CNET: HP iPAQ rw6828 Review

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.cnet.com.au/pdas/pdas/0,39035588,40060785,00.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.cnet.com.au/pdas/pdas/0,...40060785,00.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"HP has jumped headfirst into the O2 Xda Atom's territory, having just released its new iPAQ rw6828 smart phone. Its petite, chic design is very similar to that of the Atom, but dig deeper and you'll find that this device has much more to offer than just good looks. Part of the company's "Designed in Asia for Asia" (DIAFA) initiative, HP describes the rw6828 as a "designer" device that's been built from the ground up to "reflect the young Asian consumer's chic, minimalist style today". While we're not sure of the exact criteria that HP uses to distinguish Asian consumers -- and by Asia they're referring to the entire Asia Pacific region -- from the rest of the world, we can confirm that the rw6828 is indeed an attractive handheld."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060615-HPiPAQrw6828.jpg" /><br /><br />If you're in the Asia-Pacific and considering the rw6828, or in other parts of the world and looking to import one, be sure to check out the highs and lows of the device in CNET's review. Small form factor, push e-mail, EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, infrared, and Windows Mobile 5.0: this device definitely packs some punch. :)

[WorksForTurkeys]

hmm, HP discriminates against non-Asians? Maybe they're formally release the news in the US in time for the July 4th weekend.

[mv]

Nice... i´ll love to see it on the rest of the world... but anyway, why this guy puts as a con "Lack of keyboard makes heavy data input tedious"? I´m i the only one who thinks that writing on the screen is much much faster than using a keyboard? and remember we are talking of mini - toy - useless - keyboards, like the one on the treo. I had a treo 600 for a few weeks and data entry was painfull. Thast´s why i love the 6315 i now own. :D

[Tierran]

I want this

[martinctv]

No 850 MGz.

[MitchellO]

I'd love the look of this, but the fact that the imate JAMin is cheaper, Quadband and is HTC (love their stuff!!) means that I wouldn't buy it.

[aNiMeMaN14]

I'm still pimpin' out my i-mate Jam (HTC Magician, whatever have you). I'm almost at the two year mark, and I have no near plans of upgrading. I don't see why a lack of a keyboard is such a big fuss... in fact, keyboards on PDAs is essentially a new concept. Besides, I use the Spb Full Screen Keyboard 3.0 if I need to punch in data quickly. But I am rather impressed with this phone... it is much better than HP's first two attempts. But as MitchellO mentioned, I am a HTC man through and through myself... in fact my next PPC will definitely be from their creative minds.

[WorksForTurkeys]

regarding the lack of a keyboard: the device is the same size and form-factor as the Atom. no part of my body is small enough to use a full keyboard that would fit in or under an Atom case. each key would have to be the size of a piece of mini-chicklet gum (&lt; 1 sq cm)

[freitasm]

I played with this device while in Singapore last month and it is really neat. Compact, good size, ideal if you like Pocket PCwith no bulk - probably the same feel in size as the i-mate Jam (or little less thick actually).

[Jeff Song]

hmm, HP discriminates against non-Asians? Maybe they're formally release the news in the US in time for the July 4th weekend.

Considering that the device lacks 850mhz (something that even T-Mobile now uses, albeit for roaming purposes), I can see why we won't be seeing it over here, not because the American-based HP doesn't like anyone that isn't asian :D

[chu0009]

Maybe Asia is a good testing ground for small convergent devices as they tend to like small devices especially in Japan!!

can wait to try it out when it gets here

[WorksForTurkeys]

hmm, HP discriminates against non-Asians? Maybe they're formally release the news in the US in time for the July 4th weekend.

Considering that the device lacks 850mhz (something that even T-Mobile now uses, albeit for roaming purposes), I can see why we won't be seeing it over here, not because the American-based HP doesn't like anyone that isn't asian :D

It would be a pity if we don't see it here: I have an Atom and the lack of 850MHz doesn't appear to limit my use of T-Mobile's services (both voice &amp; EDGE) in the metro NYC-NJ-Conn areas. (and O2 didn't try to divert my purchase because I'm not Asian, or living in Asia)

I just don't see why HP has to include such an apparently biased statement in their advertising: there are probably more innocuous ways of better conveying their intent. It does seem to sound like a form of racism to state that the device is made especially for Asians; as if there is something basically different about someone because of where they live.

I never realized people living in one half of the world were significantly different from people living in the other half of the globe, but the advertising blurb seems to be implying that I've missed something... :wink:

[inteller]

Asia is inherently racist. that tends to happen when you have thousands of years of history of killing and suppressing each other.

I dont think the HP statement offended anyone there....in fact it was probably a very good marketing move. Youth in asia think the world revolves around them anyways.....just talk to my cousin and you'll agree.

[Tierran]

Actually, there's plenty of truth to it and I don't see a problem with HP's statement. There's a big difference between what Americans look for in a device and what people in say, Japan, tend to look for.

One comment that struck me in the review was about the garish covers. In Japan, brightly colored things are very popular. I think we're starting to see that more and more over here but its been the case there for a while.

[Darius Wey]

can wait to try it out when it gets here

It was released in Australia at the same time as Asia.

Pop down to Harris Technology, Harvey Norman, et al. for a play.