i-Mate Ultimate 8150 review

Network and connections
i-Mate specializes in Business-oriented Smartphone devices. For this reason the Ultimate 8150 is equipped with cutting-edge network support: GSM Quadband and also UMTS, with the possibility of use in Dual Mode. For data traffic, it comes equipped with HSDPA technology, allowing you to browse the Web at high speeds of up to 1.5 Mbps. With Bluetooth, or even through the IrDa port, it is also possible to exchange files with other devices. And to sync with a PC, the USB 2.0 cable is handy. This Smartphone is also equipped with Wi-Fi support to easily connect to distributed networks.

Design and equipment
The Ultimate 8150 has a monoblock structure, in which the lines have been carefully crafted to express simplicity and elegance. The keyboard has very large keys, making it practical and comfortable to use; a small joystick also helps with navigation on the display. The Touch Screen display is very large, a full 2.6 inches with 262,000 color display. A Business phone like this i-Mate must guarantee power in a compact size; and so everything is contained within 152 grams of weight and 15.5 mm of thickness. The purchase kit is also quite rich: a leather and fabric case, USB cable, stereo headset and also a video output cable.

Main features
A wide range of choices also in the operation of this Smartphone. The classic messaging functions are present, with SMS and multimedia messages. Or address book, calendar and agenda, support for an E-mail management client, as well as multi-conferencing and video calling thanks to the front camera. The platform is Windows Mobile 6 Professional and therefore allows for great customization, as well as the Office package for managing documents. Power is guaranteed by the 520 MHz XScale processor together with 128 MB of RAM memory. Also very significant is support for direct XGA video output, which allows an external screen to be connected directly to the Ultimate 8150.

Entertainment and multimedia
Complete as far as business applications are concerned, it also proves excellent for leisure. A 2 megapixel camera takes good quality pictures, thanks also to the 4X Zoom and built-in Flash. Favorite videos and music are always at hand, with the Windows Media Player that supports various formats. This is also thanks to the large memory, 256 MB standard with the possibility of expansion via microSD cards. Or again the AM/FM receiver, for listening to news and radio broadcasts in real time. All of this is guaranteed by battery life of up to 150 hours in Stand-by, with the 1530 mAh lithium battery.