HP unveils smart phone at 3GSM
A phone for business users, the iPaq 500 includes voice-command software and allows IT managers remote access to the handset.
Hewlett-Packard will offer its own smart phone with voice command and remote-access features this spring, the company announced Monday.
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The iPaq 500 connects to the Internet via GSM/GPRS/Edge networks, as well as via Wi-Fi that can be protected with Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 security. Designed for business users, the phone can be accessed remotely, so that companies' IT managers can delete or erase data from stolen or lost phones and also provide updates and fixes.
While the HP iPaq comes only with a numeric keyboard, it has speech translation so that users can listen to e-mail and text messages, and can use voice commands to work the phone. The 20 voice prompts programmed into the device allow the owner to do things like navigate phone functions, open applications and use its calendar features. People also can send voice replies to e-mails.
The phone features Bluetooth, 64MB of memory and 128MB of storage with a micro SD card slot to expand memory. The rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers about six hours of talk time and over seven days of standby, HP said.
The iPAQ 500 also allows users to play music and videos, store photos and play games on the device.
The smart phone will be available this spring in the U.S. directly from HP and authorized dealers. The company has not yet released the phone's price or disclosed which carriers will offer it.