Windows Phone Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

Product Category: 3G touch PDA Phone with embedded keyboard

Manufacturer: HP

Where to Buy: Expansys [affiliate]

Price: $484 USD

System Requirements: Runs Windows Mobile 6.1

Specifications: Marvell PXA270 Processor running at 416 Mhz, 128 MB of RAM and 256 MB of ROM. Quad-band GSM/GPRS and tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, able to get 3G/H anywhere it's available. 3.0 megapixel camera, USB 2.0, BT 2.0 with EDR. 1940 mAh battery, 802.11b/g. Weight is 154g (5.4oz) with battery.

Pros:

• Solidly built, very reliable, lightweight and easily pocketable;
• Keyboard feel/design works well to prevent keying errors -- very solid tactile response;
• GPS sensitivity and stability is excellent;
• Battery life is very good.

Cons:

• Accessories package is a bit light -- should have included a cover/case and a second stylus;
• The position of the USB sync port and its rubber cover are a pain to work around.

Summary: I've owned numerous HP iPAQs over the years -- from the venerable 1950 through the Jornada series to the Messengers. While HP is not always the first with the latest and greatest features on their PDAs, I've always been impressed by the quality and reliability of their products. The hardware is very durable and stands up to the rigors of daily office and personal use, and the software provided clearly has the corporate user in mind. The HP iPAQ 910c Business Manager is no exception. This is a solidly built unit that will serve the business/corporate user very well. It doesn't come with a sexy, gesture-based interface, but it does everything it claims to do well, and consistently. Read more...

"Alton Towers Resort, an amusement park in the UK, is trying out a ban on PDAs this week. The experiment could become a permanent policy if things go well, becoming part of a social movement designed to draw lines of proper gadget usage in public sands."

The park is trying to ensure parents leave their work behind and enjoy time with the family. I understand their goal, but it is a bit absurd the way they are going about it. My family uses our PDAs and smartphones to keep in contact with one another on vacation. I know I wouldn't turn my phone over to an amusement park holding pen, would you? Do you think they are on the right track at Alton Towers Resort or way off base?

"Dell reportedly plans to resume its handheld device business and the company may team up with Foxconn Electronics (Hon Hai Precision Industry) to develop Windows Mobile-based handheld devices, according to market sources in Taiwan. Dell has been reorganizing its team for handheld devices since it hired Ron Garriques, a former executive vice president at Motorola in charge of its cell phone division, in early 2007, the sources indicated."



If you've been keeping a close eye on the headlines since Dell gave up its Axim line early last year, there's no doubt you'd have heard about claims that the company had its sights set on releasing a string of new smartphones, which would be a first for the company and also mark a welcome return to the Windows Mobile market. Sadly, the majority of these claims have remained unsubstantiated. Not today, it seems. In a report published by DigiTimes, it's been said that Dell and Foxconn are set to shake hands and work together to produce GPS-enabled PDAs and smartphones branded with the Dell logo. And if this turns out to be true, all you Dell fans (and we know there are a lot of you out there) will have a reason to rejoice.