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HP unveils iPAQ 500 smartphone with powerful wireless email capabilities for mobile professionals
By Little Bill | Reporter
Date: 03/15/2007
HP today introduced the latest HP iPAQ device, a sleek and small smartphone that delivers a flexible wireless email experience for business customers through convenient voice control and hands-free operation. The HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger features voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) capabilities, “push” email and the latest Windows Mobile 6 operating system. With up to six hours of continuous talk time on a fully charged battery, the HP iPAQ Voice Messenger also leads the competition in battery life. As the first in HP’s new smartphone lineup, the HP iPAQ 500 series helps highly mobile professionals stay connected wherever they are.

More than 20 voice commands available on the iPAQ offer customers hands-free operation. Using a powerful “voice reply” feature, people can reply to email by dictating and sending a voice response, without the need for any typing. Users also can listen to email and text messages, navigate through phone and calendar tasks and speak to start applications. Additionally, the HP iPAQ Voice Messenger has built-in Wi-Fi to provide business customers a VoIP alternative to traditional office phone setups. By integrating the HP iPAQ Voice Messenger with office phone systems, businesses can eliminate the need for desk phones and benefit from streamlined communications and reduced IT management. The smartphone also includes GSM/EDGE and Bluetooth™ wireless technology connectivity options.

“Busy professionals are constantly flooded with email and looking for ways to quickly and easily manage it and move on with their day,” said Dave Rothschild, vice president, Handheld Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Our HP iPAQ Voice Messenger smartphone gives mobile users an easy way to manage all types of communications and stay focused on their business.” Based on the new Windows Mobile 6 platform, the HP iPAQ 500 series provides business professionals with an enhanced Outlook Mobile experience, allowing customers to view emails in their original HTML format and enjoy quick access to contacts with the ability to search a call history and contacts database. Plus, the built-in Microsoft Office Mobile suite provides customers with a familiar, easy-to-use experience.

“Windows Mobile 6 delivers advanced communications, increased productivity and integrated mobile business performance all within the familiar Microsoft software experience,” said Todd Warren, corporate vice president, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division, Microsoft Corp. “We’re pleased to work with HP to offer a device that will help businesses thrive by enabling people to access important data wherever they are.”

The HP iPAQ Voice Messenger is the first iPAQ device to offer the over-the-air device management capabilities that HP acquired with its purchase of Bitfone Corp. With these capabilities, businesses can remotely manage and support the HP iPAQ devices’ performance, security and access to applications, data and networks. For example, IT managers can remotely erase data on lost or misplaced devices, configure and repair units, and provide updates and security applications. Additionally, on-the-go professionals can enjoy rich digital entertainment features such as listening to music, watching videos, playing games, and capturing and sharing photos wirelessly.

The HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger is expected to be available this spring in the United States direct from HP and select authorized dealers. International pricing and availability for the HP iPAQ 500 series will vary.

The HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger was announced at the 3GSM World Congress 2007 in Barcelona, where HP is exhibiting at hall 8, booth 8B117.

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers, from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $91.7 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended Oct. 31, 2006.

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