John Chan from CNet gives us some insights into the soon-to-be-released iMate Ultimate 9502. On the upside, the abundant connectivity options, QWERY slide-out keyboard and VGA each get a tick. On the downside the i-Mate Ultimate 9502 weighs 200 grams - that’s 24 more grams than my current iMate Jasjam. Although heavier, it is 6mm thinner so it sort of balances things out. Looking forward to getting double the RAM (128MB) and ROM (256MB) on the 9502 too!

Here’s his summary on the iMate Ultimate 9502:

The i-mate Ultimate 9502 can possibly be the very definition of a top-of-the-line Windows Mobile handheld. One problem we have with it is that none of the devices in the Ultimate series are available. We can’t look at and judge the 9502 because there is no track record. As of now, i-mate cannot confirm the availability of the 9502 in our region yet, though we understand the company should be setting up shop in Asia Pacific very soon. Hopefully, the 9502 will come sooner rather than later so we can finally tell if its title is justified or just a self-proclaimed brag.

I’m sure John’s been informed that the iMate 9502 Ultimate will be in Telstra Shops this week.

We’re busily getting all iMate Ultimate 9502 accessories organised so I can pimp yours and mine!  Watch this space.

i-mate Ultimate 9502 Preview - CNET Asia

Two good sources have confirmed that the iMate Ultimate 8502 & 9502 will be available for purchase this coming Tuesday 25th March!

I tried calling the Bourke Street, Melbourne TShop so that I could reserve one but they’re like us…too busy to answer phones! We both need more staff!

Post a comment when you get yours to give us your first impressions. Don’t be shy.

Gizmodo Aus

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing, originally uploaded by Silvia de Luque.

So this is how I feel right now after calling up Telstra to find out “exactly” when the iMate Ultimate 9502 would be released. After being put on hold for 15 minutes, the Telstra sales consultant came back to me with the unofficial news (couldn’t find official news on the system but had word from another colleague keen to get his hands on a 9502) that Telstra would be releasing it in….April…

Maybe if I speak to someone who knows more it would help…time to dig up my little black book to see if I have any contacts in Telstra Mobile Products etc.

The wait continues…

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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.

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UberGizmo have been able to get their hands an iMate Ultimate 9502 for review. The two outstanding attributes of the iMate 9502 for them were:

1. Video Display : 640×480 VGA
2. External Keyboard /Display Abilities : Apparently you can hook up an external USB Keyboard! Love the idea as it saves battery not having to use a bluetooth keyboard.

imate Ultimate 9502 Review on UberGizmo