i-mate (a Carrier Devices brand) has launched their third generation Windows Mobile based SmartPhone, the i-mate SP3. I’ve gotten a chance to use this phone and it’s a major improvement over the previous HTC manufactured devices being sold under the i-mate brand. Now I’m torn between continuing to use a PocketPC Phone or move back to using a SmartPhone.
There are some nice features in the PocketPC like larger screen, some great third party applications, easier text input via the pen, better e-mail client, etc. On the other hand, there are some differences in the phone features that make the SmartPhone easier to use and better suited as a phone. Battery life is also longer on SmartPhone devices and you are less tempted to install crappy software which makes the phone less reliable. I think I’ll have to wait and see new i-mate PocketPC phone which has a sliding keyboard and WiFi before making a final decision.