Well, we did say end of January. Carrier Devices have announced the i-mate Smartphone 2 in Australia and it will be in stores within days, according to their press release.

The Windows Mobile 2003 based Smartphone - which boasts the same HTC built Voyager hardware as phones such as the Orange SPV e200, QTek 8080, and O2 Xphone - has hit Australia at an ideal time following the delay of the O2 XPhone until late March 2004. The expected price is approximately AUD$799.00, although the phone can be obtained for $0 initially by signing up for the Exchange Mobile Mail service over 24 months - something which may be attractive to Small-Medium Enterprises, but given the price per month, will probably not appeal to consumers.

The i-mate Smartphone 2 replaces the Smartphone 2002 based QTek 7070 mobile phone, which we previously reviewed. In what is effectively the second version of the phone, features such as tri-band access for virtually world-wide usage, Bluetooth and a built-in camera, have been added - as well as a much needed RAM upgrade to 32Mb.

Expect an MTekk review very shortly!

The press release follows.

" Announcing the new i-mate Smartphone2
 
 Sydney, Australia
 
Following the launch of the i-mate Pocket PC in Dec 2003, Carrier Devices today announced
the launch of the new i-mate Smartphone2.  Telstra will be the first to offer the new i-mate
Smartphone2 to its customers in Australia, the first stage in an Asia Pacific wide roll out for
Carrier Devices.
 
The new i-mate Smartphone2 is based on the Windows Mobile platform from Microsoft® and
enables access to much of the same information on a desktop PC such as emails, calendar and
contacts.  This GSM/GPRS based mobile has one of the most extensive list of features available
in a compact mobile today including triband access, Windows Media Player, Bluetooth, a built
in digital camera/video recorder, MMS, a sharp 64K full colour screen, a generous 32MB user
memory, and a secure digital slot for an SD or  Wifi card.  It's one of most versatile phones on
market giving the highly mobile professional the tools they need to get on with business whilst
away from the office.
 
Founder and CEO of Carrier Devices, Jim Morrison, who was a pioneer of the original converged
wireless device, believes 2004 is the year wireless solutions will gain real momentum.   
 
"With the IT recovery picking up pace, business leaders are no longer focusing solely on cost
cutting measures.  Smart businesses are beginning to focus on technological innovation to drive
business growth and make best use of existing investments.  This puts wireless technology at the
forefront of an evolution in the way we do business", said Morrison.
 
In Australia this week to discuss the Telstra partnership, Morrison said, "There is a great deal of
anticipation focused on the launch of the new i-mate devices, from customers and partners
alike.  Companies like Telstra have given us 100 per cent support because they know that their
customers demand the very latest technology innovation." 
 
The new i-mate Smartphone2 will be available at selected Telstra Shops very shortly. 
Customers can contact Telstra for further details."