HP iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger
HP has abandoned its traditional iPAQ design for this new wireless voice and email device, which looks more like a candybar cell phone than a PDA.
At 5.8-ounces, the iPAQ 510 is a little thick and hefty for its size, but its large battery allows for 6.5 hours of talk time. It does a good job of leveraging Windows Mobile 6.0, and combining the features of Microsoft’s operating system with the device’s own unique utilities and applications. It supports HTML email, and comes with useful email security and search features.
The iPAQ 510’s distinguishing feature, however, is its Voice Commander platform, which offers more than 20 distinct commands, with no voice training required. It allows users to open applications, dial phone numbers, write emails, and even create audio attachments without ever toughing the device. Voice Commander can also read out emails, a very handy feature for commuters, although some users have complained the voice that reads back messages is hard to understand.
As far as internet access goes, the iPAQ 510 can get online with either Wi-Fi hotspots or EDGE cellular networks. Loading web pages is generally slow, however, making this device unsuitable for the frequent on-the-go internet user.
VoIP calling, on the other hand, functions very well over the Wi-Fi connection.
All in all, this is a solid, email-focused handset, which integrates nicely with the Windows Mobile operating system. The imperfections in its Voice Commander technology, however, along with its bulky design and lack of a QWERTY keyboard will surely dissuade some customers.