iPaq hw6515: GPS + BT + phone + camera

[JMckie]

Zdnet initial review (http://www.zdnet.com.au/reviews/coolgear/mobiles/soa/First_Take_HP_iPAQ_h6515_Mobile_Messenger/0,39023387,39205200,00.htm)

This device isn't for me, but it does take convergence to a new level. I am really skeptical on how useable the GPS funtionality is.

[OWG]

I just don't like the small screen size and processor power of these converged devices. As with the iQue and the GPS capability, I'd rather have a great pda and let me choose my own peripherals. In my opinion, the only thing really missing is a phone that supports simultaneous BT connections. That way you could use a PPC based dialer or send from contacts and use a BT headset for the phone. If there was a good interface to send caller id to the PPC then there would not be a reason to take the phone out of your pocket/briefcase. It's not out of reach, Motorola phone tools shows battery info, caller id, signal strength, etc. It just needs the simultaneous BT connections on the phone itself.

[Curious Cat]

This part of the article doesn't sound too appealing either:

"Downside: While some GPS units use internal memory or expansion cards to store map information, Whereis Navigator relies on GPRS so you'll need a SIM card with a data plan. On top of a monthly subscription charges to Whereis Navigatior -- AU$149 for six months or AU$299 for 14 months -- users will have to pay associated GPRS charges for downloading maps and route information."

[JMckie]

Originally posted by Curious Cat
This part of the article doesn't sound too appealing either:

"Downside: While some GPS units use internal memory or expansion cards to store map information, Whereis Navigator relies on GPRS so you'll need a SIM card with a data plan. On top of a monthly subscription charges to Whereis Navigatior -- AU$149 for six months or AU$299 for 14 months -- users will have to pay associated GPRS charges for downloading maps and route information."

That's why I was skeptical. Even if the service was free, how fast and convenient can it be? You need good phone coverage everywhere you go. Where is the antenna? Does this rely on cell tower assisted GPS?

[AnswerDude]

One thing the review did not mention is that hw6315 has the new EGDE wireless technology which in theory allows for
download speeds about twice that of current GPRS. I'm not sure anyone see these specs pages from UK's HP
hw6510 (no camera)
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/sm/WF06a/21675-21679-21679-21679-297609-12158042.html
hw6515
http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/sm/WF06a/21675-21679-21679-21679-297609-12158068.html

[jonasolof]

Originally posted by JMckie
That's why I was skeptical. Even if the service was free, how fast and convenient can it be? You need good phone coverage everywhere you go. Where is the antenna? Does this rely on cell tower assisted GPS?

Serverbased navigation over GPRS is already well established in Europe. You need a cell phone and a BT GPS (or a "phone" with a built in GPS. Maps are downloaded over GPRS. Since vector maps contain little data per sq. km, this is easily done. In one demonstration last year at CeBit, I was told that GPRS communication for a 400 km trip in Sweden would cost about 12 USD.

A typical phone would be the SE P900 or 910.

I know of two systems, both swedish: Wayfinder and Appello.

These systems do not depend on assisted GPS which in Europe will only appear in 3G/UMTS.

I haven't gone into obvious problems, such as setting up an itinerary far away, looking for addresses in far away cities etc.

An interesting development would be if you could use stored maps in general, but that updates and temporary closures could replace the stored maps when needed. That would however necessitate another way of amalgamating maps than the file system taht Mapsource uses now.

Why couldn't a map be a continuous database, parts of which could be replaced when needed?

[OWG]

Originally posted by jonasolof

An interesting development would be if you could use stored maps in general, but that updates and temporary closures could replace the stored maps when needed. That would however necessitate another way of amalgamating maps than the file system taht Mapsource uses now.

Why couldn't a map be a continuous database, parts of which could be replaced when needed?

Doesn't Garmin have a way to do this currently? They support traffic info from the FM TMC traffic receiver and overlay that on Mapsource maps on the c340 don't they? Also they show XM weather data on the GPSMAP 376C. I would think traffic updates via IP(via GPRS, wifi or whatever) would be possible if they decided to do it.

[allgire]

The GPS / Navigator part - I have the same thing on my Blackberry - no data is stored on the local device - must have a valid SIM card and Data Subscription plan. GPS data from Tele-Nav. It works well for Voice Navigation, however it can not be used for hiking, geocaching, or other things where you just want to follow a map. For directions - it actually is quite fast.

A sales clerk in Best Buy said it quite well once - "Don't ever buy a combination device. While they may have several components, each one is going to be a much lower quality than buying a better grade individual device."

After reading spec's on all these devices, I must agree - however, I do see the side of all those consumers that prefer to carry around a single device instead of several.

I received a pair of binoculars with integrated Digital camera as a gift a year ago - binoculars are nice, however the camera is the worst I've ever seen - mounted it on a tripod to test - still takes very bad pictures. So, obviously I don't use the camera portion at all - ever.

And now, back to your regularly scheduled forum.