HP Unveils the iPAQ rw6800

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://tinyurl.com/mree3' target='_blank'>http://tinyurl.com/mree3</a><br /><br /></div><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060303-rw6800.jpg" /><br /><br />The HP iPAQ rw6800 series has just been announced in Asia (though, no word yet on a release in other parts of the world). Its specs are very similar to that of the O2 Xda Atom - that is, an Intel PXA272 416MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, a QVGA (240 x 320) 262K-colour TFT-LCD, a miniSD slot, miniUSB, dual stereo speakers, tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support, Bluetooth 1.2, 802.11b Wi-Fi (rw6828 only), infrared, an FM radio tuner, a 2.0-megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 5.0, and the MSFP. Oh, and it looks like you can even opt for a fluoro-yellow or fluoro-orange screen cover if your heart so desires. :idontthinkso:

[piperpilot]

My question: Why is HP continuing to build devices with QVGA screens? Now that I have an Axim X51v, I don't think I can ever go back to QVGA.

[surur]

Amazing how HP can make a pretty pocketpc look so ugly. They sure have skilz.

Surur

[RaPBille]

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20060303-rw6800.jpg

The HP iPAQ rw6800 series has just been announced in Asia (though, no word yet on a release in other parts of the world). Its specs are very similar to that of the O2 Xda Atom - that is, an Intel PXA272 416MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, a QVGA (240 x 320) 262K-colour TFT-LCD, a miniSD slot, miniUSB, dual stereo speakers, tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support, Bluetooth 1.2, 802.11b Wi-Fi (rw6828 only), infrared, an FM radio tuner, a 2.0-megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 5.0, and the MSFP. Oh, and it looks like you can even opt for a fluoro-yellow or fluoro-orange screen cover if your heart so desires. :idontthinkso:

1. No vga screen
2. Mini SD :cry:
3. its ugly
4. No GPS
5. No CF og SD (cheap way to gt 4GB)

All in all just not good enough

[Raphael Salgado]

The contributing editor of that article states the tri-band is 850/900/1800, while the image capture of the technical specs at the bottom say 900/1800/1900. Who's right?

If the latter is right (probably is), then it's no different than the O2 XDA Atom with the exception of the 2 soft keys - which I do like, though.

[ricksfiona]

Is this division of HP actually making money? I don't think the specifications really make it stand out much above the crowd. :(

[surfer]

Is it just me or does it look fat? :twisted:

[msafi]

aggressive marketing may make this a good seller.
people really appreciate small devices.

[lesterm]

My question: Why is HP continuing to build devices with QVGA screens? Now that I have an Axim X51v, I don't think I can ever go back to QVGA.

I think that with (as HP says) non-converged devices getting less popular VGA screens will become rarer.

VGA screens will suck more juice from the battery and all those (4x) pixels need more processing power. Faster processors doing more work means shorter battery life. As you can understand, battery life is a prime consideration for a phone, so I thnk VGA will be quite rare.

I have a hx4700 and would love a k-jam or simialr, but not sure I could go back to a QVGA screen too, so I'm in the same boat as you. I know the JasJar is VGA but it's just a bit too big (I carry mine around all day) and would feel daft down the pub making a phone call with it!

[Dermot81]

My question: Why is HP continuing to build devices with QVGA screens? Now that I have an Axim X51v, I don't think I can ever go back to QVGA.

I think that with (as HP says) non-converged devices getting less popular VGA screens will become rarer.

VGA screens will suck more juice from the battery and all those (4x) pixels need more processing power. Faster processors doing more work means shorter battery life. As you can understand, battery life is a prime consideration for a phone, so I thnk VGA will be quite rare.

I have a hx4700 and would love a k-jam or simialr, but not sure I could go back to a QVGA screen too, so I'm in the same boat as you. I know the JasJar is VGA but it's just a bit too big (I carry mine around all day) and would feel daft down the pub making a phone call with it!

Maybe, but it is much easier for a salesman to sell a VGA phone than a QVGA phone to the average customer. All he basically has to do is turn it on. Battery life is not obvious by first glance at a device, and is often grossly mistated by the manufacturer.

Therefore, to me, it makes more sense for HP, or any manufacturer for that matter, to produce VGA devices since the QVGA market is so saturated the VGA devices would really stand out at your Cingular/Verizon strore.

[rrypma]

I don't know about these smaller PPC screens w/ VGA. I, too, thought it would be a step backward. I still don't know, as I don't have one yet, but the clarity and sharpness should still be quite good on a 2.7" screen. Have you seen a QVGA 2.2" smartphone screen yet? Stunning.

[Paragon]

Therefore, to me, it makes more sense for HP, or any manufacturer for that matter, to produce VGA devices since the QVGA market is so saturated the VGA devices would really stand out at your Cingular/Verizon strore.

Are you sure about this? True VGA on a 4" screen is very tiny. Imagine if you shrunk that same text and images down to a 2.8" screen. I think for the most part it would be unusable. Plus if you compare QVGA on a 4" screen to what it looks like on a much smaller 2.8" screen the image is much sharper on that compressed 2.8" screen yet it is still very usable.

Dave

[echernosky]

A WM device with a built-in screen protector? Who would have thought of that?

Oh yeah, us. 5 years ago after it disappeared off the Purple Dinosaur.

This is really disappointing. I count on HP to keep up with the game to keep up the competition. Maybe there's just a 5 year delay. Let's try. HP, I would like a REALLY cool looking device that does everything and is Verizon cripple proof.

[ctmagnus]

Is it just me or does it look fat? :twisted:

:rofl: "Do I make my Pocket PC look fat?"

[saru83]

well, this lil device is the same hardware &amp; manufactured by the same company as the O2 ATOM, as i used the ATOM its really tiny, really tiny, whoever saying its fat, nop its not, i agree that it looks much uglier than the ATOM but it has twice the ROM &amp; 2 soft keys. so it all depends on your own taste, i personally like it!! :wink:

Correct me if i'm mistaken!! :)

[tazzy]

G'day Guys

I have been reading up on this product for a while now and it would seem that there will be two different version. Please refer to information and website below.

I agree with most that Hp still has a long way to come in the pocketpc/smart phone business but there is not doubting that the future looks great. the Hw6515 [or Hw6500 series] was a great success in many countries and set the precedent for this kind of converged device [Eten for one are now trying to replicate that success].

Plz have a read.

http://www.slashphone.com/71/3795.html


The RW6800 pocket pc phone got a different colors of cover on it to protect the LCD screen. The cover should be detachable if you want. GPS, bluetooth and WiFi give you a complete choices of connection, not forgetting that the pocket pc phone also support EDGE/GPRS service.

There will be 2 version of model, most likely RW6800 and RW6828. One of it will have a extra GPS module. The RW6800 / RW6828 also support Microsoft Direct Push Email technology, support Blackberry like service.

Specifications:

Network: GSM EDGE/GPRS
Display: 240 x 320 TFT
Weight: 140g
CPU: Intel PXA272/416MHz
64MB Ram
128MB ROM
WiFi
Bluetooth v1.2
1530 mAh battery
SDIO Slot
2 megapixel CMOS camera

[bnycastro]

wow! too me this looks better than the ATOM but this is just my personal opinion. also the flip cover would be a small yet very enticing addition to this atom clone... 8)

[tazzy]

Yeh i agree with you bnycastro its looks better than the Atom. I have spoken to some personnel from Hp and they have informed me that the issues that O2 and Atom suffered have been alleviated and such problems won't be seen in the RW6800......We'll have to wait and see

Has anyone else read whether or not there are indeed two versions of the Rw6800.....i'll see if i can get in contact with Hp and pose that question to them...


Regards

Tazzy :)

[bjornkeizers]

You know... if you take the darker colored one and put the yellow screen protector on it...

Kinda looks like...

http://www.thesabervault.com/files/masterreplicas/items/tos_communicator.jpg

And before you ask: yeah, I actually did do the Captain Kirk Flip with all of my flip phones :D

[patato]

A WM device with a built-in screen protector? Who would have thought of that?

Oh yeah, us. 5 years ago after it disappeared off the Purple Dinosaur.

This is really disappointing. I count on HP to keep up with the game to keep up the competition. Maybe there's just a 5 year delay. Let's try. HP, I would like a REALLY cool looking device that does everything and is Verizon cripple proof.
Nothing is VZ cripple proof. Or else i'll eat my pants. Really. And HP will never make ultra-cool stuff. Or else I'll eat all of my pants.
I personaly think if MS gives Paris Hilton or some other socialite a T-Mobile MDA or this new device or partners up with Jucy Coucture, MS will make Danger cry! People love small (I hate small 'cause i'm clumsy.) I had a Treo 600 and I felt so limited with it. My 1st Pocket PC was freedom...If HP playies their cards right, then there's no stopping them!
I say this because the more requested features among Sidekick users are met by the Atom.

[msafi]

GPS, bluetooth and WiFi give you a complete choices of connection, not forgetting that the pocket pc phone also support EDGE/GPRS service.

i don't think this is accurate information. can anyone confirm?

[Darius Wey]

i don't think this is accurate information. can anyone confirm?

Yeah, the inclusion of GPS seems quite far-fetched. I'll see if I can dig up any further info and report back here.

[Sgt_Strider]

I'm just wondering if anyone here used a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter with this device? If so, does this disable the microphone? Thanks.

[Darius Wey]

Okay, as I suspected, there's no GPS. If you wish to enable GPS functionality, you'll need to purchase a separate Bluetooth GPS receiver.

The rw6800 series will be made available in the Asia-Pacific; Australians can expect to see it in stores in May.

[Darius Wey]

I'm just wondering if anyone here used a 2.5mm to 3.5mm adapter with this device? If so, does this disable the microphone? Thanks.

I think very few people have this device to know whether or not the microphone is disabled. The problem you describe applies to most Phone Edition devices as the pin-out configuration is markedly different to those of other standalone devices. If HP doesn't include a suitable adapter in the box, you'll need to purchase a special adapter, such as this one (http://www.pocketpctechs.com/main~unit~O2_XDA_Atom-561~area~accessories~item~PPCPADPT11.htm) for the Xda Atom.

[tazzy]

The rw6800 series will be made available in the Asia-Pacific; Australians can expect to see it in stores in May.

Hmmmmm okay my sources tell me early to mid April on that one Darius, i'll try to get more of a definitive answer from a HP source....Regarding the GPS i didnt think it would come equipped with it? Where did you confirm that it didnt, thats if i may ask :)

Tazzy :)

[Darius Wey]

Hmmmmm okay my sources tell me early to mid April on that one Darius, i'll try to get more of a definitive answer from a HP source.

Bear in mind that it might be early-to-mid April for the Asian region. Australia and New Zealand tend to lag a little, so May seems like an accurate enough projection.

Regarding the GPS i didnt think it would come equipped with it? Where did you confirm that it didnt, thats if i may ask :)

Two sources - (1) someone on the inside; (2) a report at ZDNet.

Besides, I wouldn't expect HP to pull off something exciting and whack GPS in this tiny unit. It's a little too innovative for them these days. ;)

[tazzy]

Besides, I wouldn't expect HP to pull off something exciting and whack GPS in this tiny unit. It's a little too innovative for them these days. ;)

hehehheeh......................can't really argue with you on that mate :)

[tazzy]

region. Australia and New Zealand tend to lag a little, so May seems like an accurate enough projection.


As always darius on the ball mate. SOurces within HP tell me that it will be released in Australia in MID May which totally sucks because i have to revert back to a cheap phone waiting [sold my O2 Mini arrrggghhhhh]..........

[tazzy]

I have found the following thought some of you guys might be interested.....It would seem there are indeed two models however one with Wifi, one without wifi..SPewing no GPS :)........Oh well thats the way the cookie crumbles hey!

HP IPAQ rw6818

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handhelds/0,39001705,39176140p,00.htm


HP IPAQ rw6828

http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handhelds/0,39001705,39116580p,00.htm

[tazzy]

Great News

The RW6828 will be released in Australia between 4-6 Weeks time. I was very fortunate to actually "play with" a prototype that is just about certified for the Australian market.

I have spoken to some of the representatives of HP and they have indicated that only the RW6828 [with wireless will be released here]. They have also informed me that it will Support both AKU2 &amp; be A2DP ready....Unfortunately i only had 20 or so minutes to look through the unit but upon such a short inspection it looks smooth, no slugishness whilst opening and closing programmes.......I asked the HP rep whats the battery life like and he informed me that he uses it for emails and playing music and lasts him 2 or so days.....

Obviously an indepth analysis and review would be great but for the time being im very excited and others should be too.

Tazzy :)

[bnycastro]

cool! that means that other parts of the asia pacific might get the device soon as well... :D