HP iPaq HW6960

After my Nokia 9300 decided to terminate its "relationship" with me prematurely, I've been left without a PDA-cum-phone aka smartphone for a long time.

Not wanting to purchase the same phone all over again, I've been on the lookout for a suitable replacement. A list of criteria was drawn up; it will satisfy the needs of any techno geeks out there.

Here's how the list looked:

It has been more than a year since and I believe the ideal replacement has just arrived in the form of the HP iPaq HW6960. This model is basically a HW6965 with its camera module removed, and it runs on a Windows Mobile 5 platform. Yes, you've heard it correctly, it is Windows. As a long time Macintosh user, I'll have to admit that I do not fancy the HP iPaq. What changed my mind was the HW6960's capability, it almost fulfilled all the requirements that I've set. Hence, like what they always say, the rest is history.

Syncing

The first thing to purchase after getting the HW6960 is the Missing Sync software for Windows Mobile. It enables one to sync the device with a Mac through Bluetooth, USB and WiFi. At the time of purchase, this is the only software that allows the HW6960 to sync with a Mac. Missing Sync works really well once it has been set up as it is able to correctly sync my Address Book, Calendar and Task between the device and my Mac much like iSync. Although Missing Sync allows the syncing of iTunes, iPhoto, Bookmarks and Entourage, I never came to that as I don't have the need to.

Another useful feature in Missing Sync is the display of the battery level of the device while connected either in Bluetooth, USB or WiFi. This allows me to keep an eye on the battery level of the device. One minor kink is the reminder that pops up everyday, reminding me to perform a synchronization between the smartphone and Mac, even though I've disabled the reminder.

Screen

The device could have been equipped with a bigger LCD if it was not for the QWERTY keypad which takes up almost a third of its physical size. Nevertheless, the LCD was bright and contrasty. The touch-screen is also sensitive enough that inputing text using handwriting recognition was a breeze. I hope future revisions will incorporate a bigger screen and a slidable keypad like the Dopod.

Input

The form factor of this smartphone is similar to those Blackberry-type phones, it has a little QWERTY keypad and a joystick which can be used to navigate the countless menus and windows that pop out NOT every once in awhile. The touch screen works very well if one decides to pull out the stylus from the side of the device. The handwriting recognition works pretty well if you do not write the Palm graffiti way. Last but not least, there is also a software keypad that will pop up if one chooses to enable it.

In my opinion, the best way to input test and navigate around this device is to use the keypad. The keypad takes some getting used to initially, but after you've mastered it, everything works naturally. The worst way to operate this device is to poke at the software keypad using the stylus; I've disabled this option pronto.

Connectivity

This device features a wealth of connectivity options, Bluetooth, GPRS, Infrared and WiFi just to name a few. I've tried connecting to the Web using GPRS and WiFi, they both work. However, it seems that WiFi works only in an unsecured network. I've not been able to get the device to send SMSes via the Address Book in my Mac. It'll be great if this works! I'll probably look around for softwares that will allow the device to work like a universal remote controller through the IR port once I have time.

GPS

My package came with a free copy of MapKing software with Singapore map. Although this software works, I still prefer Garmin's. Garmin Mobile 10 Bluetooth GPS receiver works with HW6960 through the Garmin Que software. Since the HW6960 has a GPS receiver on board, I tried to run Garmin Que with it, but it does not work. I found a fix by installing another software call GPSProxy, which emulated a port so that the Que software can receive the data from the on board GPS receiver. This solved the problem, and I have a GPS on hand at anytime.

Phone

Being a Quad-band phone, it has a better spec than I've expected. The phone software is easy to use, adding new numbers to the address book, making a call and sending SMSes are all relatively easy. The clarity of reception during call is nothing to complain about as well. I especially like the ability to set different profiles for the phone depending on the settings I am in. Example, I can set a profile that will switch the phone to silent mode, set the LCD to brightest setting, turn on Bluetooth and WiFi with just one tap. You'll get the drift once you've tried it. A major complaint I have is that the phone is way too soft. I wish for louder rings when someone calls, a louder speaker phone so that I can hear what the other party is talking about while in a car.

Media-slot

This device uses mini-SD media for storage. The cost of this media is now at an affordable level, and I think it is a good to use. The size is small enough that a few pieces can be carried around to store whatever one requires.

Battery life and Charging

Equipped with a Li-Ion battery, I would say that the battery life for this device is reasonably good. I could get between 2 to 3 days between charges. I must admit that I'm not a heavy talker and get by with a couple of SMSes per day. Another plus point of this device is that it can be charged through USB without the need to connect the AC adapter. One can also enable fast or slow charge through the USB.

Conclusion

Overall, I'm very happy with the HW6960. It fulfilled all my needs without breaking the bank. It would have been even better if some of the kinks were ironed out, but that would have probably driven the cost higher. I hope this fellow will last me a couple of years and by then; technology advancement will allow the design of a better smartphone. Till then, keeping my fingers crossed.

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