RumorMill™: Yes, This IS the iPAQ h6300

Last month, a photo of the HP's upcoming iPAQ h6300 series appeared on the web. Though many people doubted its veracity, some additional information has emerged that essentially confirms that the previous photo was real. And, for the first time, the exact size of this model is available.

This week, pocketpc italia.com was able to obtain several pictures of this device and its specifications. Just about all of this agrees with the earlier rumors on this device, which will offer multiple forms of wireless networking.

Supposedly, the iPAQ h6300 series will run the Phone Edition of Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC on a TI OMAP 1510 processor, though the speed for this is not yet known. It will reportedly include 64 MB of RAM and 64 MB of ROM.

This model will include a 3.5 inch transflective screen capable of displaying 16-bit color. It will also have an SDIO-capable SD slot and a flip cover.

According to information obtained by smartfone.net, there will be two versions, one for consumers and another for businesses. The consumer model will have a built-in camera with a maximum picture resolution of 640 by 480 pixels (VGA). The professional one won't have a camera at all. This is necessary because many businesses ban cameras of any kind.

Wireless Networking

Supposedly, the HP iPAQ h6000 series will be a Quad-Band (850/900/1800/1900) GSM/GPRS device, meaning it could be used in the U.S., Europe, and almost every other country.

However, they won't stop there. They are expected to be the first cellular wireless handhelds that will also offer Bluetooth 1.1 and Wi-Fi (802.11b) wireless networking.

Reportedly, it will have an email client based on the RIM's popular "push" technology, as is used in the BlackBerry line. HP will also offer an optional, clip-on keyboard, handy for writing emails or instant messages.

The h6300 is expected to be 4.5 inches high (not counting the antenna), 2.9 inches wide, and 0.7 inches thick. (11.7 x 7.4 x 1.8 cm) It will weigh 6.5 ounces. In previous rumors, this model has sometimes been compared in size with the iPAQ h2215, which is 4.5 by 3.0 by .6 inches and 5.1 ounces.

Because a powerful battery is necessary for any wireless handheld, the h6000 series will sport a 1800 mAh swappable one.

According to smartfone.net, this model will be available from T-mobile in June, which is several month past the release date discussed in earlier rumors. It will cost about $600.

Related Links

• RumorMill™: Is this the iPAQ h6300?
• RumorMill™: Gartner Analyst Leaks Info on iPAQ h6300 Series
• HP Prepping iPAQ with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Mobile Phone