NEW: HP iPAQ 900-series Business Messenger

HP recently announced the follow up of the HP iPAQ hw6915 messenger: HP iPAQ 900 business messenger, with the 914c model specific for Europe (according to some online shops).

The HP iPAQ 900 series looks seem to have strong influences of the Blackberry design with its chrome sides, and the black color of the device make it a really stylisch and business oriented devices. Although the mass-market coolness and fanciness factor is remarkably lower than  for instance a HTC Touch Diamond, the specifications are really impressive:

• HP iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger
• Wireless Integrated Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and Tri Band UMTS/HSDPA 7.2 Mbps
• Integrated WiFi – 802.11 b/g with WPA2 security
• Integrated Bluetooth® v2.0 with EDR
• Integrated multi-mode GPS navigation
• Operating system Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
• Processor Marvell PXA270 Processor, 416 MHz
• Display 2.46-inch transmissive TFT 65,000 color 320×240 pixel touch panel display with LED backlight
• Memory 128 MB SDRAM
• 256 MB flash ROM
• Dimensions 114 x 64 x 15 mm (4. 5” x 2.5” x 0.6”)
• Weight (with battery) 154g (5.4 oz)
• Power 1940 mAh Li-polymer rechargeable, user changeable battery
• Interfaces USB 2.0 connector for sync/ charge and headset , micro-SD card slot
• Audio Integrated microphone, receiver, speaker and mini-USB wired stereo headset
• Camera 3 Megapixel, autofocus, 4X digital zoom, codec supports .jpg image file format
• Hardware buttons Alphanumeric keyboard, scroll wheel, 5-way navigation, 2 soft keys, volume control, send /end buttons, reset, voice command [ref01]

Personally I’m a huge fan of the messenger type devices suited with non-sliding a full QWERTY-keyboard. The keyboards of the past Palm Treo 750, iPAQ hw6915 and HTC S620, were really good ones, and I hope that the 900-series follow that tradition.

A second really important aspect is the powerful 1940 mAh battery. I had a Samsung i600 once with a 1850 mAh extended battery and this was really a killer devices lasting 3 or 4 days (under normal use). So I really like the choice of HP.  Compare this with the 900 mAh battery of the HTC Touch Diamond.

With Windows Mobile 6.1 and all the connectivity options this device seems to be a decent messenger, which could replace my current HTC S620, although I like the navigation on a non-touchscreen device. The device will start shipping on 30th of June 2008, so we need a little more patience.

Finally I would like to recommend the unboxing pictures on the Brighthand and Gear Diary websites.

UPDATE:

There are some new references added with initial thoughts, experiences and some real nice eye-candy. Matthew Miller from ZDNet has written a follow-up article and used the device for some time now. His conclusion really good reception !!

Reference list:

1. Pocketinfo: HP introduceert de HP iPaq 900 Business Messenger (Dutch)
2. Jason Langridge Weblog: HP Announce the HP Ipaq 900 Business Messenger
3. Brighthand: HP iPAQ 910 Business Messenger Preview
4. HP iPAQ 900 Business Messenger Datasheet
5. GearDiary: HP iPAQ 910 Business Messenger gets unboxed
6. POCKETNOW: The HP iPAQ 910 gets handled *NEW*
7. ENGADGET: HP’s iPAQ 900 Business Communicator gets handled on video *NEW*
8. ZDNET: First impressions of the HP iPAQ 910 business messenger *NEW*
9. PHONEMAG: HP iPAQ 910 Business Messenger Hands-on *NEW*
10. ZDNET: The HP iPAQ 910 has excellent RF reception and is an impressive device *NEW*