ZDNet Australia's First Impressions of the iPAQ hw6515

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coolgear/mobiles/soa/First_Take_HP_iPAQ_h6515_Mobile_Messenger/0,39023387,39205200,00.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coo...39205200,00.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The h6515 Mobile Messenger hits the market at a time where shipments of standalone PDAs continue to decline and converged devices offering voice and data applications are increasingly being snapped up. This is the second PDA-phone from HP after the company ventured into the converged space last year with its iPAQ brand..."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050803-hw6515.jpg" /><br /><br />There are some features of the hw6515 ZDNet loved, and there are also some ZDNet hated. Although the full review is expected a little later, these first impressions still make a good read.

[Sven Johannsen]

Wow, different GPS concept than what was expected. I thought these were coming with something like TomTom. Maybe this is just for the Australian market, as I don't think there are too many Nav options available. By that I mean something other than suport for scanned maps. I may be misinformed here, but Assies always seem to be looking for something like TomTom, Mapopolis, etc.

Surely you could load your own favorite nav package and select the internal GPS.

[Steven McPherson]

I purchased one of these off eBay for $700 US and hands down this is the best iPaq that I've owned. I tanked my 6315 in favor of this device and haven't looked back once.

I think its weird how they describe the GPS service in AU. I installed both PocketStreets and Ostia and it worked like a champ. Ostia is a better solution as PS doesn't really have the navigator function that Ostia does, but PS works like a champ as well. All features of Ostia work including routing an re-routing.

I don't miss the Wifi...I rarely used it on the 6315 anyways. With Cingular's MediaWorks unlimited package, I haven't really found a need for Wifi....maybe Pod-Casting. Not sure.

Anyways...the keyboards a little small, but I find its very usable and haven't had any issues with it. The one thing that I do really like is that fact that you automatically are able to use the number keys once you are on the phone screen...no more trying to dial on the screen. I did hate that.

Great device, I would recommend to all.

S

[saru83]

Great device, I would recommend to all.

Hey "o2kman", dont u think if i wait for 2 months, the HTC Universal will be a better choice??

Regards,
Sarwat

[Mr. PPC]

I know someone who is testing TomTom on the 6515 in Sydney at this time, he is happy so far.

Dave