HP Announces iPAQ Data Messenger and Voice Messenger - Not For You US Users!

[Jon Westfall]

<p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/ppct/auto/1224609822.usr7.jpg" /></p><p>So yea - there are now some pretty slick looking iPAQs in the pipeline, but not everyone in the world will get to enjoy their features. Specifically, those in the Europe / Middle East / Asia Pacific markets may come across them (With high speed data through of a deal with Vodafone), but North Americans need not apply. Its a shame too, for once the stats on these HP devices look current and they certainly appear sleek from a design standpoint. Pictured above is the Data Messenger, the voice messenger and stats appearing after the break!</p><p><MORE /></p><p><img src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/600/ppct/auto/1224609988.usr7.jpg" /></p><p>Both devices sport all the bells and whistles radio wise you'd expect. 3G service, Quad-band GSM, Integrated GPS, Bluetooth 2.0, and 802.11g. They have the Windows Mobile 6.1 OS loaded with a bunch of extras (e.g. google maps, Westek Jetcet PDF and Jetcet Print, and a few others), a 3.1 MP camera with auto focus and LED flash, and a Micro-USB charging slot. It will support Micro-SD cards, and has 256 MB of ROM and 128 MB SDRAM. No VGA - QVGA on both. Finally both devices have the Qualcomm 7201A 528 Mhz processor. The voice messenger is obviously aimed at those who want a lighter product with no keyboard, while the data messenger is targeted toward the keyboard crowd.&nbsp; Pretty impressive, and if it is available ultra soon (e.g. not 6 months from now, as HP is notorious for) then I think they'd both be pretty nice hits for HP. Just wish they were available in the US - I've been lusting for a new device lately!</p>

[Inventor]

Jon,

>> Just wish they were available in the US - I've been lusting for a new device lately

You can buy it from the UK and have it shipped, thats what I did with the iPAQ 614c

The only problem is you *cant* use any type of warranty or support.

Also customs in Canada does a unboxing video so expect some charges. (~$77 total for my 614c)

I took the risk and glad I did.

[Snowmation]

The keyboard kills the Pro version, what's up with the Y and Z keys being moved around....complete rubbish IMO. Is that a EU thing or something?

[txa1265]

I really like the video of the Data Messenger, hopefully it will come here eventually. I can wait ...

[Eriq Cook]

I'm jealous.

I can't believe I've had my MDA for over a year now. I usually never keep handhelds that long. I've been wanting to upgrade to another device here myself for a while now. Drives me crazy it takes such a long time to bring a device to market. By the time it hits shelves in U.S. it's already OK.

[alese]

The keyboard kills the Pro version, what's up with the Y and Z keys being moved around....complete rubbish IMO. Is that a EU thing or something?

Yes it's country specific thing.
Quite a few European countries have keyboards with Z and Y moved around (like Germany) but I'm sure there will be a UK version of the device with Y and Z the way you guys are used to.

[martin_ayton]

The only problem is you *cant* use any type of warranty or support.

I guess that depends on whether Jon has a UK based (because the Y and the Z will be in the right place) friend he can trust. For instance *I* could buy the thing (with Jon's money, of course!)and ship it or bring it across to the USA when I'm there in January. Any warranty issues would mean shipping it back to me and letting me handle them before shipping the fixed device back. But apart from a casual, on-line acquaintance, Jon doesn't know me, so I may not be his best bet, but he must know *somebody* over here that he can trust...

[Constant Caffeine]

The keyboard or texting issue on all devices could easily be rectified if someone would make a decent mobile version of a voice recognition software. Dragon NaturallySpeak had something a couple version ago but you had to have your device attached to your computer to get it to work, talk about useless.

Here in Norway we have to use the function key to type the three extra letters we have, ø, å and æ.

It would be ideal to simply speak into my bluetooth headset and answer or compose and email or SMS. No more typing with the thumbs. :)

[wildbirder69]

Its too bad that it is not introduced in the USA.
:mad: