Windows Phone Thoughts: The New iPAQ Mobile Messenger: hw6915 - A Tough Package To Beat

Daily Drive
It's interesting to take a new Pocket PC out with you when you're so used to one that more closely resembles the "mold" than the hw6900 series. For many of us, the hw6900 series may be a first jump into the square screen form factor, the first jump into a thumb keyboard on the front of a device, the first time with integrated GPS, the first time with a flip-up screen protector, and the first time with a Pocket PC Phone that has an actual dial-pad on it for dialing phone numbers. Quite a shift from the norm.

During my first day with the iPAQ, I noticed that the flip-up screen protector could be both a blessing and a curse. For one thing, it kept my facial oils off the screen when I had to take an impromptu phone call (the Bluetooth headset I normally use wasn't even on me). But at other times, it kept far too much light from me to make the screen readable. I ended up perfecting a Captain Kirk-esque move of using my thumb to move the screen protector up a bit, then a slight flip motion to make it click up into place. The good news is that the flip-up protector is quite easy to remove and then reinstall when you're ready.

As I already mentioned, the keyboard can be a bit loud in meetings, but it is a Godsend when making phone calls. Since the people I call the most are either speed-dials or I know their numbers, punching in a number was a breeze. And when entering new numbers, I didn't have to continually check the screen to see if it got the three 8's in a row, or the alternating numbers (i.e. 3232) in the correct order. Touch screens are great, but they need to be used with styli for accurate text entry, and unfortunately no one usually has the time to pull a stylus to dial a phone number (or no one wants to!).

The integrated GPS was an interesting experience while driving. I found that I probably engaged in more unsafe driving habits than I should have, since I now had the GPS with me more and could turn it on easier. Watching yourself as a dot on the road is not good when you're controlling the dot. Anyone who thinks they may fall into this trap of going "aw neat!" and powering on GPS for trips to the store, etc.., may want to get a dashboard mount - quick!

Finally, the square screen is an issue I'll address. Never having used a square screen device before, I was unsure of what to expect. I knew the community was polarized about the issue, with some instantly discounting a device with a square screen and others not seeing it as a problem. I quickly learned that when coupled with a good input method (i.e. the thumb keyboard), the square screen was not a significant issue. However, if I had to activate a screen SIP for anything, I became painfully aware of the lack of screen real-estate. The moral of the story - if you're good with your thumbs, and don't think you'll use any SIPs on the screen, then I don't see the square screen posing a big problem. If you're more of a block recognizer person, then you may be slightly annoyed.

Overall the hw6900 series gives great usability, in my opinion, and packs features in that will enhance your daily drive, work, and play. Just be careful how you use them (i.e. the GPS) and be aware how you plan on using the device (i.e. SIP or thumb keypad) before buying.

Conclusions
Overall I'm very impressed with how far HP has gone from the early attempts at a Pocket PC Phone. The hh6300 series problems are long forgotten and the hw6900 series has many new features that are hard to find rolled together on another unit. Aside from the relatively high price tag in the US and the fact that it's an HP (a turn off for some given the time it takes HP relative to other OEMs to bring things to market), I find no serious complaints about the device or the logistics of securing one. Yes, VGA, a larger screen, and slightly bigger keyboard may be my desires, but the all-encompassing feature set and general ease of use make the HP hw6900 series a winner in my book.

Jon Westfall lives in Ohio, mainly in a house or office, and with his wife & cat. When not writing about Pocket PCs or decision making paradigms, he is quite active in his hobbies of sleeping, eating, and reclining on sofa-like objects. He maintains a mediocre blog at JonWestfall.Com.