|
Pagina 4 di 7
HARDWARE FUNCTIONS
The front view of the Pda offers little in the way of comments. The centre of the top lid hosts the i-mate brand, while on the right three slits unobtrusively conceal the eternal speaker that is used during telephone calls.
In fact, it is possible to use the JasJar as a normal cellphone even when it is closed, but the only accessible buttons (see photo below) are those assigned to accepting and closing phone calls. The lack of an external display screen that shows the number of an incoming call is strongly felt - those who really need this feature could always try coupling this Pda Phone with a Bluetooth Headset that has its own display (like the Jabra Bt800 or the SonyEricsson HBH-660, for example). Also, assigning personalised ringtones to your most important contacts is anoher way of choosing whether to answer, not answer or lift open the display when a call comes in.
No other functions are available, not even a voice command call of a contact number, when the handheld is in its closed 'standby' position.
The right side of the Pda reveals a series of buttons, each one with its own functions, all bunched in between the side speakers. Starting from the left we can see the photocamera button, a Vocal or Text Notes button (a light, rapid press starts the vocal commands application 'Voice Speed Dial' which we'll comment on later), the Infrared (Irda) port, a switch for the backlight and a volume control button.
The rear underside of the JasJar is home to the 1.3Mp photo camera. Right next to it is a Flash Led. The black coloured panel clearly indicates the battery (and Sim-card) cover while the rubber feet that keep a safe distance between both the Pda casing and the Photocamera lens and any desktop surface are also visible.
The left side is dominated by the two telephone function buttons, with the unmistakable red and green phone icons; these happen to be the only two buttons that can be used when the display is folded shut over the keyboard. Further left, two rubber caps protect the external GSM and UMTS antenna inputs that can be used in cars to increase signal reception. On the right, in the following order, is the miniUsb sync socket, the power supply plug, a small reset hole and the headphone jack.
The JasJar has both an SD I/O slot and the power on/off button at its base. In between these, barely visible and positioned slightly higher, is a tiny microphone slot.
 Lifting the screen lid leaves you staring at what is one of the JasJar's strong points: the ergonomic layout of the keyboard seems perfectly designed, so much so that two handed typing (one finger per hand, just like with other thumboards) can be quick, very quick, to the point that even those used to two handed typing on a full-sized keyboard will find themselves at ease (although with obvious limitations) after only a few minutes of practice. The keyboard is of an 'extended' nature in the sense that all principal characters can be typed via a single keypress, but even 'Function' + 'Button' combinations are rapid and easy.
If you closely observe the above photo you'll be able to notice the presence of a 'Start' button – represented by the typical Windows flag icon - among the other buttons dedicated to the principal web applications (Email and Browser). This comes in as very useful as it greatly facilitates the opening of the Program menu without having to use the stylus. The top row of the keyboard is occupied by the keys dedicated to the telephone functions, the address book and the 'Softkeys'. Although essential when you are trying to use the device without pulling out the stylus, we would have preferred that the 'Softkeys' had been positioned directly on the base frame of the rotating monitor – in fact, they are often inaccessible when the display is folded over the keyboard, forcing the use of the stylus, or one's fingers, on the touchscreen.
The keyboard has a red backlight that is visually pleasing: in dark surroundings it automatically lights up when a key is pressed. After a user-set period of time (default time is 10 secs) the backlight switches itself off again.
The multi-directional navigation pad, with a central selection button, is placed immediately under the display To its left you can see the internal photocamera lens which is used when making videocalls.
The Bluetooth Led is positioned on the far right, in line with the swivel hinge.
Above the display, between the i-mate and JasJar name branding, you'll find the speaker dedicated to phone use and the diffusion of audio Over Ip (Via Skype). To the left, once again in line with the hinge, there is another Led, this time with a double function – Red, battery charging status, Green, WiFi activation.
|
