While that no doubt appeals if you happen to be planning a trip up Everest or a an adventure along the Amazon, the majority of us just want to know if it's any good for email and calls. And you know what?

It just might be. A Windows Mobile 6.1 device with a 624Mhz PXA processor and high-speed HSDPA connectivity, it offers a full QWERTY keyboard, a 320 × 240 touch screen, 2.2GB of storage, a video-friendly 2 megapixel camera, GPS, Wi-Fi, a digital compass and Bluetooth. A specification every bit as solid as its casing.

And if it does happen to let you down, i-mate is offering a lifetime warranty, replacing the 810-F without a quibble. Look out for it in the coming weeks for an as-yet undisclosed price.