I have been reviewing the HP iPAQ 910 for the past few weeks.
This device, a candy bar-format smartphone, uses the latest release of Microsoft’s Windows Mobile OS, Version 6.1, and is a quad-band, unlocked, GSM phone.
(An intrepid reader reminded m that I had been jonesing for the iPAQ since June, when Michael Reyes informed me of it just after the Berlin announcement of the device. Well, that is true.)
Unboxing
In the box was the iPAQ 910, a USB cable, an electric charger, a wired USB earphone, and various manuals.
The iPAQ 910 is a nice looking phone. The fit and finish is superb, with that glossy piano-grade black color; I guess black is the new black.
There is a well-placed and welcome scroll knob in addition to the up-down toggle switch. The keypad is well laid out, and the keys provide good tactile feedback.
The Review
Since the cellphone I use is a Verizon phone, I decided to activate a T-Mobile Data plan specifically for this phone as a primary account, and to use one of the SIM cards from the Cingular accounts used by my staff.
I purchased a 30-day T-Mobile voice and data plan (300 anytime minutes, unlimited-unlimited data), inserted the T-Mobile SIM card into the fully charged phone, and was away.
Phone
Using the iPAQ 910 is nothing short of effortless. While I am partial to a physical keypad/thumb pad, I must confess that the tactile feel of this keyboard was loads better than most phones I have used in the past. Moreover, it lent itself very easily to one-handed, no-look dialing, something we need to do in these days of crazy drivers.
I always look for two things in a cellphone: call quality, and sound volume, for it seems that in the race to deliver more and more features, hardware OEMs forget that the primary use for cellphones is, ahem, you know, making calls!
Call quality was crisp and clear, with the volume controls intuitively placed. The size fitted in my hands just right, and the device looked good, another necessity.
Data
For data connections, I switched between the T-Mobile service and AT&T.
The basic use for data functionality in smartphones is messaging. Here, the iPAQ 910, powered by Windows Mobile 6.1 shone.
I connected to Exchange on the Mother Ship, and used the other available accounts to connect to the IMAP accounts used at the Floating O’Odua. Just plain easy!
Surfing the Intertubes was a breeze, whether in DEN or in California. On the faster 3G network, reading the daily rags was fast, and retrieving
I wanted to see if the device would hiccup under strenuous internet and email use, but no, it worked well.
Wireless Connectivity
Out of the box, the iPAQ 910 comes with the following connectivity options: Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA, Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless, Wi-Fi & Bluetooth, and GPS.
The beauty of getting a business device like the iPAQ 910 is that it comes unlocked, with all the features available for the user to utilize.
Case in point is GPS functionality. In my brain-dead Verizon vx6900, the GPS functionality is disabled by Verizon Wireless in lieu of a monthly vigorish for turning it on!
The iPAQ does not come with that artificial limitation. It even has a built-in program for retrieving ephemeris data for the GPS, with which you do not have to restart the device to use.
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, de rigueur for current devices, worked as advertized.
My only regret was that I was not able to take this device on a trip abroad to test the several-band-ishness it purports to have.
After Hours
PhotoSmart Mobile, PrintSmart Mobile, 3.0 MP camera, etc.
This cellphone was not just business. I enjoyed using the included programs to photograph the latest addition to my family, and sending those photographs to family and friends around the world immediately.
Nice!
Dislikes
The following head-scratchers marred this device:
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GPS functionality not as exposed as needed. While GPS functionality is built-in, and unlocked, it took me two or more clicks to get to using and configuring the GPS. Several clicks too many, I’m afraid. That is just not right.
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GPS software not included. For a company that makes the excellent iPAQ 310 Travel Companion (who, just who, comes up with these IBM-esque names for otherwise cool devices at HP?), not including a subset of that software as standard in the iPAQ 910 is tantamount to heresy! While Microsoft’s Windows Live Search Mobile is capable, I feel the inclusion of HP’s own GPS software in their GPS-enabled smartphones, will hasten the seemingly inevitable demise of the standalone GPS market. Since you asked, the iPAQ 310 is a standalone GPS.)
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Crappy wired headset. I know, I know, everyone uses Bluetooth. Still, including a crappy headset cheapened things.
Conclusion
What can I say?
I like this phone.
It is sharp, fast, and priced just right.
While most phones seem to be a mishmash of components, this device was a world-beater in the fit and finish of the phone as a whole. Even the little things seemed to have been fitted with a precision not normally seen in this segment. For example, the iPAQ 910 has the fastest-responding touchscreen-stylus combo I have ever encountered!
One of the best parts of this phone is that it combines the Blackberry-like physical form factor with Windows Mobile functionality.
Consequently, the iPAQ 910 had been awarded the Business Ready award from AbsoluteVista.com.