New HP iPAQ alive: Evolution or Revolution?

Fresh iPAQ'i waited. Waited a long time. Waiting with bated breath. Waited for a bold look into the heart. It is understandable. Hewlett-Packard rarely misled cvoih grateful users. Recall at least its extremely popular h2210, who despite his advanced age, and is now a bestseller, as well as just one of the best Pocket PC in its price niche. Slightly paler than other handhelds look under the proud shildikom iPAQ. But they are pleasantly surprised by everyone - some functional, some price, but someone - design. In general, there are plenty to choose from. However, HP is not one of those who sacrificed brighter prospects for the success of this.

Left to right: HP iPAQ h6340, HP iPAQ rz1710 and the HP iPAQ rx3715

That became the h2210 Pocket PC, which evenly and smoothly migrated to the new series. Other models of the past. But the new iPAQ - it's really new iPAQ. The exception is, perhaps, rz1710, a review can be found here. However, this budget model, and require her innovation, at least, unwise. For $ 299 the buyer gets a basic minimum. And here are two new items, the company officially presented on Wednesday at the respective presentations, while deprived of our attention. Unfair? Argue hard, because machines do more than interesting, and therefore without delay to an analysis of flight in the walls of Moscow's Renaissance Hotel.

HP iPAQ h6340

We begin, as usual, with the most interesting. HP long hesitated - releasing device or not. This is evidenced by the variability of long-standing rumors and their number. However, all this in the past. Now we have a finished product, which, according to representatives of HP, will compete with new for the company's brands, but to compete successfully. What this will contribute? The main advantage of the iPAQ - just three wireless communication module. As befits a communicator, there is GSM / GPRS. And like the h6340 has a good communicator is equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. This communication is certainly not unique, but certainly noteworthy in light of the price of a novelty - 749 euros. The same Qtek 9090, of which you'll soon find out from our review, having the same set, will cost as much at $ 1000. However, in fairness it is worth noting as the underdog of the product from HP camera - it is only available as an option. In such Qtek 9090 is built. True, if the external version of the h6340 can hold 1.3 megapixels, then the competitor is an ordinary VGA, ie 640 x 480 pixels. There is a Qtek 9090 and the slide-out keyboard designed as a slider. At the same h6340 - a miniature keyboard attached to the body. Use it less convenient, but the mobility and flexibility of ligaments there. Speaking of mobility. The first HP device is relatively light - 190 grams, but is quite large - 74.6 x 20.8 x 137.8 mm. To work with him at first not so easy, but most likely it is a matter of habit, and tactile contact with the machine, we had a very short to draw any definitive conclusions. Software and hardware basis h6340 is friendly tandem from the operating system, Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition and CPU Texas Instruments OMAP 1510 clocked at 168 MHz. While the first may be left without comment - it is the most recent version of the OS and its appearance in the new product is obvious, the latter needs to be clarified. 168 MHz today even less small. A reasonable question arises: can such a "pebble" to provide acceptable performance in light of the standard non-optimized OS? That's what journalists Ask our HP representatives at the press conference. The response was predictably vague: a significant reduction in performance is observed. Well, check this assertion, we can very soon - in a separate test of the device. In the meantime, have to believe HP's word. Special mention should be the power supply system. Source of life that the communicator is a powerful replacement battery type. Its capacity is already 1800 mAh - enviable to many unique strap. Optionally, you can buy even more receptive element - 3600 mAh. However, more importantly, not much, but in the end. That is why at the press conference was asked about the battery life h6340. HP has promised 5 hours of talk time and 220 hours of anticipation. Well, a very good result and we are really pleased to see in practice that is so capacious battery slightly fattening unit. Among other things, it is worth staying on the device memory. The volume of the local memory is 64 MB - not so much for the tricked out system, especially in light of 128 MB for Qtek 9090. But the user ROM area have h6340 - 55 MB.

Clot SD / MMC is located at the HP iPAQ h6340 on the right side

Well, the most basic we have considered, it remains a glimpse of the little things. In h6340 has a standard (320 x 240 pixels, 3.5 ", 16-bit) screen, expansion slot SD / MMC with SDIO support, and headphone jack diameter of 3.5 mm. Among other things, a complete set is notable for a cover, attachable keyboard, and headphones. The expansion slot is located on the right side - very unusual decision, which in practice turns out to be less convenient than verhnetortsevoe location connector. Antenna Communicator - outside that is also a highly controversial step. This design significantly increases sensitivity, reduces the body, but it affects the appearance and ergonomics. As can be seen, much in the h6340 doubt, criticism, something happy, well, in general, get a truly remarkable device, which we will examine in more detail in a separate review. Then we have a verdict this communicator.

HP iPAQ rx3715

rx3715 no less interesting than the h6340, but it is interesting in its own way, it's normal PDA without phone capabilities, and such products in the arsenal of the HP is enough.

Camera HP iPAQ rx3715 is located on the rear panel

Perhaps the main highlight of the model is built-in camera with 1.3 megapixels in your pocket and four-time digital zoom "in his bosom." Obviously poor quality digital zoom, but such a multiplicity of unique to the handheld and therefore quite remarkable. Another thing, no doubt, worthy of our attention is the memory of this model. 152 MB user available! Of course, this advantage is relative, because any Pocket PC now has an expansion slot. However, this potential can not but rejoice. Finally, interesting and communicative models - rx3715 has just two wireless modules - Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Read about all the delights of HP iPAQ rx3715 read our review. Despite the marked difference in price with the rz1710 (rx3715 costs $ 549), cars are in the same sector - "consumer" that is noticeable even at first glance, a unity of style decision. Generally, a new line of the same type, in this sense, moreover, is not accidental. Stereotyped appearance of new PDAs from HP will unify accessories, and so now you can not scour the stores in search of, say, a stylus for rz1710 or cradle for rx3715 - can use any for this series. Independently, for obvious reasons, is the communicator - its design features are not allowed to join in the general wave.

... And Along Came Polly

No doubt that our ongoing attentive readers discover the loss, whose name - hx4700. Indeed, the machine was also presented at the last in a "renaissance" press conference, but only on the slides and brochures. Alive this PDA could not see. A pity. Why? Of course, because of its innovativeness. What to say touchpad. Yes, and a processor with a clock frequency of 624 MHz is also quite the appetite. Well, 4 "screen, of course, attractive. In general, the model represents the crown of technologies, an adequate response to ASUS MyPal A730. True, and worth the novelty will be respectively - $ 749. Well, we had no choice but to languish in waiting and dreaming about the possibilities of machines in the form of specifications;) Authors translation:

Crown of the evolution of Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720

Evolution of a natural process. Technical evolution, among other things, yet fleeting. Before we forget about the first Pocket PC models with STN displays, and MIPS processor family and the StrongARM, like to replace them has already brought new PDAs with VGA screen, "stones" to 624 MHz and built-in digital cameras. What awaits us in another couple of years - it's hard to imagine. The first Pocket PC was a new generation of Toshiba e800, second - ASUS A730, third - the new PC Pocket Loox 720 from the company Fujitsu-Siemens Computers. That's new. Many have assumed that the Pocket Loox 720 will be a simple copy of the ASUS A730, but the developer is the company HTC, and the model was different, though in many respects similar to the A730. In fact 7hh series contains two models - Loox 710, Loox 720. The junior has a processor with a lower clock speed (416 MHz), the screen is at a diagonal c (3,5), lower resolution (QVGA) and is not equipped with built-in digital camera. By our hands got a pilot sample of older computer. It's about a new model of Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720. From the production version of the pilot sample differs only in color solution.

Design

The style of the new model has much in common with earlier PDA 4xx series. Emphasized clean lines, without any frills. One gets the impression that the product, primarily aimed at corporate users. This is not surprising, especially considering that the company is Fujitsu-Siemens Computers has launched a hand-held computers as a commodity, associated key activities - desktops and notebooks. Despite the absence of any "rounded" design elements into the hands of the machine is as poured, fueled by special grooves on the plastic inserts (on the side faces of the building). Governments also have many similarities to previous models 4xx series. On the front panel, you can see the big navigation button and four application buttons. Button - large, easy to use, with decent tactile sensations. At the bottom you can find an interface connector for connecting to a computer (or podcoedineniya peripherals). There is also a button and rebooting. Or rather, not even a button and a tiny hole, so "rezet" will have to disassemble the stylus (unscrew the top portion) or use some thin materials at hand, such as a paper clip. Side panels on the contrary is not particularly burdened by government. So, on the right side, you can find only the control button voice recorder (Record). On the left sidebar there is another additional hardware button (Speed) and a scroll wheel (albeit with limited angles of rotation). The presence of the scroll wheel should be assigned to one of the advantages of the device, since the body control is very convenient and useful in most applications (especially in e-book reader). All six buttons - flash. In addition, you can program each button to call another application. Pressing once will cause a single application, and click while holding the button for several seconds - totally different. Thus, it can be programmed call 12 different applications. The computer has the proprietary utility FSC KeyLock, which allows you to lock the hardware buttons. In contrast to the 4xx series Loox 720 has just two expansion slots - CF Type II and SD (with support for SDIO). Both slots are located in the upper body. There are: the stylus holder, IR-port and headphone jack. Button On / Off "power to the front panel (just above the display), and next to her two LED indicators (Power / notification and wireless interfaces work). Originally made fasteners for wrist or neck strap (many now like to carry mobile phones, cameras or PDAs in the neck). He looks a bit surprising, but quite reliable. The back cover conceals the battery bay. Unlike the 710th model Loox 720 has built-in digital camera with CMOS matrix of 1,3 million pixels. The camera lens is on the back, right above the battery compartment.Next to the lens is flash and mirror for self shooting.

Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720: Built-in digital camera

If we talk about the size of the handheld, they are almost equivalent dimensions Asus A730 - 122h72h15 mm. Loox 720 by only 4 mm longer, but at 1 mm and 2 mm is thinner. It is amazing that for the same with a miniature HP iPAQ h4150 thickness Loox 720 has two built-in slots for expansion cards support two types and 1.3 megapixel digital camera.

Supplied

Despite the fact that we have been in testing a pilot model unit, equipped, he was like a real serial device. Company Fujitsu-Siemens never stingy on attached to the PDA accessories. Was no exception and the new Pocket Loox 720.

In the box were found:
• Adapter with two removable plugs (for the UK and Europe)
• elegant cradle
• very convenient protective pouch with logo of the company
• adapter interface cable
• the cable with two USB connectors of different types (USB host and USB client)
• a booklet with a description of the product
• CD with drivers.

Grieve the CD with additional software. True, the developers assure that the production version will be supplied to the voucher, using which, you can download software from the site pocketloox-choice.com.

Processor

The heart of the CCP is a completely new processor Intel XScale PXA272 clocked at 520MHz (processor family PXA27x, seems to have become standard for today's Pocket PCs). However, for saving battery power, the processor can be forced to operate at reduced speeds. The user can choose between a turbo, standard and power saving modes. If you do not know which mode is suitable for your type of work on a Pocket PC, you can opt for automatic mode and credible elections clock embedded applications. The program is intelligently selects the mode of operation, saving time and extending the Term of battery life on your computer.

Memory

The computer has 128 MB of system memory (realistically available only 123.23 MB) and 64 MB of flash memory, of which 28.68 MB given by custom section. In the custom section, you can put a backup system or data from individual applications. For these purposes, there is a special application FSC Backup, which allows you to save a backup copy of the entire system or some very valuable files (PIM applications, notes, voice notes or separate folders), not only in the custom section ROM, but also to external media.

USB-Host

Another feature of the new PDA is a USB-host, that is, it can be directly connected USB-drives or other devices and share data between them. And buy an extra cable for this is not necessary, it is supplied. For example, a computer with no problems found my digital camera, and I could see the pictures taken by me and copy them to a handheld computer.

Performance

Computers PXA27x processor family, we have already experienced. Therefore, the results of tests Loox 720 will no longer abstract, and most importantly - they have something to compare. I compared the performance test, SBP Benchmark between A730, ASUS P505 and Dell X30. As expected, the results of the processor (CPU index) do not differ from those for ASUS A730 and P505. Parameters in X30 is higher because it uses a processor with a faster clock speed. The speed of the file system, and in fact the speed of the memory (File system index) at the ASUS A730, but slightly lower than the Dell X30 and ASUS P505. It is surprising that the speed of the embedded applications (Platform Index), is exactly the same as the A730 and is again lower than those of other participants. Index of performance graphics system (Graphic index) can not be regarded as for Pocket PCs with VGA resolution test results are wrong. On this basis, it becomes meaningless and the comparison of total performance (Spb benchmark index). Therefore, to test the video used an old proven method. We are talking about playing a video with a known flow (800Kbit / s). Loox 720 showed record results, ahead of Toshiba 800, ASUS A730 and the Dell X3i, so that today it is best to view the video PDA (we tested).

Runtime

The computer has a removable Li-Ion battery capacity 1640 mAh built-in backup and Ni-MH. I must say that our hero is equipped with a battery capacity is really impressive, at 1.5 times greater than that recently visited us, "Away" ASUS A730. Therefore, we had high hopes for the results of testing the battery life of 720. While music is playing through a polyphonic speaker (power safe, the display is off) a little more than 16 hours - a record time. E-book reduces the rate to 5 - 12 hours (depending on the level of illumination, power safe). Pleased with video playback. Apparatus is sufficient for 3.3 - 6.5 hours (depending on the level of illumination, turbo). This is generally a record value for such a processor and a matrix with such a high resolution. Using a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi in the active mode reduces the operating time by 20-50%. A nice feature is that the Loox 720 can recharge the battery via the USB port of desktop and laptop. Interestingly, if the battery charge is critically low, the computer will not allow the user to increase the brightness of the screen (with a minimum level).

Display

Computer display has a resolution of 640x480 pixels and a diagonal 3.6 ".Pixel size in this case is 0.11 mm. Since the font size can be increased, in principle, we can choose the optimal mode for the perception of textual information. However, the diagonal of the screen can be done and more, for example, how the new HP iPAQ hx4700 (plus 4). Support such high resolution for a handheld computer provides an operating system Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. All built-in applications support resolution of 640x480 pixels. In addition, the new operating system allows to operate in two modes of display orientation - portrait or landscape. According to our measurements using a special methodology magazine Consumer: computers and programs, a maximum brightness of the display is 140Kd/m2, the minimum level of brightness - 16.8 cd/m2. It is commendable that a minimum level of illumination is not overstated, as most PDAs, so that we can, without straining to read text even in complete darkness. Even at the lowest level of illumination the contrast reaches 1:55, which is more than enough for comfortable perception of information from the display in almost any lighting conditions except direct sunlight. On the street to read the text can only be from the fifth division of the backlight. Also bad is the case even when the illumination. The text visible, so make a backup copy or the address can look, but you can not read, my eyes get tired very quickly.

Luggage

The first PDA (the class Pocket PC) with integrated digital camera, the size of the matrix which costavlyaet 1.3 million pixels, a ASUS A730. The second was Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720. The camera can operate in a shooting photos with resolutions up to 1280x960 (BMP or JPEG) and video mode with a resolution of 352x288. In this video you can store files in a format Motion-JPEG AVI or MPEG-4. As with most digital cameras, the Loox 720 can adjust brightness, set the exposure on one of the existing templates to change the digital zoom, set the color filters. In general, work with the Pocket PC can be both quite ordinary digital camera. Despite the strong compression of images (a file in JPEG format has a size of ~ 100-200 kb), the quality of the images is quite decent. Up to the standard family album (pictures in the format 10x15 cm), they fall short, but for e-mailing or for posting on the website of their quality is sufficient. At least the picture quality on the order of magnitude better than those built into my phone (Sony-Ericsson T630) camera. Special software allows you to work in Album mode, photo shoot, video shoot, view, and a photo album.

Bluetooth

Pocket PC was conceived as a mobile assistant that is always with coboy. Modern mobile device without integrated wireless communication interface is not available. Starting with computers 4xx series, Fujitsu-Siemens uses the standard drivers and management software Bluetooth, developed by Broadcom (formerly Widcomm). The new computer is running version 1.5.0 (build 1800). The application is very well established itself in the work on computers by Hewlett-Packard and ASUS.

The program supports the standard profiles:
• Explore a Bluetooth Device - search for devices with active Bluetooth adapter
• Connect to the Internet via Phone - Internet access using a mobile phone with a Bluetooth adapter
• Hands Free / Headset setup - support for Bluetooth headsets
• ActiveSync via Bluetooth - synchronizing with a desktop computer or laptop via Bluetooth interface
• Browse file on a remote device - a connection to the remote device to control its data
• Connect to a network - the network connection (LAN or Internet)
• Join a personal network - the connection with one or more devices to communicate or participate in online games
• Exchange business card - the exchange of business cards.

Bluetooth adapter worked without any glitches. In the process of testing connectivity to PDAs with two different mobile phones (Sony-Ericsson T630 and Siemens S55) and a wireless headset Jabra BT200. Problems with identification devices and the exchange of data does not arise.

Wi-Fi

In contrast, Loox 610, Loox 720 new implemented simultaneous operation of two wireless adapters (Wi-Fi and Bluetooth). Wi-Fi adapter is controlled by a special application E2C. It is not a professional, program settings are not very rich. No support for security Wi-Fi Protected Access, a program can only work with one Wi-Fi profile. However, the problem can be solved very easily. You can use the same software from other vendors. The program allows you to connect your computer to the Internet using virtually any interface: built-in (Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, IR) or external (GPRS in CF). Why not support GPRS, SDIO format is not entirely clear. In addition, the device can be used as IP-phone Wi-Fi networks.

FSC Speed ​​Menu

This is - a special program manager applications. FSC Speed ​​Menu is more attractive interface than the built-in operating system manager. The program strongly resembles Application Launcher on the latest models of PDAs manufactured by Sony.

Price

The expected price of Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720 - about $ 670-690. The appearance of the PDA in the Russian retail is expected later this month.

Results

Computer Fujitsu-Siemens Pocket Loox 720 - Concentrate recent advances in the design of pocket PCs. Literally, no matter where to look (or tknesh stylus) are everywhere in our hero's found something new: VGA display, powerful processor family PXA27X, Adapters Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, USB-host, built-in digital camera with 1.3 megapixel matrix. All these developments combine to form a pocket PC with high performance (both office and gaming applications, as well as video playback), good-quality design, record-breaking battery life, enhanced scalability and rich communications capabilities. The minus handhelds can be attributed only to a small display size (as compared to Toshiba e800) and not very quality manager Wi-Fi adapter. However, these minor exceptions in no way detract from the merits of a handheld computer.The evolutionary process is inevitable, and the appearance is the third PDA with such a stunning performance only confirms this truth. The authors, translation: