JustMobile HiFi Cradle for iMate SP5 / SP5m

INTRODUCTION
For many Windows Mobile users, media playback has increasingly become important. This is evident by Microsoft pushing the mobile version of its Windows Media Player far beyond where it was just two years ago in function and performance. Where media players have improved, the sound quality out of the devices have lagged in most cases. Likewise, it has been difficult to get "big sound" out of a device short of ear buds - which are great for personal enjoyment but somewhat problematic in a desk environment.

Enter the Just Mobile Docking Station. This small, single piece desktop unit allows you to connect a number of Windows Mobile devices to it, giving you 25 watts of speaker power to listen to your music. Beyond just a speaker set, the Docking Station can also be configured to charge your device as well as be connected to your desktop PC to synchronize your device. One of the first of its kind, we'll take a detailed look a this interesting piece of hardware. Read on for the full review!

For the size of the Docking Station, the sound quality and richness is outstanding. When compared to the built-in speaker of my Smartphone or Pocket PC, there simply is no comparison. But even against a small Sony shelf system, the sound is much richer especially in the lower tones. Although it has no equalizer functionality itself, the sound is well mixed using default settings of Windows Media Player on my i-mate SP5m Smartphone. There was not hint of "tinny" sound or of over powering bass.

SETUP
Using the Docking Station is as simple as connecting it to AC, connecting your device to it, and turning it on. To attached your Windows Mobile device to the Station, simply slide it into the slot in the middle and down onto the audio jack and mini-USB connector.

(all images link to higher resolution)

From there, start your favourite media player on your Windows Mobile, and music will play.

PRODUCT FEATURES

The neutral colors of the Docking Station will compliment most devices.

The unit is few inches thick, but still portable.

The front controls of the Docking Station are simple with volume up and down buttons and a power switch. There is a green LED to indicate that power is on to the station. The Windows Mobile device sits in the middle of the Station with the audio jack and Mini-USB connector clearly seen.

On the back of the Station there are three connection ports available: AC, Mini-USB and External Audio. The mini-USB connection is used to for synchronization of your Windows Mobile device to your desktop PC while it is connected to the Station. By allowing this pass through functionality, Mobis has made an already user friendly device all the more friendlier. The external audio connection is provided for those who wish to use the Docking Station with an audio device that does not fit into the station itself. For example, you can connect an Apple iPod device or other Windows Mobile device to the Station via the provided audio port and cable to enjoy your music without having to wear headphones or ear buds.