ZDNet have published today published an article about Carrier Devices, the i-mate Pocket PC Phone, and i-mate Smartphone 2. I believe the article contains some factual inaccuracies, such as attributing the O2 XPhone and O2 XDA II to Carrier Devices (to my understanding the devices are supplied to Tech Pacific by O2 Asia). Since the O2 XPhone and O2 XDA II are identical hardware to the i-mate Smartphone 2 and i-mate Pocket PC Phone respectively, it would make little to no sense - especially since O2 is a BT subsidiary, and the company was "formed in 2001 by a group of people who left BT when the telco restructured", and so presumably O2 would be competitors. Not to mention that having two separate brands with identical hardware would result in consumer confusion, lack of confidence, and a possible weakening of the brand. In addition, the article erroneously states that the O2 XPhone and i-mate Smartphone 2 have already been launched - which I believe to be incorrect on both counts, although the release of the i-mate Smartphone 2 is certainly imminent.

The only other main item of interest I could find in the article is that "Carrier Devices has formed a partnership with Telstra, who was looking for technical support and assistance with network optimisation from device manufacturers rather than "just a box". Smartphones and mobile/PDA phones are complicated devices, according to Morrison. Carrier Devices also has a "strong relationship" with Vodafone and is looking to partner with the other carriers."

An aside from the CEO of Carrier Devices, Jim Morrison, states that he "is unimpressed by 3G technology. "WiFi is the next big thing," he said, adding that getting devices to roam seamlessly over GPRS and wireless LAN "will be a killer"." Strange for a mobile phone distributor, but they did miss out on the opportunity to partner with Telstra for a CDMA version of the Pocket PC Phone and Smartphone, after all...

Source: ZDnet