HP iPAQ hw6900: a first look

When we reviewed the iPAQ hw6515, integrated Wi-Fi was one of the things on our wish list. With the HP iPAQ hw6900, we're happy to see that HP has added this to the feature set. Bluetooth and GPRS/EDGE technologies are also onboard, so you have the full gamut of wireless options. And for globe-trotting professionals, there is good news: The hw6900 is a quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) phone, so you can take it with you overseas.

We also welcome the latest Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system, and since the smartphone runs the Pocket PC Edition, you get the full Mobile Office Suite, including Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile and Outlook Mobile. Speaking of which, the hw6900 is positioned to be an email device, as it's compatible with GoodLink and Microsoft Exchange Server 2003. Plus, with Microsoft's Messaging and Security Feature Pack (and Service Pack 2 for Exchange Server 2003 at the back end), you'll be able to enjoy the benefits of push email technology. Oh, and did we mention the full QWERTY keyboard?

Other features on the iPAQ hw6915 include a 1.3-megapixel camera with video-recording capabilities (HP will offer a camera-less hw6910 model), a built-in GPS receiver and navigation software, Windows Media Player 10 Mobile, a 416MHz Intel PXA270 processor, 128MB of flash memory and 64MB of SDRAM, and a speakerphone.

Like any other Pocket PC phone, the HP iPAQ hw6900 is on the bigger side, measuring 7.1cm by 11.8cm by 1.8cm and weighing 179g with the battery. It resembles a handheld more than a mobile, so using the device as your mobile phone may take some adjustment. Also, when reviewing the HP iPAQ hw6515, we experienced sluggish performance with numerous applications open, so we're hoping that HP has made steps to improve this in the hw6900.

The HP iPAQ hw6900 is shaping up to be a powerful device, but we're always a little wary of products that aim to be a jack-of-all-trades. We hope it can perform in all areas -- GPS, phone, handheld and multimedia -- and do them well. The smartphone market is definitely picking up, and the hw6900 will face competition as new models, such as the Motorola Q, continue to come down the pipeline. Check back soon for our full review.