An Overview of the HP iPAQ h6315

The iPAQ h6315 will be the first HP handheld to offer built-in GSM/GPRS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. In fact, it will apparently be the first handheld from any company to have all three of these, as none of the competing models have debuted yet.

This wireless handheld will be heavily focused on communication. A number of compromises have been made in order to reach this goal. For example, it will use a 200 MHz TI OMAP 1510 processor. A faster processor isn't necessary to handle this device's communications chores, and the lower speed means its 1800 mAh battery will last a long time between charges.

To allow users to more easily type emails and SMS messages, there is a clip-on keyboard for this handheld.

This handheld is primarily focused on wirelessly accessing web sites and email, but it will also able to make voice calls. To make this easier, it will come with a wired earbud headset.

The h6315 will run the Phone Edition of Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC. It will have 64 MB of RAM, of which 55 MB is user accessible. Some of its ROM will also be available to the user for additional storage.

It will include an SDIO-capable SD/MMC slot for storing even more files and applications.

The size of its 240-by-320-pixel (QVGA) display will be 3.5 inches. Because it doesn't use Windows Mobile SE, the screen can't be rotated to landscape mode without third-party software.

The h6300 will be a Quad-Band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM/GPRS device, meaning it can be used in the U.S., Europe, and almost every other country. The user will have the option of switching between 850/1900 MHz for North America and 900/1800 MHz for the rest of the world.

This iPAQ will automatically connect to the fastest available wireless network, and automatically switch to another type of Wireless Network if the first stops being available.

It will be available next month from T-Mobile, which offers both Wi-Fi and GSM/GPRS service.

The h6315 will include a built-in camera. There will also be a version of this Pocket PC without a camera, but this will only be available through business channels.

This device will be 4.7 inches high, 3.0 inches wide, and 0.7 inches thick (11.9 x 7.5 x 1.9 cm), not counting the antenna. It will weigh 6.7 ounces (190 g).

T-Mobile is going to offer the iPAQ h6315 for $499. The regular price for this device, without operator subsidy, is going to be $599.

Related Links

• HP Unveils New iPAQ Pocket PCs