Make calls, send e-mails, snap pictures, surf the Web, use familiar Microsoft desktop applications and much more. The HP iPAQ h6315 does it all, and does it virtually anywhere-from down the street to Down Under. And it's the first handheld to combine calling, Internet and blazing fast Wi-Fi all in one, shifting seamlessly to the best available network to keep you connected when you're on the go.
From the Manufacturer
Satisfy all your mobile communication needs with one compact device: the new HP iPAQ h6315 Pocket PC with mobile phone* and camera! This is the first and smallest handheld featuring integrated three-way wireless capabilities (GSM, GPRS, WLAN, and Bluetooth).
Features
Communicate effectively: Access the Internet, e-mail, send text messages, and make wireless phone calls with the GSM/GPRS global voice and data wireless network
Ensure that your system runs smoothly with Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC (phone edition)
Synchronize with your PC, print photos and documents, and more (via Bluetooth)
Get turn-by-turn driving directions for anywhere in the United States by accessing the iPAQ navigation system (via Bluetooth, sold separately)
Snap a photo with the built-in camera and share it immediately with others
Compose e-mail, notes, and instant messages fast with the removable (snap-on) thumb keyboard
Treat your eyes to crisp viewing on the large (3.5"), transflective color display
Stay powered up with the rechargeable, removable Lithium-Ion battery
*Note: Phone capability requires separately purchased service contract.
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I have had my 6315 for two weeks, now. I use the phone for business and have 5000 minutes/month with T-Mobile--and I use them all. Unfortunately this device is not best suited to my needs. I spend a lot of time on the road and dialing contacts, even when in speed dial mode, is too cumbersome. For $40 you can get MS Voice Command, a well-reviewed voice recognition system for these Pocket PCs. That would help, I imagine. With a normal cell phone you can hold it in your hand and very quickly navigate between contacts with your thumb. This device requires you to look at what you're doing, and either use the stylus (while driving: this requires two hands) or the smallest tip of your finger (sometimes able with one hand) to select your contact (which is very small) or voicemail.
The primary reason I am returning the device is because of the above difficulties, and the dreadful reviews I have encountered online regarding the unit's interface with all manner of bluetooth headsets. I have yet to read of anyone's seamless experience with a bluetooth headset used over a long period of time.
There are additional bugs that are irritating, but can usually be solved with a soft reset--your "contacts" list will spontaneously be rendered inaccessible--the phone will sometimes freeze while trying to receive one call while on the line with another call. While relatively small bugs, I paid over $500 for this device and, naturally, I expect better performance.
There is no way to inactivate the screen yet still use the phone, and this is often a problem. Holding it to your face will sometimes activate other buttons. Leaving it in my pocket without putting it in standby mode has randomly dialed phone numbers. An unfortunate flaw for a high end device.
The wireless features--other than the bluetooth note, above--are very good. Using Pocket Internet Explorer works pretty well. I was not able to use the Pocket Inbox for email. I did buy a bluetooth keyboard and have generally found it easy to use with the 6315 and very helpful for typing emails in the car or taking notes in meetings, though once it would not connect for some reason.
The screen is excellent. The battery life is good when one considers how much this PC is doing at once. Again, I am on the phone many hours each day and, thus far (2 weeks), I have gone all day without having to recharge. The processor speed is slower than many PPC's, but quite adequate and helps preserve battery life.
If I did not rely so heavily on my cellphone, I am sure I would keep the 6315. This device is fantastic as a pocket pc. But you are paying $500 for a ppc and a phone. Both must work excellently.
Reviewed in the United States on November 16, 2004
The good:
Finally! An all-in-one device that actually does everything pretty well! A couple years ago I bought a Sidekick thinking it would do it all. It did, but it did everything rather badly. The feedback on the phone line was so bad that everyone I talked to complained about hearing their own voices coming back to them. I ended up swapping my SIM card back and forth between my trusty Motorola for phone calls, and the Sidekick to browse the web. As a web browser, it was better than nothing, but only slightly. It was awfully slow and timed out a lot. As a PDA, it wasn't too impressive either. The features were so stripped down that I ended up going back to my old Ipaq. So I was schlepping around three gadgets, and carrying an oversized purse to make room for them all.
By contrast, the 6315 has excellent sound quality as a phone. As a PDA, it is great - just what I'm used to. As a web browser, its speed is decent using GPRS, better with WIFI. Plus Bluetooth! And I have always loved the fact that Ipaqs have downsized versions of MS Word and Excel so that I can keep a running expense log, and do some writing when I have a spare minute. Thus, despite the many problems I'll mention, I am pretty content with my 6315.
Also, while some have groused that the Ipaq is only available with T-Mobile right now, for me this is a positive. I use my phone ALL THE TIME, and I was fortunate enough to latch onto T-Mobile's 3,000 anytime minutes for $49.99 plan a few years ago. There is no other company that has a comparable plan, with a comparable selection of gadgets and phones, for anywhere close to that price!
The bad:
There are some bugs that need to be worked out. The phone turns itself off for no apparent reason now and then, and I discover hours after the fact that all my calls have been going to voicemail. Also, even when I set it to require the PIN before making a call, sometimes it does, sometimes it does not.
When I have the earphone plugged in, the phone makes no external sound whatever. So if I make a call using the headset, and then just take off the headset without unplugging, all my calls and alerts are inaudible.
It's not as hands free as I would like. On my Motorola, I could just hit one button to open my phone book, scroll down a set number of times (1 for Mom, 2 for Dad, 3 for best friend, etc.), and then hit another button to send the call, all without taking my hand off the steering wheel or my eyes off the road. The Ipaq requires both hands and my full attention to turn it on, access my contact list, navigate to the right person, and click the link that will make the call. In other words, it demands more attention than a car radio, and is thus unsafe to use while driving. Grr!
The downright irritating:
If you hold the device up to your ear to take a call, your cheek or jaw WILL touch the touch screen, setting off all manner of other functions or disconnecting the call. There needs to be some way of disabling the screen when you want to. The only solution I've found is springing another $30 for an INNOPOCKET aluminum case, which lets you at most of the buttons but protects the screen behind an acrylic window.
If you have WiFi on, your browsing will be interrupted constantly as new WiFi sites are detected, and God help you if there is a T-Mobile hotspot anywhere nearby! You will be rerouted to a security screen asking for registration and password, and even if you don't want to use the Hotspot and pay T-Mobile charges, you cannot get away from this screen!!! I hate this so much that I only use WiFi when I'm darned sure there are no T-Mobile stores anywhere nearby.
For whatever reason, T-Mobile sells the 6315 but none of the accessories, and in my experience, the sales reps at T-Mobile stores know diddly about the device's compatibility issues. They offered me a Jabra Bluetooth headset, but fortunately I had read up in advance and knew that it was incompatible. HP's website has a list of compatible Bluetooth devices, but T-Mobile doesn't sell any of them. T-Mobile also does not sell the car charger, the spare AC charger, the extended battery, memory cards, etc. Most of these you have to get from HP online, and pay a premium price for them.
Forget the camera entirely. It is worthless. I do enjoy being able to download photos from my digital camera, though - it's like having a wallet full of photos to show off to my friends.
The Upshot:
If you're looking for a gadget that does it all reasonably well, the 6315 is that device. There is lots of room for improvement, and it's possible that the Treo 650 will outpace it in the coming months, and I'm eagerly looking forward to the release of the Flipstart hopefully sometime next year. But at the moment, the 6315 is the best there is, and while some of the problems are annoying, it's worth it to be able to carry a tiny purse again!
I recently bought the HP iPAQ 6315...I am very satisfied with the phone...it's really a very handy tool if you need a pocket computer on the go. The only downside is that the camera is not very good,and sometimes when talking on it,it is difficult to hear the party on the other end...I guess since it's more of a pc than a phone,i can't complain. If,however,you ever wish to unlock the phone to use it with any carrier you choose,you may have a problem...I tried 3 different places,and they all told me the same thing'sorry,we cannot unlock your HP pocket pc cell phone'.I'm not sure if HP has some kind of unlock prevention mechanism built in,but so far,no one can unlock it.
Product arrived on time and looked clean and well kept. As per expectations. So far. I feel satisfied. Hoiwever, if I notice anything different then I would certainly not hesitate to inform.
