iPAQ hw6515 Review - Page 1

By: Saravana Kumar Paulraj

November 25, 2005

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Introduction

Before getting into the actual review a small bit information.

The HW 65xx device is also called as the "Mobile Messenger". This review is based on my usage of this 6515 for more than a month and my experience with my PDA2k for more than 9 months. The HW 6515 is a 64 MB RAM, Pocket PC with Phone device. This has the regular features like the Bluetooth, Infra-Red, GSM (QUAD Band) / GPRS etc (all the details coming ahead).

The additional features include the 1.3 Mega Pixel camera, supports EDGE and has an integrated GPS. YES, the GPS is inbuilt in the device that gives this an extra edge in the PDA market now.

Please note that, some information in this review is more specific to the information in Dubai.

What is in the Sales Package?

The actual package as released here in Dubai is as follows:

Contents of the Package

Other Contents in the Package

For the Device:

Others

Technical Specifications

Dimension

Software Bundle

Software in the CD, for the device

Software in the CD, for PC

Software in the device, that is for the device

Arabic Software

 

English Software

Versions & Numbers:

The Device:

The hw 6515 device is a elegant designed device with a integrated thumb board QWERTY keyboard.

The front part of the device is really good, the space is really organized well with the keys and there is no real estate missed on the device.

Top and Screen

To start from the top, the device starts with the ON switch that is on the right top, this is a good move compared to the iMates, where I have to move my hands over the device to 'off' the device, rather I can use my thumb itself to do the operation.

Near to this are the indicator LEDs. One LED for the normal phone and other LED for the wireless operations indication (Bluetooth, WiFi). Hey, I am used to the RED LED for missed calls, why did HP modify it to Yellow color. I find it a bit difficult in the sunny day to identify if I have got a missed call or not.

This is followed by the screen which is the new move of SQUARE screen. Oops, they lost 80 pixel lines on the screen. So, where is this gone? They have used this space to put in the thumb board keyboard? I really miss more space on it. More on the device screen on the usability section.

This device comes equipped with flip top cover that protects the device from the dust and sweat (this happens if you talk on the phone when you are in GYM), to some extent. But I really don't know how a power user on the PDA part will feel to flip open the device every time he has to check his SMS / appointment / whatever on the device. If he forgets to close the flip cover and place the device in his pocket, the cover has its last journey then. This is quite an enhancement for the people who use the device more for phone than a PDA.

Keys and below the screen

Just below the screen start the keys for the screen. This is really good when the device has less real estate wasted on the space and size. The device has the regular Answer / Ignore (Green - Red) keys for the phone. These keys enclose the contacts and the mail keys. These are the programmable keys that can be reprogrammed for the other most frequently used shortcuts. Then in the middle arranged is the beautiful 5 way navigation button. This is really good in the games and other application (media player).

The device comes with the thumb board QWERTY keyboard, which comes with the normal keys as a keyboard, with the curved arrangements of the keys, which are quite acceptable in the usage. There is a slight difference in the up/down/right/left arrows in this keyboard with the other device's keyboard, but it is again acceptable, as we get used to it, in very few moments of usage.

They keys are round and are quite easy to operate. Any normal user can handle these keys with the fingers. But one can't really use the keys with both the hands as it is in a small arrangement. The curved arrangement makes the usage better.

Sides & Slots

There are 2 slots in the right side, and it takes the SD Card and mini SD Card. This provides the device with a MAXIMUM memory of 3 GB, awesome and great news for the music lovers and GPS loving users. But, one has to rely on the WiFi card if he is serious into the WiFi. Since the device is equipped with mini SD WiFi card, we can save some in this department, but you will have to take care of the card that is jetting out, that's bad when a card is jetting out sideways.

The other side has the Sliding Key - used for the volume control by default. This key has the same positioning as in the PDA2k and also the same functionality.

Oops, another different move in this device, I can't listen to music in the earphone when the device is cradled. Yes, the headphone slot is in the bottom. And this really is going to be a problem for music lovers who want to listen to music when it is cradled for charging.

Back and Camera

As I have specified before, this is equipped with a 1.3 Mega Pixel camera capable of taking videos also. The backside has the camera, with the small mirror to take the picture of self. Hey, I have got a flash with the device. The flash is not that powerful though. It just sits in there. It can act as a light when we use the device for night shot. But overall the flash part is yet another enhancement that gets un-noticed.

The stylus sits on the back part, in the conventional location. But it is quite tough to open with the fore finger. I need to use my finger nail's help to open it. I noticed the difference that, the PDA2k's stylus has spoiled me. Yes, the stylus in PDA2k has the rough stripes that make it easily come out when we slide the finger. That's missing in this stylus. Not a problem at all, I can wait for another ½ second in taking the stylus out of the device.

The speaker for the device is located just near the camera. I just can't use the device when I am on speaker phone!!!

Battery and Internal

The battery is a removable version, guarding the SIM card. The Battery can be removed easily by the thin strap given for its purpose. No more waiting for the nails to grow or to search for a screw driver to twitch open the battery. It's simple now. The SIM card is safe inside, which can be slide out by using the stylus.

Pictures of the device

Ok, there are lots of pictures available on the net and in this review itself. So, filling up this section with the pictures that I couldn't fit into other section ;)

Pictures of the Device with other device(s)

Here again, few pictures are taken by me, with my PDA2k.

Accessories

A few accessories that came with the device in the package are described below for the reference.

Charger

The charger that is coming with the device is a normal charger that cab be plugged in the wall plug point. This is similar to the charger that came with the iMate PDA2k. The charger point, connecting to the device is removable from the plug. A good move in the design that will help a user who wants to carry more than one device but take only one charger. The charger point alone can be multiple ones in the bag.