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iMate Ultimate 9502 & 8502 in Telstra Shops Already? Hooray!

Posted By Mr.Gadget Published in PocketPC

Mar

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Ok word on the street is that iMate Ultimate 9502 & 8502 Windows Mobile PocketPCs are already in Telstra stores ready to go. Whether they’ve been put on the shelves yet is another mystery that will be revealed in what could be hours.

Until the Xperia X1 and Nokia N96 get officially released in Australia, this is the PocketPC / Phone of 2008…

Thank you Asian-Nikon Man for the tip!

Edit: 10/03/2008 I called up Telstra to confirm where I’m at with my current iMate JasJam contract. The good news is that I am ready for an upgrade, the bad news is that the consultant didn’t know the exact date when the iMate Ultimate 9502 will be released…will keep you posted.

HP to Release a Windows Mobile Smartphone (October 6th, 2008)
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1’s Australia Launch Delayed Until Q1 ‘09 (September 15th, 2008)
CNET’s Review of the Palm Treo Pro (September 9th, 2008)
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 to Launch on October; SDK Released (September 5th, 2008)
Palm Treo Pro Reviewed: Screen Sucked Big Time (August 28th, 2008)

23 Responses To This Gadget Post

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Pete Says, in 4-1-2008 at 00:15:50 from 122.105.21.177

The iMate Ultimate 8502 is out and on sale. This seller is offering international delivery. Check it out:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=170206646941&ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Ben Says, in 4-5-2008 at 15:11:44 from 220.245.179.136

Calculator King and Telstra shops now have them in store and are selling for $1049 at Calculator King and around $1099 at telstra.

Because these phones are through telstra they have been setup to be used with their network.
I was told that you can use them with other telco’s but you have to manually put in the settings for net usage whereas with telstra it is all automatic.

The guy at the shop showing me had a lot of trouble connecting to the net using his vodafone sim card and settings, in fact he didn’t get online at all but am sure that is just a matter of tinkering.

As for GPS, it has the receiver etc all inside but you then have to go and buy the maps from CoPilot or Tom Tom or who ever you choose, and they can be an additional $190 to buy.

One thing i did think was odd and that was there was only the choice of 4 ring tones …. unless more were on the CD and he hadn’t loaded up onto the unit …..

Has anyone else checked them out yet ?

Mr.Gadget Says, in 4-6-2008 at 00:49:09 from 58.165.30.93

Hi Ben, those ring tones are pretty standard for today’s Windows Mobile machines. It’s easy to choose a .wav, .midi or .mp3 and make that your ringtone.

Rowan Says, in 4-29-2008 at 14:19:23 from 203.217.13.10

I have gone and bought the aussie maps and the navigator 6 softare for my 8502 but it keeps saying “no GPS Device”. I have called Imate and Tomtom but no has a clue.

Can anyone help?

Mr.Gadget Says, in 4-29-2008 at 15:50:32 from 203.58.120.11

Is your GPS turned on? Go to your Wireless Manager and switch it on if not.

Another shortcut to Wireless Manager is pressing “Fn” and the “sym” button simultaneously…

Hope this helps

Regards,
Mr.G

pahollow Says, in 4-30-2008 at 00:20:24 from 58.160.138.162

I have had i-mate Ultimate 9502 smartphone for about a while now and it is great but getting it to work with Bluetooth has proven impossible.

I have two computers that are just over a year old (one only two months) and neither can use Windows Mobile Center for syncing even though bluetooth is set up.

I have an exisiting case with Microsoft who is trying to help and most supportive (calling me back - to see how I am going with the problem) but i-mate support is absolutely appalling even if you can understand their strong Malaysian accents.

Also i-mate technical support do no follow-up (phone back when they say they are going to) or even create an ongoing case. I even tried the online “live support” and there was either no one available or or the connection would drop out, on the one time I got through.

Microsoft identify what the problem is it is the sync profile according to the problems and solutions center in the control panel.

Bottome line: when you spend over $1000AU (as much as a laptop!) on a device there should be better help from the manufacturer.

Advice: if you want to buy one of these i-mate smartphones - make sure you are prepared for bad after sales support!!

Maybe you should go for the HTC TyTN II. Even though the daily battery life isn’t as good. The only problem is that it is not available on a Telstra plan. I am beginning to think I should have waited!

Just so everyone understands in the world - this is why Windows Mobile Device Center 6.1 won’t work with Bluetooth. It is the Sync Profile. I-Mate help desk is not providing any help at this time!

Ian Says, in 5-27-2008 at 12:25:24 from 203.63.89.206

How , exactly do you do this? I’ve been through the manual & the help file… No Joy

Ian

you said “Hi Ben, those ring tones are pretty standard for todayâ€™s Windows Mobile machines. Itâ€™s easy to choose a .wav, .midi or .mp3 and make that your ringtone.”

Mr.Gadget Says, in 5-27-2008 at 16:49:34 from 203.58.120.11

Ian what exactly are you trying to do? Bluetooth or add a new ringtone?

Davo Says, in 6-6-2008 at 22:23:04 from 124.181.116.32

I have also bought a Telstra customised 8502. I am also having problems with GPS Apps. Using MIOMapv3.3 and IGO2008. Neither of these Apps will find the GPS signal/port, no matter which port I set the GPS to use in the wireless manager. (currently using default settings of Program port COM9 and hardware port None 4800). After reading many forums, fiddling a lot (and copious use of the reset button. Both GPS apps lock the device when searching for a GPS they can’t find). It seems a lot of people are having this problem as well. The only way I have found around it is to us an App called GPSGATE. It finds the GPS signal, no matter which port you set it to, and then resends it on a virtual COM port. I would much rather not use any more 3rd partyS/W than necessary, so if anyone has a way of getting GPS applications to work with the 8502’s built in GPS, without GPSGATE, I would love to hear. BTW a bluetooth GPS works no problem.

Also, FYI I’m having no other probs with the 8502, as long as you don’t fiddle with it too much.. And if you are on Telstra’s amazingly fast nextG 850 network, don’t load the patch that is on Imates site for the imate configurator. It modifes the network connection settings and stuffs the ability to connect to Foxtel via mobile.

And if anyone is having problems with access foxtel and other pages, you just need to use the “Telstra Proxy” feature. On for foxtel and bigpond. Off for anything that doesn’t work with it on.

Mr.Gadget Says, in 6-6-2008 at 23:59:34 from 121.220.71.127

Hi Davo, thanks for posting. My GPS is working fine with CoPilot 7. The only times I have issues is when GPS is not activated in the Wireless Manager; CoPilot 7 just hangs.

Hope you resolve your issue.

Geoff Says, in 6-16-2008 at 14:03:14 from 203.44.195.70

Davo - I am having EXACTLY the same GPS issue as you using IGO. Did you get a resolution?

stephen Says, in 6-16-2008 at 15:42:11 from 121.45.38.81

Hi, last thursday I purchased the 9502, with an 8g microsdhc card. i did this asking it was compatible and would work. i wanted to be able to load maps for the gps plus music files and other data. the shop assistant advised all i need do is download a sdhc patch and away i go. i’ve spent the w/e looking at different sites with different answers and seemingly, no proper patch. then 2 calls to imate, them saying there is no patch for an 8g. have you any other info which may assist, thanks.

MikeFitz Says, in 6-21-2008 at 19:00:44 from 60.241.100.232

I, too, foolishly purchased an 8Gb MicroSDHC card for my 9502, expecting to load GPS maps etc.

Looks like I have to step down to 2Gb… and I now have a brand new 8Gb card for my camera.

If anyone tracks down this SDHC patch, I’m interested.

Greg Styles Says, in 6-26-2008 at 02:28:53 from 81.246.51.202

Bought my Imate 9502 halfway through May,had GPS working fine on port 9, 4800 Baud,and all other software and settings how I wanted it,but it conked out 10 days after I bought it with a battery charging problem and cutting out(ie. NO POWER and rebooting)intermittently during calls. Took back and one month later it is STILL being “assessed” by Imate service centre. The DOA policy on these things is supposed to be 30 days(a new phone if failure within 30 days)however they are still “assessing” or “repairing” it which is completely unacceptable. LOVE the phone still,but not happy with the backup on a $1000 phone.Wondering if I should have gone for the Eten Glofiish M800 instead ? It was my second choice as very similar specs. The deadline is tomorrow for my phone back NOW ultimatum otherwise I pull out the trade practices act “faulty goods” scenario and get my money back.

Peter Ruocco Says, in 7-1-2008 at 11:20:30 from 202.149.25.225

I have bought a 9502. I have had it for about 8 weeks. I am having the same problem as Greg Styles. I have great difficulty charging the 9502. It also crashes at the begining of a phone call or receiving a new message. Then I have difficulty restarting the 9502. After trying to reset and power down or up - not sure which at the time. it decides to operate again. Can anyone help? or is it just a repair job. Maybe there is a patch out. Thanks for the help from anyone. Regards, Peter.

Geoff Says, in 7-8-2008 at 09:30:09 from 203.44.195.70

I must say…. the performance of my i-mate 9502 is proving somewhat dubious. It has started to drop out during calls, and generally seems to be dropping off in terms of overall performance. I’m not sure I would recommend this unit…..

Imatesucks Says, in 7-10-2008 at 08:13:09 from 58.165.2.186

They may be out but beware if you have to repair them. I cracked the touch screen which is on top of the LCD. They have now combined them into a single unit so they want $375 for repair on it, more than half of the price I can pick up the phone for new. Talk about ripping off the consumer.

I eventually registered a website to highlight this to potential buyers.

IMA69R Says, in 7-26-2008 at 23:49:08 from 211.30.137.111

I purchased an Imate 9502 and would like to know;
which is the best GPS software that utilizes the inbuilt GPS capabilities.

I upgraded, from a Nokia 6110, and wonder IF/HOW I could transfer, the program on the Nokia, onto the IMATE ?

Kelly Says, in 8-11-2008 at 20:13:27 from 121.217.72.146

I too am having the same problme trying to charge my 9502. It has just started to turn itself off intermittedly, sometimes it wont even fully boot up. I was hoping it was just a faulty battery but after seeing the above comments, I am thinking otherwise. I called IMATE today and asked if it was a common problem the lady said no and that she couldn’t help me. She sugested that I call Telsra since its a telstra phone. great service for such an expensive item. Can anyone let me know if they have had success in getting any action ?

Mr.Gadget Says, in 8-12-2008 at 09:28:43 from 203.58.120.11

HI Kelly, I would recommend that you _do_ take your 9502 to the Telstra store where you bought it from. It should be a warranty job if it’s only a couple months old. Let us know how you go.

Allen Says, in 8-13-2008 at 16:33:34 from 60.231.156.30

does any one know what settings the GPS should be set to ie baud rate prog port and hard ware port?

Blugreen Says, in 9-16-2008 at 12:09:56 from 220.245.239.188

I too have a piece of crap that is known as an 8502. It was bought for me as a birthday present (full retail cash was paid in cash from a Telstra Dealer)at the start of June. I used it for less than 2 weeks and had many of the issues that others have had with it powering off etc. If I used the hands free I had to reboot the unit after I unplugged the head set I couldn’t talk or hear calls otherwise. I Returned it to the dealer who was most helpfull. They sent it off with 4 other phones with exactly the same issues. 1 was replaced and the other 3 sent back with i-mate saying that there was no fault found. i-mate have also said that the issues will be fixed in a yet to be released update (the issues that they said it didn’t have). Has anyone had any luck getting things fixed?

Elizabeth Doyle Says, in 10-6-2008 at 16:48:51 from 210.50.143.20

I have just sent my 8502 back for the third time. I have to reset it atleast once a day. A software error message comes up intermittently. Also had the problem of only hearing with earphones plugged in and also requesting pin to unlock phone when I haven’t used the lock phone option. A big disaster and waste of money.