HP iPAQ 514

HP iPAQ 514

Introduction:

Hewlett Packard iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger is the first Windows Mobile smartphone that we saw in the company. This may be a surprise, since HP has been involved with Windows Mobile since its launch in 2000 and was one of the pioneers of the Pocket PC connected.

HP is well aware of the target market iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger. This is not a "bells and whistles," smart phone, but the deliberately low-cost, low-key device. This, along with features such as Voice Reply and easy settings for VoIP Wi-Fi, could prove attractive to many customers.

Design:

Grey, black and silver, this Windows Mobile 6 is nothing special, and there is no plan for the buttons and keys. HP has planned an admirably simple, and has not broken any molds.

The iPAQ 514 commands will be very familiar to anyone who has used a Windows Mobile smartphone. There is a large square pad with an OK button in the center. To his left sit the call button, a button that takes you to the Today screen of Windows Mobile and a soft menu button. To the right is the end, back and other soft-menu buttons. The call, end and OK buttons are silver, while the rest is black.

Under this bank is the keypad. Although the buttons above which is relatively large, the keyboard is a bit cramped. However, all the buttons, but the money is shiny black plastic and touch are raised in the center, making it relatively easy to hit to dial.

We note that the iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger is a relatively inexpensive smartphone - a device SIM free, at least. Of course, HP has had to make one or two compromises to meet its price, and one of these relates to the screen.

The screen is a little small compared to other Windows Mobile smartphones with modern measuring only 2 inches. from corner to corner. And while we're used to seeing 320 by 240 pixels, which is 176 by 220. If you are not familiar with the high resolution of other displays, may not be a problem with these specifications. However, if you're thinking of seeing a lot of Web pages, low resolution and smaller screen means less of each page is visible at all times.

Side buttons are minimal. In line with this device voice-centered approach, allowing a button on the right side for you to run the software integrated Voice Commander (more than that later). The left edge are a volume rocker.

Also on the left side is where the headphone jack. This is a 2.5 mm connector, while the headset is composed of mono-ear headphones. After the briefing we iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger, HP said that its target market of business users do not need a stereo headset. We're not entirely convinced, and if users do not want to replace the stereo headphones, but also find a 2.5mm to 3.5mm converter.

The housing is made entirely of plastic, which helps keep weight to an acceptable 102g. In general, the iPAQ 514 Voice Messenger feels a little big, because it is not as thin as some other phones. However, with dimensions of 107 mm in height and 48.6mm wide and 16.3mm thick, can not be described as large.