This
device is truly a wireless wonder, but it is missing one
major wireless feature, a GSM/GPRS capability. To many
people at the time when this device was released it was
not really considered suffering from this shortcoming,
if I can remember correctly it was the first Pocket PC
with built in Wifi and Bluetooth. Let us not forget the
other goodies such as Finger Print Scanner, complete BT
Manager, Nevo Remote Control, etc... iPAQ was ready to
set new standards and drive other competitors to innovate.
However
this review is not directly focused on the iPAQ itself;
it is about utilizing the expandability options and using
the h5450 (or even the h5550) with the right combination
to turn the device into a cell phone.
Previously
I have tried to use this device with iPAQ GSM/GPRS Expansion
Pack and I wrote a review about it you can read it here.
This sleeve dose not support Windows Mobile 2003 and this
is the biggest shortcoming with this combination. You will
be missing all the enhancements and additions Microsoft
added to the Pocket PC OS.
Mainly
that’s why I delayed this review. Since August 2003
I was trying to get Windows Mobile 2003 upgrade for iPAQ
h5450 from HP, and when it was first made available on Ipaqchoice I
immediately ordered one. They failed to deliver the CD
not once but twice! It was sent to the wrong address in
every time. I am not complaining though, they made sure
to refund my money back, and this is not my primary device.
I was using it with the new combination (which will be
discussed later) since September 2003 with Pocket PC 2002
OS, used it only for two months. I just recently (last
month) got WM2003 upgrade from a friend who arrived from
the USA.
The
new combination
Obviously
with an upgraded iPAQ h5450 I won't be able to use the
GSM/GPRS sleeve. Alternatively I looked at other options.
There are different brands of GSM/GPRS Compact-Flash Cards
in the market but all of them sticking-out 1" or 1.5" inches
of the CF slot. I needed something more practical and a
comfortable design which I can use on daily basis. After
spending a considerable time searching I ended up with
Option GlobeTrotter Tri-band GSM/GPRS PCMCIA Card.
Of
course with this card I used my PC Card Expansion Pack
Plus.
You
must use Running Voice GSM from Pocket Presence to provide
the user interface for the phone functions.
And
finally, iPAQ h5450 running the latest Windows Mobile 2003
for Pocket PC.
To
know how good is this combination? Is it worth it? And
why? Read this review.
What's
in the box?
OptionGlobe
Trotter PC Card came with a very clever packaging. It came
in a Double CD Jewel Box. And it came with the following
items:
Complete
manual
GlobeTrotter
Tri-band PC Card
Headset
Setup
CD
Leather
cover
Installation
Don't
be intimidated by the fact that you will need to setup
more than one item. Actually! It is so easy!
1.
Install the latest version of Running Voice GSM.
2.
Connect the PC Card Expansion Pack Plus to your iPAQ. No
need for driver installation, it comes ready with the sleeve
and automatically loads.
3.
Insert OptionGlobe PC Card in the sleeve. The Blue indicator
on the card blinks, which confirms that the card is ready.
Also no need to install any driver.
iPAQ
detects the new modem and asks you to setup a connection,
just dismiss this message. From the start menu go to Settings,
Connections, tap on Flexport. From the drop-down menu "Device
to use for connection" select Option International
GSM/GPRS GlobeTrotter. Then you can setup your GPRS connection
as well.
And
that’s it! Open Running Voice GSM and the card will
be initialized.
Notice
that it is a fast process; it took less than a minute to
connect to a GSM network in a coverage area.
Form
factor
As
you can see, it is thick, big and bulky.
Phone
functions
You
can make a phone call from the dial pad as usual, or from
contacts using Running Voice GSM plug-in "GSM Voice
call". The same contacts list can be accessed directly
from Running Voice GSM. Selecting ring tones, picture SMS,
changing frequency settings, managing SIM and Data, assigning
photo contacts, viewing data statistics, speed dialing
are all possible from Running Voice GSM. I will not go
into deep details discussing it, this is totally another
subject. There are a lot of features this is simply the
most powerful software application in this category. Some
manufacturers bundle it with their GSM/GPRS CF Cards so
you don't need to pay anything extra to buy it. I was hoping
if Option did the same thing.
For
more information about Running Voice GSM click
here. You can buy it from Handango here.
Voice
quality is decent and clear, of course you cannot use it
without a headset. Since the sound coming from the Card
is operated separately it will not interfere with the Pocket
PC functions, you can have a conversation and listen to
music or watch video.
Data
connection
This
is one of the fastest GPRS connections I've ever seen.
I was able to get approximately 52 kbps, the GPRS or GSM
data connections will depend on the GSM signal from your
service provider and the coverage area. You can see from
the following screenshots I was streaming video at a speed
of 50 kbps, even though GPRS speed is not consistent, Windows
Media Player didn't interrupt the online streaming.
One
drawback with Running Voice GSM is that it will not have
both Voice and Data connections running in the same time.
If somebody called you during a data connection a busy
tone will be sent to the caller.
On
every GPRS disconnection the phone will turn off then re-initialize
again. This doesn’t take a lot of time, as you noticed
from the previous screenshots.
Battery
Performance
The battery performance depends on the way you use your device and the
applications loaded so the results may vary. The main battery and the
sleeve's battery will drain concurrently, so you can benefit from the
added battery which comes with the Expansion Pack Plus. The device in
normal usage will go for 8 to 10 hours, that including few phone calls
and basic Pocket PC functions. I think this is one of those longer lasting
combinations available in the market, the GSM/GPRS card will not drain
the battery too fast.
Conclusion
Despite
the added bulk to the device I really think this is a very
interesting combination, especially with the device running
Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC. Actually I think "technically" it
is the best way to turn your iPAQ h5450 into a phone and
the device looks very sophisticated. But, is it worth it "Now" to
pay for:
A
new h5450 (AED 1750 or $475.5 US Dollars "current
price in Dubai"),
Expansion
Pack Plus (AED 518 or $140.8 US Dollars),
OptionGlobe
Trotter GSM/GPRS PC Card (AED 1220 or $331 US Dollars),
And
Running Voice GSM (AED 125 or $34 US Dollars)?
With
a total price of AED 3613 ($981.3 US Dollars)!!!! I say NO
It
is the best combination so far in my opinion. I might say
Yes if you will just buy a cheaper or used PC card sleeve
and Option ClobeTrotter PC Card, remember that you still
can utilize this card and use it with your laptop or handheld
PC.
If
you need a Pocket PC Phone you can get i-Mate, it is available
in Dubai for AED 2600 (706 US Dollars) Which also comes
with MMS capabilities, read i-Mate review here.
However, I'm not comparing those two devices. This solution
is for whoever want to still use the device and wait for
the next great big thing coming from HP.
What’s
hot?
This
combination supports WM2003
Fast
GPRS speed and reliable connection
Powerful
Running Voice GSM
What's
Not?
Too
expensive!
Bulky
and a bit heavy
Doesn't
support headsets with built-in Send/End calls button
Tri-band PC Radio Card suitable for use on GSM networks worldwide
Provides GSM and GPRS Data connectivity to mobile users
Compatible with nearly all popular Notebook PCs, Portables, and PDA's equipped
with Type II PC Card slot and Microsoft Windows® operating system
Multislot Class 10 (4+2); Simultaneous GSM and GPRS registration
Dual-voltage card: 3,3V & 5V
Multitasking: data can be transferred whilst monitoring for SMS Messages and
simultaneously reporting network coverage
Future Proof - Flash upgradeable technology ensuring the latest GSM and GPRS
functionality
Supports IPsec client software for end to end secure corporate data exchange
and synchronisation over VPN
Revolutionary integral Tri-band antenna design with "autosense" technology
Wireless Communication Manager - WCM, provides SMS and Phone utilities to your
mobile device
Optional Accessories: External Tri-band antenna
SPECIFICATIONS
GPRS/GSM Air Interface:
Tri-band operation EGSM900; GSM1800; PCS1900
GSM Phase 2+, Data, SMS, ALS, SS, USSD to ETSI SMG31 recommendations
GPRS Class B, Type 1 GPRS MT
Multislot Class 10 GSM 05.02 (4 slots receive, 2 slot transmit, 5 maximum active)
RLC/MAC Fixed, dynamic and extended dynamic resource allocation support
GPRS session management (NSAPI) 7 connections
GPRS SMS GSMS Supported
SIM standards Phase1, 2, 2+, CPHS
Terminal Equipment Interfaces:
Operating Systems: Windows® 98/ME, 2000 Pro, NT4, XP Pro/Home Edition.
For Windows CE, Pocket PC and Windows Mobile 2003, please go to this
link.
AT Interface GSM 07.05, 07.07, ATD*99# support and Unimodem extensions
COM port driver Emulation of standard COM port UART for compatibility with standard
terminal programs and dialers
HARDWARE FEATURES
Card Type: Type II PCMCIA compliant
External Interfaces: Miniature External Antenna (Radial M-card) Connection, Status
LED
Terminal Equipment (TE) connector: PCMCIA Standard 68 pin
SIM card Interface: Low profile, 6 contact connector on topside of card. Compliant
with GSM11.11, 11.12
Memory: 16 Mb Flash technology for easy upgrade
Integral antenna: Robust, retractable and flexible. User replaceable
Dimensions / Weight: 90 x 54 x 5mm / 45 gm
Environmental operating conditions: -10 to +75 Deg. C
Standby mode possible
Idle mode: 16mA for both operating voltages
Registered Full Power: 3V3: 430mA average (760mA peak)
5V: 350mA average (570mA peak)
(2W, Multislot Class 10 operation)
