposed to be an ‘ultimate’. SDHC is surely a basic fundamental in a handheld device these days! Devices were coming out with SDHC two years ago!
in 4-6-2008 at 23:00:24
Agree agree.
Good thing is, iMate is actually not too bad when it comes to releasing new patches for bugs in their devices. I can name many other manufacturers who are notorious for leaving their new customers in the dark.
…iMate don’t let me down!!
in 4-7-2008 at 15:21:05
Can someone give me some ideas here. If I set the Telstra Proxy setting to Enable, I can surf the web and pay or get into free sites with telstra to see the latest news etc etc. That is all good. However – this is as per the Imate tips paper that was in the box – if I set the proxy to disable, so I can surf the web via my wifi connection I have to pay for all pages including the free to browse sites. This is included in the NOTE on that piece of paper and I can confirm it after I surfed via my wireless connection at home for 20min and I am being billed for it – only a few dollars so that is not the issue.
I thought, the idea of turning the proxy to disable, and surfing the web while at home, listening to music etc on my back patio, was to do all this using my home connection downloads – ie having it become part of my home payments like connecting my laptop to the network at home. Am I missing the idea of connecting wirelessly at home on these devices? Any ideas on how to get around this. I thought I was doing something wrong at first, being billed for surfing over my wireless connection but then I read that piece of paper which says NOTE when browsing the web on your device with disable proxy selected you will be charged for all content accessed via the mobile network, including Telstra free to browse content. It just seems to defeat the purpose of wireless connection at home to me, as you have to have proxy disabled?
Cheers
in 4-8-2008 at 00:02:36
Astro, I didn’t even touch the proxy settings and was able to surf the web, pull RSS feeds etc out of the box. Just ensure that your card is NextG enabled?
in 4-8-2008 at 14:13:37
I think all the proxy does is determine whether you want to be seen as a Telstra customer or a random web surfer when you access the Telstra ‘Free to Browse’ sites and so on (although I am not a Telstra customer so can’t say for sure, but logically this is what a proxy would do). So with it enabled, provided you are actually a Telstra customer, certain content will not count against your download limit.
If you are using wifi at home, there is no way Telstra could know what you are doing and bill you for it, especially with the proxy disabled. It’s just not possible. My guess would be that in actual fact you were connecting at home still over the 3G network, inadvertently of course. Even with wifi enabled, perhaps somehow you were connected and browsing over the phone network connection, not the wifi connection. That is the only way Telstra could know about it and bill you. That ‘note’ you’re talking about just means that if it is disabled and you browse the web AND you do it over the phone network, you might be charged for stuff that would normally be free to Telstra customers. If you are at home on a local wireless network, not only can’t Telstra bill you, they couldn’t even know that you were connecting that way.
in 4-23-2008 at 07:35:36
Is the camera a fix focus or auto-focus we see both information on different web page
in 4-24-2009 at 18:28:16
coreplayer works great for dvix movies to tv screen alittle slow but is good
also works with sdhc 8gb micro card
wireless internet vir wireless broadband will bypass telstra just delete network telstra details
in 5-14-2009 at 18:57:50
Hey,
I was wondering if anyone could help me.
I just got a Imate 9502 and Im with optus, I am having some trouble trying to connect to optus zoo. I went to http://optusau.wdsglobal.com/index.html and followed the promts but still wont work.
Any help would be so appreciated.
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