iPAQ hw6515 Review - Page 2

By: Saravana Kumar Paulraj

November 25, 2005

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3

Cradle

The PC synchronizing cradle can be connected to the PC in the standard USB slot. I have to mention I am impressed with the cradle provided. The charger can be dismantled, and kept a bit flat in the bag, if we are carrying out in a bag. Good compatible design.

But the bottom part is sealed, which means I can't use the headset for music or phone. So, if I am on the cradle updating something from the active sync, and any call coming in has to be ignored or I have to cancel my PC operation - you decide the best to compromise.

Earphone

A standard headphone that can be used to listen to music and to use with the device as a 'hands-free' for the phone calls. As said, this is a standard headphone with the micro-phone control in it for phone usage, also has volume control in it, for music enthusiasts.

Belt Clip

The belt clip provided in with the device is a 'hard plastic' one. This is better than the other default 'leather' cases provided by other phones. The clip is good as far as the harness is concerned, but the device is not completely saved from the accidental scratches that can happen on the device. Mixed marks for this one.

Ok, I can turn the camera 'ON' and start moving with the device in my belt. This acts as a 'spy camera' - cool. But, I can's see the LEDs blinking - hiding below the clip - Dude, do I have a missed call? Is my Bluetooth / WiFi ON? Some one answer without taking the device from my clip please!!!

Connectivity

    

In this section, I will cover most of the 'phone' usage, and then the normal connectivity that I have tried with the device.

 

Phone

Reception and quality of the audio is really good. I should appreciate it. For the few days I used this as a 'main' phone, people commented that I am much clearer than the previous week. I then thought myself that the magic is from the device's audio clarity.

The speaker phone is also clear. First few days I was thinking that the volume in the speaker phone mode is not that loud as it should be in general 'speaker phone'. Later I realized that the device has the speaker in its back side. Oops, whenever I use speaker phone, I am used to keep the phone on the table. Now, I have to hold the phone in my hands or keep the phone upside down, where as I can't access the phone menu or the device. 'Speaker phone' gets thumbs down from few users here.

Hey, I can't also use the device in speakerphone when the phone is cradled, as the audio is half lost behind the device itself.

Usability wise, the phone can be absolutely used without touching the screen, if you know the number or if the number is in the call history. On-device keyboard helps in this regards better. The numbers on the QWERTY keyboard is darkened and arranged towards right side, for easier usage. Well done!!

 

Bluetooth

The device is equipper with the "Broadcom" Bluetooth stack version 1.7.0 Build 2100. The device supports the following services as it is without any hacks

The above are normal and the regular profiles that we can see in any BT enabled PDA. The Device also supports A2DP profile. Yes, it comes equipped with the 'Head Set' profile and support to connect it to a Bluetooth keyboard. This is good news which was missing in many of the iMate device running Windows Mobile 2003 SE.

Just a question to HP and "BroadCom", why is the Copyrights only up to 2004??

Bluetooth for Phone

I tried with my Nokia HS 11W Bluetooth headset. The device worked like charm in both. I never experienced any static, which I used to get when I used my PDA2k.

I had this problem in the Nokia Bluetooth headset. After the device goes to suspend mode and the Bluetooth headset goes into sleep mode, if the call comes, the calls are not routed to the headset at all. I couldn't experiment much on it, as my usage on Bluetooth was minimal and I was more convinced with the quality during the usage.

Bluetooth for Music

Will try with a compatible device and put my views here.

Bluetooth for Others

The file sending in Bluetooth is also simple and works just out of the box. The right click (press-and-hold) on the file prompts a option to send the file via Bluetooth, which discovers and sends the file easily.

Infrared

Sending of files using the infrared communication also works fine. As I have said before the infra red port is located in the left side of the device. It is a much comfortable location as I liked it to be.

WiFi (with the mini SD Card)

Since the device as such doesn't support WiFi and the device needs the mini SD card for WiFi, I have left the WiFi usage to be done later.

Usability

Usage of the Keyboard

The keyboard is good in the usage, but the keys are quite tough to press them and get the keys working. These can be fine tuned in the settings menu for the keyboard, but as a beginner user, one would find that the device needs hard pressing for usage, which is not really true.

Usage of the Small Screen

Yes, they have deleted 80 pixel lines from the screen. This results in the lesser space. I used to have SPB Diary for the today plug-in with the weather showing me at least 8 cities for weather. But now, the screen is so small that I have to remove few cities or stay with the scroll bar, which I really hate it.

Just an example of the 'notes' which shows the text area, when the software keyboard is turned 'ON'.

Another thing I have to remind is all software designed isn't completely compatible for the square screen device. Even the SPB Benchmark application was not able to show full screens few places (as shown in the screenshot). Moreover, I tried few games on the device, which either shows distorted or really messed up. So, gamers and other application users, please think twice or thrice before you purchase the software. Try the trial version in the device before you buy to avoid disappointment.

Camera

    

• Image 1: Normal
• Image 2: Hue
• Image 3: Black & White
• Image 1: Cool
• Image 1: Zoom
  

The device has the 1.3 mega pixel camera. The camera as an enhancement does the job. But, the quality is not that good as a mega pixel camera should do. The device comes with various options and settings for the camera. The pictures taken by the camera are posted here. They will speak for it.

Multimedia

The device as the latest ROM comes with Windows Media Player 10. More over HP equipped this device with Bass & Treble adjustment. Yes, this has come with the device, which means it is good news for music lovers.

But the sad part is the speaker in the back side. The device has to be turned towards our side when it is cradled for better music, or the device has to be placed upside down when charging using the charger. A result of wrong location of speaker.

Profiles

Yes, the profiles are supported in the device itself. Yet another good part at the software side of HP's support. An easy access to the profiles is provided by pressing the 'OFF' button in the device for long time. Something I missed in the PDA2k as basic software bundled in the device. Thanks HP! Good!!

GPS

The device comes in 2 versions. One without the MAPS and one with the UAE maps. The costs will vary accordingly. Please check the local showroom for more details.

Finally GPS, I am waiting for the MAPS for the device. Once loaded, will update this article with the related information - SORRY. UPDATE January 12, 2006: GPS tested on Page 3.

Conclusion

This review is about the device and for the device. So, I have decided to put the information about the device and not to put points saying that the device can be or should not be purchased. The software part is really good and stable except for the fact that you see less in the screen because of the 240 x 240 (Stop it!! Stop screaming about the 240 x 240 resolution, its after all a limitation that gave more keyboard space). I leave it to you all about the purchase decision making.

Post your question about the device, I can try to pull in an answer.

Update January 12, 2006: Go to Page 3 for GPS testing and the final part of this review