Hewlett-Packard HP iPAQ 910 Business Messenger Unlocked Phone with U.S. 3G, 3 MP Camera, Media Player, and MicroSD Slot--U.S. Version with Warranty

The new iPaq 910 is a big improvement

4/28/2009

It is a great work tool for me. It is a lot smaller than the old HW 6945 and it is definitely better-looking.
As I'm never on one place, its mobility is great. Quick 3G internet, you can even run Skype on it while using the 3G network (low costs)
I had an Iphone 3G but I prefer the HP Ipaq with its windows mobile 6.1 No hassle to put song, movies, pictures or other data on the phone and when needed just take out the memory card en put it in a computer or card reader.
The way I use my Ipaq the battery lasts almost a day, so you'll need a car-charger or an extra battery.
The down side is that when my Bluetooth headset is on it doesn't make any sounds or songs when a call or a message comes in. I also had some problems with the ROM update that didn't workout with Windows Vista, making the iPaq 910 unusable, but after trying to update with a windows XP computer it worked perfect again.
I recommend this smart phone, it doesn't have the visual tricks that a HTC Diamond or an Iphone has, but it has an ease to use keyboard and buttons. With its GPS on I'll go anywhere.

iPAQ ok, but Windows Mobile 6.1 seriously flawed

4/24/2009

I've been wrestling with my HP iPAQ 910 for weeks now. I'm synchronizing between Microsoft Outlook on 2 pc's and am continuously plagued by an Activesync error (86000107). Based on the forums I've followed, many users of handhelds using Windows Mobile 6.1 are experiencing the same problem. It seems to be tied to synchronizing more than 100 items between two pc's. The problem was identified over a year ago, but Microsoft doesn't seem to have addressed it yet. If you are using only 1 pc or have very few items, the Ipaq is probably fine, although the battery life could be better. If your handheld carries your "life" in it, I'd suggest going with one that doesn't use Windows Mobile 6.1

I love it!

3/21/2009

After owning an HP iPAQ 4355 for nearly ten years I decided it was time to buy a new one and started to shop around. I found the iPAQ 910 and decided on it. Granted it is a little high priced but, I paid the same for a PocketPC that did not have an internal GPS and was not a phone which the 910 has! Unlocked units are the way to go! Pick your carrier and you are essentially a month to month contract. So what do you lose, nothing I am sick of two year locked in mobile contracts! Back to the 910, it does use the battery life quickly, however if one turns of Wifi, bluetooth and do not use the gps it lasts as well as any other phone I've had.
Customer service, contrary to other reviews, for me has been outstanding! I left the house one morning and turned of the wifi. When I returned home could not get it to come back on. Longish story short. Called HP and the sent a new replacement to me free of charge when the wifi was determined to be defective.
WM6.1 is far better than 2003 and no complaints about speeds!
Specs state that the mini SD card is has a max of 4gigs, been using an 8gig with no problems. When the 16gig mini cards become reasonably priced I will be getting one of them.

Mediocre audio quality and processor speed

3/21/2009

The phone looks good on the surface. However, the audio quality from both the ear piece and the external speaker was very disappointing. I bought an extra 4GB of flash memory hoping to put in my favourite music and carry only one device with me when I hit the road but even with the volume control on maximum, the output from the external speakers is terrible for a phone costing this much and in this class.
Another disappointing feature is the fairly sluggish processor speed which take a while to wake up from sleep and takes almost forever to snap a picture. Finally, the phone is not as intuitive to use as the Nokias.

After 2 weeks...

2/12/2009

After 2 weeks of almost non-stop messing with my iPAQ 910, I decided to write a review to share my findings with the world. While this phone is just about everything I could have hoped for, it does have a few drawbacks too that I have not figured out a workaround for yet.

On the plus side, this phone is every bit as powerful as a windows mobile phone can be. Setting everything up and syncing all my contacts, files, ect. was a snap, and I was up and moving in minutes. Even without an external GPS antenna, the GPS function works well (though Google Maps has given me wrong directions a time or two). There is also a function that allows a PC connected to the phone via bluetooth or USB to connect to the internet through the phone's service plan. I have found this feature to be extremely helpful, as I use several computers that have no internet access. The Wi-Fi is also excellant, with a range that is actually better than that of my laptop's. This phone definately lives up to the "Business" in it's name in every way, I have never been so well connected as with this thing in my pocket. I had no problems setting up any of my email accounts, hooking up my service plan, or any other kinds of issues connecting the phone to, well, anything I have tried to connect it to.

Of course, there is always a down side. In almost every review I have seen for this phone, two issues where mentioned: battery life and volume. I wes expecting these both to be a bit under par, but I have to say that they are both FAR worse than I could have guessed. If the phone is in a pocket, forget hearing the ringer. The speakerphone is useless. It might have helped if they at least put a regular 3.5mm headphone jack on the phone, but it only has a mini-usb port. I also bought an adapter 3.5mm to mini-usb, but it doesn't work with this phone. The battery seems to be draining at an alarming rate, don't EVER forget your chargers! I leave the thing plugged in all the time to either a wall outlet, my PC, or the lighter port in my car, and I can still rip through the power pretty quickly on this thing. If you buy this phone, get a second battery and a charger for it.

Aside from these two commonly mentioned issues, I have had a couple other things about this phone get on my nerves too. The audio tends to drop out while using a bluetooth headset, and the voice commander software on the phone leaves room to improve. Also, I had trouble installing an official HP patch to my phone from a Vista PC, so if you don't have an XP system, avoid the updates, you'll be really glad you did. Lastly, there is no way to rotate or change the display at all, and I have had a few software titles that could work perfectly be complete garbage on this phone because part of the graphics of the software hang below the visible screen, with no way to scroll or anything. I have had to reset the phone a couple times because some game demo I was trying was set to 320X240 instead of 240X320 and I couldn't click on an exit icon.

Well, I am getting long winded here, but I have to say that overall I am very happy with this phone. It does everything I need it to do, in most cases flawlessly. With the right combination of Today screen plugins and a few days tinkering with settings, I am still being amazed every day at what this thing really can do.