IPAQ
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- The title of this article is incorrect because of technical limitations. The correct title is iPAQ.
The iPAQ is a Pocket PC and personal digital assistant first introduced by Compaq in November 1999. Since Hewlett Packard's acquisition of Compaq, the product has been marketed by HP. The device is the main competition to the Palm Pilot, but provides more multimedia capabilities and the familiar Microsoft Windows interface. Higher end units were very modular, having "sleeve" accessories which would slide around the unit and add functionality like a card reader, wireless networking, GPS, and even extra batteries. These are techically called jackets.
Note: PDAs branded "Pocket PC" run the proprietary Microsoft Pocket PC OS. HPCs and HPC Pros run earlier versions of the OS, namely Windows CE.
Newest revision
In February 2005 HP introduced the iPAQ Mobile Messenger h6500 series to selected media at the 3GSM conference in Cannes, France. The article has been updated to reflect this. In August 2004, HP announced the h63xx series of Pocket PC Phone Editions, the hx47xx high end model, and the 17xx budget end. In June 2003, HP announced a new line of iPAQ's, and sent the h3xxx series to pension, now there is a h1xxx budget line, a h2xxx consumer line, and a h5xxx professional line. These will be sold with Pocket PC 2003 as standard. As of February 2005 the latest model for sale at retail is the hx2000 series. Aimed at the Enterprise it sports features introduced in the iPAQ h5000 series such as built-in Biometric fingerprint reader. At the top of this series is the hx2700 with a 624MHz Intel PXA270 processor, 256 MB total memory (128 MB ROM and 128 MB SDRAM); Up to 185 MB user available memory (includes 80 MB iPAQ File Store), Wi-Fi (802.11b), Bluetooth® wireless technology and Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Second Edition Premium Edition.
Model variations
Compaq iPAQ H3600 series
PocketPC_Compaq_iPAQ_3630.jpg
Compaq's flagship iPAQ's were those of the 3600 models. Originally running the Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC 2000 OS, these devices featured 12-bit color displays, 64MB of RAM, and 16MB ROM.
Compaq iPAQ H3100 series
Released shortly after the 3600 series as a cost-effective model for those not requiring color screens. Needless to say, its success was limited.
Compaq iPAQ H3700 series
These devices had the exact same form factor as their 3600 model predecessors, however, they had an increased ROM size and ran the PPC2002 OS natively.
Compaq iPAQ H3800 series
Compaq's original high-end series models. These units were also the first to include 16-bit screens, incoporated an SD card reader and the highest RAM capacity of any Pocket PC.
Compaq iPAQ 3900 series
The evolution of the 3800 series, the 3900 was the first series to start using transreflective displays for clearer picture, as well as the introduction of the XScale processors. Later models introduced Bluetooth and a consumer IR with remote control software.
HP iPAQ H1900 series
After HP's acquisition of Compaq, the 1900 series was the answer to Palm's budget units. Adopted a smaller, slimmer frame making it more competitive in terms of portability. Main memory size was 64 MB, larger than all other budget units. Ran PPC2002 (1910 only) or 2003. Introduction of removable batteries, allowing for the user to buy extra batteries and swap as necessary. Unlike older iPAQ's, many existing iPAQ accessories were incompatible or unsupported due to its budget nature.
HP iPAQ H5400 series
Introduced as the next generation of the iPAQ corporate line after the 3900 series, adding Wi-Fi support, improved Bluetooth and a biometric scanner. However, the 5400 was plagued with many bugs, though most were corrected though firmware upgrades.
HP iPAQ 5500 series
A corrected version of the 5400 series with double the RAM (128 MB) running on PPC2003.
HP iPAQ H5100 series
A cutdown version of the 5500 series, loses Wi-Fi support and the extra RAM (only 64 MB).
HP iPAQ H2200 series
Targeting the general consumer/prosumer, the 2200 series is almost every bit as capable as their corporate counterparts (less RAM, no integrated Wi-Fi, no biometric scanner). Main memory size was 64 MB RAM, PPC2003, better support for iPAQ accessories than the 1900 series though still no iPAQ expansion "sleeve" support. Bluetooth and CompactFlash card support built-in.
HP iPAQ H4300 series
Similar to the 2200 series in terms of features, the 4300 series targets the corporate audience by having a beefier battery and integrated Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth. No CompactFlash reader, but does have a SD-card and SDIO slot. Integrated a thumb keyboard.
HP iPAQ H4100 series
Essentially the corporate version of the 1900 series with many of the functionalities that were stripped from the budget unit. Also adds WiFi and SDIO. Closer to the 4300-series internally.
HP iPAQ hx4700 series
The high end corporate edition to replace the 5500 series. Magnesium alloy casing, VGA screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2, SecureDigital, and Compact Flash with a 624 MHz processor, running Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.
ROM: 128MB RAM: 64MB 1800mAh battery, removable. 3600mAh battery optional. Built in (removable) screen cover. Innovative touchpad with 2 modes. Little known fact: Headphone adapter accepts 55xx series 4 pin plugs (microphone input)
Built in encryption software included.
HP iPAQ rz1700 series
The new budget handheld from HP runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, with no wireless options and only 32 MB of RAM.
HP iPAQ rx3100, rx3400 and rx3700 series
Billed as "Mobile Media Companions", these models feature Nevo personal media software, onboard 1.2 megapixel cameras (rx3400 and rx3700), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and an onboard Secure Digital Card slot. All of them run Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition on Samsung ARM processors.
The rx3100 and rx3400 had 32MB of RAM and 300MHz processors, whereas the rx3700 had 64MB of RAM and a 400MHz processor. The latter also came with a 1440mAh battery as standard, rather than the rx3400's 920mAh unit.
HP iPAQ h6300 series
Pocket PC Phone. Contains a GSM phone, 64 MB RAM, 168 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP processor, and comes with a detachable thumb keyboard. Also includes VGA quality camera and 1800 mAh battery. It has built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11b).
T-Mobile used to sell the h6315 but have decided to withdraw it from the market.
Variants include the h6340 which is sold in parts of Europe without a camera through normal distribution points- hence is not carrier specific. The h6365 has identical specifications to the h6315 but it is not signed to a carrier.
HP iPAQ Mobile Messenger h6500 series
This iPAQ is due for launch in the second-half of April 2005. It is the first Pocket PC phone to have built in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities with support for NMEA. When no GPS signal is available the device attempts to calculate its location by switching to cell triangulation. Where 3 cells are used to cogitate its position. It has an integrated keyboard and unique 240x240 resolution.
It has two card slots SD SDIO and mini-SD and like its predecessor the h6300 there will be two versions with camera and one without. Bluetooth capability is built in and will likely use the 1.2 (But this is educated postulation). It will use the GSM/GPRS standard with EDGE capabilities. Other specifications are unknown at this point until it is officially announced by Hewlett-Packard Company.
Linux distributions
An alternative OS that one may use is a Linux distribution named Familiar, a Linux kernel without a front-end, to which one may attach the Opie and GPE Palmtop Environment GUI's. The v0.8.2 (2005-04-13) version of Familiar has support for the whole 3xxx line (including the 39xx), and 5xxx support on the way. Work is also under way on support for the 19xx series.
In addition, the 1.2.0 Version of Opie provides the GUI for Familiar, and its i18n has been translated into 15 languages.
External links
- HP.com (http://www.hp.com): Website for HP corporation.
- PocketPC.com (http://www.pocketpc.com): Official Pocket PC website.
- PDA Hotspots (http://www.wacklepedia.com/pdahotspots/pda_hotspots.htm) - List of websites that adjust to the small PDA screen
- Handhelds.org (http://www.handhelds.org): Open source OS's for the Pocket PC.
- PocketPCPassion.com (http://www.pocketpcpassion.com): Resource and forums.
- PocketPCThoughts.com (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com): Resource and forums.
- BrightHand.com (http://www.brighthand.com): Resource and forums.
- PDABuyersGuide.com (http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/ppc.htm): Many useful reviews and benchmark comparisons on iPAQ's as well as other Pocket PC units.
- usedipaq.com (http://www.usedipaq.com): Website for quality used iPAQ's, support and repair.
- SuperWaba SDK (http://www.superwaba.com): Free and Open software development kit for PocketPC and Linux iPAQ's.
- iPAQHQ.com (http://www.ipaqhq.com): Resource and forums.
- DavesiPAQ.com (http://www.davesipaq.com): Resource and forums.
See also: Microsoft, Personal Digital Assistant, Pocket PC, SuperWaba, Windows CEde:Ipaq pl:IPAQ pt:iPAQ