Overview of HP iPAQ h6320

The HP iPAQ h6320 is a notable product from Hewlett-Packard that was launched in the fourth quarter of 2004. Although it has been discontinued, the device remains a fascinating part of technological history. It was designed as a Pocket PC Phone, merging the functionality of a PDA with a mobile phone, a combination that was quite innovative at the time.

Design and Build

The HP iPAQ h6320 stands out with its robust build, measuring 137.6 x 74.6 x 20.8 mm and weighing in at 190 grams. With a sleek silver finish, the device was quite appealing to business professionals. The size and weight meant it was not particularly compact, but it offered a sturdy handheld experience. The device accommodated a Mini-SIM and was designed to handle the rigors of both personal and business use.

Display

Equipped with a 3.5-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, the iPAQ h6320 displayed 65K colors. It had a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, which at the time, provided clear and vibrant visuals for users. The touchscreen capability was instrumental in navigating the Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 PocketPC Phone Edition OS, although it required the use of a stylus.

Performance and Platform

The device was powered by a TI OMAP 1510 chipset with a CPU based on the ARM925T architecture. While its performance by today's standards would seem modest, at the time, it offered a satisfactory experience for handling basic applications and tasks typical of Windows Mobile 2003. The internal memory was 64MB of RAM with an additional 64MB of ROM, and users could expand storage via an SD card slot up to 1GB. This setup allowed for effective personal information management and mobile productivity.

Connectivity

The HP iPAQ h6320 was a quad-band GSM device supporting GSM 850/900/1800/1900 networks, which was suitable for global use. It had GPRS Class 10 for data connectivity but did not support EDGE. The device included Wi-Fi based on the 802.11b standard and Bluetooth 1.1, allowing for basic wireless communication and data transfer. An infrared port provided additional options for device communication, although it lacked positioning services and did not include a built-in radio.

Battery Life

The device featured a removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery. This was considered adequate for daily use, given the period’s typical usage patterns. Users could expect reliable power throughout the day, although the multimedia capabilities that demanded higher power consumption were limited due to the lack of a camera and advanced graphics.

Sound and Alerts

Sound capabilities on the HP iPAQ h6320 included a loudspeaker and supported vibration and polyphonic ringtones. However, it did not have a 3.5mm audio jack, which might limit audio accessories unless the user employed a proprietary solution. These features met the essential communication needs of users.

Software and Usability

The device ran Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 PocketPC Phone Edition, which enabled it to perform a range of productivity tasks including email, word processing, and browsing with Pocket Internet Explorer. This operating system was known for offering compatibility with a variety of applications specifically designed for professional environments and seamless integration with Microsoft Office.

Market Impact and Legacy

At its launch, the HP iPAQ h6320 was priced at about 190 EUR, positioning it as a mid-to-upper tier device. It appealed largely to business users who required PDA functionalities with mobile connectivity. The iPAQ series contributed to paving the way for future smartphones by demonstrating the potential of combining mobile telephony and PDA capabilities in a single device.

Conclusion

Despite its discontinuation, the HP iPAQ h6320 remains a notable part of mobile history, showing the evolution of mobile devices into the smartphones we know today. Its blend of PDA and phone capabilities, supported by an innovative design and practical features, made it a significant step forward during its time.