HP Getting Into Handheld PCs Again?

[marlof]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.cbronline.com/currentnews/354ace292962e2b080256ec9003e09f9' target='_blank'>http://www.cbronline.com/currentnew...0256ec9003e09f9</a><br /><br /></div>It was a Handheld PC (the Philips Velo 1) that caused my interest in the world of Windows CE back when. And currently, next to my Pocket PCs, I still use a Handheld PC, the HP Jornada 720. Although the form factor is not that much about portability, I do like the fact that these devices have a bigger screen, a typable keyboard, a long lasting battery, and instant on functionality. For light computing tasks, my HP Jornada still beats my iBook. But apparently not too many people were thinking like me, since the Handheld PC market was forever shrinking and one after the other OEM dropped the HPC line. After the Jornada 728, so did HP. But currently Psion reports there's a lot of interest in their NetBook Pro(running Windows CE). And according to an article in Computer Business Review Online HP is considering their return to this market.<br /><br /><i>Speaking with ComputerWire on a recent visit to HP's Office of Strategy and Technology in Stockholm, Sweden, center director Niklas Johnsson said it was possible that HP would re-introduce such a device into its range as a result of changing market forces and the greater ease of adapting Microsoft's latest mobile operating systems to devices of different form factors.</i><br /><br />The product lines of the handheld market seem pretty blurred nowadays. We have mobile phones that are behaving like PDAs, we have PDAs that are behaving like mobile phones, we have PDAs that behave like mini-notebooks, we have mini-notebooks that come in a PDA format. What do you think? Is there room for the Handheld PC in this strange market?

[mscdex]

I thought about getting a Jornada 690/720 before I chose to get my iPaq 2215 setup, but really the only thing holding me back was the old OS, no new software, and lack of support for such an old device.

If HP can manage to produce some new units like the Jornada Handheld PCs at a very affordable price, I just may switch. But until then I'll stick to my trusty iPaq. 8)

[dazz]

As I mentioned at my site, I think there IS a market for the HPC, especially in business. I had reviewed the Psion Netbook Pro here (http://smartmobileassets.com/cgi-bin/Blah/Blah.pl?,b=news,v=display,m=1085977355) and really thought it was great for business.

HPC's have the advantages Marlof mentioned but they are also easier to maintain and support while in the field than a laptop. A soft reset will usually cure just about anything and iIt's impossible to corrupt OS files that are in ROM. Even if the HPC complete froze up you can hardreset and have it working again and pop in a backup memory card to restore data and settings. Once you are back in the office, sync up and you are completely back to normal. That beats the heck out of reinstalling Windows and all of the programs on a laptop. As well, there was no need to go to see IT about it.

I really think PocketPC's and Smartphone will continue to eclispe need and sales for consumers but enterprise should really consider the HPC format.[/url]

[Jonathon Watkins]

It would be so good if this was true. I hope that they would go to full VGA screens rather than the traditional half VGA (640x240) ones though.

[MBaas]

That would really be cool - I miss my dear Psion so much, and although the PPC has nice colours, great apps etc., I still find myself using it less than the good ol' Psion. Too bad Psion got out of that business.
But if somebody would come up with a decept PPC with kbd and a good form factor - I would quickly get one.
Wasn't there a HP prototype last year already with kbd?

Michael

[GoldKey]

How about these?

http://www.smartbook.com.cn/mobile.htm

[Felix Torres]

Well, at this point in time a pocket PC with a built-in keyboard *is* a Handheld PC. :-)

All HP needs to do is build a clamshell PocketPC that boots into Landscape mode. With a full VGA screen and a Revo-type keyboard they'd be in business.
Not much new engineering needed.
Now, if they got clever and made it a flip-n-twist...
&lt;sigh>

Yeah, there's room in the corporate market for one of these, say with a 5-6 in screen, to allow room for a decent keyboard.

So, get to it, HP!

[Perry Reed]

The more I've thought about it, the more I think that a "handtop" is the right form factor for me. I still use my old Jornada 820 sometimes; alhough the ancient version of CE it runs is pretty dated and lacking in functionality, the form factor is outstanding.

Now that Microsoft allows Pocket PCs that run landscape and VGA, it would seem that an updated handtop running Pocket PC would be possible and pretty simple to create. And it might compete nicely with the more expensive XP-based handtops coming out like the Flipstart and OQO.

The biggest deal for me would be the inclusion of a "real" keyboard, like my 820 has, and not one of those thumb or chiclet-style keyboards. I hate those! :)

[mscdex]

I always thought that Samsung Nexio s160 looked pretty spiffy, but too pricy. They're going for about $600-$900 on ebay.

[BTS]

I used a Compaq C Series HPC and really enjoyed it. I think it was the combination of the landscape screen and keyboard (not to mention the screen protection).

My only holdback on a Jornada was price. when you can get a PPC and keyboard for half the $, well...

[guinness]

Why? They'll be overpriced and probably lose money on the deal. While I think the form factor is great, companies always seem to price themselves out of the market on HPC's.

[whydidnt]

Why? They'll be overpriced and probably lose money on the deal. While I think the form factor is great, companies always seem to price themselves out of the market on HPC's.

That and the dearth of "off-the-shelf" software kind of ruin the fun. :cry:

I have an old LG Phenom collecting dust here. It was actually an okay business machine for taking notes, etc. but it was dog-slow and had very limited software support. LG abandoned the market. Shortly thereafter the battery died, with no replacement available.

Still, I think there may be a market, but they'll have to be priced competitvely with PPC's in order to get the type of penetration most these companies are looking for, and I don't see that happening.

[Perry Reed]

Why? They'll be overpriced and probably lose money on the deal. While I think the form factor is great, companies always seem to price themselves out of the market on HPC's.

I agree with you on the price issue. Clearly they'll have to be much cheaper than laptops (or Win-XP handtops).

But by using the PPC platform, they would hopefully have an instant large base of software for them.

[Kati Compton]

But by using the PPC platform, they would hopefully have an instant large base of software for them.
A VGA clamshell PPC would be REALLY NICE.

Clamshell! Clamshell! Clamshell!

;)

[dazz]

I agree!! I have asked a couple of manufacturers if they would consider building one but none have said yes.

I REALLY think there would be a market for a clamshell or HPC style PPC with VGA res. We could use all of our software but be able to crunch out documents and e-mails MUCH faster than on a screen keyboard.

[Kevin Daly]

Actually, this statement
"the greater ease of adapting Microsoft's latest mobile operating systems to devices of different form factors"

suggests to me things along the lines of clamshells with landscape support, along the lines of what Motorola have been teasing us with but not necessarily the same size range.

One thing we might see in future are machines that look like handhelds but run Windows Mobile.

But that could all just wishful thinking on my part.

[ricksfiona]

But by using the PPC platform, they would hopefully have an instant large base of software for them.
A VGA clamshell PPC would be REALLY NICE.

Clamshell! Clamshell! Clamshell!

;)

Yes, I would totally go for this. It would NEED a very touch type-able keyboard (with a dedicated number row), SD/USB/WiFi and minimum 128MB. Oh, and keep it under $700. :wink:

[dazz]

Ya, I wouldn't want to see an HPC-like device that only has chicklet keys. I can handle a keyboard that is as small as 75 to 80% of full size and still be able to touchtype. (wow, that last sentence has terrible grammar but I am just too tired to worry about fixing it 8) )

[pjtrader]

I really wish the makers of these devices would bring back/support devices such as the Netbook Pro more. While the PPC is useful, I do not use it to its full potential...I want that BIG integrated keyboard.

I still have my Sharp Mobilon PV-5000 and gaze at it fondly on occasion. It was the perfect form factor for so many things. A beautiful color screen, Pocket Office applications, PCMCIA support. Add some headphone capability for playing MP3s, up the RAM a bit and today's marvelous Wi-Fi technology and it would, I have no doubt, become my number one device.

Oh well...I'll just keep on dreaming.

[phmurphy]

I use the PDA for collecting data in the field. There is nothing better. Notebooks are too heavy and expensive and the screens don't work in sunlight. Paper works OK but the data entry and QC take a lot of time, and I love the look up capabilites of a program vs. paper.

I have the HP 1945, 5455 and 5555 and they work great. It is a real journey to figure out how many separate software items you need. And the OS is still very primitive. Lots of soft resets going on.

On the other hand, I collect data and it is backed up on the non-volatile IPAQ or SD memory and I can print out my data onto a 4" wide "receipt" using an tiny thermal printer via infrared.

Make 'em better yes, dump 'em, never I hope.

Pat

[Kati Compton]

Ya, I wouldn't want to see an HPC-like device that only has chicklet keys. I can handle a keyboard that is as small as 75 to 80% of full size and still be able to touchtype. (wow, that last sentence has terrible grammar but I am just too tired to worry about fixing it 8) )

I'd go for a Psion5 form factor if the price and specs (and screensize) were right. Those had *nice* keyboards.

[bridgecrosser]

I always wanted to try one of the HPC's but soon discovered they were passing on them over at HP. I would be iinterested in one IF they had ample memory, the most up-to-date OS, and were sold at a reasonable price($700).

[scmok]

the PDA is a niche market which even shrinked in 2001-03. The clamshell PDA will be a niche within a niche. That's why it is expensive, Samsung nx160 being a good example. And now rumors have it that Toshia and Sony are quitting the PDA market altogether.

Normally, such niche2 needs are served by customization accessories or clever use of existing products. So you just buy a PDA keyboard for the VGA resolution PDA from Fujitsui , Asus etc., which is cheaper ! Alternatively, you look for substitutions like the Nokia communicator, or its new 7700 (S90 platform). You can also use a Win based sub-notebook and always use sleep mode to give instant-on effect. You may even dig out from the graveyard the large form factor WinCE like the STAMP computer that has a screen keyboard as big as a full-size keyboard.

So rather than HP doing some mix-n-match for us, the work can be done better by us to enjoy future technology today.

[Dave Beauvais]

For those wanting to try a Handheld PC, Computer Geeks has refurbed older Jornada 630es for a mere $140. Details here (http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=hpj680e-pb-r).

They also have refurb Toshiba e805s (http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=E805-R&cat=PDA) for $500

[mscdex]

For those wanting to try a Handheld PC, Computer Geeks has refurbed older Jornada 630es for a mere $140. Details here (http://www.compgeeks.com/details.asp?invtid=hpj680e-pb-r).


Not bad, but they only come with a serial sync cable. USB 1.1 is even starting to feel slow now, so using serial would be much worse. (I remember the good ol' serial sync days too, btw ;))