Always on the cutting edge of high end Windows Mobile products, i-mate has just released the first of its long-anticipated Ultimate series, the 8150. With its sleek black case and a relatively large color display, the device makes a very favorable first impression.

When I first took it out of the box, I thought it was a Windows Mobile Standard smartphone device because of its size and numeric keypad. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that it was actually a WM 6 Professional device with a touch screen. There were some other pleasant surprises too.

When I turned on the 2.0 MP 4X zoom camera (with flash) and tapped the icon on the screen, I could suddenly see myself. This is because the device has two cameras: one on the back and a forward-facing videoconferencing one above the display. This feature is for the European and Asian markets. Unfortunately, U.S. wireless carriers don’t support it. To use this feature, the device you’re calling would also have to support it.

Another surprise was that the 8150 had a video output port on the right side that lets you send video output to a larger monitor or video projector. This would be handy for PowerPoint Mobile presentation, but my favorite use of this feature is to project TV shows I’ve recorded on my DVR, using Slingbox technology.

The next surprise is that it has a built-in FM radio that you can program to receive your favorite local stations. Yet another surprise was that I could not find the expected 3.5 mm or 2.5 mm audio jack. Instead, the included headphones connect to the device via the mini USB port on the right edge of the device. This means that you can’t listen to music while you’re syncing/charging the 8150, and vice versa.

Plenty of power and connectivity options

The 8150 and other devices in the Ultimate line are powered by a 520 MHz XScale PXA 270 processor and come with 128 MB of RAM and 256 MB of flash ROM—plenty of power for a phone-enabled device. If you need more file storage space, you can add it via the microSD card slot. The device is powered by an ample 1,530 mAh Li-Ion rechargeable battery that delivers 4 hours talk time and 150 hours standby (mfg. est.).

The Ultimate devices incorporate unlocked quad-band GSM phones with GPRS, EDGE, and WCDMA/HSDPA data capability. In addition, they incorporate an IrDA port, Bluetooth 2.0, and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g/e/i).

The 2.6-inch diagonal color touch screen has full VGA resolution. It’s somewhat small, but the 640x480 pixel resolution and backlighting make it crisp and reasonably easy to view. This helps show off the Ultimate’s multimedia capabilities.

The Ultimate 8150 comes with the following accessories: AC adapter, USB Sync cable, stereo headset with microphone, lateral belt clip protective case, audio/video output cable with HD15 VGA connector, and 3.5 mm audio connector.

Controlling the 8150

The Ultimate 8150 is wider and longer than a standard cell phone, but still fits nicely in your hand. On the face of the device above the display is the earpiece opening and the videoconferencing camera. Below the display are the two soft key activation buttons, application buttons, numeric keypad, and the small, offset D-pad navigation button.

The on/off button, infrared port, and stylus silo are located on the top edge of the 8150. The right edge has the mini USB connector port, the camera activation button, and HD15 VGA out port protected by a rubber stopper. The left edge of the device is bristling with buttons and ports, including (from top to bottom) jog wheel for navigation, a second OK button, the micro SD card slot, a button that activates the wireless manager screen, and a soft reset hole. The only thing on the bottom of the device is a pinhole for the microphone.