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For years I’ve been searching for the ideal converged handheld device.  While the commercial offerings keep getting better and satisfying more of my wants, I’ve learned that my wants keep changing.  Hence, the search is never ending.

As I’ve previously written, I’ve been having an annoying and impossible to resolve problem with my T-Mobile Dash–constant rebooting.  Recently, after returning  to the US from an international trip, I was unable to turn on the phone at all.  I was therefore unable to call and and make contact with the driver for my pre-arranged ride home.  Having a “geek” reputation and trying to explain why my phone didn’t work was nothing short of embarrassing!

I needed to do something.  When I got a little less emotional I concluded that it was time for a new phone.

The choice was difficult because other than this recurring problem the T-Mobile Dash (upgraded to Windows Mobile Standard v6) had been a near perfect converged handheld device for me.  I began the replacement phone by listing my wants for the new device:

• most importantly, the device had to work well as a phone on the T-Mobile network.  I have a grandfather-ed plan with 1000 anytime minutes, unlimited nights and unlimited weekends for $39.99 with unlimited GPRS/EDGE and Hotspot data for an additional $15.00.  I did not want to lose either plan.
• the ability to remotely and wirelessly synchronize with my Exchange server to get “push” e-mail.
• It was put best by a poster at HowardForums.com “Since getting it, I’m finding …[that I] prefer the standard 0-9 layouts. I want to stick with a Windows Mobile phone but don’t want a touch screen.”

I considered both Windows Mobile Professional (those with a touch screen) and Windows Mobile Standard (those without a touch screen) devices.  I looked at the T-Mobile MDA but I’ve never been fond of phones with Windows Mobile Professional as I’ve never gotten used to having my cheek unexpectedly cause applications to start or functionality to be changed.  That left me settled on Windows Mobile Standard.  Since T-Mobile now offers the “Shadow” phones, one of the Shadow (a slider phone) devices was an obvious choice.  So was the iPAQ 510 (a candy bar phone) when I learned I could get an “unlocked” one for $175 during the CompUSA “going out of business” sale.  Being somewhat on the frugal side, I chose the iPAQ 510.

You can buy an unlocked HP iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger directly from HPshopping.com for just under $349.  I’ve recently seen it for sale at several online discount retailers for under $230.

First impression:

Even though the iPAQ 510 and the Dash weigh about the same (3.6 oz. vs. 4.2 oz.) the iPAQ 510 feels much smaller even though it is a bit thicker.  Here’s two pictures comparing the two visually:

Some specs:

The HP iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger comes with a 128 MB ROM, 64 MB SDRAM, GSM/GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth, WiFi, camera.  The “At A Glance” features include”

• Windows Mobile® 6 Standard SmartPhone with 12-function keys
• Integrated Quad band GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless radio with automatic band transition1,2,3,4
• Integrated WiFi – 802.11 b/g with WPA2 security
• Integrated Bluetooth® v1.2 wireless technology
• TI OMAP 850 Processor 200 MHz
• Integrated Micro-SD slot
• Integrated 1.3 MP camera
• Removable/rechargeable Li-ion1100 mAh battery
• 2.0″ micro-reflective TFT 176×220 with 64K color LED backlit display

The device’s official complete specifications in PDF format can be found here.

In addition to several international versions, in the USA there are two English models:

• FA887AA#ABA – Generic Commercial – English
• FA911AA#ABA – Generic Retail – English  

What’s in the box:

• the iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger
• a 1100mAh Lithium-Ion battery
• a CD with both software and documentation
• documentation that include a “getting started” guide, license agreements as well as warranty and support information
• a wired stereo headset with microphone for both listening to music and making calls
• an AC adapter with an interchangeable plug
• a mini-USB sync cable

I was however, surprised that neither a case nor even a small microSD card came with the device.

Front Image

1. Center select/Action button
2. End key and Power On/Off

Back Image

1. Speaker
2. 1.3 MP camera

Left Side

1. Volume Up/Down button
2. Micro SD slot with cover
3. Headset connector

Right Side

1. Voice Commander button

Bottom

1. Mini USB/Charger connection

2. Microphone

The screen size difference is significant.  The iPAQ 510 has a portrait 2.0″ screen with a resolution of 176 by 220.  The Dash has a landscape 2.4″ screen with a resolution of 320 x 240.  What that means for mobile Internet browsing can be seen with these comparison pictures:

I found the outdoor readability of the iPAQ 510 to be slightly better but not significantly so.  Even though I didn’t originally thing that I would, I did miss the full keyboard of the Dash.  Accessory availability for the iPAQ 510 is significantly lower than for the Dash.  The only accessory that I could find for the iPAQ 510 was a leather case and even that case did not perfectly fit the device.  Otherwise with only a few exceptions, everything that I used to do on my Dash I can do on the iPAQ 510.

What works:

• Microsoft Exchange wireless synchronization including e-mail, contacts, calendar and tasks.
• XM Satellite Radio via www.musicdock.com
• Bluetooth pairing and use with my 2008 Honda Accord HandsFree Link
• Audible.com
• DUN connectivity with my Nokia n800 Internet Tablet (using the XDA-Developers cab file)
• Google Maps (but not the “My Location” feature).
• Sprite Backup
• Wall Street Journal Mobile (non-standard screen size causes some problems reading)
• Orb.com streaming TV and its other features 

What doesn’t work (or I have not yet figured out):

• Skype (likely related to the non-standard screen resolution)
• Skyfire BETA (likely related to the non-standard screen resolution)
• connectivity to my iGo Stowaway Ultra-Slim Bluetooth Keyboard

I am not running with the T-Mobile $5.99 data plan.  I use the phone with an unlimited VPN Internet plan paid for by my employer.  Since the phone comes unlocked directly from HP, all the IP addresses needed to work on any GSM/GPRS/EDGE system are fully configurable.  Initial setup is easily accomplished with a wizard provided with the phone.

Finally, what is this Voice Messenger thing?  Voice Messenger can best be described as a close cousin to Microsoft’s Voice Command.  Voice Command offers more customizability–for example, I had previously configured Voice Command to read aloud high priority e-mails as they arrive on my Dash.  Voice Messenger can only read e-mails when requested.  On the other hand, so far I prefer Voice Messenger.  I especially like the ability to reply to an email with an audio response.

Pluses (compared to the Dash):

• phone keys – no full keyboard
• no jogger buttons
• Smaller & lighter than the Dash
• more available memory
• Voice Commander (not MS’s Voice Command) – less full featured but uses far less memory
• customizable shortcuts menu using right ______ button

Negatives (compared to the Dash):

• phone keys – no full keyboard
• no jogger buttons
• lower resolution screen (some 3rd party applications won’t work)
• much smaller screen
• no single key (”#”) to toggle profiles
• no single key to start camera
• no single key to start browsing the Internet
• very small buttons / keys

I’ve only had the IPAQ 510 for a few weeks, so there is a lot more experimentation/exploration to do. However, so far I am pleased with my decision.

Rich Bilancia (22 Posts) - Website | Twitter | Facebook

Rich, a former IT executive and managerial accountant, is enjoying retirement in northern Colorado. He remains an active civic volunteer and a passionate technologist.