Smartphones running Windows Mobile - an unusual phenomenon in the world of smart devices. These devices, of course, far from the popularity of Symbian-phones from Nokia, and even more 'relatives »- WM-communicators focused on touch-sensitive controls. But, nevertheless, in the product lines of major manufacturers can always find a few such devices. Was no exception and the company Hewlett-Packard, which adopted the decision to dilute the current range of smartphones based on Windows Mobile 6 Standard. So, the hero of our today's review - HP iPAQ 514.
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Packaged device is very good. On board a Bluetooth-module version 1.2, and also provides Wi-Fi, supports high-speed standard 802.11g. The full specification of the device you can read in the following table, which along with the iPAQ 514 were RoverPC M5 and Samsung i600. Of course, the latter is not considered a competitor to our today's hero, we have added it only because of functional similarities. In fairness, we note that a full-fledged competitor to our hero can only be described Qtek 8310, was removed from production, but, nevertheless, as close as possible to the opportunities and positioning.
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| Comparative table of characteristics: Qtek 8310, HP iPAQ 514, Samsung SGH-i600, RoverPC M5 |
Set
HP iPAQ 514 comes in a bright cardboard box, decorated in black and red colors. Traditionally for HP, on the outer and inner surfaces of the box you can find much information about the characteristics of a smartphone, software installation instructions, warnings regarding the use of Wi-Fi, etc.
The package, in addition to the smartphone, there are: - wired stereo headset, suspiciously reminiscent of those that are supplied with communicators Glofiish
- compact charger with two nozzles for different types of outlets
- Cable miniUSB
- disk containing in addition to ActiveSync version 4.5, several additional programs
- instructions, mainly concerning the conditions of the guarantee
- Concise Illustrated User Guide
Set a modest, it is present only what is needed, however, it is not surprising, because we are talking about low-cost device.
Ergonomics and Design
Affiliation machines to a nice brand Hewlett-Packard is visible at once. In addition to the HP logo on the front and back of the smartphone, it "shall issue" a rigorous design, quality of materials and classic black-and-gray color scheme. The obverse of the HP iPAQ 514 is a control unit, consisting of a monolithic four-way key with the confirmation button in the center and a few keystrokes. Right and left of center placed buttons hanging up and receiving a call. Above them - the control buttons context menu, and under them - and return the call screen Today. All controls are the same over the surface of the smartphone, which sometimes leads to accidental pressing.
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At the bottom of the smartphone is a standard numeric keypad. Just want to point out that all the keys, except for three, made of clear plastic with a black substrate. The distance between them - is minimal, which, coupled with the location at the same height, gives some discomfort when navigating. Will need to get used to the manipulation of the apparatus, in order to minimize mistakes.
Now about the positive aspects. In the dark, the keyboard is clearly visible, thanks to the bright white lights. Encouraged by the fact that the Cyrillic alphabet, though made in the same color as the Latin, but the size is the same with them. Clearly visible, and those and others.
However, we extend our examination. On the left side of the device located metallic volume keys. It almost appears above the surface, so take time to learn how to quickly find it by touch. Placed just below the slot for memory cards microSD, closed with a plastic cap and a headset connector, having a cross section of 2.5 mm. On the right side of the HP iPAQ 514 is a single button, by default activates the voice control function smartphone.
At the bottom end is placed a standard connector miniUSB, uncharacteristic for the production of HP. Next to him removed the microphone. As for the upper bound of the apparatus, it is altogether devoid of controls.
Note also that if the front and rear surfaces smartphone mainly made of plastic with a glossy finish, then at the ends is a fairly wide band with a matte surface that allows the unit to lie comfortably in your hand and do not speak.
In the manufacture iPAQ 514 uses qualitative plastic, assembling is also commendable. Luft observed only in the keyboard block that does not cause much inconvenience. Claims on the part of ergonomics relate only too closely spaced keys.
Screen
HP iPAQ 514 screen has a diagonal of 2 "and the resolution of 176x220 pixels. In comparison with the same Qtek 8310, display significant loses. All the same QVGA-resolution look at similar size to order more attractive. Nevertheless, we note the high quality of the matrix, good contrast and viewing angles, corresponding to modern standards. pleasantly surprised and can adjust the brightness in a wide range - are 20 provisions.With a minimum illumination of a smartphone you can comfortably use in low light conditions, and the maximum image is visible even in bright sunlight or artificial light, although it fades considerably.
Speed and memory
Processor
HP iPAQ 514 is based on the TI OMAP 850 CPU at 200 MHz. Records of performance, of course, should not wait. Nevertheless, we note that the standard tasks of a smartphone copes perfectly. Also, when navigating through menus and use built-in functions, there are no delays arise. Some idea of the performance tests can help with player TCPMP. Results you can see in the table.
As is evident from the results, HP iPAQ 514 confidently cope even with the rollers 320x240. However, its main merit, certainly not in this, the tests only confirm that the performance is enough for both work and entertainment.
Memory
The device has a standard memory. For data storage allocated 128 MB, of which 62.84 MB available to the user. RAM size is 64 MB, of which you can dispose of 21 MB. To increase the internal memory of a slot format microSD. Recall that, to date commercially available cards up to 2 GB.
Runtime
In the device installed battery 1100 mAh. This - not the biggest number, so let's see what will manifest itself in the HP iPAQ 514 test on battery life, which is held by our traditional method. Maximum load. Vykruchena the brightness to maximum volume of the speaker - also included Wi-Fi network in the search mode, and Bluetooth, the Windows Media Player Mobile to play a video loop. Battery life in this mode was 5 hours 42 minutes. Normal operation. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned off. The brightness set to minimum. On the PDA started reading the text in Alreader with automatic scrolling. Time work was 21 hours 30 minutes. MP3 Playback. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off. Display is turned off. Listening through headphones at maximum volume. We used Windows Media Player Mobile and files with a bitrate of 192 Kb / c. Hours - 19 hours 05 minutes.
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The result shown in the HP iPAQ 514 test on battery life, much higher than competitors' achievements. With daily use, which includes 10-15 minutes of calls per day, 30 minutes of music, and about half of the compounds of Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, smartphone worked for nearly three days. In a word, solid battery life - another plus in the treasury HP iPAQ 514.
Sound
HP iPAQ 514 is able to please the owner of a very good sound, at the level of cheap MP3 players.Despite the 2.5 mm headphone jack, to find an adapter for standard 3.5 mm is as simple as replacing the staffing player, and under these conditions, our hero completely replace the user to a separate device for music playback. By the way, even a standard headset can provide tolerable sound, and the stock volume is enough to listen to music in noisy places can not be said about the basic dynamics. He does not have a large volume, so if you do not want to miss a call, it is desirable to set the sound to maximum and back up its vibrating alert.
Wireless interfaces
On the part of wireless technologies, our hero, as mentioned above, very badly equipped. On board you can find modules Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and a 4-band GSM. Lacks only gradually passing into the past and current IrDA interface module now to work in mobile networks of third generation. Now, first things first.
Phone
Telephone part is represented by 4-band GSM-module with support for EDGE. I want to note that the iPAQ 514 quickly found a network of this parameter it is quite a bit less modern GSM-phones. In the operation of the telephone has fulfilled a stable, except that a few times to observe the signal is interrupted during a conversation. Given that in these moments, the smartphone was in the same place, used SIM-card one and the same operator Beeline not be ruled out that the problems were of the nature of the network. The ability to switch between bands is not provided by the manufacturer.
Bluetooth
The smartphone is equipped not with the latest in Bluetooth version 1.2. Nevertheless, all current profiles are supported, including A2DP for listening to music through Bluetooth-headset. All profiles have worked "perfectly". iPAQ 514 successfully contacted with the Bluetooth-headset Motorola and Sony Ericsson, to communicate with the communicator ASUS P535 and Treo 750v, synchronized with a PC via ActiveSync version 4.5.
Wi-Fi
On board the cars there and the module Wi-Fi, supports work in the standards 802.11b and g. This interface is also demonstrated high quality work: quickly find an access point and confidently kept in touch in a home network. Wi-Fi support in the device of this class - a thing, of course, adding points to our hero in the light of its orientation to the business segment.
The highlight of the model is built-in program to communicate through the Internet Protocol VoIP. Not for nothing, HP iPAQ 514 is a proud name Voice Messenger. The user can choose in which cases the call will be performed through VoIP.
After connecting to Wi-Fi network, the smartphone connects to the VoIP-provider, and Homescreen icon appears, indicating the availability of phone calls over the Internet.
The testing apparatus connected to the confidence of the Russian Internet telephony SIPNET, while providing a sufficiently good voice quality.
The disadvantages are the kind of way to configure VoIP functions.All connection settings are configured in the program, HP iPAQ Setup Assistant, at the Smartphone options is not provided.
So do not be amiss to save the settings in a special file and place it on a memory card, the benefit, in the smartphone provides the ability to restore settings from a profile file. Besides the standard features VoIP-communication, we tested the smartphone alternative VoIP-client fring. And there were no surprises, HP iPAQ 514 allows without problems make Skype-calls, chatting on ICQ and so on.
Of course, for those who frequently and are always on the long distance, additional features VoIP-telephony will also appreciate, given that rates of Internet telephony is usually lower than traditional communication services. Summing up, we say that for the communications capabilities HP iPAQ 514 deserves an excellent rating.
Soft
Recall that the HP iPAQ 514 running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. Apart from the very OSes with a standard set of software, available to users received a number of useful software add-ons. HP iPAQ Quick Start - a small electronic user's guide, designed to facilitate interaction with the device beginners, inexperienced in the matter.
Cyberon Voice Commander - familiar to many software for voice dialing and control the functions of a smartphone. Do not dwell on it, we note only that the version installed on the HP iPAQ 514, completely Russified.
Java - emulator Java.
Luggage
The smartphone is the camera with a resolution of the matrix in 1.3 megapixel camera. By modern standards it's a little bit, but considering the audience of potential buyers, it can be assumed that the mere presence of cameras will not play a fundamental role. User has access to the following: 1. Mode
- Normal (normal mode)
- Package (with a light hand of an interpreter - Burst Mode)
- Timer (recording timer)
2. Brightness (possibility of adjusting the exposure of -3 to 3) 3. Resolution (176x144, 352x288, 320x240, 640x480, 1280x1024) 4. White balance (especially the difference in the choice of different modes of BB have been reported). There is also an opportunity to shoot the video, the only available resolution - 176x144, a recording format - 3GP.If photo quality is acceptable, then the ability to shoot video is clearly on the principle of "make it". Picture - a very blurred when moving in the frame of the device or the hand of "operator", the objects of shooting acquire long colorful ribbons.
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| HP iPAQ 514: the case of photos (jpg, 1280x1024, 261.5 KB) |
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| HP iPAQ 514: the case of photos (jpg, 1280x1024, 281Kb) |
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| HP iPAQ 514: the case of photos (jpg, 1280x1024, 597.9 KB) |
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| HP iPAQ 514: the case of photos (jpg, 1280x1024, 432.2 KB) |
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| HP iPAQ 514: the case of photos (jpg, 1280x1024, 316Kb) |
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| HP iPAQ 514: Video sample (3gp, 176x144, 700KB) |
Price and Availability
At the time of publication of the survey cost HP iPAQ 514 online stores MakTsentr - Computer in the Hand is 8,560 rubles.
Conclusions
To date, HP iPAQ 514 has no direct competitors in the number of smartphones running Windows Mobile. Once again, we note that the HP iPAQ 514 - almost the first device, which actually opened the possibility of communication protocol VoIP, embedded in Windows Mobile 6. Real competition he can make a range of business phones from Nokia. In this struggle in favor of our hero, will play a familiar interface for many Windows, the weight of the brand, is deservedly popular among potential buyers of the device, as well as affordable price of the device.
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If we talk directly about the working qualities iPAQ 514, then we have a compact and versatile device, which in size is not too superior to modern phones, but has much more opportunities. In general, it is definitely worth paying attention to all those who wanted but never bought Qtek 8310 ... unless, of course, do not confuse the screen resolution. By tradition, we distinguish the advantages and disadvantages HP iPAQ 514 in the appropriate column.
Pros: - decent battery life
- the presence of Wi-Fi and VoIP support
- quality housing
- compactness
Cons: - low screen resolution
- minor blemishes on the part of the ergonomic keyboard
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