FCC Approves Mystery Wireless Pocket PC (Updated)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has given High Tech Computer permission to release in the United States a new wireless Pocket PC.

Normally, when a product gets FCC approval, a number of documents describing it are posted for public review on this U.S. government agency's web site. This is not the case of HTC's upcoming Pocket PC.

All that is currently known of it is there will be two versions, one with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and the second with only Bluetooth.

Update: More information has been posted on the FCC web site and the identity of this model is no longer a mystery. It is the Pocket Loox 400. Read more about this device in this article.

Who Will Release this Device?

High Tech Computer is based in Taiwan and develops and manufactures devices for other companies. It won't be releasing this PDA under its own brand name, and which company will be doing so remains a mystery.

HTC has created numerous models for HP, including the iPAQ h4155, iPAQ h4355, and the h2215. HP always lets HTC handle getting FCC approval for the devices it designs. Therefore, it's possible this is another iPAQ.

If so, it isn't the h6300, even though it has been known since last year that HTC is the company that is developing and manufacturing this upcoming cellular-wireless iPAQ. The FCC grant HTC just received doesn't say much about this handheld, but it does give the frequencies its wireless networking equipment will use, and these are only for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, while the h6300 also offers GSM/GPRS.

News.com reported last month that HP is planning to release New Handhelds that take advantage of the additional capabilities of Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. It's entirely possible that this is what HTC has just received FCC permission to release. Windows Mobile 2003 SE brings VGA screen support to the Pocket PC, and many are hoping HP will make an iPAQ with this screen resolution.

Thanks to willem huizinga for the tip.

Related Links

• RumorMill™: Additional Details on the HP iPAQ h6300
• An Overview of Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition