Compaq Shows Off New iPAQ PDAs

Well, they call it a Pocket PC, probably because of Microsoft's new handheld OS, but it looks like a PDA to me. Sure, I understand that they want to differentiate new devices that do more than the old ones, but why confuse the public with yet another name for a device? Are we to begin calling them PCCs now? Anyway, Compaq, along with just about everyone else, just unveiled two new members of its iPAQ Pocket PC family: the H3700 and H3800 Series. The new iPAQ Pocket PC H3800 Series offers a standard Secure Digital (SD) memory slot for integrated memory expansion, a TFT screen with more than 65,000 colors, and increased battery life over previous iPAQs. One new model also incorporates Bluetooth personal area networking capabilities. Compaq-supplied applications for the iPAQ Pocket PC H3800 Series include iPAQ File Store (which provides 6MB of additional storage on flash ROM), iPAQ Task Manager (utilities for Backup/Restore to Memory Card, Self Test, Auto Run, Align Screen, Clock, Expansion Pack, Microphone AGC, Power Status, Sounds, Memory), and Dashboard (a plug-in for the "Today Screen" that lets you customize your screen to show two days of appointments, program launcher, and power status). Additional software applications from Compaq include IBM Embedded ViaVoice Mobility Suite, for voice command and control of Calendar, Contacts and Inbox; F-Secure FileCrypto for Pocket PC Personal Edition; Insignia Jeode JVM; iPresentation Mobile Converter for PowerPoint conversion; Sega Virtual Game Gear and Vegas Game Pack by Synovial; Wordlogic Predictive Keyboard; Quick View Plus for viewing up to 12 different file formats; Callex with ET Player- Voice Mail Messaging; XcelleNet Afaria mobile and wireless device management software; eWallet; and ListPro. The iPAQ Pocket PC H3700 Series provides 64MB of internal memory and includes iPAQ File Store, iPAQ Task Manager and Compaq Dashboard. Both PDAs (PCCs?) include Pocket PC 2002 Premium Edition software from Microsoft Corp.

The new iPAQ Pocket PC models are based on the Intel StrongARM 206MHz and offer the new iPAQ File Store for non-volatile storage. Both are shipping now in North America, with availability expected next week for the H3700 Series and in mid-November for the H3800 Series. Prices are $499 for the H3700 Series, $599 for the H3850 and H3835 (without Integrated Bluetooth capabilities), and $649 for the H3870 with Integrated Bluetooth. If you take advantage of the clearance sales and buy an older iPAQ Pocket PC H3600 or H3100 before November 30th Compaq will give you a free upgrade to Pocket PC 2002 Professional Edition software on a CD.