HP iPAQ 6900 Messenger Quick Look Photo Preview [Archive]

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Jason Dunn

03-09-2006, 02:00 AM

Coming up tomorrow we have the first of a three-part ThoughtCast review of a pre-production iPAQ 6900 that I was sent. Dave Conger and I discuss the pros and cons of this device, along with my impressions after having used it for a few days as my only phone and Pocket PC. To whet your appetite, I've taken a series of particularly luscious photos of this new device. Feast your eyes, and when we post the first part of the review, have a listen to what I thought about the latest phone edition device from HP. Good? Bad? Ugly? I won't spoil the surprise. Each image below is linked to a larger version. Not sure what the iPAQ 6900 is? <a href="http://www.davespda.com/hardware/pdaphone/phoneedition/device.php?209">Check out the specs.</a> <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-01.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-01.jpg" /></a> Figure 1: The front view with the screen cover flipped open. <!> <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-02.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-02.jpg" /></a> Figure 2: A close-up shot of the keyboard. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-03.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-03.jpg" /></a> Figure 3: The battery and SIM card to the right. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-04.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-04.jpg" /></a> Figure 4: The device has a single MiniSD slot. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-05.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-05.jpg" /></a> Figure 5: The top of the unit - speaker, indicator lights, and the power button. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-06.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-06.jpg" /></a> Figure 6: A top view shot with the screen protector down. <PAGEBREAK> <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-07.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-07.jpg" /></a> Figure 7: The back with (left to right) the photo light, the 1.3 MP camera, and the self-portrait mirror. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-08.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-08.jpg" /></a> Figure 8: Compared in size to the Dell X51v (left) and iMate Jasjar (right). The devices were top-aligned, so this is an accurate representation of the difference in length. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-09.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-09.jpg" /></a> Figure 9: Thickness comparison between the iPAQ 6900, Dell X51v, and iMate Jasjar (in that order). <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-10.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-10.jpg" /></a> Figure 10: Another view showing the difference in length. Although the photo does make it look like it, they were all aligned at the right end. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-11.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-11.jpg" /></a> Figure 11: A front view of the new cradle. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-12.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-12.jpg" /></a> Figure 12: A rear view of the cradle. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-large-13.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/ppct-ipaq6900-preview-small-13.jpg" /></a> Figure 13: A bottom view of the cradle. Stay tuned for our three part audio review of this new device. UPDATE: I managed to get the iPAQ hw6900 into the same room as a Treo 650 (sorry, I had to send the Treo 700w back) and took some snaps of it. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/treo-vs-ipaq6900-01-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/treo-vs-ipaq6900-01-small.jpg" /></a> Figure 14: iPAQ hw6900 head to head with a Treo 650. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/treo-vs-ipaq6900-02-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/treo-vs-ipaq6900-02-small.jpg" /></a> Figure 15: Roughly the same length, but the hw6900 is wider than the Treo 650 by quite a bit. <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/treo-vs-ipaq6900-03-large.jpg"><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/treo-vs-ipaq6900-03-small.jpg" /></a> Figure 16: Brothers from a different mother? No, not quite. Jason Dunn owns and operates <a href="http://www.thoughtsmedia.com">Thoughts Media Inc.</a>, a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys mobile devices, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog.

Jerry Raia

03-09-2006, 02:41 AM

Jason have you noticed any problems with the keyboard? The 6515 which I just got rid of had some problems with keys having to be pressed several times.

Twain

03-09-2006, 04:04 AM

Jason,

I would like to have seen a comparison photo with the Treo 700w for size comparison purposes. Can you rustle up a photo?

Twain

krypticide

03-09-2006, 04:39 AM

Looks nice, which cellular service can this be used with?

ADBrown

03-09-2006, 05:15 AM

Looks nice, which cellular service can this be used with?

Any GSM service. Cingular or T-Mobile in the US, Rogers in Canada, etc.

krypticide

03-09-2006, 05:17 AM

I guess I'm still a novice when it comes to this. Say I get Cingular service, can I just stick the SIM card into a phone edition and more or less start using it as a cell phone too?

ADBrown

03-09-2006, 05:22 AM

Yes, if the PPC phone is unlocked. If it's carrier-locked, you need to either unlock it or use the provider to which it is locked. Any PPC phones branded by a carrier are likely to be locked.

krypticide

03-09-2006, 05:28 AM

ADBrown

03-09-2006, 05:35 AM

What would be the best way to get one of these?

I have an Axim X50v, but I'd be interested in selling it and getting a phone edition so I'd have one less thing to carry around. Is it better to buy the device and service separate? I'm a student, so I'd have no use for the data plans.

Then you're in a difficult position. Units sold as unlocked are usually far more expensive than carrier branded devices. On the other hand, if you buy a carrier device, you'd almost certainly have to sign up for a data plan.

Also, bear in mind that you'll have to sacrifice pretty much all of the nice features of your Axim like the CompactFlash slot, VGA screen, SDIO slot, video accelerator, etcetera.

krypticide

03-09-2006, 05:38 AM

Doh! Hm, I guess I'll just have to see what's on the market when my two year contract with Verizon is up. I should definitely switch to a GSM network. They seem to be a lot more flexible when it comes to devices than CDMA.

Jason Dunn

03-09-2006, 05:58 AM

Jason Dunn

03-09-2006, 06:00 AM

I would like to have seen a comparison photo with the Treo 700w for size comparison purposes. Can you rustle up a photo?

I dearly wish I could, but I had to send back the loaner Treo a couple of weeks ago - the phone wouldn't roam onto the data network here in Canada, so it was useless to me for testing. From memory the Treo was roughly the same size, but had a better keyboard.

gregh

03-09-2006, 10:36 AM

I've not used the hw65xx as much as I have the 6900, but from my brief comparisions the hw6915 keyboard is streets ahead, it has flatter keys which seem to make it easier to press.

I have a friend with a Treo that I'm seeing next week, I'll try and snap a comparison shot!

regards,

Greg

ADBrown

03-09-2006, 10:45 AM

Jason have you noticed any problems with the keyboard? The 6515 which I just got rid of had some problems with keys having to be pressed several times.

No, I haven't noticed any problems with the keyboard, no keypress issues, other than the fact that it's just not as nice of a keyboard as I'm used to on the Jasjar. ;-)

How do you get away with using a JASJAR up there? I know that Rogers (or whatever it's called now) runs dual-band, 850/1900, so aren't you missing out on a bunch of coverage?

Jason Dunn

03-09-2006, 03:00 PM

I know that Rogers (or whatever it's called now) runs dual-band, 850/1900, so aren't you missing out on a bunch of coverage?

Nope, I haven't noticed any problems or lack of coverage. I'm sure it would be better if I had 850, but so far it hasn't been problematic.

annyksa

03-12-2006, 02:43 PM

Hello, i have ipaq 2750 and the battery life is horrible, u can see the battery draining as u use it, 1 hr later its probably near 50% and ready to die, will this phone/pda be better in that respect? :lol:

MitchellO

03-17-2006, 11:41 AM

The X50v/X51v is a great looking device :D :D :D :D

Oh, and the hw6900 is nice too (just got a lousy res screen). No way I could go to 240x240 after having 640x480 (using OzVGA 100% of the time :D)

jeffc4442

03-19-2006, 04:34 AM

Hi. i have the 6515 and really haven't had any of the problems i've often seen mentioned. However, i have noticed that the 6515 leaves a lot to be desired as a 'phone.' i don't get any dropped calls, but i do 'break up,' even in areas that have a strong signal.

Have you had a chance to see how the 6900 works as a phone?

thanks.

KatJ

03-20-2006, 09:34 PM

Jason Dunn

03-20-2006, 10:27 PM

I'm very interested in a PPC phone edition; I have yet to find one that I like. I've been using an iPAQ hx4705 for a year and don't want to lose the VGA screen, SD slot, & CF slot. Will there ever be a hx4705 Phone edition?!

Very unlikely - pushing 307,200 pixels around the screen (VGA) requires a lot of CPU power, and battery power...and for the time being, the combination of those things plus a phone is just too power-hungry.

Jason Dunn

03-25-2006, 01:09 AM

Have you had a chance to see how the 6900 works as a phone?

Yes, I used it as my only mobile phone for the couple of weeks that I had it - I can't say that I noticed any problems with it, but I admit to being a light voice user - I'm way more about the data.

Ed Hansberry

03-26-2006, 02:42 AM

Very unlikely - pushing 307,200 pixels around the screen (VGA) requires a lot of CPU power, and battery power...and for the time being, the combination of those things plus a phone is just too power-hungry.
Or you wind up with a device the size of the JasJar. It has a HUGE battery.

Jason Dunn

03-27-2006, 03:50 AM

Or you wind up with a device the size of the JasJar. It has a HUGE battery.

Yeah, definitely - I was a bit confused, I was thinking specifically of the Treo-type devices, but since he was using a 4700, you're right, the Jasjar is a close match.

PocketPCThoughter

04-29-2006, 08:56 AM

Isn't a big difference that HP hw69xx has wifi, but Treo 700w DOESN'T have wifi? Is Palm kidding? They'd better come out with a version that has wifi, coz come on, that's like the "basic" feature on a handheld these days, no? :D