"it is a bit of exaggeration to call i-mate a "mobile device maker" yet - because by now it was just re-branding phones designed and manufactured by others...

http://www.pocketpcdubai.net/index.php?option=com_conte...=view&id=21&Itemid=1

Hi,

it's a shame to see i-mate going down like that. But this happens if you have no strategy on your own and just rebrand phones.

This weekend at the Mall of the Emirates (Compume) I saw i-mate JAM and JAMmin back on sale, plus a couple of other "old" i-mate devices. They seem to be in stock with other retailers as well. Strange to see a Windows Mobile 2003 SE phone (JAM) back on sale in times of WM6. How desperate i-mate must be to make money.... Sad.

Also I think here in Dubai the introduction of Blackberries by Etisalat meant a huge drop in sales with corporate customers. The company I work for does not buy any i-mates/Windows Mobile phones any more, only BBs.

I hate to see a Dubai based company going down the drains, but clearly this is a management mistake and a huge misjudging of the market.

i-mates product line-up is more than outdated at the moment and even if they release ultimate phones right now, I doubt they would get back market share, as I believe they will price it way above any other WM6 mobile...

Regards,
Ralf

RPep

Intresting thoughts

Not sure BB penetration is a high as you think

IMO it's maybe more US based firms preference thats all

We will see if Imate bounce back or not I think there new large PDA s a DoDo

After loosing HTC as a manufacturer - i-mate is haviong HARD time.

Also the ultimate series was only on paper - nothing about them after the news release!!!