Latest HP iPAQ smartphone

Meet the HP iPAQ rw6828 Multimedia Messenger, previously a vicious rumour way back in February, is now a real and shiny product, complete with all the goodies we expected, and a few more. Pretty light at a megre 140g, with a minimalist look - no keyboard, just some quick jump buttons, the 6828 looks like a smartphone you wouldn’t be embarrassed to hold to your ear in public.

It is one of the first Windows Mobile 5.0 based devices to support push email, making it an ideal business phone/PDA. Strangely it is only tri-band, but features every connectivity option you can imagine - GPRS/EDGE, Bluetooth, Infrared and Wi-Fi. Part of HP’s DIAFA (Designed in Asia, for Asia) Initiative, CNET are currently the only reviewers lucky enough to get their hands on one, and they are singing its praises. Comparing it to the corporate friendly Blackberrys, they are pleased to announce that the 6828’s multimedia functions blow the Berry out the water.

For music you have FM radio and PocketMusic MP3 software, which may not sound fabulous, but as HP said themselves, it’s not iPOD they’re rivalling. There is also video playback and a 2 megapixel camera complete with self-portrait mirror - if you are so inclined.

So - the verdict. With the classic iPAQ look, and a choice of two colours, the rw6828 ain’t too shabby to look at. It has full PDA features but is just as impressive as a mobile phone. It might not win any awards for innovation, but it is a solid, well-rounded device and definitely worth a look.