iPaq 614 News Roundup [Archive] - Thoughts Media Forums

Nurhisham Hussein

03-20-2008, 01:00 PM

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pocketpcsoft.net/forum/index.php/topic,278.0.html' target='_blank'>http://www.pocketpcsoft.net/forum/i...opic,278.0.html</a> </div>"I'm pleased to say my 614c arrived this morning, I put together a short unboxing video, which also compares the device to the 514 and 6915 as well as shows the scroll wheel in action. Look out for a review in a week or so when I've had chance to use the iPAQ 600 day to day."<img border="0" alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com/resizer/thumbs/size/500/spt/auto/1205948718.usr14226.jpg" />   It never rains but it pours - we have not one, but three items on the just released iPaq 614/614c. You're not likely to see this offered officially in the US, but if you like it enough, where there's a will there's a way - it's a nice enough Pro device to evaluate in that light. First up, gregh at PocketPCSoft.net has an <a target="_blank" href="http://www.pocketpcsoft.net/forum/index.php/topic,278.0.html">unboxing video</a>. Next, Shaun McGill at PDA24/7 also has a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clieuk.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=21900">first impressions post</a> on the 614c - he notes a couple of potential deal breakers like the card slot being under the battery. Lastly as a followup to last week's unboxing video, Tracy and Matt have a <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tracyandmatt.co.uk/blogs/index.php/2008/03/13/hp_ipaq_614_review">full review</a> of the device, and say while the device is snappy, it is on the large side and the current ROM isn't bug free (pic above from their review). Enjoy reading!

Inventor

03-20-2008, 02:34 PM

I have been using the 614C here for two weeks. I bought it from the UK the day it came out, the spec sheet for the device states 110v/220v adaptor so I just re-wired it to plug into the wall and no problems here. I didnt my 'burn in test'

I was afraid because I saw Jason showing the lower priced 110 and he said the display was 'cheap' and 'not rounded' - not with this one! - the display is great and the 614 does have rounded edges on it. Its also made very solid. I have been using PocketPCs since the Jornada 548 and this is the first time I have set the brightness to 1 notch below the top level. Its super bright.

The display is a little smaller then the RX3715 and it took a week adjusting to it, the Tracy and Matt video talks about the screen being *larger* then the HTC so Im glad I didn’t get a Touch. Its nice to see what your doing and watching.

Camera:
The camera app records in QCIF and QVGA in 3GP format. The frame rate is not DVD quality but its good for my use. (I don’t make movies) The frame rate could be better for video and when you stop a video it writes it and goes into preview mode right away, the Rx3715 takes the same time to write as the video if you record voice since this has to sync. So the video syncs in real time. It also takes videos in very low light, The LED light is a flashlight, not a flash. If you point the light at a persons eyes from close distance it blinds them for a few seconds. I don’t know if im right but I think 3rd party camera software would work on this, it does have a Marvel 520 processor so the frame rate could be boosted.

It also has 4x zoom, but the zoom wont work in the 3mp mode. You can go from QVGA, VGA, 1M, 1.3m, 2m and 3m. The zoom works in the other modes.

Voice Commander:
The voice commander program has about 20 commands, e.g. "Find Jason" "Call Microsoft" "Play Britney Spears" and the WMP will start with a Mp3 file from the singer. No learning. As long as you have the file added into your library, or contact on your list then it will play/search. It also knows the programs you install 'start TCPMP' and it will start the program name.

GPS:
The GPS is "Open" and works via COM port, and it comes with Google.com maps in ROM. I used 4 points for it on the iPAQ rewards site to get Navigo and now have a full feature GPS unit, Like I said It does come with the google maps for A-GPS but you need an internet connection all the time, the google.com maps has no buffering.

Joypad:
I was making some games this weekend and using the joypad (touch sensitive) to test, you place your finger in the middle and slide it in the direction. The joypad has a delay (1/2 second) and thats not good enough for gaming, so I decided to use the hardware numbers as direction buttons. So you can use it both ways. So if your a gamer you can re-program the buttons to the number pad buttons or use the joypad depending on the game.

Buttons:
Im sitting next to my Jornada 568, back then one of the top points of this device was the left side scroll wheel, eg. Reading ebooks and using it to quick up/down. HP put it back in and also it has a 'depress' button to select on it. The camera button has 2 levels of press, one 1/2 way is to start the auto focus. the full down starts/stops the video/picture. There is also a mute, ok, cancel button. There are two top buttons the menu buttons. You have to 'really' press on these menu buttons to make selections on it. This is the HP type of buttons so I guess this might be since they aren’t worked in, yet.

Headphones:
The bottom has a USB mini jack for docking and re-charging. The headphone plugs into the USB Mini port also. You have a volume on the headphone (just variable resistor type) it doesn’t change WMP or sound settings, Also a button for mute. It has iPAQ audio to adjust bass and treble and at top bass you might notice a cut-off. Lower the volume.

MicroSD card:
The MicroSD card is locked in the case in purpose. Not only does it support 32gb MicroSDHC but the 614 has a USB host mode (I thinks this is built into WM6.1), so you use it as reader on your PC via the USB. It is like 'fixing a watch' if you want to remove the card, but you don’t need to.
Also it comes with the HP remote destory/lock program and is for business customers.

Speaker:
The speaker is very loud and it at the back the device. I have done my 'burn in test' on it and no problems, but when the device is flat on a table it will muffle the sound. I was afraid that the speaker would blow out, my Velo HPC speaker was loud also but did go after a few days. This works fine. Again burn in test.

Phone:
After Jasons rants about Rogers and Bell I decided NOT to get a SIM chip for it, I was playing with WMP on it when I first was working in the device and started the phone app on it. It says on it "NO SIM Card - but this may allow emergency if your provider supports it"??? I entered numbers and they 222 and it displayed '***' - because of no SIM card, then I did a 911 and it showed the real numbers, while im listening to WMP I hear a woman talking to me "911 emergency, police fire ambulance" - oops. GPS off, phone off, scared.

The good thing about this is that I know several people that give wives/kids phones for 'emergencies' but this has a 911 phone, that you dont have to pay for!

Stability:
I had to install active sync 4.5 on my machines and did alot of things tweaking the device. There were a few times when I had changed a lot, but a soft re-set fixes, Its like self repair so just re-set the device. Also when active sync starts to sync the first time it takes the device usage on it (locks it for a few seconds), so I let active sync work on it. I have a problem with my OutLook pst file on my desktop so this might be my fault.

Bluetooth:
I connect here over a PAN network, the bluetooth doesn’t 'cut out' like my Rx3715, it also support 2.0 EDR, but 1.1 supports 700K so im in no rush for a new 2.0 dongle. The antenna has a longer range. I dont know about the wifi. One thing I dont see is a wifi sniffer but im sure there are lots of freeware apps.

Programs:
They didnt put Microsoft Reader in ROM, so you have to download it, there is a iPAQ menu program and 2 HP photo software programs. There are no image editor programs on ROM but you could use your points for it or get a freeware etc. It has a PDF reader in ROM and all the Live.com and messenger etc. programs. Lots of settings, configure etc.

One thing about this unit is that the programs are 'hidden' on it. No calendar, task, contact icons, just go to the today and tap on the program. It works, its faster, just get used to it.

Case:
NO CASE INCLUDED, I use another case for it, expansys has it listed with case, you NEED a case if you want to use this device.

Updates:
It has a ROM update program icon on it, I havent used it yet until I learn more. This might be a good way for HP to update the OS online with it. I dont know if HP and Microsoft have a deal with this one.

Summary:
After Jason showed the 110 and then the 210 I thought that HP might have some type of problems. Im very happy with this, its my main machine now and I keep 'discovering' new things about it. The programs are 'hidden' and I keep finding new apps on it, NO user manual, and the CD has some type of flash guide but not alot of documentation on this one, but its fun to explore.

Way to go HP!