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IPAQ
The iPAQ is a Pocket
PC and personal
digital assistant first introduced by Compaq
in November 1999. Since Hewlett
Packard's acquisition of Compaq, the product has been
marketed by HP. The device is the main competition to the Palm
Pilot, but provides more multimedia capabilities and the
familiar Microsoft
Windows interface.
Higher end units were very modular, having "sleeve"
accessories which would slide around the unit and add
functionality like a card reader, wireless networking, GPS, and
even extra batteries.
Note: PDAs branded "Pocket PC" run the
proprietary Microsoft Pocket PC OS. HPCs
and HPC
Pros run earlier versions of the OS, namely Windows
CE.
Newest
revision
In February 2005 HP introduced the iPAQ Mobile
Messenger hw6500 series to selected media at the 3GSM conference
in Cannes, France. The article has been updated to reflect this.
In August 2004, HP announced the h63xx series of Pocket PC Phone
Editions, the hx47xx high end model, and the 17xx budget end. In
June 2003, HP announced a new line of iPAQ's, and sent the h3xxx
series to pension, now there is a h1xxx budget line, a h2xxx
consumer line, and a h5xxx professional line. These will be sold
with Pocket PC 2003 as standard. As of February 2005 the latest
model for sale at retail is the hx2000 series. Aimed at the
Enterprise it sports features introduced in the iPAQ h5000
series such as built-in Biometric fingerprint reader. At the top
of this series is the hx2700 with a 624 MHz Intel PXA270
processor, 256 MB total memory (128 MB ROM and 128 MB SDRAM); Up
to 185 MB user available memory (includes 80 MB iPAQ File
Store), Wi-Fi (802.11b), Bluetooth
wireless technology and Windows Mobile for Pocket PC 2003 Second
Edition Premium Edition.
Model
Variations
Compaq
iPAQ 3600 series
Compaq's flagship iPAQs were those of the 3600
models. Originally running the Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC
2000 OS, these devices featured 12-bit color displays, 64 MB of
RAM, and 16 MB ROM.
Models in the 3600 series are:
3630, 3635, 3650 - which are identical models with 16 MB ROM and
32 MB RAM sold via different marketing channels. The 3635 was
accompanied by a CF expansion sleeve that was sold separately
with the other 2.
3670 - a 64M RAM version that had the older bezel of the 3600
series instead of the newer 3700 models it otherwise resembles.
A PPC2002 OS upgrade is available, but the smaller ROM requires
some software such as the media player to install in volatile
ram instead of the ROM as in the previous OS ppc2000.
As used units at low price, they are a great way to
inexpensively get started with a PDA.
While limited by no on-board expansion slot, the iPAQ 3600
series memory and functionality can still be expanded by
optional Compact Flash and PCMCIA sleeves, which allow users to
add memory and peripherals. Some of these sleeves contain extra
batteries to extend the iPAQ's battery life under the strain of
added devices.
Compaq
iPAQ 3100 series
Released shortly after the 3600 series as a cost-effective
model for those not requiring color screens. Needless to
say, its success was limited.Compaq
iPAQ 3700 series
These devices had the exact same form factor as their 3600
model predecessors, however, they had an increased ROM size
and ran the PPC2002 OS natively.Compaq
iPAQ 3800 series
Compaq's original high-end series models. These units were also
the first to include 16-bit screens, incorporated an SD card
reader and the highest RAM capacity of any Pocket PC. They were
also the first to offer integrated Bluetooth, on select models.
The 3850 had 206 MHz StrongARM
CPU, with 32 MB ROM and 64MB RAM, 240x320 TFT screen, running
Microsoft Pocket
PC 2002. Compaq
iPAQ 3900 series
The evolution of the 3800 series, the 3900 was the first
series to start using transreflective displays for clearer
picture, as well as the introduction of the XScale
processors. Later models introduced Bluetooth and a consumer
IR with remote control software. HP
iPAQ 1900 series After
HP's acquisition of Compaq, the 1900 series was the answer to
Palm's budget units. Adopted a smaller, slimmer frame making it
more competitive in terms of portability. Main memory size was
64 MB, larger than all other budget units. Ran PPC2002 (1910
only) or 2003. Introduction of removable batteries, allowing for
the user to buy extra batteries and swap as necessary. Unlike
older iPAQs, many existing iPAQ accessories were incompatible or
unsupported due to its budget nature. HP
iPAQ 5400 series
Introduced as the next generation of the iPAQ corporate
line after the 3900 series, adding WiFi support, improved
Bluetooth and a biometric scanner. However, the 5400 was
plagued with many bugs, though most were corrected though
firmware upgrades. HP
iPAQ 5500 series
A corrected version of the 5400 series with double the RAM
(128 MB) running on PPC2003. HP
iPAQ 5100 series
- A cutdown version of the 5500 series, loses WiFi support
and the extra RAM (only 64 MB). HP
iPAQ 2200 series
Targeting the general consumer/prosumer, the 2200 series is
almost every bit as capable as their corporate counterparts
(less RAM, no integrated Wi-Fi, no biometric scanner). Main
memory size was 64 MB RAM, PPC2003, better support for iPAQ
accessories than the 1900 series though still no iPAQ expansion
"sleeve" support. Bluetooth, SD card and CompactFlash
card support built-in. There is an advanced IR port built into
the 2245 and 2210 models (and perhaps others in this series),
and the software bundle includes a program which essentially
turns this device into a universal remote control. HP
iPAQ 4300 series
Similar to the 2200 series in terms of features, the 4300 series
targets the corporate audience by having a beefier battery and
integrated Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth. No CompactFlash
reader, but does have a SD-card and SDIO slot. A thumb keyboard
is integrated into the device. HP
iPAQ 4100 series
Essentially the corporate version of the 1900 series with
many of the functionalities that were stripped from the
budget unit. Also adds WiFi and SDIO. Closer to the
4300-series internally.
HP
iPAQ hx2000 series
Aimed at the business market, this series of PDAs sports
built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD Card and CF Card slots, and
Windows Mobile 2003 SE. The different models have different
extra features:
HP
iPAQ hx24xx sequence
This series of PDAs sported only the barebones set of features
listed above, and ran a slower 400 MHz XScale processor. No
fingerprint reader and only 64 MB of memory.
HP
iPAQ hx27xx sequence
This is the ultimate enterprise edition PDA. Sporting a
top-of-the-line 624 MHz Intel PXA270 XScale processor, 128 MB of
RAM and ROM (each), and a built-in biometric fingerprint reader,
this model set is aimed at high-security and -performance
enterpises. The fingerprint reader, with the proprietary HP
ProtectTools software, can create "encrypted folders"
in RAM or on storage cards (in these models' case, the iPAQ File
Store, the SD Card, or the CF Card) to prevent anyone from
swiping the memory cards and reading sensitive company-critical
data. The processor, running at the aforementioned 624 MHz,
helps with the encryption/decryption processes (HP ProtectTools
can also encrypt the entire contents of the onboard memory), and
also makes this model series the ultimate Pocket PC gamer's
model. CEOs beware, your employees may be distracted. The high
amount of internal RAM and ROM enables the installation of many,
many programs without the addition of storage cards. Adding
external cards (no capacity limit is known) expands infinitely
(limited by available IT budget and personal cash) the storage
available, making movies available to the traveling executive
(movie files sold separately).
HP
iPAQ hx4700 series
The high end corporate edition to replace the 5500 series.
Magnesium alloy casing, VGA screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2,
SecureDigital, and Compact Flash with a 624 MHz processor,
running Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition.
-
ROM:
128 MB
-
RAM:
64 MB
-
1800
mAh battery, removable 3600 mAh battery optional
-
Built
in (removable) screen cover
-
Innovative
touchpad with 2 modes
-
Little
known fact: Headphone adapter accepts 55xx series 4 pin
plugs (microphone input)
-
Built in encryption software included. Can't run NEVO TV etc.
remote control software.
HP
iPAQ rz1700 series
The new budget handheld from HP runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second
Edition, with no wireless options and only 32 MB of RAM.
HP
iPAQ rx3100, rx3400 and rx3700 series
Billed as "Mobile Media Companions", these models
feature Nevo personal media software, onboard 1.2 megapixel
cameras (rx3400 and rx3700), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and an onboard Secure
Digital card slot. All of them run Windows Mobile 2003
Second Edition on Samsung
ARM processors.
The rx3100 and rx3400 had 32 MB of RAM and 300 MHz processors,
whereas the rx3700 had 64 MB of RAM and a 400 MHz processor. The
latter also came with a 1440 mA·h battery as standard, rather
than the rx3400's 920 mA·h unit.
These models have been known to suffer from a bug related to the
way the iPAQ File Store, the rx3700's ROM, operates and manages
files. This bug prevents the user from deleting or renaming
files on the ROM, causing significant deficiencies in its
operation. This bug is known by HP, but there is not yet an
official solution for the problem.
The current version of the Windows Mobile 2003 SE operating
system has been known to cause issues with Bluetooth
functionality. Some patches have been released by the
manufacturer, such as for Bluetooth headphones, but others, such
as connectivity with HP GPS devices, have not been released. The
devices continue to be non-functional for these models despite
being published as compatible.
HP
iPAQ h6300 series
Pocket PC Phone. Contains a GSM phone, 64 MB RAM, 168 MHz Texas
Instruments OMAP processor, and comes with a detachable
thumb keyboard. Also includes VGA quality camera and 1800 mA·h
battery. It has built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11b).
T-Mobile
used to sell the h6315 but have decided to withdraw it from the
market.
Variants include the h6340 which is sold in parts of Europe
without a camera through normal distribution points- hence is
not carrier specific. The h6365 has identical specifications to
the h6315 but it is not signed to a carrier.
HP
iPAQ Mobile Messenger hw6500 series
This iPAQ is the first Pocket PC phone to have built in Global
Positioning System (GPS) capabilities with support for NMEA.
When no GPS signal is available the device attempts to calculate
its location by switching to cell triangulation.
It has an integrated keyboard and unique 240x240 resolution. It
may seem that the screen size can be an advantage regarding the
standby time, but there are reports that actually many software
products do not work on this device as they should because they
were created for the standard 320x240 resolution (menus are not
fully visible, hidden buttons- sort of problems).
It has two card slots SD SDIO and mini-SD and like its
predecessor the h6300, two versions are/were available: one with
camera and one without.
Most notably, compared to the previous model, this unit does not
have internal support for WiFi.
This unit, as with most similar units, comes in a variety of
languages. For a number of reasons, including the assurance of
price in higher priced markets, languages are designed to not be
changeable on the units. For example, if you have a unit with a
German operating system, you cannot "officially"
change the language.
The language can, however, be changed to English at this time by
flashing
the BIOS
using upgrades released by HP.
Alternative
operating systems for the iPAQ
Linux
distribution
An alternative OS that one may use is a Linux
distribution named Familiar,
a Linux kernel without a front-end, to which one may attach the OPIE
and GPE
Palmtop Environment GUIs. The v0.8.2 (2005-04-13) version of
Familiar has support for the whole 3xxx line (including the
39xx), and 5xxx support on the way. Work is also under way on
support for the 19xx and 4700 series. The v0.8.3 was intended to
support 2200 series as well. A release candidate v0.8.4-rc1
(2006-04-11) has been made available.
In addition, the 1.2.0 Version of OPIE provides a GUI for
Familiar that uses i18n and has been translated into 15
languages.
Plan
9
Plan
9 runs on the iPAQ. The nickname of
the architecture is "bitsy".
Upgrades
Some of the iPAQ series are upgradeable to newer versions of the
Windows Mobile software. This is limited to very recent
releases, such as the hx2000 series. Upgrades are available from
HP for approximately $39.99 + shipping, and include the Windows
Mobile 5.0 software and an updated version of Microsoft
ActiveSync
External
links
This
content from Wikipedia
is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License.
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