Rumors of the PDA's death have been greatly exaggerated. That's what HP seems to be saying with the release of two new iPAQ-branded handhelds, the 100 Series Classic Handheld and 200 Series Enterprise Handheld.



While these new iPAQ models are not phones, they do both include 802.11 b/g wireless networking, along with an integrated microphone and speakers. In its publicity materials, HP highlights the PDAs' potential to make "free or inexpensive phone calls" via VoIP.


iPAQ 100 Series Classic (left) and 200 Series Enterprise (right)
(Click each image to enlarge)
Both the 100 Series and 200 Series iPAQs use Windows Mobile 6 Classic, aimed at devices without cellular radios. This provides the now-standard Office Mobile, Outlook Mobile, and Internet Explorer Mobile set of applications, to which HP says it has added its own Photosmart Mobile for image management.

Their hardware is similar, also. Both PDAs use Marvell's PXA310 processor, running at 624 MHz, and teamed with 64 MB of RAM and 256 MB of flash. In addition to WiFi, they also include Bluetooth 2.0.

Unlike typical smartphones, these PDAs do not include cameras. However, both come with SDIO expansion slots, which allow moving images and other files to and from the devices.

From there, specifications diverge somewhat. Slightly smaller, the 100 Series has a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. In contrast, the 200 Series has a 4-inch screen that provides full VGA (640 x 480 resolution).

Both models have four programmable hardware buttons and a button that starts the voice recorder. However, the 100 Series has only a "5-way controller," while the 200 Series steps up to a "9-way controller."

Similarly, both have a mini-USB port for attaching to desktop computers, but the 200 series has a special 24-pin connector (this may be for a keyboard or docking station, but its purpose was not detailed by HP). Finally, the 200 Series adds a CompactFlash slot.

Specifications listed for the 100 Series include:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA310, clocked at 624 MHz
  
• Memory -- 64 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM
  
• Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen TFT display, 320 x 240 pixel resolution
  
• Audio -- integrated microphone and single speaker
  Wireless:
  • WLAN -- 802.11 b/g
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
• I/O:
  • mini-USB
    
  • 4-pin 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Expansion -- 1 x SDIO
  
• Dimensions -- 4.6 x 2.7 x 0.54 inches (117 x 69 x 13.6 mm)
  
• Battery -- "standard," capacity not specified
  
• Weight (with battery) -- 3.68 ounces (114.6 g)

Specifications listed for the 200 Series include:

• Processor -- Marvell PXA310, clocked at 624 MHz
  
• Memory -- 64 MB RAM, 256 MB ROM
  
• Display -- 4-inch touchscreen TFT display, 640 x 480 pixel resolution
  
• Audio -- integrated microphone and stereo speakers
  Wireless:
  • WLAN -- 802.11 b/g
    
  • PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
• I/O:
  • mini-USB
    
  • 4-pin 3.5 mm headphone jack
• Expansion:
  • 1 x SDIO
    
  • 1 x CompactFlash
    
  • 24-pin connector
• Dimensions -- 5 x 3 x 0.63 inches (117 x 69 x 13.6 mm)
  
• Battery -- 2200 mAh lithium-ion battery
  
• Weight (with battery) -- 6.8 ounces (192 g)

HP has not released pricing or availability information for either the 100 Series or 200 Series PDAs.

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Related stories:

• Microsoft unleashes Windows Mobile 6
  
• Unconnected handhelds fade away, Dell quits
  
• Traditional PDA market decline persists
  
• Smartphone market takes off
  
• HP smartphone features VoWiFi, Windows Mobile 6
  
• HP QWERTY PDA/phones debut in U.S.
  

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