infoSync World Reviews HP's iPAQ hw6515

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/6013.html' target='_blank'>http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/6013.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Ridding itself of the bulky design of its predecessor, the hw6515 comes across as a far more elegant - and pocketable - device than the hw6300 series despite the fact that HP has managed integrate a thumbboard. At 118 x 71 x 21 mm and 165 g, it won't make your suit pocket look like you're carrying a couple of decks of cards - and the front doesn't look cluttered despite the large number of elements residing there."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/parekh-20050608-Infosynchw6515.jpg" /><br /><br />I don't know if the review is of final hardware, but it's unfortunately a bit mixed. Jorgen Sundgot liked the layout and promise of the unit, but didn't like the execution of the thumbboard and battery life. Furthermore, the unit is running WM2003SE; I'd like to see a WM5 unit by now.

[Chris Spera]

My understanding is that this review was of a pre-production unit...

[Scott R]

A few things...

1) Does this have a real GPS chip in it or is it using the GPS functionality of GPRS? If the latter, it wouldn't make for a very good GPS when you go out of coverage. If the former, does anyone know how many channels it has?

2) The review didn't come out and say it, but it sounds like the new one-handed improvements that MS made aren't as comprehensive as what the Handspring team did for the Treo 600. It doesn't sound like you can use the joystick/D-Pad to tab around through on-screen fields and buttons. I'd love to be wrong on this.

3) The oddball 240x240 resolution sounds like it could end up being the source of many headaches and a lot of frustration. OTOH, if this device becomes popular (and/or other devices appear with a 240x240 screen), some enterprising developers could have an untapped market for creating some new 240x240-optimized smartphone apps.

4) I'm tempted by it, but if it isn't available for Sprint it's probably a non-starter for me. Sprint's the only one in the US offering affordable unlimited data service combined with good coverage. Cingular's data plans suck. T-Mobile's coverage sucks.

[Scott R]

One more thing...

Now that MS has added native landscape support, I'd prefer to see these thumbboard-equipped smartphones use a smallish 320x240 screen instead of a 240x240 screen.

[Janak Parekh]

2) The review didn't come out and say it, but it sounds like the new one-handed improvements that MS made aren't as comprehensive as what the Handspring team did for the Treo 600. It doesn't sound like you can use the joystick/D-Pad to tab around through on-screen fields and buttons. I'd love to be wrong on this.
Well, the unit reviewed was running WM2003SE, not WM5. WM2003SE only had very minor navigational improvements over previous OSes. WM5 has the softkey support that's supposed to make it much easier to one-hand.

--janak

[Scott R]

Well, the unit reviewed was running WM2003SE, not WM5. WM2003SE only had very minor navigational improvements over previous OSes.Thanks for pointing that out. Is this device supposed to be running WM5 when it comes out in the US?

WM5 has the softkey support that's supposed to make it much easier to one-hand.Do you know if the one-handed improvements include more than just the new softkey buttons? If not, that still won't be enough to eliminate the need for tapping on the screen for the majority of existing apps.

[surur]

Most things can be done via keyboard in wm 5. This device uses a real GPS chip. This device cries out for wm5.

Surur

[Scott R]

Nevertheless, I like the looks of that Samsung SPH-7000 (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40480) even better. I hope that one makes it to the US.

[Paragon]

This device cries out for wm5.

Surur

Yeah, but it doesn't have the memory to satisfy either one of us. ;) :-)

Dave

[Paula]

My First reaction was:

ooooooooooooooooooo Pretty. :D

Now I will go back and read all about it.