A Great Review of the HP iPAQ 210

If you are still wondering if you should get the HP iPAQ 210 Pocket PC, Werner has the ultimate review for you. This review goes into great detail…

While certainly not without problems (touchscreen insensitivity, low-volume speaker, button reassignment problems, no official operating system upgrades, slightly worse outdoor visibility of the screen without backlight), I pretty much like the new iPAQ and I think it’s a decent upgrade from the hx4700 adding painfully missing features (SDHC, for example). Particularly if you’re a multimedia geek and would like to play back AVC videos (where the new PXA310 already excels when used together with the latest CorePlayer; and, according to the CoreCodec folks, this is just the beginning!), you’ll certainly love the new device. While the “cooked” 6.1 HP iPAQ hx4700 Windows Mobile ROM’s are in no way bad (just the contrary – they’re EXCELLENT and, finally, take away entirely the compaction issues), the new PDA is indeed better in many respects.

Head over and check out his excellent review and make sure to check out Jake Rich’s 1st Impressions as well.

Hey iPAQ Owners, No 6.1 for you!

Is this really any surprise? HP has always been wishy washy about their “newer OS” support. Remember the hx4700 series debacle? “No, we aren’t going to release and upgrade… Wait, Nevermind, sure we’ll do it…”

Well, here we are in 2008 with a couple newer HP Pocket PCs out there running Windows Mobile 6. Well, bad new is that once again, HP will not be supporting you. There will be upgrade to 6.1 for you. Like I said, this really doesn’t surprise me at all. I’m not ragging on HP really, there are good reasons not to offer this upgrade really, mainly dealing with costs.

The “official” word on this comes from a conversation between HP and Ed Hardy over at Brighthand.

HP will not be offering an operating system upgrade for currently shipping HP iPAQ devices beyond what ships on the device today — Microsoft Windows Mobile 6. 

This decision comes after having evaluated the potential for delays in firmware and software updates, device recertification, and carry-over costs to our customers that are often associated with an operating system upgrade.

HP is committed to continuing its long-standing relationship with Microsoft and will deliver HP iPAQs with Windows Mobile 6.1 at a future date.

What do you think? Are you surprised?

Are there bugs in the WM6.0 implementation of the IPAQ 21x and 11x?

By the notice on their website, WebIS seems to think so…..

iPaq 21x, 11x users Notice:FlexMail is not compatible with these devices at this time. We believe there are bugs in the implementation of Windows Mobile 6 that HP has on these devices that cause data corruption and crashes with FlexMail. At this time we do not see any resolution until HP updates the ROM. (reference)

The IPAQ 110 that I reviewed was a loaner that I had for about a month.  I didn’t experience any significant problems with it, but having a loaner for a month is not the same thing as owning and using a Pocket PC every day.  Reading through the forums here and around the internet, these new IPAQs do appear to have some issues. 

It is interesting that a credible Pocket PC software developer, like WebIS, has posted a statement like this one on their web site. 

Have you encountered what you believe are bugs with your new IPAQ?

SolarExpress PDA II Contest

The good folks at Lightcone Corp. have generously donated three of their SolarExpress PDA II Single Port USB Host CF Cards for our next giveaway.

Features:

• Adds an independent USB Host port to your Pocket PC
• Slim Design
• Dongle-less Type-II CompactFlash Card design
• USB Host Port Power is 5v@200mA max.
• A Y-USB cable accessory is available to support additional USB Host current requirements.

Contestants can preview the additional functionality SolarExpress PDA II brings at SolarExpress PDA II Blog thru Light Cone Corp.Tech Support web-link below.
http://www.lightconecorp.com/Tech_Support.html

Read on to learn more about SolarExpress PDA II and to find out how to win!

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Pocket PC Tech’s Lil’ Sync USB Mobile Power Pack

INTRODUCTION

The other day I took my IPAQ hx2415 out of my bag and it wouldn’t turn on because I had inadvertently allowed the battery to get too low. I was disappointed that I would not be able to use my Pocket PC that day until I remembered that I had the Lil’ Sync USB Mobile Power Pack in my gadget bag.

Pocket PC Tech’s Lil’ Sync USB Mobile Power Pack is a fairly simple little gizmo that packs a powerful punch. One end of the Power Pack has a mini USB port that is used to charge up its 4400 mA capacity Li-Ion battery and the other end of it has a standard USB port that is used to power a mobile device. On the front are three indicator lights and an on/off switch.

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HP iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger SmartPhone Review

For years I’ve been searching for the ideal converged handheld device.  While the commercial offerings keep getting better and satisfying more of my wants, I’ve learned that my wants keep changing.  Hence, the search is never ending.

As I’ve previously written, I’ve been having an annoying and impossible to resolve problem with my T-Mobile Dash–constant rebooting.  Recently, after returning  to the US from an international trip, I was unable to turn on the phone at all.  I was therefore unable to call and and make contact with the driver for my pre-arranged ride home.  Having a “geek” reputation and trying to explain why my phone didn’t work was nothing short of embarrassing!

I needed to do something.  When I got a little less emotional I concluded that it was time for a new phone.

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HP iPAQ 210 - 1st Impressions and Info

My trusty three year old Axim X50v was getting a bit long in the tooth and new software was beginning to show up for WM5 and 6 but not for WM 2003, so I started looking for a replacement. I wanted a true PDA, not a converged device, and I wanted it to have both CF and SD slots. I also wanted a VGA display because I had been spoiled by the wonderful screen on the X50v. My search ended up with the iPaq HP 210.

After a search online, I ordered my new toy from TechOnWeb.com based purely on the fact that they had the best price at the time. I chose the free shipping, which was advertised to be 6-7 days. I wasn’t in a hurry, so the time was fine. To my delight, three days later I got an email at work that my new toy had been delivered. It turns out that while TechOnWeb is based in Addison, TX, they ship from multiple locations nationwide and my baby came from New Jersey to my home in Virginia in just two days! I love that kind of service!

I don’t have a video camera to do a true unboxing video, but here are a bunch of pictures of the toy coming to life:

The box is sturdy, with lots of color!

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iPAQ 614 Unboxing from Tracy and Matt

Tracy and Matt got their hands on the HP iPAQ 614 that is not coming to the US per an email from HP.

“I haven’t had much time to use the 614 as yet but my initial thoughts are that this is a well designed and built device which looks attractive and seems to perform well. I have to say, however, that it is a lot bigger than I expected it to be, I thought it would similar to the HTC S730 but in terms of size it’s slightly larger than the TyTN II!”

 

Source : Tracy and Matt via Pocket PC Thoughts

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.

 

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RIP: HP iPAQ 610, We never even got to meet you!

Well, bad news for everyone looking to get their hands on the HP iPAQ 610 series smartphone. You know, the one with the cool navigation method.

In an email received today by one of our staff members, HP tells us that the 610 is not going to be offered any longer…

You recently registered via HP’s website to be notified when the HP iPAQ 610 Business Navigator is available to purchase.

We appreciate your interest in this product.  However, due to recent legal issues between suppliers of mobile phone technologies, HP has decided not to offer the iPAQ 610 Business Navigator to U.S. customers as previously planned.

Please consider other HP products that may meet your needs and at significant discounts!

This is quite unfortunate. I thought this would be a killer device. Oh well.

HP iPAQ in CSI Hard Evidence on the Nintendo Wii

This past weekend, my wife and daughter bought CSI : Hard Evidence for the Nintendo Wii. As I watched my daughter play it, I had to do a double take. I told her, “Go back to that screen…” What I saw was what looked like an HP iPAQ 6900 series and it was. She went on to show me that even the desktop PC in the game was HP branded.

So what does this unique advertising method run HP? Is it worthwhile? Who knows. I do think it’s pretty cool to see a familiar device in a video game ore TV show. I remember getting excited when a Dell Axim X5 showed up in Alias back in the day.

Review : HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion

Developer/Vendor: Hewlett Packard (Hewlett Packard)
Price: $449.99 (MSRP)
Rating (3 out of 5):

I watched Chris unbox the HP 310 Travel Companion here. I’m not going to add a lot of screenshots of the system in this review, for two reasons: 1) it doesn’t have the ability to take screenshots natively and you cannot install any third party software to do so, and 2) it doesn’t follow any standard for connecting to a PC, so you cannot use any of the third party remote desktop software to capture the screen. Chris’ video shows the screen resolution and most of the menus, so I encourage you to watch the unboxing.

I really wanted to like this device. And when I first powered it up, I was really impressed. The screen is big, bright and very smooth. The unit itself is a sleek, good looking device, and the window mount is sturdy. I figured it all would look really nice in my car. It does look nice, but unfortunately, the performance of it as a navigation system doesn’t match the good looks.

Testing Environment

I tested the unit in my car, in my basement and in various locations in Northern Virginia.

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Piel Frama iPaq 200 Case Available

We had to know that Piel Frama would be all over this one, right? I did. Ruben and his crew do such a good job outfitting the coolest devices.

If you have never used a Piel Frama case, let me tell you that these are hand stitched and are made from some of the best leather available.

Find a color to match your personility too!

HP iPAQ 200 series

• High quality cowskin leather.
• Snap closure system.
• Sync through travel cable.
• Rotable and completely removable belt clip (the knob is also removable).
• 2 Memory Cards slots.
• 3 Credit Cards Slots.
• Money Pocket.
• Soft leather lining.
• ABS inserted protection.

The user price is 65 € (Worldwide shipping cost is included in the price). Delivery time: 3 days.  Available colors: Black, Tan, Black/Tan, Red, Green and Blue color.

I4U Reviews the iPAQ 310 Series GPS

I did a little quick look video. This video was done with zero experience using it or any standalone GPS for that matter. I found it pretty simple to set up, but I didn’t test it in depth like Jake Richards is as we speak. The reviewer gives the iPAQ 310 pretty bad marks though. I will wait on Jake’s to make my final choice.

The review over at I4U is pretty detailed, if you are in the market, check it out.

We had a lot of problems testing the 310 Travel Companion; more problems than we’ve had with any other device in recent memory. This product feels half-baked, is not user friendly, and is frustrating to use, to say the least. We constantly felt like we were fighting the device, rather than having it actually make our lives easier. We do not recommend this product, obviously. If you’re in the market for a full-featured GPS, check out our Garmin nuvi 350 review. It’s the same price and runs circles around the iPAQ in every way possible (except screen sexiness). As a first generation product the HP 310 Travel Companion shows a lot of promise, and we cannot wait for the next iteration once HP has polished the device more.

Pros:
• Gorgeous display
• Games are fun
• Lots of features

Cons:
• Navigation is non-intuitive
• Instructions are lacking
• Trip planner is just a novelty
• Loading media onto the device is confusing

First iPaq 210 review :) at Mobility Site

No, before anyone starts to think that we think we are special (although we are), this is the 1st iPAQ 210 impressions by one of our members. The 210 series Pocket PCs have landed and Ackbar652 has gotten himself one…

Alright, So I opened up the package just a few hours ago but i’m going to give my first impressions. Pictures are attached so you can see the size.
I would have to say the very first thing i thought when i saw it was "HOLY COW THAT SCREEN IS HUGE!" the 4" screen is great, extremely bright (in my pictures the brightness is at the lowest level), and it is crystal clear.

You probably remember seeing the CES video of this device. The first word that came to mind when watching that video was "brick". It looked huge, but it really doesnt feel huge. It’s remarkably light for it’s size. I have really big hands which probably helps me feel more comfortable with it. A person with small hands might think this device feels much too large.

Windows media player can connect to the internet and you can download movie trailers. I watched the cloverfield trailer in hi res. It looked awesome for a 4 inch 480×640 screen. The sound is also very rich for one little speaker, and if you use the mic to record, it does a good job of that as well.
Included in the package was the USB sync cable, a charging cable, the sync software, and a leather pouch. The pouch is nice but I am looking for a belt carrier, and this is more like just a protector..

Well It’s late now. I’ll play with it more tomorrow. Any questions? comments? If you want more pictures just post a request here and i’ll help you out. Now i need to get some SDIO and CF cards to play with

To talk about the 210 series head over to our iPAQ 200 Series forums and be sure to fire off any questions for Ackbar652 here: First iPaq 210 review :)