A Quick Look at the HP hw6515 Messenger

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Some of you may recall <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=40063">this thread</a> regarding the delayed release date for this hw6515 device, I am now hearing that the release will actually be much sooner than the reported November date. The hw6515 will originally ship in late-July with WM2003SE, but will be re-released with Windows Mobile 5 in early 2006. The device reviewed here is a pre-production version of the hw6515 with WM2003SE. The sister-model, hw6715 (same specifications except with WiFi), will ship in early 2006.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_1.jpg" /><br /><br />I recently had the opportunity to test the HP hw6515 device. Unfortunately, this was a pre-production unit without the GPS support, so I didn't get to preview the one feature I was most curious about. Overall, the device provides a good medium-point between users who want more power than the standard MS Smartphone, but still want the convenience of hardware-based alphanumeric text input capability (in this case, the thumbpad) without going overboard on size and weight. This review is not a thorough review by any means. I only wish to provide my impressions in using the device for the limited time I had it. Additionally, some of the comparison photographs are a bit blurry. I apologize ahead of time as I didn't have my regular digital camera handy when I had the competing RIM and Treo devices in my possession (I had to resort to my phone camera instead). With that, please read on for my humble impressions along with a handful of screenshots and comparison photos.<br /><!><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_pplus1.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 1: Today screen with PocketPlus... you can see the screen is cramped even with minimal information.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_pi.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 2: PocketInformant displays without any issues.</i><br /><br />The obvious sacrifice with the hw6515 is the QVGA-quality square-resolution screen. I wasn't quite as bothered by the QVGA-class resolution as I thought I would be. However, on the downside, it does feel obvious that the WM2003 OS platform wasn't built with this square-aspect ratio in mind; I found myself having to scroll vertically through screens that shouldn't require it. I didn't have the luxury of time to fully test this device with every PocketPC application I own. Instead, I focused my testing on a few key applications that I use most often. Amongst that group, all were 100% functional with the square screens (you'll see from the screenshots how PIE, PI, ListPro, PocketPlus, and PocketMusic all display). The thumbpad takes time to adjust to as the keys are very small (I would expect this to be the case for any thumbpad device), but once I adapted, it was nice to be able to enter text without needing my stylus. While FITALY input is still the faster method of input for me, the thumbpad proved to be the easier method of input as it doesn't require the same level of precision / concentration as FITALY and the learning curve was obviously short. I should mention though that there were occasional instances where I had to rely on the SIP keyboard to input specific characters (such as the backslash character).<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_listpro.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 3: No problems with ListPro either.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_pie.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 4: You really need an app like PocketPlus to help maximize the screen real-estate for PIE. BTW, is there any surprise that the post you see is from Darius? The man is a posting-machine!</i><br /><br />As a phone device, the hw6515's sound quality was surprisingly clear both in speaking and listening. Operating this device with my Bluetooth headset worked exactly as it should, in both bonding and in standard use. The screen visibility without the backlight is better than most backlit-reflective devices. It's certainly much easier to read (without the backlight) than my current hx4705 and it's almost as good as my old sidelit-reflective iPaq 3870. This may sound trivial, but what it means is that within most environments with adequate lighting, I could comfortably use the device without the backlight, allowing me to conserve battery should I ever need to. In terms of size and weight, the device is lighter and smaller than I had expected (see the comparison shots below with the RIM Blackberry 7230 and Treo 600). Finally, this device is an EDGE-GPRS-enabled device. As a T-Mobile user, I've never tested out EDGE speeds before now, so this was a point of curiosity for me as well. For those of you in the same boat as I, allow me to ensure you that the speed difference between the EDGE connection and a standard GPRS connection was VERY noticeable.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_pmusic.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 5: PocketMusic worked surprisingly well. You can't see as much information as one of the sub-windows will be minimized. Given the limitations though, the program displayed as it should.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_wireless.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 6: You can toggle Bluetooth and/or the phone signal on or off</i><br /><br />Overall, HP seems to have done fairly well here. I don't see this as being the right device for power-users (which is probably 90% of the reading audience here at PPCT). The sacrifices in screen resolution and aspect ratio would be too much for most of us to accept, but for regular consumers who wants a reasonably pocketable convergence device with hardware input and basic PocketPC functionality, this would be a tough option to pass up. From an enterprise point-of-view, it's not quite a RIM-killer due to the lack of push-email support and due to the lack of elegance in which WM2003 handles square-aspect screens. Once this device is re-released with Windows Mobile 5, I would expect this to be a much more compelling solution.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_dialer1.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 7: Here's the dialer.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_profiles.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 8: Holding down the power-button reveals a profiles menu with a variety of options.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_2.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 9: The hw6515 side-by-side with my hx4705. Can you tell the screen is easier to read on the hw6515 without the backlight?</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_3.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 10: Standard view - from left-to-right: Treo 600, HP hw6515, RIM Blackberry 7230.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_4.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 11: Side view - from top-to-bottom: RIM Blackberry 7230, Treo 600, HP hw6515.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_5.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 12: Top view - from top-to-bottom: RIM Blackberry 7230, Treo 600, HP hw6515.</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hw6515_6.jpg" /><br /><i>Figure 12: Bottom view - from top-to-bottom: RIM Blackberry 7230, Treo 600, HP hw6515.</i>

[carphead]

Ekkie,

Thanks for the great insight into the 65xx series.

One question, did you try playing music over the BT connection?

[surur]

Another question: Could you voice dial using BT?

BTW, completely of topic, those are surprisingly good photos for a phone camera. Who says those things aren't handy.

Surur

[Scott R]

How about some samples of pictures taken with the camera? BTW, that's a Treo 600, not a Treo 650, in those pictures. And because of that, I'm not sure I'd bother doing comparison shots with that (the Treo 600's camera is awful, the 650's camera is much better, but still awful).

Where is the news of the WM5 update coming from? Will there be an official announcement about this? I'd hate to buy one of these expecting an update that may not come to pass. Thanks.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

One question, did you try playing music over the BT connection?
Unfortunately not. I don't own any BT audio devices... only my standard headset used for making/receiving calls.

Another question: Could you voice dial using BT?
I was unable to locate any support for voice-dialing (having checked both the contacts menus and the system menu). That's a great question as I could see this actually be a glaring omission for some folks.

BTW, completely of topic, those are surprisingly good photos for a phone camera. Who says those things aren't handy.
You're absolutely right. Those shots come from my Motorola v635. The quality of the photographs from the v635 is heads-and-shoulders above my previous camera phones (Nokia 3650, SE T610, SE K700i). It's a 1.3Mpx camera and I actually had to resize those shots (originally 1280x960) and ratchet down the compression to make them as web-friendly as possible. The only weakness (as you can see) is that the phone seems to have a hard time focusing in on close objects, but overall, this is the first camera phone I've owned that was actually functional as a camera.

How about some samples of pictures taken with the camera? BTW, that's a Treo 600, not a Treo 650, in those pictures. And because of that, I'm not sure I'd bother doing comparison shots with that (the Treo 600's camera is awful, the 650's camera is much better, but still awful).
Thanks for the correction! I've updated the article.

As for sample photographs, that's an omission on my part. I'm not in the habit of paying attention to camera capabilities on PDAs or phones, so I neglected to take any samples. Sorry about that.

BTW, that reminds me, my sources also tell me that customers will have the option of ordering this device with or without camera (Jonathon Watkins, are you listening? ;)).

Where is the news of the WM5 update coming from? Will there be an official announcement about this? I'd hate to buy one of these expecting an update that may not come to pass. Thanks.
The information that I reported above is strictly based on my sources internal to HP. There's no official announcement that I know of.

[Sven Johannsen]

BTW, that reminds me, my sources also tell me that customers will have the option of ordering this device with or without camera (Jonathon Watkins, are you listening? ;)).

It's just not Jonathan. It would be a non-starter for me with a camera in it, though the rest of the device is compelling. I spend a good deal of time in places I cannot take a camera. I used to leave my T610 and now my SMT5600 in the car at these facilities. No biggie, the cell phone didn't work in those places anyway. I can take my PPC in which has all my reference material, contacts, calendar, notepad etc. If my PPC has a camera I would lose it's functionality entirely as it too would be in the car.

If you think it's silly that I can take in a PPC or a phone as long as it doesn't have a camera, I don't disagree. I don't make the rules, I just have to follow them. I'm not campaigning to have cameras abolished. I just wouldn't even condsider the device if it has one, because it doesn't improve anything for me over the two device situation I'm in now. I appreciate the choice, it opens up the possibility for me.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

BTW, that reminds me, my sources also tell me that customers will have the option of ordering this device with or without camera (Jonathon Watkins, are you listening? ;)).
It's just not Jonathan.
It's not just you and Jonathon either. ;) I'm actually in total agreement for the same reasons (see my comments in the thread Use of Embedded Camera Lands Man in Jail (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=305279#305279)). I'm teasing Jonathon b/c he's the one the most vocal with regards to this topic and consequently, takes the most backlash from those who don't agree.

[MitchellO]

Great device. It is such a shame HP didn't use a 320x320 screen in it. Then I would actaully have a better screen than other devices. Here we are with new VGA devices coming out (after far to long) and HP brings out a 240x240 screen. Thats going backwards in my opinion. 320x320 would make is able to run normal PPC apps, ones that won't stretch to the sides could just have bars on the sides.

Otherwise, a very nice device. I have heard that there is another version that has WiFi too (does is still have GPS though?), but ditches the SD slot. I'd rather loose the minisd than the full SD.

[155]

The buttons menu in setup should tell you if you can voice dial via bluetooth. I'm using an E-ten m500, which offers voice dial via bluetooth support and I have an extra button mapping in the buttons section that says bluetooth headset button. That way you can activate the voice command with the bluetooth headset button, whether or not the operating system offers built in voice command or not.

What Bluetooth profiles does the unit have? Does it have the Advanced Audio Profile?

[Cee_R]

Nice review Ekkie. I am a glutton for convergence devices and hw6515 seemed manna from heaven when I first heard about it. Key functions I look forward to include the camera (always available), GPS (must have) &amp; BT (to link a full keyboard). However, I have heard some criticism elsewhere about its sluggish processor. Did you get a feel for the Messenger's multitasking? I noted that your model did not have a GPS, but a lazy processor would dampen my ethusiasm for its use as a GPS navigator. I use a Nokia 5140 with a GPS shell and that is a primitive combination (no download of data, difficult to load maps, etc.). I shall watch this space for your next review with its GPS functionality.

[MitchellO]

I think that it uses a 312Mhz Xscale processor. Thats not too slow. I have used a 266Mhz device (iPAQ 1930), and it was a very good speed. I don't think you need to worry.

Just don't expect it to be as fast as the 520/624Mhz devices.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

However, I have heard some criticism elsewhere about its sluggish processor. Did you get a feel for the Messenger's multitasking? I noted that your model did not have a GPS, but a lazy processor would dampen my ethusiasm for its use as a GPS navigator.
That crossed my mind as well. As it is, the device didn't seem to suffer any slowdown, though admittedly, I didn't exactly put the device "through the ringer" so-to-speak, but in regular use of PI, PocketPlus, IE, Mail, and Bluetooth, it worked fine. but if you were to throw GPS into the equation, there's no guarantee it would maintain its usability.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

What Bluetooth profiles does the unit have? Does it have the Advanced Audio Profile?
My personal Bluetooth use is usually limited to Dial-Up Networking, Serial, File Transfer, and Headset/Handsfree. So I unintentially overlooked the support for Bluetooth advanced audio as I don't use any devices myself that support this. My use of Bluetooth included my headset and file transfer (and where applicable, ActiveSync) between this and my regular Pocket PC, my laptop (with D-Link dongle), and my desktop (with IOGear Dongle).

[bnycastro]

was waiting for the model with wifi and wm5.0 :roll: hopefully it is out soon so we can check it out... but if your sources say early '06 then maybe I was hoping too soon. :) are there other confirmed PPC PEs with WM5.0 on the way (asside from the HTC Universal, and this unit)?

[Jonathon Watkins]

BTW, that reminds me, my sources also tell me that customers will have the option of ordering this device with or without camera (Jonathon Watkins, are you listening? ).

I'm just glad that the manufacturers are listening! :D Having the option is what many of us are looking for.

I'm teasing Jonathon b/c he's the one the most vocal with regards to this topic...

Well someone has to be. ;-)

Nice review Ekkie!

[Darius Wey]

BTW, is there any surprise that the post you see is from Darius? The man is a posting-machine!

:oops:

Anyway, nice review, Ekkie. I didn't get a chance to read it until today. :)

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Thanks guys! Just wanted give you each a good-natured ribbing while I was at it! ;)

[Compulim]

I also got a beta hw6515 from HP (shhhh....). ROM version is 1.00.00 and yes, with GPS.

I cannot figure the performance difference between hw6515 and h4150 when performing daily tasks. My daily tasks are: open Inbox, write SMS/e-mail, send via Server ActiveSync. Open IE and browse PPCT, PPCW. I also played few 320x240 clips with BetaPlayer, roughly benchmarked at 185%. I didn't try benchmarking those official clip yet. (btw, I am sure the responsiveness is MUCH better than rx3715)

On the otherside, the phone UI is slower and even somewhat "uncontrollable" when having 2 calls. If you want to make conference call, you should have some patience to do so.

It took roughly a minute to boot up the device and take you to the Today screen. But the device is not at full performance until another minute. I don't know what's running behind. But after 2 minutes, the device should be stable and up running.

Skype is working on the device nicely but there are some "hard" problems. There are two speakers on the device, one on the back, one in the front. The back speaker is loud and it's the default speaker. The front speaker is for you to talk on the phone and only activated when a phone call is received. I still cannot figure out how to switch the default speaker to the front speaker. So with Skype, it's like speakerphone, you can't talk like a real phone. But of course, you can always plug in 2.5mm headset to the bottom of the device. Or even play with BT headset. (The device come with Broadcom/Widcomm BT stack)

On the downside, the device do not have standard phone jack for your favorite headphone. So you will need a 2.5mm -> phone jack adapter ready to listen to MP3 in WMP10.

GPS is very sensitive. I was standing in the shuttle area of Columbus airport and the whole area was shielded with UV glasses. The device can still perform positioning very well. But on the otherside, you have to synchronize the GPS database every 49 hours. Or it will expire and disable itself. Say, if you are going to a business trip without Internet, the GPS would become totally useless. (of course, you can always cheat the clock)

The battery cover is somewhat loose on my test device. I put it in the pocket on my pant and sometimes, the device powered off itself (totally and unawared). The battery performance is somewhat less than my 4150. If you don't play with the PDA part, you can make regular calls for 2 days. But if you are a PDA hardcore, the battery won't last for a day.

GPRS is very nice. I can always-on MSN Messenger. Say, I connected GPRS and started Messenger. Suspending the device (push the power button) will NOT affect Messenger. I have tried, say, for at least 30 mins. So I always set IM arrives as vibration so I can receive both phone calls and IM.

No voice control application built-in. I will try to install Microsoft Voice Command and play it with my SE headset tomorrow (if HP do not take it back tmr).

If you got GoodLink-enabled Exchange Server, the hw6515 will work like a BlackBerry (the HP guy demonstrated it to me). WM5 could do the same job but it's not released yet.

My test device came with ArcSoft MMS composer and it's tightly integrated into the device. So you can always attach photos and send it out right away.

Rumor that WiFi version (hx6700 series) will come in Jan 2006 with WM5.

[Compulim]

And one point missed. The GPRS connection speed is VERY fast and it took roughly 2 seconds to connect to the Internet. Cool eh?

And the HP guy told me in their benchmark, the hw6515 is the fastest EDGE device available on the market (comparing to other Nokia phone/PDA phone). So EDGE will be their selling point in my region.

The mini keyboard layout looks like h4350 series with backlit. But because the device is quite slippery (unlike 2100/2755 with rubber handle), it will be VERY difficult to do one hand typing.

The device also come with a very cool lid (similar to 2755), so you can close the lid and prevent the screen getting oily when you talk on the phone. But without the touchscreen, most application will NOT work. (Yea, Inbox works, but not MSN Messenger)

The lid is in brown color. So when you close the lid, you may need to tune up the backlit a little bit (say, to 50%). I didn't notice if there is any light sensor around.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Compulim, there is some great insight here that I didn't catch.

Rumor that WiFi version (hx6700 series) will come in Jan 2006 with WM5.

Though I did report on this rumor in the first paragraph of my review. Glad to know we're hearing the same information though. ;)

[Compulim]

Okay, I tested the voice dialing with Microsoft Voice Command 1.5.

For non-BT headset operation, the Voice Command works great.

But for BT headset, it seems the BT stack cannot use the BT headset as default audio in/out. I unchecked the checkbox inside BT manager ("use this device for telephone calls") and was unable to connect to my colleague's Nokia HDW-3. It said the requested service was not found. Strange.

Generally speaking, the BT stack was unable to receive voice command from BT headset. Therefore, all command must be issued on the device itself.

For BT A2DP (Advanced Audio Profile), the BT stack got an entry named "High Quality Audio setup" with description "Setup Bluetooth Headphones or Stereo Speakers to be used with your PocketPC". I am unsure if it means A2DP and I don't have any A2DP headphone to confirm it.

If anyone want to know more details on the device, please post it here asap. I will return the device within 36 hours.

[Cee_R]

Compulim, Can you put the GPS thru its paces, especially with phone and/or other applications running in the background?

1. Test the GPS with a street map (e.g. Tomtom, if you have one). And/or with some raster maps.
2. Is there any any accompanying software to database trackpoints? If yes, what format does it use to save trackpoints?
3. Is it easy to download track or waypoints to a PC?

Thanks
CR

[Phillip Dyson]

What does it mean that the GPS database must be synced every 49 hours? What is it synchronizing and why does it kill the function if not?

Seems a bit strange.

[Scott R]

For non-BT headset operation, the Voice Command works great.

But for BT headset, it seems the BT stack cannot use the BT headset as default audio in/out.The Treo 650 can't handle voice dialing over a BT headset, either. I wonder if it's for the same reason. Very odd considering that this is not a new "trick" (my Sony-Ericsson T608 could do it).

[ebadger]

Okay, I tested the voice dialing with Microsoft Voice Command 1.5.

For non-BT headset operation, the Voice Command works great.

But for BT headset, it seems the BT stack cannot use the BT headset as default audio in/out. I unchecked the checkbox inside BT manager ("use this device for telephone calls") and was unable to connect to my colleague's Nokia HDW-3. It said the requested service was not found. Strange.

Generally speaking, the BT stack was unable to receive voice command from BT headset. Therefore, all command must be issued on the device itself.

For BT A2DP (Advanced Audio Profile), the BT stack got an entry named "High Quality Audio setup" with description "Setup Bluetooth Headphones or Stereo Speakers to be used with your PocketPC". I am unsure if it means A2DP and I don't have any A2DP headphone to confirm it.

If anyone want to know more details on the device, please post it here asap. I will return the device within 36 hours.

Do you know which Bluetooth stack this device uses? Is it using the Widcomm stack? Is it possible to route audio through the BT headset using audio gateway on this device?

[dommasters]

However, I have heard some criticism elsewhere about its sluggish processor. Did you get a feel for the Messenger's multitasking? I noted that your model did not have a GPS, but a lazy processor would dampen my ethusiasm for its use as a GPS navigator.
That crossed my mind as well. As it is, the device didn't seem to suffer any slowdown, though admittedly, I didn't exactly put the device "through the ringer" so-to-speak, but in regular use of PI, PocketPlus, IE, Mail, and Bluetooth, it worked fine. but if you were to throw GPS into the equation, there's no guarantee it would maintain its usability.
I have a production unit. Doesn't feel slow atall.
Dom

[fyrestrtr]

Can anyone that has used skype on this device post their experience? Is it slow, sluggish or does it work fine?

Is it possible to use skype via a bluetooth headset?