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iPAQ

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 218.189.215.14 (talk) at 02:51, 15 February 2008 (→HP iPAQ 210 series). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

This article is about the iPAQ PDA; for the iPAQ Desktop Personal Computer, see iPAQ (desktop computer).

iPAQ presently refers to a Pocket PC and personal digital assistant first unveiled by Compaq in April 2000; the name was borrowed from Compaq's earlier iPAQ Desktop Personal Computers. Since Hewlett-Packard's acquisition of Compaq, the product has been marketed by HP. The device is the main competition to the Palm, but provides more multimedia capabilities using a Microsoft Windows interface. In addition to this, there are several Linux distributions that will also operate on some of these devices. Earlier, units were modular. "Sleeve" accessories, technically called jackets, which slide around the unit and add functionality such as a card reader, wireless networking, GPS, and even extra batteries were used. Current iPAQs have most of these features integrated into the base device itself.

Hewlett-Packard introduced the first SmartPhone iPaq Pocket PC that looks like a regular cell phone and has VoIP capability. The series is the HP iPAQ 500 Voice Messenger Series.[1]

Origins

The iPaq was developed by Digital Equipment Corporation Western Research Laboratory (WRL), the internal code name for it was Itsy.

Newest revisions

In August 2007, HP announced new members of the iPAQ family: 100, 200, 300, 600 and 900 series. The 100 and 200 series are regular PDAs with Windows Mobile 6 Classic, the second one being launched towards the business customer. The new 300 series is a GPS unit, running the Windows CE 5.0 OS. The 600 and 900 series are phones with integrated GPS, running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. The 600 series featuring a numeric pad and the 900 series a full QWERTY keyboard.

In February 2007, HP announced the iPAQ rx4000 Mobile Companions to work as a PDA/media device and rx5900 Travel Companions to work as PDA/GPS units. Both devices running Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC. In the same month, HP announced their first Windows Mobile 6 device: iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger, with Smartphone OS, and numeric pad.

In February 2005 HP introduced the iPAQ Mobile Messenger hw6500 series to selected media at the 3GSM conference in Cannes, France. The article has been updated to reflect this.

In August 2004, HP announced the h63xx series of Pocket PC Phone Editions, the hx47xx high-end model, and the 17xx budget end.

In June 2003, HP announced a new line of iPAQs, and sent the h3xxx series to pension, now there is a h1xxx budget line, a h2xxx consumer line, and a h5xxx professional line. These will be sold with Pocket PC 2003 as standard. As of February 2005 the latest model for sale at retail is the hx2000 series. Aimed at enterprise users, it sports features introduced in the iPAQ h5000 series such as built-in Biometric fingerprint reader. At the top of this series is the hx27xx with a 624 MHz Intel PXA270 processor, 312 MB total memory (128 MB ROM and 192 MB SDRAM); Up to 185 MB user-available memory (includes 80 MB iPAQ File Store), Wi-Fi (802.11b), Bluetooth® wireless technology and Windows Mobile 5.0.

Model variations

Compaq iPAQ 3630

Compaq iPAQ H3600 series

Compaq's flagship iPAQs were the 3600 series models. Originally running the Microsoft Windows for Pocket PC 2000 OS, these devices featured 12-bit color displays, 32/64 MB of RAM, and 16 MB ROM.

Models in the 3600 series are:

3630, 3635, 3650 - which are identical models with 16 MB ROM and 32 MB RAM sold via different marketing channels. The 3635 was accompanied by a CF expansion sleeve that was sold separately with the other 2.

3660, 3670 - 64MB RAM. The 3670 was distributed in the US while the 3660 was distributed in Europe.

A Pocket PC 2002 OS upgrade is available, but the smaller ROM requires some software such as the media player to install in volatile RAM instead of the ROM as in the previous Pocket PC 2000.

As used units at low price, they are a great way to inexpensively get started with a PDA.

While limited by no on-board expansion slot, the iPAQ 3600 series memory and functionality can still be expanded by optional Compact Flash and PCMCIA sleeves, which allow users to add memory and peripherals. Some of these sleeves contain extra batteries to extend the iPAQ's battery life under the strain of added devices.

Compaq iPAQ H3100 series

This model was released after the 3600 series as a lower end & cost-effective model. It has a grayscale semi-transmissive STN LCD and only 16MB RAM. It had very limited success.

Compaq iPAQ H3700 series

These devices had the exact same form factor as their 3600 model predecessors, however, they had an increased ROM size and ran the PPC2002 OS natively.

Compaq iPAQ H3800 series

Compaq's original high-end series models. These units were also the first to include 16-bit screens, incorporated an SD card reader and the highest RAM capacity of any Pocket PC. They were also the first to offer integrated Bluetooth, on select models such as the 3870. The 3850 had 206 MHz StrongARM CPU, with 32MB ROM and 64MB RAM, 240x320 TFT screen, running Microsoft Pocket PC 2002.

Compaq iPAQ H3900 series

Compaq iPAQ H3950

ROM 32Mb RAM 64Mb 1x Secure Digital (SD) port IrDA interfacce

Note: this base model does not have a Bluetooth interface.

Compaq iPAQ H3970

US commercial / worldwide 400mhz processor ROM 48Mb RAM 64Mb 1x Secure Digital (SD) port IrDA interface Bluetooth interface (ver 1.1) expansion systems available for power and for expansion cards such as wireless. software includes nevo tv remote, calculator and windows media

Compaq iPAQ H3975

This model is identical to the H3970, it is the US retail release

HP iPAQ H1900 series

After HP's acquisition of Compaq, the 1900 series was the answer to Palm's budget units. A smaller, slimmer frame made it more competitive in terms of portability. The HP devices contained 64 MB of main memory, larger than all other budget units, and ran PPC2002 (H1910 only) or 2003. They introduced removable batteries, allowing the user to buy extra batteries and swap as necessary. Unlike older iPAQs, many existing iPAQ accessories were incompatible or unsupported due to the budget nature of the new series.

The H1900 series did not implement support for RS232,[2] so many GPS devices are incompatible with the handhelds in the series. Only the rx1950/rx1955 had a serial interface implemented.[3]

HP iPAQ H5400 series

Introduced as the next generation of the iPAQ corporate line after the 3900 series, adding Wi-Fi support, improved Bluetooth and a biometric scanner. However, the 5400 was plagued with many bugs, though most were corrected through firmware upgrades. The CPU is the ARM-based Intel XScale PXA250.

HP iPAQ H5500 series

A corrected version of the 5400 series with double the RAM (128 MB) running on PPC2003, PXA255 CPU.

The 5500 showing the logon screen, requiring a fingerprint

HP iPAQ H5100 series

A cutdown version of the 5500 series, without Wi-Fi support and the extra RAM (only 64 MB). iPAQ Backup allows for safe, easy, automatic data copying

HP iPAQ H2200 series

Targeting the general consumer/prosumer, the 2200 series is almost every bit as capable as their corporate counterparts (less RAM, no integrated Wi-Fi, no biometric scanner). Main memory size was 64 MB RAM, PPC2003, better support for iPAQ accessories than the 1900 series though still no iPAQ expansion "sleeve" support. Bluetooth, SD card and CompactFlash card support built-in. There is an advanced IR port built into the 2245 and 2210 models (and perhaps others in this series), and the software bundle includes a program which essentially turns this device into a universal remote control.

HP iPAQ H4300 series

Similar to the 2200 series in terms of features, the 4300 series targets the corporate audience by having a beefier battery and integrated Wi-Fi in addition to Bluetooth. No CompactFlash reader, but does have a SD-card and SDIO slot. A thumb keyboard is integrated into the device.

HP iPAQ H4100 series

Essentially the corporate version of the 1900 series with many of the functionalities that were stripped from the budget unit. Also adds Wi-Fi and SDIO. Closer to the 4300-series internally. It came with PPC2003

HP iPAQ hx2000 series

Aimed at the business market, this series of PDAs supports built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, SD Card and CF Card slots, and Windows Mobile 2003 SE. Some have included a Microsoft® Windows® CE 5.0 firmware upgrade disc. The different models have some different features.

HP iPAQ hx21xx sequence

This series of PDAs sported only the barebones set of features listed above, and ran a slower 400 MHz XScale processor. No fingerprint reader and only 64 MB of memory.

HP iPAQ hx24xx sequence

HP iPAQ hx27xx sequence

A very full featured business class PDA. Sporting a 624 MHz Intel PXA270 XScale processor, 128 MB of RAM and ROM (each), bluetooth, WiFI and a built-in biometric fingerprint reader, this model set is aimed at high-security and -performance enterpises. The fingerprint reader, with the proprietary HP ProtectTools software, can create "encrypted folders" in RAM or on storage cards (in these models' case, the iPAQ File Store, the SD Card, or the CF Card) to prevent anyone from swiping the memory cards and reading sensitive company-critical data. The processor, running at the aforementioned 624 MHz, helps with the encryption/decryption processes (HP ProtectTools can also encrypt the entire contents of the onboard memory).

HP iPAQ hx4700 series

The hx4700 series was designed to replace the corporate-targeted 5500 line. Specifications included a sturdy magnesium-alloy casing, 4-inch diagonal VGA screen at 65K colors, integrated Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2, MMC and Secure Digital slot with SDIO, Compact Flash slot, 64 MB of RAM and 128 MB of ROM, and an Intel XScale PXA270 624 MHz processor.

The unit ships with a removable 1800 mAh battery in the original package, with a 3600 mAh extended battery as an option. The hx4700 is known as the first and only[citation needed] Windows Mobile PDA with a dual-mode touchpad.

By design, models of this series are not compatible with previous IPAQ jacket accessories, but the proprietary USB connector at the bottom is still the same. No case is included in the factory-shipped box; the unit comes with a screen cover only. 3.5mm headphone jack accepts iPaq 55xx series 4-pin plugs.[4]

At first release, the hx4700 units ran Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition. Pocket Informant 2005, built-in encryption software were also included. The after-market NEVO TV (remote control software) is incompatible with the Fast IR included with the device, as NEVO Remote requires Consumer IR.

In April 2006 HP finally issued a Windows Mobile 5 upgrade option for hx4700 users, available at the HP website. The upgrade included updates for most of the other included software, including Pocket Informant.

In June 2007 an unaffiliated Russian programmer updated the WM5 ROM to a much improved WM5 AKU 3.5, thereby fixing many problems the earlier WM5 (AKU 2.02) had been plagued with and giving an old device a "second life."[5]

In August 2007, the same Russian programmer released a WM6 ROM for the hx4700, which was in its fourth revision as of January 2008.[6]

In October 2007 a so called "ROM kitchen" was adapted for the hx4700 using the above WM6 ROM.[7]

HP iPAQ rz1700 series

The HP iPAQ rz1700 series is a budget line, with non-built in (but available as a WiFi SD Card) Wi-Fi and IR transmission, as well as a USB cable. The devices run Windows Mobile 2003 SE and have 32MB of RAM. They had a microphone input, a SDIO slot, 3.5 mm headphone jack, a 240x320 colour screen capable of displaying 65,355 colours and a 203 MHz Samsung processor.

HP iPAQ rx4000, rx3100, rx3400 and rx3700 series

Billed as "Mobile Media Companions", some of these models feature Nevo personal media software, onboard 1.2 megapixel cameras (rx3400 and rx3700), Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and an onboard Secure Digital card slot for extra documents or media.

The rx4240 and rx4250 are great medium entry PDAs: bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Windows Mobile 5, Mobile Office and heaps more are preloaded. The rx4000 range features a Samsung 400 MHz Processor, and boasts a larger 128 MB ROM and 64 MB SDRAM, Up to 64 MB user-available memory on the 4240.

The rx3100 and rx3400 had 32 MB of RAM and 300 MHz processors, whereas the rx3700 had 64 MB of RAM and a 400 MHz processor. The latter also came with a 1440 mAh battery as standard, rather than the rx3400's 920 mAh unit.

These models have been known to suffer from a bug related to the way the iPAQ File Store, the rx3700's ROM, operates and manages files. This bug prevents the user from deleting or renaming files on the ROM, causing significant deficiencies in its operation. This bug is known by HP, but there is not yet an official solution for the problem.

The current version of the Windows Mobile 2003 SE operating system has been known to cause issues with Bluetooth functionality. Some patches have been released by the manufacturer, such as for Bluetooth headphones, but others, such as connectivity with HP GPS devices, have not been released. The devices continue to be non-functional for these models despite being published as compatible.

HP iPAQ h6300 series

Pocket PC Phone. Contains a GSM phone, 64 MB RAM, 168 MHz Texas Instruments OMAP processor, and comes with a detachable thumb keyboard. Also includes VGA quality camera and 1800 mAh battery. It has built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (802.11b).

T-Mobile used to sell the h6315 but has decided to withdraw it from the market. The firmware was never updated to remove all of the bugs which cause sporadic behaviour, including dropped calls, not answering calls, turning off, erasing all user memory (factory reset), etc.

Variants include the h6340 which is sold in parts of Europe without a camera through normal distribution points- hence is not carrier specific. The h6365 has identical specifications to the h6315 but it is not signed to a carrier.

HP iPAQ Mobile Messenger hw6500 series

This iPAQ is the first Pocket PC phone to have built in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities with support for NMEA. When no GPS signal is available the device attempts to calculate its location by switching to cell triangulation. It has an integrated keyboard and unique 240x240 resolution. It may seem that the screen size can be an advantage regarding the standby time, but there are reports that actually many software products do not work on this device as they should because they were created for the standard 320x240 resolution (menus are not fully visible, hidden buttons- sort of problems). However this issue can be resolved via 3rd party virtual screen applications enabling you to scroll down to the truncated buttons.

It has two card slots SD SDIO and mini-SD and like its predecessor the h6300, two versions are/were available: one with camera and one without.

Most notably, compared to the previous model, this unit does not have internal support for WiFi.

Specifications can be found here.

This unit, as with most similar units, comes in a variety of languages. For a number of reasons, including the assurance of price in higher priced markets, languages are designed to not be changeable on the units. For example, if you have a unit with a German operating system, you cannot "officially" change the language.

The language can, however, be changed to English at this time by flashing the BIOS using upgrades released by HP.

HP iPAQ Mobile Messenger hw6900 series

These units entered the market in late 2006. Anticipated specifications can be found here (PDF)

Like other iPAQs released in the prior to this one, this unit has internal support for WiFi as well as Windows Mobile 5. It includes a GSM phone, Bluetooth, and GPS built-in.

The IPAQ HW6915 is available in the market as of 2007.

HP iPAQ rw6800 series

HP iPAQ rx4000 series

HP iPAQ rx5000 series

HP iPAQ rx5700

HP iPAQ rx5900

Dubbed the travel companion, this series of iPAQ PocketPC from HP has a built in GPS navagation system, 802.11 B/G wireless, Bluetooth 2.0, a 400 MHz Samsung processor, Windows Mobile 5.0, and anywhere from 64 MB to 2 GB of internal memory. It also has an integrated microphone and speaker, with a 3.5 mm headphone jack, an SD slot, and a 1700 mAh removable battery.

HP iPAQ 110 series

Known as the classic handheld, this series features a Marvell 624MHz PXA310 XScale ARM Processor, 256MB of ROM and 64 MB of RAM. It features 802.11b/g and Bluetooth wireless connectivity and Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic.

HP iPAQ 210 series

Known as the Enterprise Handheld, this series features a Marvell 624MHz PXA310 XScale ARM Processor, 256 MB ROM and 128MB of RAM. It also features Bluetooth and 802.11b/g wireless connectivity and Windows Mobile 6.0 Classic.

Model: HP iPAQ 210 Enterprise Handheld Screen Size: 4 inch Weight: 6.8 ounces Description: The iPAQ 210 is in the tradition of high-end models like the iPAQ hx4700 or Dell Axim X51v. It offers a 4-inch, VGA 4-inch touchscreen; a 624 MHz processor; and a 2200 mAh battery.

It will includes both SD and CompactFlash card slots. In addition, the 210 has Wi-Fi b/g, and Bluetooth.

Quick reference chart

Jacket-compatible

These older models are compatible with the iPAQ Jacket which can have 1 CompactFlash, 1 PC Card or 2 PC Card slots.

iPAQ jacket PN 173396-001 PCMCIA (PC port) x1 internal Li-ion battery PN 167648 3.7v 1500mAh (upgradable)

Model RAM ROM Slots CPU MHz OS WiFi Bluetooth PN 173396-001
H3100 16 16 None ARM SA1110 206 PPC2000
H3630 32 16 None ARM SA1110 206 PPC2000
H3660 64 16 None ARM SA1110 206 PPC2000
H3760 64 32 None ARM SA1110 206 PPC2002
H3850 64 32 1SD ARM SA1110 206 PPC2002
H3870 64 32 1SD ARM SA1110 206 PPC2002 BT1.1
H3950 64 32 1SD PXA250 400 PPC2002
H3970 64 48 1SD PXA250 400 PPC2002 BT1.1 Yes
H5400 64 48 1SD PXA250 400 WM2003 802.11b BT1.1
H5500 128 48 1SD PXA255 400 WM2003 802.11b BT1.1

Newer models

Model RAM ROM Slots CPU MHz OS WiFi Bluetooth More
H1910 64 16 1SD PXA250 200 PPC2002 No RS232 Support
H1915 64 16 1SD PXA255 200 PPC2002 No RS232 Support
H1930 64 32 1SDIO S3C2410 203 WM2003 No RS232 Support
H1940 64 32 1SDIO S3C2410 266 WM2003 BT1.1 No RS232 Support
rx1950 32 64 1SDIO S3C2442 300 WM5 802.11b RS232 Support
H2210 64 64 1CF 1SDIO PXA250 400 WM2003 BT1.1
H4150 64 64 1SDIO PXA255 400 WM2003 802.11b BT1.1
hx2410 64 64 1CF 1SDIO PXA270 520 WM2003SE 802.11b BT1.2
hx2495b 64 192 1CF 1SDIO PXA270 520 WM5 802.11b BT1.7
hx2750 128 128 1CF 1SDIO PXA270 624 WM2003SE 802.11b BT1.2
hx2790 64 192 1CF 1SDIO PXA270 624 WM5 802.11b BT1.7.1
hx2790b 64 320 1CF 1SDIO PXA270 624 WM5 802.11b BT1.7.1
hx4700 64 128 1CF 1SDIO PXA270 624 WM2003SE 802.11b BT1.2 VGA
rz1700 32 32 1SDIO S3C2410 203 WM2003SE
rx3100 32 64 1SDIO S3C2410 300 WM2003SE 802.11b BT1.2
rx3400 32 64 1SDIO S3C2410 300 WM2003SE 802.11b BT1.2
rx3700 64 64 1SDIO S3C2410 400 WM2003SE 802.11b BT1.2
h6300 64 64 1SDIO TI OMAP 168 WM2003 802.11b BT1.1 GPRS
hw6500 64 64 1SDIO 1miniSD PXA270 312 WM2003SE BT1.2 GPRS/EDGE, GPS
hw6900 64 64 1miniSD PXA270 416 WM5.0 802.11b BT1.2 GPRS/EDGE, GPS
rw6800 64 128 1miniSD PXA270 416 WM5.0 802.11b BT1.2 GPRS/EDGE
110 64 256 1SDHC/SDIO PXA310 624 WM6.0 802.11b/g BT2.0 w/ EDR
210 128 256 1SDHC/SDIO PXA310 624 WM6.0 802.11b/g BT2.0 w/ EDR VGA

Alternative operating systems for the iPAQ

NetBSD

NetBSD will install and run on iPAQ.

Familiar Linux

An alternative Linux-based OS is available for the iPAQ, called Familiar. It is available with the Opie or GPE GUI environment, or as a base Linux system with no GUI if preferred.

Both Opie and GPE provide the usual PIM suite (calendar, contacts, todo list, and notes) as well as a long list of other applications. Support for handwriting recognition, on-screen keyboard, bluetooth, IrDA and add-on hardware such as keyboards are standard in both environments.

The v0.8.4 (2006-08-20) version supports HP iPAQ H3xxx and H5xxx series of handhelds, and introduces initial support for the HP iPAQ H2200, Hx4700, and H6300 series.

Plan 9

Plan 9 runs on the iPAQ. The nickname of the architecture is "bitsy".

Ångström distribution

See Ångström Distribution


Upgrades

Some of the iPAQ series are upgradeable to newer versions of the Windows Mobile software. This is limited to very recent releases, such as the hx2000 series. Upgrades are available from HP for approximately US$39.99 + shipping, and include the Windows Mobile 5.0 software and an updated version of Microsoft ActiveSync.

Internal Li-ion battery

iPAQ model 3100 - 3700 are fitted with internal Li-ion battery PN 167648 3.7v 1500mAh which can be replaced with a 2200mAh upgrade. The same battery is used in the iPAQ jacket PN 173396-001 PCMCIA (PC port), which can also be upgraded to 2200mAh.

RAM Upgrade

It is possible the have the internal RAM of an iPAQ H3970 upgraded to 128Mb, however this requires a specialist service as the RAM chips are surface mount BGAs which cannot be removed with normal soldering equipment.

See also

References

  1. ^ HP Press release
  2. ^ http://pinouts.ru/PDA/ipaq_22p_pinout.shtml
  3. ^ http://h18000.www1.hp.com/products/quickspecs/12255_ca/12255_ca.HTML#Standard%20Features
  4. ^ Forum post relating to the release
  5. ^ Forum post relating to the release
  6. ^ Forum post relating to the release
  7. ^ Forum post relating to the release
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