HP iPAQ 512 Voice Messenger Review

[Shun]

Based on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition, HP iPAQ 510 Series is equipped with pretty good features for business users. Two models available, iPAQ 514 and iPAQ 512 that is review here.

Specification:-

OS: Windows Mobile 6 Standard Edition
Dimension: 107mm x 48.6mm x 16.3mm, 102g
CPU: TI OMAP 850, 200MHz
Memory: 128MB ROM, 64MB RAM
Expansion Slot: microSD
Display: 2.0" transflective, 176x220 pixels, 65k colours
Phone: Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE, VoIP, UMA (client is optional)
Camera: 1.3 Mega pixel CMOS camera
Audio: Microphone, receiver, speaker
Connector: miniUSB 1.1, 2.5mm stereo headphone jack
Wireless: Bluetooth 1.2, WiFi 11b/g with WPA2 security
Battery: Removable/Rechargeable 1100 mAh Lithium-ion
Standby time: up to 188 hours; Talk time: up to 6.5 hours
Software:
Office Outlook Mobile (Inbox, Calendar, Contacts, Tasks);
Office Mobile (Word Mobile, Excel Mobile, PowerPoint Mobile);
Internet Explorer Mobile; Windows Live Messenger;
Windows Media Player 10 Mobile; Voice Recorder; Cyberon Voice Commander;
ActiveSync; Wireless Manager; Java VM (MIDP 2.0, CIDC 1.1);
File Explorer; Calculator; Solitaire; Bubble Breaker; SIM Toolkit;

[Shun]

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/4044/frontzt8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

It has a simple and clean candy bar design, built quality is high. Keypad has a white backlight and keys bulge out slightly making it quite handy. I find the phone quite comfortable, :)

The processor and memory is adequate for all but the most demanding tasks. Not much navigation lag, mostly is the Home Screen refresh which is a little slow.

Reception is good, manage to hold the signal at the most diffcult location. Calls can be hear clearly from both party. Sound from the speaker is good but soft.

Audio playback through earphone was initially very lacking in bass and overemphasize in the treble, it's so bad that using FLAC or Windows Media Lossless encoding doesn't help much... However, it somehow gain the bass and the treble "cool down" after I use the phone for 10+ days, I would give it a 3.5 out of 10 rating which is quite good when I only give most of the top music phones and MP3 players a 2.5 or 3, :)

Bluetooth profiles are Headset, Hands–free, OBEX, PAN, FTP, Serial Port and A2DP. Some sites state that the phone doesn't support A2DP, while I don't have a stereo Bluetooth headset to verify it, it is present in the product guide, registry and system library files, most likely it should be supported.

Setting up and connecting to WiFi is very easy, but it is a little "painful" to use PHYSICALLY! The signal seems to be extremely strong, it shows full signal in places where a couple of other devices can't; it's so strong that my hand "hurt" after holding the phone for sometime...

Connection to PC is done through ActiveSync or as a USB Mass Storage Device. It work best with Windows Vista where access to the device memory via ActiveSync is built-in. Windows Mobile Device Center is only required for full synchronization with Office Outlook.

Battery life seems to be exceptionally good, it lasted for more than 4 days with 1.5 hours talk time, 30 SMS, 1 or 2 hours of music playback and a hour of WiFi. (Frankly, I've no idea about the possible standby time or talk time, the battery meter on the phone is too "insensitive" to provide any clue, it can stay the same for 12 hours over the night and only drop 3% after 6 hours with 15 minutes talk + about 20 SMS + half an hour WiFi!)

Lastly, the phone can run quite hot attimes. The battery temperature usually stay around 30°C to 32°C, but it can reach as high as 38°C! I don't know, it could have been even higher, and this could be actual reason that "hurt" my hand instead of the WiFi strength, :(

[Shun]

The camera is a 1.3MP module with basic controls like resoultion, compression quality, brightness white balance and operation mode. No EXIF is embedded in the photos.

Output is not bad of a low end camera phone. The following photos are taken with automatic white balance without any manual adjustment, resized to half.

http://img521.imageshack.us/img521/8559/img001bf6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/4584/img002fw7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/6607/img003mp1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Shun]

By default, the application are arranged in an unfriendly long list that spanned over multiple pages. My advise is to remove the unwanted items and reorganize the list into folders so that they don't span over pages and every application are 1 or 2 keypress away. With the fully numbered menu system and 99 quick keys, Windows Mobile smartphone's UI is still my favorite although HP massed it up a little.

Start Menu after reorganization:
http://img393.imageshack.us/img393/1954/startgt0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

As a Windows Mobile 6 smartphones, it comes with Office Mobile which consists of Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and PowerPoint Mobile. The new software can edit existing Office documents but cannot create new document.

Office Outlook Mobile is also improved to supports reading and writing of HTML messages. Other nice improvements includes storage card encryption, Windows Update, vCard over SMS and etc.

The most irritating software is the new Windows Live Messenger, it always try to connect to GPRS even when the phone is connected to WiFi. To overcome the problem, many people are forced to remove their GPRS configuration. I use another approach, I create a set of empty service entries, eg. 'No GPRS', 'No WAP' and 'No Dial-up', then tied the Internet connection to the empty entries, which effectively disable the mobile data services. The services can then be toggled on and off quickly when needed.

Lastly, Singapore buyers be beware that the phone doesn't support Chinese although it is available on the demo unit. I have manage to enable both Chinese viewing and input with freeware, but it's still a nuisance and HP shouldn't have it on the demo unit in the first place, :(

[Shun]

Overall, I like the phone as I'm planning to "downgrade" my mobile phone and leave mobile computing to something more practical, eg. UMPC. Is the display too small? Nah, it's "bigger" than my expectation, if it wasn't because I got it free with my broadband contract, I would be looking for dumb phone with smaller display, less cleaning needed, :)

So far, my biggest worry about the phone is the heat, hopefully it won't break down on excessive usage. Otherwise, I think it is a nice choice for people looking for a cheap and handy smartphone.

[ultraman_mebius]

Lastly, Singapore buyers be beware that the phone doesn't support Chinese although it is available on the demo unit. I have manage to enable both Chinese viewing and input with freeware, but it's still a nuisance and HP shouldn't have it on the demo unit in the first place, :(

Hi, can you tell me what the name of the chinese freeware is?
I will be getting this phone next week and is a frequent user of chinese sms.

Thanks.

[volans281]

hi Shun,

I'm experiencing with the GPRS problem. I dun wanna to incur any GPRS charges so can u please elaborate on how to create a set of empty service entries, eg. 'No GPRS', 'No WAP' and 'No Dial-up', then tied the Internet connection to the empty entries, which effectively disable the mobile data services. The services can then be toggled on and off quickly when needed.

And where did u get the chinese software to write and view chinese?

Thank you so much.

[Shun]

From Start->Settings->Connections->GPRS, select New..., fill in Description and Connects to The Internet, save it. The empty GPRS entry is ready. For WAP, set Connects to iPAQ WAP. Same goes to dial-up.

To enforce the types of connection to use, from Start->Settings->Connections, select Menu->Advanced, change the connection from Automatic to the entry that you needs. When you want the service, switch back to Automatic.


It's a little complicated for Chinese support since the phone is protected with security locked. In additional, though freeware are used, I never combine them into a single installation package due to copyrights restriction, so you need to add the font the input module separately.

Check out the following threads for instruction to lower the security and some user comments on various Chinese input modules that you can choose from.

http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=90748&st=60 (HP iPAQ 512 Voice Messenger)
http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=52942 (Guides to Chinese viewing and input)
http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=91516 (My freeware)


PS: the last link contains utilities that is useful for Pocket PC too, :)

[baste07]

is there a way to setup a proxy for the email account? i can't seem to connect to my company's exchange server. i think i need to enter the proxy so that i can access it via phone and not only when i'm connected via PC

[baste07]

hi, anyone know how i can setup a proxy server on the ipaq voice messenger? i'm having problems downloading mails from the exchange server. i believe this is because my company uses a proxy. how can i set this up so that i can retrieve mail even though my phone is not connected via PC?

[Shun]

The difficulty with your setup is there are 2 different routes to the Exchange Server, one without proxy and another through the proxy. The proxy settings is locate at Settings->Connections->Proxy, it's not easy to get it right and even you do, you will have to toggle between 2 modes manually. I would recommend you approach the IT peoples to provide dial-up to the e-mail server, provide access through VPN or simply provide Web access to the e-mail.

[jvlc]

Help! There are several (actually just two) things with my Ipaq 512 that I can't seem to figure out:
1. Is there any way for me to delete all the contents of my sent items folder of the text messages? Or do I have to delete them one by one?
2. Is there any way for the Outlook to automatically store emails in my inbox in the microSD card instead of the phone's memory?

A reply will be very much appreciated. Thank you so much.

Oh, and I would also appreciate it if anyone can tell me where I can find cool games for my phone and a good e-book reader. Salamat (thanks)!

[Shun]

1) In Text Messages, Menu->Folders->Menu->Clear Text Messages
2) You may try adding registry values with a registry editor

"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MAPI\PropertyPath"="\Storage Card\Mail"
"HKCU\Software\Microsoft\MAPI\AttachPath"="\Storage Card\Mail\Attachments"

Note: E-mail storage hack dount in http://www.wm6software.net/windows-mobile/action/hacks; I have not test it, do it at your own risk.

[soulja24]

hi Shun

You might be able to help em with this query. Re the iPaq 514 im getting confused between internet and WAP. The Internet explorer app under start seems to be used for both WAP and internet? Shd i separate favourite addresses of those that belong to internet URLs and WAP URLs into different folders or are both accessible either way. if so - whats the difference?

If I dont have a wi-fi conn on, and the G signal goes over to the right hand side signal strength indictaor (this means im using wap on GPRS, right?).

Finally regarding the settings. Im on orange UK and really confused at the various options. If I go to start -> setting -> connection:

theres beam (infrared), BT, Dial-up (do i even need this??), GPRS, Proxy, VPN and Wi-Fi. I assume Wi-Fi is for internet (only) and in a wireless network area. I have connected and used this succesfuuly. Ill leave VPN becoz it seems to be for special networks which I havent really required. i always connect to hotspots directly using the wifi enable option.

What is the Proxy option do? Under this i have two settings 1 for "Orange HTTP proxy" where the settings indicate it connects from iPAQ WAP and connects to the internet and has HTTP as a type. the 2nd one is "Orange WAP proxy" and these settings indicate conn from iPAQ WAP and connects to WAP Network. These two settings seem tod ifferentiate the settings when i use the internet (through Wi-fi?) and when i use WAP (through GPRS) or am i off the mark?

Then theres the GPRS option which has three items under it Orange UK GPRS, Orange UK GPRS WAP and Orange UK MMS. The first two both have connects to iPAQ WAP.

Also when my IE browser widnows is open if i go to menu -> tools -> options then connections it asks em what network I want to select (i think default was iPAQ WAP, but ive changed it so forgotn!)

Can you soften things a bit for me? Also we have default options list to "connect to" such as iPAQ WAP, Secure WAP network, WAP network, The internet, MMS Network etc. How do we modify these or observe the default settings for each. I think this default iPAQ WAP settings allows me use both internet(HTTP) and WAP becuase of the WAP settings above. This true?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shun]

If I dont have a wi-fi conn on, and the G signal goes over to the right hand side signal strength indictaor (this means im using wap on GPRS, right?).When small 'G' appears around the signal indicator, it's connected to GPRS.
You might be able to help em with this query. Re the iPaq 514 im getting confused between internet and WAP. The Internet explorer app under start seems to be used for both WAP and internet? Shd i separate favourite addresses of those that belong to internet URLs and WAP URLs into different folders or are both accessible either way. if so - whats the difference?
In a way, WAP is a simple format for authoring web pages for mobile device, you don't have to separate the URLs into folders. For further detail, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wireless_Application_Protocol.
Finally regarding the settings. Im on orange UK and really confused at the various options. If I go to start -> setting -> connection:

theres beam (infrared), BT, Dial-up (do i even need this??), GPRS, Proxy, VPN and Wi-Fi. I assume Wi-Fi is for internet (only) and in a wireless network area. I have connected and used this succesfuuly. Ill leave VPN becoz it seems to be for special networks which I havent really required. i always connect to hotspots directly using the wifi enable option.

What is the Proxy option do? Under this i have two settings 1 for "Orange HTTP proxy" where the settings indicate it connects from iPAQ WAP and connects to the internet and has HTTP as a type. the 2nd one is "Orange WAP proxy" and these settings indicate conn from iPAQ WAP and connects to WAP Network. These two settings seem tod ifferentiate the settings when i use the internet (through Wi-fi?) and when i use WAP (through GPRS) or am i off the mark?

Then theres the GPRS option which has three items under it Orange UK GPRS, Orange UK GPRS WAP and Orange UK MMS. The first two both have connects to iPAQ WAP.

Also when my IE browser widnows is open if i go to menu -> tools -> options then connections it asks em what network I want to select (i think default was iPAQ WAP, but ive changed it so forgotn!)

Can you soften things a bit for me? Also we have default options list to "connect to" such as iPAQ WAP, Secure WAP network, WAP network, The internet, MMS Network etc. How do we modify these or observe the default settings for each. I think this default iPAQ WAP settings allows me use both internet(HTTP) and WAP becuase of the WAP settings above. This true?

Thanks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is going to be complicated for most users.

Basically, you can connects to networks through WiFi, GPRS, WAP gateway and Dial-up. Proxy is optional sevice that reside between your devices and the networks. (PS: take not that I use network instead of Internet, this will be explained later)

For WiFi, the connection normally goes to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider. Proxy information are usually specified in the access point or router if required. In most cases, you can forget about proxy from you device when connecting through WiFi.

For the other types of connection, you are going through the phone network. Proxy information has to be provided for these connections. To establish a connection, one will have choose type of connection, then the proxy to go through and finally the network to connect.

For examples:-

1) GPRS->The Internet = connection to the Internet through GPRS.

2) GPRS/Dial-up->iPAQ WAP->HTTP Proxy->The Internet = connection to the Internet through the HTTP proxy.

3) GPRS/Dial-up->iPAQ WAP->WAP Proxy->WAP Network = connection to the WAP gateway through the WAP proxy.

4) GPRS->MMS = connection to the MMS nextwork through GPRS.

In example 1, 2 and 3, you are connecting to the Internet through different routes. Different routes are basically available due to historical reasons...

In example 4, you are not connect to Internet. You are connected to the provider MMS network instead.

The reason for breaking down the connection into different stages is to minimize configuration duplication. As seen above, HTTP proxy and WAP proxy can be accessed from GPRS or Dial-Up. If proxy isn't isolated, the information will have to be entered into every different types of connection, it'll becomes more tedious if we factor in Secure WAP proxy, your workplace proxy, 3G, 3.5G and future technologies.

The confusing part about this approach is probably about 'iPAQ WAP'. It's don't tie to physical services, it is actually a virtual link that facilitate the cross links between the different types of connection and the proxies.

I would suggest that you do not change the settings unless you are comfortable with the concept explained above.

For selection of the connection to be used in IE or other Internet application, it's quite safe to The Internet when accessing through WiFi or the phone network. If you office network has a proxy and require the information to be set on the phone, then you may alternate between The Internet and Work to take advantage of the office resources. (PS: The office proxy information can be set manually or automatically if connected through a PC with ActiveSync)

[gururoop]

By default, the application are arranged in an unfriendly long list that spanned over multiple pages. My advise is to remove the unwanted items and reorganize the list into folders so that they don't span over pages and every application are 1 or 2 keypress away. With the fully numbered menu system and 99 quick keys, Windows Mobile smartphone's UI is still my favorite although HP massed it up a little.


hey buddy...
can u guide me as to how such reorganizing is done? i'm having a tough time trying to reorganize the start menu... thanx in advance...

[Shun]

See http://forums.mobileburn.com/showthread.php?t=23204

[neeraj_sathe]

I am a newbie for this device, can anyone suggest me the type of bluetooth dongle which will be suitable for this device.

[nud]

Hi,

I've had this IPAQ for sometime but don't really understand how to make it work.

Ican connect to the internet via WiFi ok but cannot seem to do so via 3G or GPRS or WAP. Kindly send me instructions on how to configure these on my IPAQ. My intention is to be able to stay online all the time so that the phone can switch from Wifi when its not available to the Cell network via 3G or GPRS.

Please help!

[Shun]

iPAQ 512 doesn't have 3G. Call your provider for the GPRS or WAP settings.

[ravishankarlal]

Hi,

I was attracted by the voice features and the Cyberon Voice Commander feature.

I am trying to build my own voice enabled app in which the User can drive the UI using voice tags.

Does the Cyberon Voice commander (or anything else) have a SDK which i can use.

Thanks !

[harim_1981]

i have a problem in this ....

while my tryed to upgrade to 6.0 to 6.1.......after reset...

mobile hangs in the boot up...

any tricks to tackle this ....thanks sir....