Monday, September 26, 2005
All You Need to Know About HP and the Windows Mobile 5.0 Upgrade
Posted by Darius Wey in "NEWS" @ 07:00 AM
"The Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade is currently available for the HP iPAQ hx2000 series Pocket PC. The upgrade kit for the hx4700 will be available in Spring 2006."
That's right - after much waiting, the Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade for the HP iPAQ hx2000 series is finally here. Available as a CD kit or as a download, the upgrade can be purchased for $39.99 (plus extras for shipping and handling). HP iPAQ hx4700 users will still have to wait until Spring 2006 for their upgrade.
Also up is HP's Windows Mobile 5.0 FAQ. It's filled with all the usual doodads on what's new in Windows Mobile 5.0 and ActiveSync 4.0, but it also includes information on upgrade eligibility for the rz1700, rx3000, h6300, and hw6500 series. Here's what HP had to say:
HP iPAQ hx2000 and hx4700 series
"HP wants to ensure that the functionality and overall customer satisfaction of the iPAQ product line is not compromised. Therefore, HP has decided to provide the Microsoft Windows 5.0 upgrade on the following product series: hx2000 and hx4700 series. These models will best be able to take advantage of the new features in Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, while not compromising product performance and functionality."
HP iPAQ h6300 and hw6500 series
"The h6300 and hw6500 product lines are significantly more complex products that function on mobile operator networks. Mobile operator networks require stable product performance in order to maximize quality of service for their end-users. In some cases in order to maximize service performance with the new operating system, hardware changes are required. Hardware modifications to on the h6300 and hw6500 are not planned; therefore HP will not provide MS Windows Mobile 5.0 on the iPAQ h6300 and hw6500 models."
HP iPAQ rx3000 series
"The HP iPAQ rx3000 product is targeted for the individual purchaser who is focused more on entertainment functionality and looking for good value in a product. HP does not offer upgrades for every platform and in every language. Our upgrades are typically offered on our mainstream & performance products such as our HP iPAQ hx2000 series. We do offer the Microsoft Media Player 10 as a ROM download which can be found on our support and driver’s website which is one of the features of MS Windows Mobile Version 5.0."
Based on this, we can now confirm that earlier rumours of the hw6500 series not receiving a Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade are true, so any Mobile Messenger users wanting to take advantage of Windows Mobile 5.0 will be forced to upgrade to the hw6700 series, if and when it is made available in your country.
In other news, Microsoft's Windows Media Player 10 Mobile website now contains a link to the hw6515 from Cingular, with a block of text stating that it's due in Fall 2005. The link doesn't lead to anywhere significant, but it's a strong suggestion that we may soon see the device on American soil.
That's right - after much waiting, the Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade for the HP iPAQ hx2000 series is finally here. Available as a CD kit or as a download, the upgrade can be purchased for $39.99 (plus extras for shipping and handling). HP iPAQ hx4700 users will still have to wait until Spring 2006 for their upgrade.
Also up is HP's Windows Mobile 5.0 FAQ. It's filled with all the usual doodads on what's new in Windows Mobile 5.0 and ActiveSync 4.0, but it also includes information on upgrade eligibility for the rz1700, rx3000, h6300, and hw6500 series. Here's what HP had to say:
HP iPAQ hx2000 and hx4700 series
"HP wants to ensure that the functionality and overall customer satisfaction of the iPAQ product line is not compromised. Therefore, HP has decided to provide the Microsoft Windows 5.0 upgrade on the following product series: hx2000 and hx4700 series. These models will best be able to take advantage of the new features in Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0, while not compromising product performance and functionality."
HP iPAQ h6300 and hw6500 series
"The h6300 and hw6500 product lines are significantly more complex products that function on mobile operator networks. Mobile operator networks require stable product performance in order to maximize quality of service for their end-users. In some cases in order to maximize service performance with the new operating system, hardware changes are required. Hardware modifications to on the h6300 and hw6500 are not planned; therefore HP will not provide MS Windows Mobile 5.0 on the iPAQ h6300 and hw6500 models."
HP iPAQ rx3000 series
"The HP iPAQ rx3000 product is targeted for the individual purchaser who is focused more on entertainment functionality and looking for good value in a product. HP does not offer upgrades for every platform and in every language. Our upgrades are typically offered on our mainstream & performance products such as our HP iPAQ hx2000 series. We do offer the Microsoft Media Player 10 as a ROM download which can be found on our support and driver’s website which is one of the features of MS Windows Mobile Version 5.0."
Based on this, we can now confirm that earlier rumours of the hw6500 series not receiving a Windows Mobile 5.0 upgrade are true, so any Mobile Messenger users wanting to take advantage of Windows Mobile 5.0 will be forced to upgrade to the hw6700 series, if and when it is made available in your country.
In other news, Microsoft's Windows Media Player 10 Mobile website now contains a link to the hw6515 from Cingular, with a block of text stating that it's due in Fall 2005. The link doesn't lead to anywhere significant, but it's a strong suggestion that we may soon see the device on American soil.
