HP's hw6500: size, details, more pics!
by Ryan Block 
posted Feb 3rd 2005 at 3:30PM
So we had to know—exactly how big is the new
iPAQ Mobile Messenger? Disclaimer: these are
speculative numbers, and were derived using very inexact processes on those leaked photos (read: no guarantees,
people!). So we superimposed an SD card within the SD slot (see right for example) and ran the numbers, calculating
sizes, ratios, angles, and perspective (thank you high school geometry!). What we came up with were some surprisingly
round digits: if we did our math right, it should have a square 3.2-inch screen (each side being 2.28-inches), and be
4.75-inches tall, 2.86-inches wide, and 0.77-0.9-inches deep (between its thinnest and thickest points). Compare that
to the Treo 650's 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.9-inch dimensions and the
BenQ P50's 4.7 x 2.4 x 0.8-inch dimensions, and what
you've got here is a device that's a bit bigger still than the others in its class.
But, we've got some new details on the thing that help justify that bit of extra heftiness—yes, there's both an SDIO
and a miniSD card slot on the right side (we were wondering what that smaller slot was…), and in addition to
the GSM/GPRS/EDGE and integrated
GPS receiver, it will have Bluetooth, a 1.3-megapixel camera option, a
removeable flip cover, and USB docking station. If all this is true—we're not saying it is, necessarily—then this may
just be the long lost smartphone of our dreams!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
mike s. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
nice detective work! it'll be interesting see how close you guys are or not.
Fine James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I heard some guy on the street tell another guy on the street that this would also have wifi
TheZodiac @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Am I the only one doubting there will be GPS? Form the pics, I dont see anything pertruding from it to make me think there is... unless the antenna is detachable or something. This is serious stuff though! (even though I hate HP, and iPaq) for now...
TAZ427 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Daddy wants! Mama ain't buyin'
mrmg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
It looks quite nice to hold (judging by the pick with someone holding it, always an exact science!). It's not just the size of these things that matter but rather the little touches they put into it that make it nicer to hold or to pocket. Not sure if I explain it too well but I've had big phones that are far easier and nicer to carry than some smaller ones just because they are designed better.
john @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
any idea on when this might be out? are we talking weeks? couple months? 6 months???
Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Where's my WiFi?
Brandon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
according to the pic of the device in the hand, about ~6-7 SD cards would fit down the side of the device (width wise) ur superimposed sd card over the device is off id say, i can only see about 3.5 sd cards linding up along the side width wise along the length of the device.
christopher wanko @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
The WiFi is in the SDIO slot, i.e. buy an add-on card.
Link @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
If only it ran on OSX
Adam @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
If a decent wi-fi solution for the Treo 650 doesn't happen soon, I may go for this thing.
pprina @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
If you look at this and the BenQ P50 you will see they look almost exactly the same (status lights, microphone, keypad) except for the power button. Will this suck just like the P50?
pprina @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
If you look at this and the BenQ P50 you will see they look almost exactly the same (status lights, microphone, keypad) except for the power button. Will this suck just like the P50?
Eamon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: battery life is the critical component in any smartphone. If it won't go a 3-day weekend without a recharge, it's just this side of useless.
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I agree the SD card looked a little big in the initial pic.
rollcow @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
It will NOT have WIFI and only a 240x240 pixel screen. Too bad... Nice try, though
http://www.mobiletechreview.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Board=news&Number=19052
MS Mobiles @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
smartphone of your dreams?
well, if it will have 220x220 then big no no.
if it will not have VGA (it will not certainly) then also not good.
far from dreams...
Harrie Nak @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
What if it has the same 200 Mhz processor as the 6315? :P
Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Any idea which OS?
Victor @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I'm suprised Commentor #17 is able to figure out what other peoples' "dreams" are. I was wondering what level of arrogance one has to have to determine what dreams are for anyone but him/her self.
Also, Commentor #14's argument is SEVERLY flawed. He/She can say it again and again, but it's pointless to mention "3 day battery life" without mentioning usage patterns, etc. Standby without usage will definitely surpass 3 days on almost any current and future smartphone.
But, the instant you power on a screen and use if heavily, no phone nor PDA will be able to last 3 days under such conditions. A proper japanese 3G phone on AU or NTT FOMA realistically barely lasts over 15 hours on heavy use. A pure PDA w/o wireless connectivity lasts on average 5-8 hours.
The truth is, 3 day battery life (unless you only count standby) is not practical on a PDA phone, let alone a PDA or phone.
Desert @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I'm game, as soon as it runs Palm or Symbian
Herman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I do not know what you mean by "the long lost smart phone" you are talking about, I have been using the Samsung i700 smart phone/pocket pc for the last 2 years, does anyone even know about this smart phone? or you guys are just obssessed with HP and Palm?
Tony @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Any idea if HP will go with the bulevarde line of chips from Intel or the Omap2 from TI.
AB @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
The GPS must be a separate bluetooth unit. Not integrated. Because first off, where's the antenna, second integrated would render the GPS useless in a car.
Tom Gilheany @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
You sure about the Mini-SD thing? It would seem to me that the small slot might be for the GSM-SIM card... (Similar to Treo's removable SIM-card slot).
(If it is Mini-SD, then does the SIM card still go into a spot behind the battery)?
-->Tom
Robb Irrgang @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I'm curious if the model number (6500) is a bad jab at the new Treo ("10x better than a 650!")
Steven Fisher @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
"But, weve got some new details on the thing that help justify that bit of extra heftiness..."
Stop right there.
Sorry, but nothing could justify the extra size and weight in a cell phone. I'm not as sensitive with PDAs, but if it expects to do double duty as a cell phone it better be a comfortable one.
Tom @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
i am in agreement with adam. i am so tired waiting around for a 650 wifi solution. damn, i even got on the phone with the enfora people today. no "early feb." relaese for the 600 sled... it's still "a couple weeks away." and the 650 sled is to be released after that. i'm not crazy about pocket pc ware, but if palm doesn't do something soon, i'm done with the treo. mda III or mobile messenger, here i come.
010111 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
that side slottin' is going to suck for an actual wifi card... as all on the market now stick out like 1/2 and inch. i doubt anyone makes a miniSD wifi... or a wifi that doesn't stick out?
so the lack of wifi is sort of a shame. this is *real* close to my perfect PDA/phone thingy though as well. the wifi is the only thing ruining it for me.
subzerostang @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
[SARCASM] Woah! does that SD Card really materialize in the screen like that. Thats so awesome.. Captain Kirk would be proud.
jay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
"that side slottin' is going to suck for an actual wifi card... as all on the market now stick out like 1/2 and inch. i doubt anyone makes a miniSD wifi... or a wifi that doesn't stick out"
I wouldnt be worried about that,its kinda early and plus since this is HP they, might just have another with added wifi, one without a camera and plus the sdio slot looks a decent distance away from the keyboard, shouldn't be a problem...unless u have sasquach hands
jayman @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
This is the best use of photoshop I've seen since I saw a britney/christina morph!!
Please could you try the same trick with the new T-mobile XDA IV - picture available on infosync. The size of this device and the screen in particular is going to be a big factor for many - Ta.
Tully @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
If this thing really is a square 240x240 screen you dont want it. Most of the pocket pc software isnt going to run at 240x240. At least the VGA pocket pcs can downshift to 320x240 and run old software. 240x240 devices wont be able to do that.
David @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Maybe I'm a expecting a bit much, but why can't we have a vga ipaq that has WiFi, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS/EDGE and integrated GPS receiver, plus camera, and a fm radio, integrated TV and also mp3/music player? Of course running the latest Windows interface and vpn access to my corporate network ;) What other gadgets could it have on it?
David @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Maybe I'm a expecting a bit much, but why can't we have a vga ipaq that has WiFi, Bluetooth, GSM/GPRS/EDGE and integrated GPS receiver, plus camera, and a fm radio, integrated TV and also mp3/music player? Of course running the latest Windows interface and vpn access to my corporate network ;) What other gadgets could it have on it?
Sam @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Put this and the Treo 650's sudden price hike together and you have alot of pissed of people who will just wait for what is to come. Instead of bending over for PALM.
Mario @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Looks cool to me... But i prefer wi fi instead of GPS, and also, ill love this one to have an 480x480 screen (Of course square screens cant be VGA, since VGA is not square :) )
Dan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Im so happy for the people who have a lot of money to buy it but I am pissed that I was sold a piece of junk and told by tmobile "this is the best pda/phone we have; yes they dont have any problems". Until later I had problems with the 6315 and they said "Oh, yes we know we have problems and we are sorry go take it back if you dont like it! Hp said the same thing, and now they come out with an updated version instead of fixing the one they have? How about buying a new car, they would have to fix the car or get you another one. Should Tmobile be treated any different? NO JUST BLAME IT ON SOMEONE ELSE!!!
Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Well... It is my hope that HP can produce a CDMA version also..
rafael @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Is it working with ozi expolorer?
anyone knows ?
dede @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
i'm in LA
how much will it be?
is it launched yet?
when?
X @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
the 6315 is maximum rock & roll. wifi bluetooth gprs irda, all built in. with a 1g SD card, i carry 250 songs(wm). wish it was VGA (but I can handle 320x240) wish it had integrated antenna, but that's the end of my complaints list. used to carry phone, pda, music player, etc etc -- now jus this. this is the best piece of technology i have ever owned. I give it a 99/100.
the 6500 is not enough of an improvement for me to think twice about it.
chris @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
can you get me a sample unit of hp hw6500 for introduction to my local telephone carrier.
where can i enquiry on this
Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
This thing would be even better if it had CDMA and GSM in phone. Anybody know one that does? And that will work on Telstra in Australia.
ZV @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Looks like same s..t as HP 6315 which I bought in October but since I have used it only for about 3 months. Reason - always in service AND I PAY FOR IT. I carry HP 6315 in my jackets inner pocket and always in dedicated case, but since my purchase display has gone twice - and HP claims to be my mechanical fault and refuses to service it as guaranty. Already paid "second" HP. No more HP for me! Thats in Czech Republic just for record.
Wild_tango @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
Well, just for start, a square 240x240 pixel screen could jeopardize some applications made for conventional PPCs. We lack about 25% of the viewable surface area, and thats a lot for such small devices. You might think that there is always a workaround (using tabs, etc.), but I'm not sure for this. I guess that HP could done it better. If the screen is broken or the digitiser goes dead, IMHO to find the spare part - for this special size - will be a harder task.
My 2 cents..
Kampo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:04AM
I do not instal certificates by addrootcert.exe. Help me please, how I may install it ? I dont look icon "instal Certificate" Thankss