The IPAQ Classic Handheld 110 - a Gem of a Pocket PC

INTRODUCTION

The IPAQ Classic Handheld 110 is a great, moderately priced Pocket PC in HP’s newest line of WM6.0 devices. The IPAQ 110’s 16 Bit 246k 240 x320 pixel screen is brilliant and beautiful and with its Marvell PXA310, 624 MHz processor, it’s performance is nothing less than impressive. Compared to the 64 MB of ROM and 32 MB SDRAM on the IPAQ rx1955, the 256 MB ROM and the 64MB of RAM on the IPAQ 110 is amazing.

THE DESIGN

The IPAQ 110 is about the same size as the IPAQ h1945 and the IPAQ rx1950.  Here’s three generations of IPAQs - from left to right: the h1945, the rx1950 and the IPAQ 110 (the white label on the IPAQ 110 is just a reminder that it’s a loaner):

Three generation of IPAQs stacked like pancakes:

All but one of the five keys are programmable. By default, the keys are configured as follows:

• Button 1 opens the appointments application; pressing and holding the key opens the contacts application
• Button 2 brings up the Start menu; this key is not programmable
• Button 3 returns to the Today screen; pressing and holding the key rotates the screen
• Button 4 opens the Messaging application; pressing and holding the key opens the Windows Media Player application
• Button 5 manages the Record function

The IPAQ 110 also includes a 5 way navigational button that is common on many IPAQs. There is a speaker in the back of the device and a 3.5 mm 4 pin headphone jack on the top.

IPAQ 110 with Windows Media Player open	The speaker is on the upper left hand side of the Pocket PC

Because the IPAQ 110 runs WM6.0, you will need to use the latest version of ActiveSync (version 4.5) or Windows Mobile Device Center to sync to your computer. You will use a Mini-USB 2.0 client to sync and charge the Pocket PC.

The Pocket PC can also be charged directly by AC power by plugging the USB cable into the included power adapter.

You can see the stylus compartment and the 3.5 mm 4 pin headphone jack on the top of the Pocket PC.

The record button, the recessed reset button and the power button can be found on the right side of the IPAQ 110. The record button is on the left side of all my other IPAQs, so it will take some adjustment to get used to pressing the button the other side.

The IPAQ 110 has a high capacity SDIO slot on the left side of the Pocket PC that accommodates SDHC cards.

Software Highlights

Bluetooth

The IPAQ 110 utilizes the Broadcom Bluetooth stack and includes several profiles that allow you to discover the services on another Bluetooth enabled device, use Bluetooth headphones or Stereo Speakers, access the internet with a Bluetooth enabled mobile phone, use a Bluetooth hands-free device or headset, synchronize contacts and other PIM items with another Bluetooth enabled device, setup and use an ActiveSync partnership with a Bluetooth enabled computer, browse files on a remote device, access the internet or a LAN using a PC or Bluetooth network access point, connect two or more Bluetooth devices to share files, collaborate or play multiplayer games, exchange business cards with other Bluetooth enabled devices, remote control a Bluetooth enabled PC, use a Bluetooth keyboard.

I found the remote control profile particularly interesting. This option allows you to remotely control your computer’s desktop, Media Player, or PowerPoint from the Pocket PC.

Desktop Controller:	Media Player Controller:
PowerPoint Controller:

I paired my Sony Bluetooth A2DP headset with the IPAQ 110 and the sound quality was really great.  I also synced the IPAQ 110 to my computer via Bluetooth connection with no problems whatsoever.

Wifi

The IPAQ 110 supports 802.11 b and g wifi connections as well as WEP, WPA and WPA2 security (sorry no AES) encryption.  Setting up the connection settings for my WEP encrypted network was easy and problem free.

I found Mobile Internet Explorer to be quite a bit faster on the IPAQ 110 than any of my other IPAQs. Moving from website to website was a breeze.

Windows Mobile Office 6.1

The IPAQ 110 comes with the latest version of Mobile Word, Excel & PowerPoint 6.1.  Windows Mobile Office 6.1 is compatible with Office 2007 files, so you can open docx, xlsx and pptx file formats on the Pocket PC. You can learn more about Windows Mobile Office 6.1 on Microsoft’s website.

Windows Live for Windows Mobile

New to WM6.0 devices, Windows Live for Windows Mobile is an integrated package that encompasses:

• MSN Messenger is enhanced to accommodate tabbed instant messaging views (so you can easily carry on separate but simultaneous instant messaging sessions). You can also send and receive emoticons, voice clips, and files
• Windows Live Hotmail accounts supports HTML mail, attachments and push email
• Live Search allows you to search images, news, spaces, and conduct local searches
• Integration of Windows Live Contacts with the Contacts on your Pocket PC

Windows Media Player

Windows Media Player version 10.3 has a nicer looking skin, but I could not find any noticeable differences in the functions or features of this application over the version running on my older Pocket PCs.

PERFORMANCE

The IPAQ 110 is fast!  Given the amount of memory on this device, it should come as no surprise to learn that the IPAQ 110 is faster and more responsive than any of my older Pocket PCs.

Battery life is typical.  The battery life on the IPAQ 110 seems to be pretty similar to the battery life of my other Pocket PCs.  I used a 2 GB SD card in the Pocket PC throughout the time I was evaluating it and did not perform the so called dummy server fix, and I did not notice any accelerated battery drainage.

The speaker sound quality is greatly improved. I have never listened to much music or recordings on my Pocket PCs without a headset because the speakers are not that that good.  The sound quality is tinny and weak.  However, the speaker sound quality on the IPAQ 110 is very good.  You really could use the speaker instead of a headset on this Pocket PC. 

Third party applications run well.  I installed some of my favorite applications on the IPAQ 110 (SKTools, Scary Bear’s Check Notification, Adobe Reader 2.0, and Total Commander) and encountered no problems using these applications on the WM6.0 device.

Comparative benchmarking shows the IPAQ 110 out performs my other Pocket PC for most things. I ran SKTOOL’s Benchmarking option on the IPAQ 110. The table shows comparative benchmarks for several different IPAQs (I used the same 2 GB Storage card in the rx1950, the hx2415, and the IPAQ 110).

Notification queue issues may persist.  I found multiple duplicate notifications in the IPAQ 110’s notification queue. A quick test revealed that soft resetting the device created 9 erroneous notifications. Erroneous notifications can cause issues with a Pocket PCs legitimate notifications, and it looks like this could also be an issue with the IPAQ 110 (see this article for more information).

Syncing was painless and easy.  Because the IPAQ 110 runs WM6.0, you’ll need to use the latest version of ActiveSync (version 4.5) on your Windows XP computer or Windows Mobile Device Center on your Windows Vista computer. I was a little reluctant to upgrade to ActiveSync 4.5, but the upgrade went off without a hitch (I had to re-create new partnerships for all my Pocket PCs). I was delighted to discover that ActiveSync 4.5 now allows simultaneous WIFI and ActiveSync connections.

TECHNICAL SPECS

WHAT’S IN THE BOX

• HP IPAQ Classic Handheld 110
• 120 mAh Lithium Ion rechargeable, user changeable battery
• AC Adapter with power cord
• Mini USB Sync/charge cable
• Slip case
• Documentation
• HP IPAQ Companion CD

CONCLUSION

I’ve been reviewing the IPAQ 110 for the last couple of weeks and have put it through its paces: trying out software, surfing the internet, setting up Bluetooth partnerships, syncing it to my computer, using storage cards, listening to music.  The few negatives I see about this devise are not show stoppers:

• You won’t be able to use some of your old accessories, such as sync cables, cradles, and keyboards, with the IPAQ 110 since it has a mini-USB port instead of the HP Standard 22 pin port.
• The IPAQ does not have an infrared port, so you won’t be able to use it with any of your IR devices.
• You don’t get a syncing cradle with the Pocket PC
• Notification queue issues may persist

The IPAQ 110 appears to be a solid and stable Pocket PC. It is certainly a device that could be used in both your personal and professional lives.  If you’re thinking about purchasing your first Pocket PC or looking for a replacement for an older device, you won’t be disappointed with the IPAQ 110.

Written by Julie · Filed Under HP, Mobilitysite Reviews, Windows Mobile 6, iPAQ 
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