Thread: Hp iPAQ Voice Messenger phone

Hewlett Packard doesn't do many Windows Mobile devices these days, and it concentrates rather firmly on the business user. But that doesn't mean its iPAQ Voice Messenger is unappealing for consumers. It has a couple of headline features that differentiate it from the crowd. Unfortunately one of them is not quite what it could be.



The iPAQ Voice Messenger runs Windows Mobile 6.1 Standard. This means it doesn't sport a touch screen. It has a candybar design and the keypad is reminiscent of those found on BlackBerry Pearl devices. It has five keys across and is four keys deep. This means there are two columns of keys outside the usual number keys, and it allows room for a QWERTY arrangement where two characters share a single key for much of the time.

Entering text is a matter of tapping a key first for one character, twice for the other. We got used to it very quickly but as an alternative the phone has a predictive text system that works quite well. There is a keylock button and a slider that mutes the speaker. Neither are usually found on Windows Mobile smartphones and both are welcome.