HP enters Smartphone fray with Windows Mobile 6 based iPAQ 500

By Stuart Corner
Tuesday, 13 February 2007 05:20

Technology

HP has announced plans for its first Windows Mobile based smartphone, the iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger, to be based on the new Windows Mobile Version 6. It will also incorporate Bitfone remote management, recently acquired by HP.

HP claims that, with up to six hours of continuous talk time on a fully charged battery, it will lead the competition in battery life. It will use over 20 voice commands to allow extensive hands-free operation.

Users will be able to reply to email by dictating and sending a voice response, without the need for any typing. Users also will be able to listen to email and text messages, navigate through phone and calendar tasks and speak to start applications.

The iPAQ 500 has built in WiFi and bluetooth and support for GSM/EDGE and is the first IPAQ device to offer the over-the-air device management capabilities that HP acquired with its purchase of Bitfone just two months ago. Bitfone is a developer of mobile device management software that allows carriers, handset vendors and others to remotely update the software on users' phones. HP said at the time that the move was part of its plan to grow its mobile enterprise business. Bitfone's customers include Motorola, Qualcomm, Samsung Electronics, LG Electronics, Freescale Semiconductor, China Mobile and T-Mobile International.

According to HP, with the Bitfone capability, "businesses can remotely manage and support the HP IPAQ devices’ performance, security and access to applications, data and networks. For example, IT managers can remotely erase data on lost or misplaced devices, configure and repair units, and provide updates and security applications."

The HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger is expected to be available this Northern spring in the United States. Pricing, and availability in other countries has not been announced. Full details of the product at www.hp.com/go/Mobility2007.