Recently, the folks at Hewlett-Packard have kept us pretty busy writing reviews.

Two issues ago we reviewed their iPAQ h2200 (www.PocketPCmag.com/nov03/h2200.asp), a stylish, compact Pocket PC with two card slots and plenty of power. In that same issue we also took a quick look at the new iPAQ h1940, h5100, and h5500 (www.PocketPCmag.com/nov03/otheripaqs.asp). In the last issue we reviewed bargain Pocket PCs, including the iPAQ h1935, HP's newest no-frills Windows Mobile device (www.PocketPCmag.com/jan04/bargainppcs.asp).

We thought five new iPAQs in a three-month period was quite an accomplishment for HP—and then they sent us two more brand-new iPAQs: the iPAQ h4150 and the iPAQ h4350. These new Pocket PCs are small, lightweight devices somewhat similar in appearance to the h1935. However, there are significant changes to the design, especially in the h4350.

HP's new iPAQ h4150(left) and h4350(right) come with built-in Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and IrdA.

Snappy performance and other features

common to the iPAQ h4150 and h4350

Both devices are powered by a 400 MHz Intel PXA processor with XScale technology. Performance on both seemed pretty snappy—I did not notice any long pauses while documents loaded. This general impression is supported by benchmark tests that rate the h4150 as one of the fastest Pocket PCs available (www.bargainpda.com/reviews/). Both devices have 64 MB of SDRAM, 55 MB of which is available to run programs and store files. The built-in Windows Mobile software occupies most of the 32 MB of flash ROM. A little under 3 MB of the flash ROM is available to the user to store data and programs. Both devices have a USB port for data synchronization, and both come with a USB sync/charging cradle. On the top of each device is an SDIO card slot, allowing the user to add storage memory and I/O peripherals. Also located on the top of each device is a standard 3.5 mm stereo earphone jack.

Both of these h4000 series Pocket PCs come with a 3.5-inch diagonal, 240x320 pixel, transflective touchscreen capable of displaying 65,000 colors. They have very nice screens, quite viewable indoors and reasonably so outdoors. These are the same screens used on HP's h1900 series Pocket PCs, and some users have complained of a yellowish tinge to the screen if you looked at it from an angle. I did notice this on both devices, but it was very minor and did not bother me.

Integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth worked like a charm

The h4150 and h4350 both come with integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b) and Bluetooth wireless capabilities, as well as an IrDA port. The wireless capabilities worked without a hitch. I was able to connect to our network and browse the Web using the Wi-Fi capabilities. I transferred files back and forth between the two iPAQs using Bluetooth. I also beamed contacts back and forth using IrDA. You turn the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capability on and off using the built-in iPAQ Wireless application (Screen 1), which is accessed from the Start menu. Leave it off when you're not using it, to conserve battery power.

Screen1: The iPAQ Wireless application built in lets you turn Bluetooth and WLAN(Wi-Fi) on and off.

Speaking of batteries, both of the new iPAQs come with user-replaceable lithium-ion rechargeables. The h4150 has a 1,000 mAh battery and the h4350 a 1,560 mAh one. HP sells an optional 1,800 mAh extended battery for the h4150 and a 3,600 mAh extended battery for the h4350. Both devices have a built-in NiMH rechargeable backup battery. Some reviewers have complained about the relatively short battery life of the h4150. HP does not give an official manufacturer's estimate on either device.

Both iPAQs have two LEDs that flank the on/off button at the top of the device. They indicate when the battery is charging or fully charged, alert you when an alarm or appointment comes due, and tell you if your Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capability is turned on.

The IrDA port is located on the upper right edge of the h4350 and on the bottom of the h4150 (poor placement in my opinion).

The h4350's very usable built-in keyboard

The iPAQ h4350 is unique among consumer Pocket PCs because it includes a 39-key QWERTY thumb keyboard on the bottom of the device, below the navigation button and quick launch keys (Screen 2). I have about average-size hands for a man, and I found this keyboard to be surprisingly useable. The keys have a slightly rounded top and are spaced in such a way that it was pretty easy to press the key I was aiming for. The keyboard is backlit: Touch any key and a blue backlighting comes on behind the keyboard and stays on for about 5 seconds. The backlighting makes the keyboard usable at night—it's a thoughtful addition to the device.

Screen2: A QWERTY thumb keyboard is built into the bottom of the iPAQ h4350 Pocket PC.

The keyboard works with any application that accepts NORMAL input. You can even use it when you're navigating through dialog boxes and menus. However, because there are only 39 keys, some compromises in key placement were made. The arrow keys (up, down, right, and left) as well as those for punctuation and other symbols are found on the left side of the keyboard on the top three rows. A small embedded numeric keypad is located on the right side of the keyboard. All of these are activated by holding down an alternate-key button in the lower left of the keyboard.

The Enter key (extreme right, second from the bottom) could be a little larger, and you have to get used to the new symbol/punctuation placement, but all in all, the keyboard works well. I tried two approaches to using the keyboard. In the first, I held the iPAQ in my hands and pressed the keys with my thumbs. In the second, I laid the iPAQ on my desk and pressed the keys with my index fingers. The second method proved the more efficient of the two, but using either I was able to enter NORMAL faster than I was using the screen keyboard or Transcriber.

The addition of the keyboard makes the h4350 about an inch longer and an ounce heavier than the h4150 (see Spec Sheet, page 16, for more details). But the improved functionality more than compensates for the increase in bulk.

Standard and optional accessories

Included in the package with the h4150 and h4350 are a USB synchronization cradle (with slot to recharge a spare battery) and cable, an AC power adapter with an adapter that lets you plug it directly into the iPAQ, a slip cover for protection, a stylus, a battery, a “getting started” poster, and a companion CD with user-installable software for the Pocket PC and desktop PC.

In addition, HP offers the following optional accessories: A 3600 mAh extended battery for the h4350, an 1800 mAh extended battery for the h4150, a USB synchronization cable, SD memory cards, a leather belt case, an automobile power adapter kit, and CarePAQ (available in North America only), which provides next-business-day replacement of a faulty unit.

Even though the h4350 has a built-in keyboard, HP offers a foldable external keyboard for it and the h4150. In addition, HP is now offering a Bluetooth GPS receiver and navigation software for all Bluetooth-equipped iPAQs (see page 10). HP recently introduced Photosmart, a small 1.3 megapixel SDIO digital camera that lets you capture digital photos and short videos on any iPAQ Pocket PC equipped with an SDIO-compatible card slot (Screen 3).

Screen 3: HP's Photosmart mobile camera lets you capture digital photos and short videos.

Full suite of Windows Mobile 2003

for Pocket PC software

The h4150 and h4350 come with the Windows Mobile 2003 for the Pocket PC Premium Edition Software built in and ready to use. This suite includes the following applications: Windows CE 4.2 OS, Pocket Outlook (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Notes, and Inbox), Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, File Explorer, Windows Media Player 9.0, MS Reader, Pictures, NORMAL and character entry software (soft keyboard, Transcriber, single-character handwriting recognition software), Solitaire, Jawbreaker, Calculator, Voice Recorder, Asset Viewer, MS Messenger, Bluetooth Manager, various setup and configuration utilities, VPN Client, Server Sync client, Terminal Services Client, Infrared Beaming, and built-in support for external keyboard functions.

Built-in HP software adds functionality

In addition to the Microsoft programs, HP includes three applications and a suite of utilities.

iPAQ Backup is a robust application that lets you back up data to a storage card or the internal memory. The application lets you back up the whole system, or select specific folders and databases. You can give the backup file a name and save it where you want. You can even create a self-extracting backup file that will restore itself automatically.

iPAQ iTask Manager is a pop-up task switcher that lets you close down or switch between open applications, quickly access the setup screen for backlighting, and open a number of the built-in setup utilities, including Buttons, Clock, Connections, Memory, Menus, and more. By default, iTask Manager is activated by the rightmost application launch button.

iPAQ Image Zone is a digital photo-album application that lets you view images in .jpg, .bmp, .gif, or .png formats. You can browse images in a split view with thumbnail at the bottom of the screen and a larger view of the selected image at the top (Screen 4). Or you can display a single image in full-screen mode. The program lets you associate an audio note with an image. It even has a slideshow mode that lets you display your images sequentially.

Screen 4: HP includes the digital photo album software iPAQ Image Zone with the h4000 series Pocket PCs.

HP also includes a number of custom utilities with the h4000 series:

• Self Test— a utility that lets you check out the condition of your hardware.
• Audio— an enhanced audio utility that lets you adjust the microphone for short range, normal, or conference recording, as well as adjust the earphone volume.
• Power— an enhanced power-status utility that lets you turn on a WLAN power-saving mode.
• Format Storage— reformats the user-accessible iPAQ File Store.
• LEAP— provides username/password-based authentication between a wireless device and a RADIUS server running Cisco.

Companion CD has plenty

of user-installable applications

Like all Pocket PCs, the h4000 series ships with a companion CD that contains a variety of user-installable software. Microsoft includes (or includes links to) the following programs on the companion CD: ActiveSync 3.7, Outlook 2002 (desktop PC version), and Windows Media Player 9.0 (desktop PC version). In addition, the following HP and third-party software programs are found on the companion CD. Some of these titles are free full versions of the product; others are free evaluation copies that you can use for a limited time. Finally, the CD includes brief descriptions of more third-party applications and links to the vendors' Web sites, where you can find more information about these applications and in some cases download them.

Complete user-installable versions of these programs are on the CD:

• HP Mobile Printing ( http://www.hp.com/go/pocketpcprint )—Print e-mail, Calendar appointments, Contacts, Pocket Word documents, and images.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader for Pocket PC ( http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readerforppc.html )—Read Adobe .pdf files.
• AvantGo ( http://www.avantgo.com ) —A mobile Internet digest for the Pocket PC.
• ClearVue Office Suite ( http://www.westtek.com )—View native PowerPoint, Excel, and Word files from Microsoft Office 97, 2000, and XP.
• Colligo Personal Edition ( http://www.colligo.com/go/hp/index.asp )—Exchange information and communicate with other Wi-Fi enabled Pocket PCs.
• F-Secure FileCrypto for Pocket PC Personal Edition ( http://www.fsecure.com )—Protects against unwanted data disclosure.
• iPAQ User's Guide—Complete user's guide to the h4000 series iPAQs in .pdf format.
• iPresentation Mobile Converter and Presenter-to-Go (www.margi.com)—Create mobile presentations out of any printable desktop PC application and view them on your Pocket PC.
• Real Player for Pocket PC ( http://www.real.com )—Play Real audio and video content.
• Resco File Explorer ( http://www.resco-net.com )—Alternative full-featured file explorer with file encryption, ZIP compression, a built-in viewer, a registry editor, and more.
• SingleTap Catalog ( http://www.singletap.com/iPAQ/download/ )—Free Pocket PC software catalog.
• WorldMate ( http://www.mobimate.com )—Add world clocks, day/night world map, currency converter, get latest weather reports, and more.
• XcelleNet's Afaria ( http://www.xcellenet.com )—Extend enterprise applications to mobile workers and effectively manage their devices (10-seat license).

Demo versions of these programs are on the CD. If you wish to continue to use them after the trial period, you must purchase them.

• Resco Picture Viewer ( http://www.resco-net.com )— View images from a digital photo and video album. Supports MPEG I and II video; JPG, PNG, TIF, BMP, and other image file types.
• Lotus Cadenza ( http://www.commontime.com/hp.htm )—Synchronize Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, and journal notes between a Pocket PC and a desktop PC that's using Lotus Notes.
• Sprite Pocket Backup ( http://www.spritesoftware.com/ )—Selectively back up files, databases, registry, and more to a storage card, desktop PC, or network. The program also includes PocketMON, a Today-screen resource monitor, and Space Detective, a file-storage analysis tool.
• List Pro from Ilium Software (www.iliumsoft.com/)—Store and organize lists.
• Audible Player (www.audible.com)—“Reads” news, magazines, and books to you. The player application and the first month of service are free. After that you must subscribe to the service.
• Vindigo (www.vindigo.com)—Navigation software that displays maps of, and detailed information about, restaurants and other attractions in 50 major metropolitan areas. Application and first month of service are free. After that you must subscribe.

LINKS AND DESCRIPTIONS ONLY-Describes a product and provides links to the vendors' Web sites. Free demos may or may not be available there.

• Avaya IP Softphone (www.avaya.com )—Turns your Pocket PC into a wireless VoIP phone.
• Cisco CallManager ( http://www.cisco.com )—Another VoIP phone solution
• IP Blue VTGO ( http://www.ipblue.com/vtgo.htm )—Another VoIP phone solution.
• NetMotion Mobility (www.nmwco.com/ipaq/) —Lets you roam between WLANs, WWANs, Bluetooth networks, and hot spots while maintaining secure, reliable access to corporate data and applications.
• Running Voice IP ( http://www.pocketpresence.com/download/ipaq/rvip/ )—Another VoIP phone solution.
• Software for your Pocket PC ( http://www.handango.com ) —Link to Handango.com, a comprehensive source of third-party software for your Pocket PC.

Attractive device performs well!

The h4150 and h4350 are attractive devices with snappy performance. The integrated Bluetooth is a plus, but the integrated Wi-Fi is probably more immediately practical for U.S. users. Even the slightly larger h4350 slips easily into the inside breast pocket of my coat, and its near-6-ounce weight doesn't bother me in the slightest.

As you can probably tell from the review, I liked the h4350's thumb keyboard. Other than testing a few clip-on thumb keyboards with earlier HP iPAQs, I haven't used this input method extensively. I found it easy to adapt to and more efficient than tapping on the screen, and the backlighting for the keys was a nice touch.

I've read complaints about the battery life of the h4150, claiming only 4 hours of continuous use with the standard battery. The same source claimed 6 hours of continuous use with the h4350's slight larger battery. If accurate, I would think either one of those estimates sufficient for a full day of off-and-on use. If 4 hours are insufficient for your needs, you could always get one of the extended batteries.

HP has introduced seven new iPAQs in a 4–5 month period, along with a few nifty new accessories to enhance their functionality. I was going to close with a baseball analogy comparing HP to the New York Yankees in terms of both organizations' breadth of strong players. But the Yanks got beat by the Marlins last October and I don't think that's going to happen to HP. The new iPAQ h4150 and h4350 demonstrate HP's continued commitment to innovating and growing the Pocket PC market. The other Pocket PC developers will have to follow suit and that's good for consumers.