Simple clear advice in plain English

HP launches answer to iPhone

iPaq DM has touch screen, and G1-style pull-out keyboard

HP today unveiled the iPaq smartphone rumoured on the web to be its answer to Apple's touch-driven iPhone. But though the iPaq Data Messenger (DM) has a touch screen, it is more like the Android-based G1 in that it has a slide-out hard keyboard.
A companion model, the iPaq Voice Messenger (VM), is as it name suggests targeted more at people who use the phone more for voice than for texting or emails.

But Neil Dagger, business manager of HP's wireless personal systems group, said the devices were design to appeal to both the consumer and business markets.

The DM keyboard has surprisingly large keys and, on a cursory test at least, seemed rather better than that on the G1.

The VM, too, has quite a novel keyboard, shrinking a qwerty layout two letters to a key on a five-by-four number pad. A couple of Sony Ericsson phones (the M600i and M610i) used something similar but they relied on you rocking the key to the right or left to get the right letter; the VM gives a choice of predictive text, where you select from the machine's guesses, and multi-clicking.

Both models use a nifty optical navigate button that tracks vertical and horizontal movements and which you push to select.

Both will be available on contract through Vodaphone, or from HP at £333 for the VM and £399 for the DM – both prices inc Vat.

Reader Comments

   

Add your comment

All fields must be completed. Your email address will not be displayed or used to send marketing messages.

All messages will be checked by moderators before appearing on the site.

See our Privacy Policy for more information.

Related articles

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Android smartphone

Sony adds gaming to its Android line-up

Amazon Kindle

What are the advantages of ebook readers compared to proper books?

Ebook readers, such as the Amazon Kindle and Sony PRS-350, are now cheaper and better than ever, but can they compete with good old-fashioned paper?

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play

Sony Ericsson unveils Xperia Play Android 'Playstation phone'

The smartphone doubles as a normal mobile phone and a games console

Question & Answer

Q.How do I store musician and other information about...

> Read the answer

Q.Why can't my browser find the website address I typed...

> Read the answer

Q.All updates have been downloaded, so why won't Windows...

> Read the answer

Best deals on the web

img

Apple MacBook Pro (MC724LL/A)

£999.99- Buy it now

img

Sony Vaio VPCF23P1E/B

£679.98- Buy it now

img

Samsung 300E5A-A01DX

£449.99- Buy it now

Great benefits for subscribers!

Most popular articles

Poll

Which is your preferred web browser

Jargon Buster

Computing terms explained in plain English

VoIP

Voice over IP. The routing of voice conversations over the internet, which is cheaper than the telephone...

Great shopping deals from Computeractive