HP iPAQ hw6940 hits retail channels, finally

Has HP come through in the clutch -- or is it too little, too late? That's the question Pocket PC-hungry consumers will be answering in the next few weeks now that the long... nay, long-rumored hw6940 Mobile Messenger is finally shipping stateside. We were sorta excited about this thing, like, nine months ago, but at this point we're not sure how we feel about Bluetooth 1.2, a pedestrian 64MB of RAM, and the lack of 802.11g -- not to mention that the inclusion of AKU2 doesn't command the same respect it did just a few short months back. Add to that the $600 this thing will set you back, and needless to say we're hoping Cingular's going to bless it with a hefty subsidy when it finally drops in their neck of the woods.

[Via MobilitySite]

[Rik @ Sep 8th 2006 8:06PM]

Had this been released around June time I would have purchased it but now I think I'll wait for HTC to drop a GPS unit into one of their slide-out-keyboard form factors

[Toe TagR @ Sep 8th 2006 9:04PM]

OK now I am starting to be disappointed in this site. I look up to engadget for my nerd tendencies but WTF?! I've owned two of these phones 8-9 months ago I got rid of it and bought another crappy PPC phone. THERE is absolutely NOTHING interesting about this phone! it's old news. I thought this is where people came for NEWS...the l8st and the gr8st new stuff.
ENGADGET YOUR KILLING ME!!! I need more material so I can sound cool around my nerd friends! Some more news about AMD and ATI would be cool.

[MikeR @ Sep 8th 2006 9:08PM]

agreed! i got sick of waiting for this product and just bought a new nokia. if the reviews aren't spectacular, this thing is going to flop.

[Gerald @ Sep 8th 2006 9:14PM]

Lol!!

We had them in Asia (Singapore) in like june...

Why is there so much delay to get it released in us?

[RyanTV @ Sep 8th 2006 11:55PM]

i am so over this phone. i had my heart set on it in March when it was supposed to come out. I'll wait and get an excallibur or a GSM Q when (if) they ever come out. I'm very dissapointed in HP on this release because at this point its really lackluster.

[PaulS @ Sep 8th 2006 11:58PM]

As someone who has had 5 different Treo 600 and 4 different Treo 650 phones all because of problems and all on Cingular, I can't trust anything HTC makes. That includes the 8125 which I had for a month and the internal antenna sucked. The ONLY reason I would consider this HP device is because (hopefully) it is NOT from HTC and might actually work like it is supposed to... I want a reliable, Palm OS phone that knows how to be a great phone FIRST and a decent PDA second.

[chris @ Sep 9th 2006 1:02AM]

I've waiting for this thing to come out since the beginning of the year so it's been pretty damn frustrating that it takes so long. But I figure if I sit around and wait for the next great thing that's been announced, it'll just be another year gone by at which time something else will be anounced and on and on...

I just hope for deep disounting

[Dispraiser @ Sep 9th 2006 1:55AM]

My sprint PPC6700 is amazing, better than this phone (I gather) and was only 450. No thanks, HP.

Better yet, it has a slide out keypad, so I don't have to talk into a dinner plate sized phone.

[outbound @ Sep 9th 2006 2:54AM]

I don't care that it took 9 months to show up - there's still nothing like that balances portability, form factor and capabilities like the hw6900. I ordered mine.

[TiredTech @ Sep 9th 2006 3:03AM]

I agree that it is definately taking too long...and at this point i feel like waiting for something from HTC with GPS...but oh well, i will probably be buying this anyways...

[kOa7 @ Sep 9th 2006 3:25AM]

It's too bad the hw6900 series doesn't have more leading edge components (usb 2.0/host, higher res screen, wifi-g, better camera at least good enough to capture whiteboards, etc), but unless the t830 gets a slight update and becomes fully supported in North America, or some other surprise, it's probably the best thing going for a "does everything, somewhat" kind of device - running an MS OS - for the next half year or longer.

I have an editable page on this device and concerns at http://wiki.zooid.org/wiki/Mobile_gps_phone , specially relevant if you live in Canader.

[ubi @ Sep 9th 2006 6:22AM]

for 150 (or more) bucks left you can get an E61.
maybe you can run less software, but you don't have to stick to having a windows logo on your device.

[mobilelawyer @ Sep 9th 2006 2:09PM]

I think this unit serves a need. I really like the 8125, but would love to do away with the slide-out keyboard. Business users are more interested in have a reliable phone and email utility, and have less concern about every other bell and whistle.

[austinguy23 @ Sep 9th 2006 9:13PM]

This article is right on. 9 months ago I was super excited about this device and would have bought it as soon as it came out. Now its specs are outdated and there are better products on the market. I'll wait for the 8525 when it comes out for Cingular in the next few weeks/months.

[Gerald @ Sep 10th 2006 12:54AM]

Hey guys, if any of you need the iPAQ hw6945, do give me an email at [e-mail] and i will sell you some.

[Andy @ Sep 11th 2006 10:50AM]

I have been real excited for this phone, but the wait kind of put a hurting on my desire to buy one. There are a lot of great features on this one, but the oddly shaped screen and not having a 2mp camera kind of suck. I think I will stick with my P910a for a little longer until HTC comes out with a model with GPS.

[Christine @ Sep 11th 2006 12:27PM]

We were thinking about purchasing this phone, and tried to get past the price tag for the outdated technology and to focus on all the features included in one package, but decided not to get it.

Another rip off is that the 6940 does not have a camera, and the 6945 does, but THAT is the only difference. Even the sales rep said that there are no other specific differences other than the camera. WHY are they BOTH priced at $599?

There is GPS capability, but there is no software included. You have to buy it for $129!!

Definitely not gonna purchase this for $729+. It's ridiculous.

[Mo Mustafa @ Sep 14th 2006 10:44PM]

Don't you that two big operator(Cing.. and T Mo..) caused this long delay to release. Buttom line HP US is a puppet no guts to release 9 month ago.

[iam25boy @ Sep 29th 2006 2:56PM]

I just got mine. I kinda skeptical before due to the price. However, I am pretty satified with it. HP does a good job putting all the piece together compare to HTC product. ( I use a 8125, and SPV before). It has everything I need.
Now think of it, the price is not bad for an unlocked phone with BT/Wifi/GPS/EDGE/Quad-Band (SE P990 has even higher price, Treo still $500 unlocked with no gps). The software come with is top notch as well. The Phone Data Manager can configure the phone automatically (all data settings) after SIM card is inserted (good for oversea trip!). Also, it has a VPN solution, it has the driver for LEAP! Finally I can use it at work! Amazing! I never use a handheld with such business like features...
I think you have to pay a little more premium to get a nice intergrated product with so many features. This is a keeper!

[shakoor @ Apr 28th 2007 12:46AM]

I Want to buy a two number's of HP iPAQ 6940 or 6945 mobile messanger . this is urgent matter for bussnes. tell me where can i buy this PDA as soon as possible . I am from sri lanka . SO I CAN PICK UP IN SINGAPORE. tell me what is the option you will have?


thank you

shakoor