HP Announces Five New iPAQs

HP has just unveiled an extensive new line-up of smartphones and traditional handhelds that will be released in the coming months.

This company once dominated the market for Pocket PCs, but in recent years seemed to lose interest. This is obviously no longer true, and the five new iPAQs on HP's slate are the best evidence possible.

This includes four models running Windows Mobile 6, and one Windows CE-based navigation device.

New Handhelds

iPAQ 210 (view large image)

Those looking for a replacement for the iPAQ hx4700 or Dell Axim X51v should be pleased to hear about the iPAQ 210 Enterprise Handheld. This will offer a 4-inch, VGA 4-inch touchscreen; a 624 MHz processor; and a 2200 mAh battery.

It will also include both SD and CompactFlash card slots.

UPDATE: HP's original marketing materials on this device were incorrect. The iPAQ 210 will have 128 MB of RAM, not 64 MB as stated earlier.

In addition, the 210 will have 256 MB of ROM, Wi-Fi b/g, and Bluetooth.

For those whose needs are more modest, HP will offer the iPAQ 110 Classic Handheld. This will have a slim shape that's just 0.54 inches thick and a 3.5-inch, QVGA screen.

Despite its slender build, the 110 will pack a 624 MHz processor, Wi-Fi b/g, and Bluetooth.

The iPAQ 110 will sell for $300, while the iPAQ 210 will be priced at $450.

Both these models will run Windows Mobile 6 Classic, which is essentially the same as Windows Mobile 6 Professional but without the unnecessary phone features.

New Smartphones

HP's latest high-end smartphone will be the iPAQ 910 Business Messenger, which will include 3G cellular-wireless connecivity; a 2.5-inch, QVGA display; and a QWERTY keyboard.

This quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE device will feature tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

The 910 will have a 510 MHz XScale processor, 128 MB of RAM and 256 MB of ROM.

It will also sport Assisted GPS and some versions will have a 3 MP camera.

iPAQ 610 (view large image)

The other smartphone in this new lineup of products will be the iPAQ 610 Business Navigator. Its most significant difference from the iPAQ 910 will be a built-in numberpad, rather than a keyboard. It wil also have a larger (2.8 inch) QVGA touchscreen.

Built into the numberpad will be this model's most innovative feature: the Smart Touch wheel. This will function as a scrollwheel, allowing the user to quickly select items on the iPAQ's display one handed.

The 610 will have the same wireless connectivity options as the 910. Not surprisingly, this smartphone will include Assisted GPS.

These smartphones will run Windows Mobile 6 Professional.

The iPAQ 610 will sell for $600, while HP has not yet announced the price for the iPAQ 910.

New Travel Companion

Last year, HP introduced the iPAQ rx5915 Travel Companion. Today, the company is unveiling a follow-up device: the iPAQ 310 Travel Companion. Unlike its predecessor, the latest model won't run Windows Mobile. Instead, it will use Windows CE, and while it will include many features targeted at people on the move, it will not have most of the ones typically associated with handhelds.

The 310 will serve as a GPS navigator featuring graphics acceleration and available 3D maps. It will also be able to play multimedia on its 4.3-inch, WVGA (800 by 480 pixel) touchscreen, or serve as a hands-free systemfor a Bluetooth-enabled phone.

This iPAQ will sell cost $450.

Additional Images

iPAQ 110 (view large image)		iPAQ 910 (view large image)		iPAQ 310 (view large image)