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Review: HP moves to rival BlackBerry

Daniel Robinson — 2008-08-01T12:52:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 1 August 2008 at 12:52:00

The iPaq 914c is a mobile messaging device designed to work with the latest communciation and management tools

HP's iPaq 914c Business Messenger is a Windows Mobile handset designed primarily for email and messaging, and is thus a potential rival for RIM's BlackBerry models. When used in conjunction with new management tools from Microsoft, the iPaq could prove to be a worthy challenger to the RIM device.

Shipping since early July, the iPaq 914c is almost exactly the same size as RIM's BlackBerry 8000 series, and just a tad larger than the BlackBerry Curve models. However, it is heavier than either of these at 154g, which HP puts down to a larger than standard battery pack to give users a long time between charges while on the road. It is also quite chunky, especially when compared with Nokia's slimline E71 handset.

Like many current smartphones, the new iPaq supports GSM, 3G/HSDPA cellular connections up to 7.2Mbit/s, 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, and has built-in GPS capability for navigation. However, the iPaq 914c is the first device we have seen to ship with Windows Mobile 6.1, the latest version of Microsoft's handset platform.

With its qwerty keyboard, the iPaq bears more than a passing resemblance to a BlackBerry, and HP has in fact borrowed one feature that users of older BlackBerry models will be pleased to see; a thumbwheel on the side of the device, which makes it easy to scroll through emails while holding the unit in one hand.

The iPaq also has a five-way navigator control and a stylus-driven t ouch-screen, so the user is not short of control options. You can dial phone numbers using an on-screen keypad or the physical keys, for example.

For messaging purposes, the keyboard is one of the most important aspects of a mobile handset. The iPaq 914c has rather small keys with a curved top, but we found we could enter text at a reasonable – if not very fast – pace. BlackBerry-using colleagues that we showed the device to said they found the keyboard better than expected, but preferred that of the BlackBerry Curve, which has a distinct gap between adjacent keys.

The screen on the iPaq 914c looks small for the size of the device, but at 2.46in is almost identical in size to that of the BlackBerry Curve, and has the same resolution at 320x240 pixels. Text, however, does appear a little small for easy reading.

Just below the screen are a cluster of buttons, including the standard red and green call/hang up phone keys, plus context-sensitive buttons, a Windows menu key, and shortcuts to the calendar and email.

Windows Mobile 6.1 introduces a number of enhancements, but these are not immediately apparent on the iPaq 914c. Its home screen looks pretty much the same as many handsets we have seen with Windows Mobile 6.0, for example.

One noticeable change is that SMS texts are now displayed as threaded conversations in the messaging inbox, so that users can see messages they have sent to colleagues and the responses in chronological order. Also new is a Getting Started Center to help setup features such as email accounts and pairing the handset with Bluetooth devices. However, this simply follows the format of a Help file entry, and we found it to be of little value.

For corporate IT departments, Windows Mobile 6.1 holds out the promise of better security and management, at least when used in conjunction with new Microsoft server products.

System Center Mobile Device Manager (MDM), for example, joins mobile devices to the corporate domain and brings them under the control of Active Directory policies set by the IT department. According to Microsoft, policies can govern which applications users are allowed to run, enable or disable specific hardware features, and remotely deploy applications.

Potentially, this means that Windows Mobile 6.1 handsets such as the iPaq 914c could have a level of management control akin to that of BlackBerry devices. However, like the BlackBerry, this control comes at the expense of licensing and deploying extra servers on the corporate network in addition to the Exchange groupware server. HP also has its own Enterprise Mobility Suite (EMS) for managing mobile devices.

Windows Mobile 6.1 also brings some enhancements to the Internet Explorer browser, such as the ability to zoom in and out of pages. However, we found that it still does not render web sites as well as other mobile browsers such as Opera's Java-based Opera Mini, which we downloaded and installed for comparison purposes.

We tested the iPaq 914c using a 3G SIM supplied by Vodafone, and were able to get an HSDPA connection for much of the time we browsed the web. This gave reasonable download speeds, although obviously not as fast as when we connected to a Wi-Fi access point.

The iPaq 914c also features GPS capability, the primary use of which is likely to be navigation. The handset comes with Google Maps built-in, but an optional HP iPaq Trip Guide Kit provides real-time turn-by-turn directions.

As well as Assisted GPS (A-GPS), which uses information from the cellular network to speed up the time to first fix, HP provides a software tool that can download satellite ephemeris data from the internet. Nevertheless, we found that the iPaq still took several minutes to get an initial fix on our location.

As part of Windows Mobile 6.1, the iPaq 914c ships with Office Mobile 6.1, the latest version of Microsoft's mobile productivity tools. In addition to Word, Excel and PowerPoint, this includes a mobile version of OneNote.

However, these applications now save documents by default in the OOXML file formats used by Office 2007. While they can open documents created by versions of Office up to 2003, they cannot save in this format. As the majority of businesses still run older versions of Office on the desktop, this could lead to interoperability problems when sending documents to colleagues.

Other applications include Google Search; HP's Printsmart Mobile, used for sending documents to a printer via Bluetooth or a network connection; a Remote Desktop client; and Voice Commander for controlling functions of the phone by voice.

The iPaq 914c is based on a 416MHz PXA270 processor with 128MB RAM and 256MB Flash ROM. The handset has a slot on the left side of the case for SD Card Flash storage, next to a mini-USB connector for charging the battery and linking to a PC. Both are protected by rubberised covers. A three megapixel camera is at the rear of the device.

HP quotes the battery life of the iPaq 914c as up to four hours talk time and up to 10 days or 250 hours on standby. This figure seems rather low, considering the 1940mAh battery pack, which is one of the largest we have seen on a mobile handset, and in fact HP said that this figure includes the talk time users can expect to get while using other features of the device as well. In our tests, we used the iPaq 914c for the best part of a week before needing to recharge it.

Review: HP means business with its latest iPaq

Daniel Robinson — 2008-03-14T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 14 March 2008 at 00:00:00

The iPaq 214 handheld from HP features a larger than average screen and a management agent

The iPaq 214 Enterprise Handheld from HP is a Windows Mobile device that follows a traditional PDA design, but updates the format with a larger display and a powerful processor for handling applications beyond just keeping track of calendar and contacts. It also includes features specifically for enterprise environments.

The device is aimed squarely at business users who may have already deployed some enterprise applications using earlier devices such as the popular Compaq iPaq Pocket PC models. While the iPaq 214 has 802.11b/g Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, it does not support mobile networks and so is more of a data-centric unit running Windows Mobile 6 Classic, which lacks telephony functions.

In use, we found the iPaq 214 made information easier to read thanks to its larger than average 4in screen, which supports 640x480 resolution in some applications.

The unit also supports both a CompactFlash slot and an SD Card slot for adding storage and peripherals. CompactFlash has become rare on mobile devices, but is still handy in many business scenarios for adding devices such as barcode scanners.

The iPaq 214 is based on a 624MHz Marvell PXA310 processor with 128MB RAM and 256MB Flash ROM. This specification ensures the device has enough power for handling most applications, and the two slots mean that workers can use both a plug-in peripheral and Flash cards for storing data at the same time.

While the iPaq’s 4in screen makes the device slightly larger than most rival handhelds, its weight is about average at 190g, and we found the device comfortable to hold - but not as reassuringly solid feeling as the Socket Mobile SoMo 650, which targets roughly the same enterprise user base.

The design of the iPaq 214 reflects its PDA heritage, with a stylus-driven touch-screen beneath which is a navigator control flanked by four buttons. These link to functions such as calendar and contacts by default, but can be reconfigured. Holding down the “OK” button changes the screen between portrait and landscape orientation.

In tests, we were able to connect our review unit to our test Wi-Fi access point with ease and were able to browse the internet and connect to other services. Browsing on the iPaq 214 is enhanced by the device’s larger screen, especially as Internet Explorer Mobile can make use of the higher screen resolution available on this device to show more of each web page than would fit on a typical PDA screen.

HP provides several tools with the iPaq 214 to benefit business users. It integrates a client agent for HP’s Enterprise Mobility Suite, which lets administrators provision and configure the device over-the-air.

A print tool, HP PrintSmart Mobile, also lets workers output files to a network or Bluetooth printer. This only lists HP models, but most laser printers are data-compatible with HP’s Laserjet family. We were able to print Word documents over Wi-Fi, but oddly, it only worked if we converted the .DOC file to .RTF before printing.

Other applications include the standard Microsoft Office Mobile tools that let users view and edit Word, Excel and Powerpoint files, and an encryption tool to protect files on removable storage cards. HP’s iPaq Wireless Manager also enables users to easily turn on or off the two wireless interfaces independently from each other.

The iPaq 214 has a removable 2200mAh lithium-ion battery pack that delivers a life of up to 10 hours, according to HP.

Review: Socket handheld is ready for business

Daniel Robinson — 2008-01-07T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Monday 7 January 2008 at 00:00:00

The SoMo 650 Windows PDA is optimised for enterprise use and includes support for scanners

Socket Mobile’s SoMo 650 is a semi-rugged Windows Mobile handheld designed for mobile business applications such as inventory control and salesforce automation. As such, it is closer in spirit to a traditional PDA rather than messenger-style devices with mobile phone functionality, although it boasts both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections and can thus send and receive email.

Available since September through resellers such as Expansys and Smart Devices, the SoMo 650 was created to fill the gap in the market left by more mainstream vendors withdrawing their Microsoft-based handhelds or replacing them with smartphones. It is aimed directly at enterprise customers and will be available for three to five years, unlike more consumer-oriented devices with a typical life cycle of about 12 months.

We found the SoMo 650 to be well designed for its purpose. It has a clean design and a simple set of controls, yet features customisations such as a roaming Wi-Fi client and built-in drivers for Socket peripherals such as barcode scanners. It runs the slightly older Windows Mobile 5.0 version of Microsoft’s platform, rather than version 6, introduced in 2007.

The unit has pretty much all of the standard features of the Windows Mobile platform, including the Outlook mail client and support for push email from Exchange servers, but firms looking for a straight email and messaging device would probably be better served by a smartphone.

Socket has equipped the SoMo 650 with a decent specification for mobile applications. It is based on a 624MHz Intel PXA270 processor and has 128MB RAM and 256MB of Flash memory. There are also two slots on the top of the device for expansion: an SD Card slot for Flash storage and a larger CompactFlash slot for both storage and peripherals. The two slots are shielded by a tight-fitting rubber cover to guard against damage and any dirt getting inside.

The system follows the familiar PDA design of a 3.5in 240x320 pixel touch screen with a five-way navigator control and other function keys below it. In the case of the SoMo 650, these are shortcuts to the Today screen, Contacts, Email, and Calendar functions. Two programmable buttons are located on either side of the case, plus a tiny on/off button above the screen and a hold switch on the left side.

Although the SoMo is semi-rugged, it is fairly light for its size at 179g, but still feels reassuringly solid. It has a slightly rubberised feel to the sides of the case, which ought to make it comfortable to hold for extended periods of time. The ruggedised feel is reinforced by protective rubber covers for the power and headphone sockets. It is designed to withstand multiple 1m drops to vinyl-covered concrete, according to Socket.

For connectivity, the SoMo 650 has 802.11b/g Wi-Fi for networking, and Bluetooth, which is primarily intended for connecting peripherals such as scanners. The two wireless interfaces can be turned on or off independently through the Radio Manager console, which the right hand button on the device is set to invoke by default.

We found it easy to configure the SoMo for our test wireless network, and had it connected in minutes using Socket’s Wi-Fi Companion tool.

This provides a wealth of diagnostic information that might prove useful for IT support staff, enabling the user to see the IP address of the device, details of the access point the handheld is connected to, and also statistics on throughput and the number of dropped packets. There is also a tool to perform an IP “ping” over Wi-Fi, and a Wi-Fi TraceRoute application that provides a visual display of the hops packets are making to reach their destination.

Socket also provides other useful applications that are not found on standard Windows Mobile handhelds. One is a processor monitoring tool that shows the CPU loading, like the Task Manager in desktop Windows versions. It also lets you choose whether the processor clock speed is determined automatically by workload, or fixed at one of three frequencies.

Socket supplied us with some sample peripherals to test with the SoMo: a plug-in barcode scanner that uses the CompactFlash slot, and a compact cordless scanner that uses Bluetooth. Both were simple to run, thanks to the in-built SocketScan application that provides the necessary support.

The CompactFlash scanner clicks into place at the top of the handheld, and is then ready for use. On our review unit, we could then point the device at a barcode and press the left hand button on the unit to perform a scan. With the Bluetooth scanner, we had to power on the peripheral, then use SocketScan to look for the device and pair up with it. Once it had linked up over Bluetooth, we began scanning, using a trigger on the scanner itself for activation.

SocketScan enables the operator to scan barcodes directly into applications, and can be configured to inject keystrokes such as a carriage return, if necessary. We were able to fill cells in a spreadsheet with scanned barcode data using the Excel Mobile application on the device.

The docking cradle included with the SoMo 650 is larger than most we have seen, but also has more facilities. It has a recess for a spare battery, so that the handheld and the spare can be charged at the same time.

As well as linking the handheld to a PC for synchronisation, the cradle has two USB ports that can be used for connecting peripherals. This enables a PC keyboard and mouse to be used, making for easier text and data input when the handheld is docked.

We tested this, and found the USB devices are only recognised if they are already connected to the cradle when the SoMo is docked. Users can also connect USB Flash drives to the SoMo this way, but the range of other devices supported will be limited compared with a PC.

The standard battery in the SoMo 650 is a 1200mAh rechargeable lithium ion pack that can be removed by sliding off a panel at the back of the case, and a higher capacity 2600mAh battery is available as an optional purchase.

Socket said the SoMo is designed to be used with Wi-Fi and a CompactFlash scanner for at least eight hours in a typical warehouse inventory management scenario, using standard power management settings. For the extended battery, 10 hours is a minimum. From our experience with the device, this seems to be a realistic estimate, although it will depend on how much the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth radios are used.

Review: TyTN II enables office work on the go

Daniel Robinson — 2007-11-16T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Friday 16 November 2007 at 00:00:00

HTC’s new handset combines a hidden qwerty keyboard with comprehensive wireless support

HTC’s TyTN II is a Windows Mobile 6 handset that can be regarded as either a slightly large smartphone or as a compact wireless PDA. It features comprehensive wireless support and a novel sliding screen that opens up to reveal a qwerty keyboard. This design makes the device a suitable choice for mobile workers that need email access on the move and may additionally need to exchange Office documents with colleagues.

Available now from both HTC and Orange, the TyTN II builds on the earlier TyTN model, which boasted a similar slide-out keyboard. The new design differs in that its screen can also be tilted upwards, so that the unit resembles a miniature laptop when opened up. However, typing at any speed on the tiny keyboard is tricky.

The TyTN II is compatible with the high-speed HSDPA version of 3G, and also packs in 802.11b/g Wi-Fi capability, Bluetooth and a GPS receiver for getting a fix on your location. The device features a three megapixel camera for capturing high-resolution images and video, plus a lower resolution (VGA) user-facing camera for videoconferencing.

We found the TyTN II easy to use, although we had to resort to pulling out the stylus for many functions, such as closing windows, whereas most phones can be used entirely one-handed. The TyTN’s size (about the size of a bar of soap) and 190g weight also make it larger and heavier than many phones, although it packs in much more functionality. Potential buyers might also consider the HTC S730, which has a similar hidden keyboard, but is a more compact design without GPS.

In its closed-up configuration the TyTN looks like a fairly standard PDA phone with a 2.8in touch screen, below which is a five-way navigator key surrounded by context-sensitive keys and green and red call/hang up phone keys. There are also buttons on the sides of the unit for power on, the handset’s camera, a thumbwheel, OK button and voice dial. These functions can, however, be re-assigned using a tool in the Settings menu.

The phone function is accessed by pressing the green button, which brings up an on-screen dial pad. Users can also start a video call from this screen if they have a 3G network connection. We found the audio quality on calls more than acceptable.

As with many other Windows Mobile devices IT Week has tested, the TyTn was easy to configure for our test wireless network, and reconnected in seconds whenever we switched it on within range of an access point. Browsing and email downloads were also much faster than with a GPRS or 3G data connection, as would be expected.

To access the qwerty keyboard, you slide the front fascia to the left, which triggers the display to automatically change from portrait orientation to landscape to match the keyboard. The fascia with the screen can also be tilted up at any angle between flat and approximately 45 degrees, to make for a more comfortable viewing position. The hinge mechanism seemed reasonably sturdy, but is still probably the most likely failure point on the device. A flap behind the screen accepts the network SIM card.

We found the keyboard a little on the small side for comfortable typing, and easier to use when cradled in the hands for thumb typing. The keys are packed closely together and rather stiff to press. However, typing is aided by “sticky” function (Fn) and caps keys, which stay active once pressed until you hit another key.

The opened-up configuration makes it easier to use applications that need text input, such as the built-in Office Mobile suite and the Messaging tool for email and SMS text messages. We also found the landscape display more comfortable for browsing the web via Internet Explorer.

For travelling executives, the ability to receive Microsoft Office documents by email and then view and edit them is crucial, although the current Office Mobile applications do not support the new Office 2007 file formats. Microsoft is set to add this capability in a free-to-download upgrade due in the near future.

Our review handset was supplied by Orange and consequently had several Orange-specific customisations, such as a menu bar on the Today screen with shortcuts to key applications accessed via the thumbwheel on the left of the case. We were disappointed to find that, while the TyTN II has GPS capability, no navigation software is supplied with the device as standard. Users must instead download Orange’s Sat Nav, which is offered on a subscription basis, or install an alternative.

A handful of useful applications came pre-installed on our unit. One was HTC’s Comm Manager, which enables you to turn on or off the Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or phone radios with just a tap of the stylus, in order to save power or put the device in flight mode. Also from HTC is a QuickGPS tool that downloads satellite position data from the internet to speed the time to get an initial fix on your location.

Other applications on our device included WorldCard Mobile, which lets you photograph a business card then capture the contact details into the TyTN’s address book; and a trial version of TrafficTV, which displays traffic information for roads in the UK.

The TyTN’s three megapixel camera enables users to snap pictures up to 1536 x 2048 in size but is somewhat slow at capturing images, taking several seconds once the shutter button is pressed. It can also capture video using the same application.

The device has a removable battery with a capacity of 1350mAh, which HTC expects will give a talk time of up to 264 minutes using 3G and 420 minutes on GSM, while standby time is about 350 hours. This fits with our experience, as we were able to use the device for several days between recharges, with battery life depending on how heavily we used the Wi-Fi.

The TyTN has a MicroSD card slot in the bottom of the screen fascia for Flash memory storage and also has a mini USB port, used for synchronising with a PC and connecting the battery charger or the supplied headset.

Review: Handheld fills niche for wireless PDA

Daniel Robinson — 2007-08-20T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Monday 20 August 2007 at 00:00:00

HTC's P6300 keeps to the traditional Pocket PC device format with built-in GPRS and Wi-Fi

HTC's P6300 is a fairly conventional wireless handheld that combines both cellular and Wi-Fi connectivity into a device with a relatively large display and a specification aimed at mobile business applications. The model has no keyboard, so is best suited to vertical applications such as data capture using form-filling.

Available since the end of June, the P6300 is described by HTC as a PDA phone for mobile enterprise environments. However, the device does not appear to have any specific enterprise-friendly features. It is not ruggedised, has no fingerprint scanner or barcode scanner and HTC does not offer any tools to help IT departments manage the unit in the field.

That said, the device is one of few current models that match the traditional Pocket PC format that many firms with custom mobile applications will have developed for. One or two vendors, such as Socket Mobile, are also shipping handhelds designed to fill this niche as the rest of the market moves to smartphones.

The P6300 has GPRS capability and can be used to make voice calls but has no high-speed 3G support. However, a device such as this may be as likely to be found in a warehouse where Wi-Fi is available as it is while away from a company site.

The 3.5in, 240x320, colour touchscreen gives the P6300 a rather retro look. But the device has decent specification with a 400MHz Samsung SC3 2442 processor with 128MB RAM and 256MB of Flash storage. It also has an SD Card slot for extra Flash storage in its top edge. There is a rear-mounted, two-megapixel camera that could, with appropriate software, also serve as a barcode scanner.

In use, we found the device responsive, and, thanks to the 3.5in screen, web-based content was easier to view than on some of the more compact devices we have tested. An on-screen control makes it easy to rotate the display to landscape format for content that needs a wider view. We found it easy to hook the device up to a Wi-Fi network, while a GPRS link required us to specify the access point name and other settings.

Other HTC models have a slide-out qwerty keyboard, but the P6300 lacks this capability, making it less suited to heavy text entry. Instead, it relies on a stylus and on-screen controls, plus a handful of buttons on its front panel. Two buttons at the top of the device launch the inbox and Internet Explorer, while others below the screen include a five-way navigator control, menu and OK shortcuts, plus context-sensitive buttons to match application menus.

The P6300 runs Windows Mobile 5.0 rather than the newer version 6, but with the usual collection of built-in applications, including the Mobile versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint, plus the ability to receive push email from a Microsoft Exchange server.

O2 XDA Mini S

Daniel Robinson — 2006-01-05T00:00:00.000Z

Daniel Robinson, IT Week, Thursday 5 January 2006 at 00:00:00

Pocket PC phone with slide-out qwerty keyboard and high-resolution screen

The XDA Mini S from O2 is a compact PDA/phone handset that offers quad-band GSM capability plus Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless functions. It also has a hideaway qwerty keyboard that makes it easier to write emails and edit documents.

Shipping since November, the new XDA model is similar in size and shape to a bar of soap and weighs about 160g. This puts it about halfway between other Pocket PC phones and standard handsets.

We found this format to be a good compromise between size and functionality, especially for staff who need to keep in touch by email while on the move, but do not want to be lumbered with an oversized brick for voice calls.

The XDA Mini S is small enough to be held to your ear like a standard phone when making calls. However, O2 also ships it with a wired stereo headset that features a talk button and volume control. The device has 64MB memory and has a Mini SD slot for Flash storage cards.

Like many Windows Mobile devices, the new XDA is made by HTC and very similar models are available from other carriers.

Because of its small size, the XDA Mini S has only a 2.8in colour screen. However, this is a relatively high-resolution type at 240x320 pixels, and we found it bright and clear. In phone mode, the on-screen number keys are a little small but we were able to dial using a finger or thumb instead of the stylus. The screen and entire front panel of the device slide to the right to reveal a keyboard. At the same time, the screen automatically changes to landscape mode to match the keyboard orientation.

In this configuration, we found it easy to cradle the device in both hands for thumb typing. Although users should not expect to get up to any great speed, it does make text entry easier. Users can alternatively use an on-screen keyboard or write on the display.

The XDA Mini S runs Windows Mobile 5.0, so its built-in Word, Excel and Pow erPoint applications are file compatible with their desktop equivalents. Other applications include a Zip compression tool, Voice Speed Dial, and a Hotspot Directory of Wi-Fi access points in the UK. Pocket MSN is also included, which has MSN Messenger for instant messaging.

The 802.11b Wi-Fi capability allows faster access to web content and email. However, we found that the XDA Mini S would often drop its Wi-Fi connection during a session. Our review model was also not configured for internet access via GPRS, but we easily found the correct Access Point Name (APN) and server settings listed by searching O2's web site.

The XDA Mini S has a removable battery that should last for up to five hours of talk time or 200 hours on standby. It can be charged via a mains adapter or via a USB connection to a PC. Next to the battery compartment is an integral 1.3 megapixel camera with flash.