Convergence, the combining of cell phone and PDA functionality into one device is quickly becoming the trend in PDA and cell phone development. At the same time, the debate over whether this is a good thing or not rages. Reviewers proclaim that each new convergent device brings PDA/mobile phone union “to a whole new level,” but inevitably conclude that in terms of problem-free functionality, “we're not quite there yet!”
Will we ever get to convergent nirvana? Until recently our answer would have been no. But with the introduction of new devices from HP and Motorola, convergent bliss might be obtainable after all.
New Windows Mobile Phone Edition
The first is the recently announced HP iPAQ h6300 series Pocket PC Phone Edition (Fig. 1). A few lucky reviewers have already gotten their hands on this device, and based on their reviews, this is a very impressive device. Roughly the size of the iPAQ h2200 series, it offers all the standard Pocket PC functionality along with phone dialing software that supports its integrated GSM/GPRS phone. Add to all that integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless capability and you have a very promising device, albeit one that more closely resembles a PDA.
Fig. 1: HP's new iPAQ h6300 series Pocket PC Phone Edition.
The other new convergent handheld is the Motorola MPx. When closed, it looks like a standard Motorola flip phone (Fig. 2), but once opened, the 2.8-inch diagonal color display and embedded QWERTY keypad tell you there's something different about this device.
Fig. 1: HP's new iPAQ h6300 series Pocket PC Phone Edition.
The MPx is a small clamshell Phone Edition device about the size of an Apple iPod. Its unique two-way hinge allows the screen to flip up and display in portrait mode, or flip to the left side and display in landscape mode (Fig. 2). The ability to switch between portrait and landscape viewing is supported by the Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software built into the device. Like the iPAQ h6300 series, the MPx has Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and GSM/GPRS capability built into it.
The MPx display is smaller than the 3.5" display found on the h6300. This makes it a little harder to read, but keeps the footprint small—more like a mobile phone.
The iPAQ h6300 was to be introduced in the U.S. at the end of August, by AT&T Wireless. There has been no formal announcement, but industry sources are predicting that it will show up in the U.S. first, then in Europe later this year or early in 2005.
MiTAC Mio 8390 Windows Mobile Smartphone
The Mio 8390 (Fig. 3) has been creating quite a stir within the UK—and getting wireless carrier O2 very worried! O2's Phone Edition, the XDA II, has secured more than a third of the UK's wireless handheld market since it was launched six months ago. The Taiwan company MiTAC is trying to break that winning streak with its new Smartphone.
Fig. 3: Mio 8390 Windows Mobile Smartphone, available now in Europe.
The Mio 8390 is a tri-band plus GPRS Smartphone based on the Windows Mobile 2003 for Smartphone OS and software. It comes with 32 MB of internal memory and includes an expansion slot that accepts SD/MMC cards. It is a featherweight device, weighing in at just 125 grams (4.4 oz). It has an integrated 0.3 mega pixel digital camera which offers up to 8x digital zoom and handles both stills and video.
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