Review

HP surprises us with a GPS navigator . . . and it isn't running Windows Mobile. Is the new iPaq 310 worth the trip? Read our hands-on impressions.

The iPaq 310 is not a smartphone. In fact, it doesn't even run Windows Mobile, unlike every other iPaq HP announced today. In fact, the phone runs a proprietary system that HP developed specifically for the navigation device. We haven't had a chance to seriously compare the device to other GPS navigators on the market, but compared to HP's other iPaq announcements, the iPaq 310 stands out in interesting ways.

The most interesting feature on the GPS navigator is the 3-D mapping software. For certain, select cities, maps don't simply appear as lines in a 2-D space (not even a tilted, almost 3-D space). Instead, you get actual 3-D models of buildings filling the city space. We can't imagine populating an entire globe's worth of buildings, but in our hands-on experience mapping trips through London, we were quite impressed at the range of buildings represented, and the graphical prowess of the small navigator.

The device feels more like a PMP in the hand than a traditional GPS navigator. Whether the thinner shell has any affect on GPS reception remains to be seen, but we found the 4.3-inch screen to be plenty large for typing instructions and reading directions. The screen packs 800 by 480 pixels, which exceeds DVD resolution, so users who want to watch movies on the device should also be pleased by its capabilities. An MP3 player and photo viewer are standard, though it is more difficult to find a standalone GPS device without these features than with, these days.

Bluetooth will help the iPaq 310 link to your cell phone for calls, but this is not a smartphone device. HP's proprietary system seemed adept at directions and basic trip planning, but HP clearly intends for itineraries to be created on a desktop and transferred to the device. This is an interesting idea, especially for complicated business trips that might require multiples stops and good dining recommendations. Though we like the points of interest database found on most handheld navigators, we can't help but expect that a desktop PC might provide a more in-depth experience that could be more accurate and easier to navigate. If HP can come through on this aspect, they will probably be successful expanding into the GPS market. The real question is whether people will need to buy an iPaq 310 to go with their iPaq 900.

From:

http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/8284.html

Description

HP iPAQ 310 Travel Companion
Portable GPS Navigator

Preloaded TeleAtlas USA / Canada Maps, Large 4.3" Anti-Glare Touchscreen, 2 GB Flash Drive, 128 MB of SDRAM, Bluetooth Enabled, SiRFtitan 600MHz Processor, 12 Million POI's, Windows CE 5.0 w/ Custom HP Interface, Outlook Sync!

Manufacturer Model Number: iPAQ 310

Factory Sealed Box, Unopened, Everything is in the Original Manufactory Status

w/ One Year WARRANTY BY HP

Retail Price: $449.99

:: P r o d u c t O v e r v i e w & F e a t u r e s

A New Breed of Portable GPS
Hewlett-Packard has used its considerable expertise as a computer manufacturer to introduce improvements into the iPAQ-310 that make the company's first dedicated GPS navigation device stand out from the crowd, but help raise the bar for portable GPS navigators in general. At 4.3 inches wide, 3.4 inches high, and 0.7 inches thick, the device is quite small and slim, but fits rich navigation and multimedia features, better than DVD screen resolution, a unique true 3D display, and robust business support into that little package. HP touts this as "different and unique for the travel connoisseur," and its innovative features certainly make a convincing argument to back up that claim.

It All Starts Under The Hood
The biggest difference in the iPAQ-310 is one you might not even notice, until you turn the iPAQ-310 on, that is. The iPAQ's processor is much more powerful than any portable device out there right now. It uses a SiRFtitan 600MHz dual core processor with 128Mb of onboard RAM, compared to the 400MHz SIRF III and 64Mb of RAM in other high-end portable GPS navigators. This means faster route calculations and re-routing. It also means more processing power for the graphics display, which leads us to one of the other things that makes the iPAQ-310 unique.

An Immersive, High-Definition, Navigation Experience
The iPAQ-310's advanced 3D navigation system provides stunning visuals. For select cities, rather than the simple lines and color blocks you see on other navigators, you get actual 3-D models of buildings in space. Nothing else puts you in space and gives you a real feel for where you are and where you need to go than this device. Panning and zooming are smoother and faster. Plus, the 4.3-inch (diagonally) widescreen display has far better resolution than competitive models, 800 x 480 pixels compared to the current standard 420 x 272 pixels, which means all of those 3D maps are clear and detailed.

Full-Featured Navigation
HP developed it's own user interface for the iPAQ-310 based on Windows Mobile 5.0. The interface is clear, intuitive, and easy to use. The device comes with text-to-speech capability, which allows it to offer directions with real street names, as well as Bluetooth for hands-free phone calling.

It comes pre-loaded with complete TeleAtlas maps for the United States and Canada, and an astonishing 12 million points of interest.

Rich Multimedia Features
At 800 x 480 pixels, the high-definition resolution on the iPAQ-310's screen is better than most dedicated portable video players. Coupled with an SD card, the iPAQ-310 functions as a true premium personal entertainment system with a video player, MP3 music player, photo viewer, and 5 pre-installed games from GameboxClassics.

Integrated Web Services
Planning a business trip, a vacation, or even just a run of daily errands can sometimes require access to more data than a portable or mobile device can feasibly handle. Hewlett-Packard's answer for this is a website, www.ipaq.com that allows you to download map updates, load custom points of interest, travel reviews, reservation information, and more into your iPAQ-310. You can even synch up with your Microsoft Outlook address book to create custom points of interest based on personal or corporate contact information. You can upload and share your travel plans for others to use and customize, or find trip plans online to help you explore along the way or at your destination.

Features:

Preloaded TeleAtlas maps of the US and Canada

12 million POI's to help you navigate!

BlueTooth connectivity places and receives calls while you drive

3-D renderings of cities gives you a reel feel for your surroundings

Large 4.3" TFT anti-glare touchscreen with stunning 800 x 480 pixel resolution

SiRFtitan 600 MHz processor for ultra-fast route acquisition and recalculation

2 GB flash memory so you can store map updates, music and other information

Sync up with Windows Outlook to create custom POI's to your GPS

Windows CE 5.0 with HP custom interface OS

Text-to-speech capability audibly alerts you to upcoming streets and turns

View videos, play music, display pictures, play any of 5 preloaded games!

Light-weight and slim for convenient portability

:: S p e c i f i c a t i o n s

Type	Portable travel companion GPS navigator
GPS receiver	Advanced SiRF embedded GPS receiver with InstantFix time-to-first-fix acceleration
Integrated wireless	Integrated GPS navigation, Integrated Bluetooth v2.0 with EDR
Processor	Centrality Titan 600MHz
Operating system	Windows CE 5.0 with custom HP user interface
Display	4.3" transmissive TFT 16-bit RGB depth 65,000 color WVGA 800 x 480 pixel touch screen display, antiglare, landscape orientation
Memory	128MB SDRAM main memory for running applications Up to 2 GB Flash ROM User available persistent storage varies by model
Expansion data storage	High-capacity SD card slot
Audio	Large speaker for navigation volume Integrated microphone with echo cancellation 3.5mm 3 pin headphone jack
Features	Preinstalled POIs, 2D / 3D map perspective, Hands-free calling via Bluetooth
Voice	Navigation instructions
Supported formats	MP3, JPEG
Connector type	USB
Ports	1 mini USB, 1 headphone/line-out, 1 microphone in, 1 GPS antenna
Software installed	HP navigation software with text to speech guidance and web based trip planning, digital video player, digital music player, picture viewer, games, Bluetooth hands free, calculator, world clock, contacts with Outlook sync
Dimensions (W x D x H)	4.3" x 0.7" x 3.4"
Weight	6.6 oz.
Battery	Rechargeable 1700 mAh lithium-ion

:: W a r r a n t y & C o n d i t i o n

This product is Manufacturer Refurbished "A" class to BRAND NEW , in factory sealed box, unopened, everything is in the original manufactory status. This GPS is in PERFECT condition! This package includes the following warranty:

Warranty Length: Parts and Labor 1 Year limited warranty.
Coverage: Covers repair or replacement of the product.
Provider: Hewlett-Packard
Contact: Hewlett-Packard Support

We carry a valid business license in the State of New York, and provide a valid invoice for warranty registration.