Software Packed Into The HP iPAQ 910
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As we move into the third installment of the review, I hope you are enjoying it as much as I had doing it. Software has always been the make or break point for any platform. There are those who prefer manufacturers putting useful software and then there are those who prefer the bare minimum. In the case of HP, they’ve really loaded this device with some really useful software that a mobile warrior would appreciate. So just how great are are these titles?
Clearvue PDF
No self-respecting mobile warrior can get through the day with a PDF viewer and the iPAQ 910 will make sure you’re not left stranded. While there are those who prefer a different application to view their PDFs (including yours truly), there are many who do not even download additional applications after purchasing a device. For such users, having such pre-installed applications can be a real advantage.
Google Maps
You’ve got a GPS chip built-in so why not have a mapping application as well on board? Nothing’s more popular than Google Maps and thank you HP for having it on the iPAQ 910. The only disappointing thing about Google Maps is that you are not able to use the My Location feature which triangulates your position based on surrounding cell towers. Considering that mobile professionals usually work in urban areas with tall buildings, getting a quick GPS fix in such situations is not usually a quick affair and having a working My Location feature would have been a real boost don’t you think? I am not sure where the problem lies but hopefully either HP or Google can come up with a solution to this.
Google Search
Besides finding your way around, you’ll, from time to time, need to search for something on the move. Maybe it’s about a potential client you are about to meet. Or how to get from one place to another via a subway. That’s what Google Search is all about.
Now before you think it’s a full fledged application, it’s just a shortcut that opens up in Pocket Internet Explorer. You might be wondering if this is really necessary because you could just tweak your homepage to do so. Then again, how many mobile professionals do you know that know how to tweak it? Guess that’s why HP put it there then.
HP Asset Viewer (Settings)
This is not really an application but rather a settings applet, which means you can only find it in the Settings menu. So what’s the HP Asset Viewer? In a nutshell, it’s tells you all about the hardware that keeps your device going. Need to know your MAC address? What about your radio firmware? It’s all there, and more. Not many of us will be using this on a daily basis but when you do need it, at least now you know where to go.
HP CertEnroller (Settings)
Is your company really secured that you need a certificate to access certain sites? If you answered yes, you’ll be glad to know that HP CertEnroller is all you need to get your needed certificates set up. If you answered no or have no idea what I am talking about, don’t worry about it.
HP iPAQ DataConnect
Setting up a new Pocket PC can be a really complicated task, especially when you have to key in all those settings from your carriers. To simplify the task, HP has a pretty cool application called Data Connect and it does the settings for you. All you need to do is choose the right settings you want applied.
When I popped in my T-Mobile SIM card, the application automatically launched and detected the network automatically. I just had to choose what kind of data plan I had and from there, the settings were all set.
What’s even better is it has settings for many international carriers as well. So even if you are in Singapore and connected to StarHub’s network or in the UK and on the BT Mobile network, this is one application you’ll want to check out for the right settings.
Is this 100% accurate? As long as you choose the right plan, you’re all good. When I first set it up, I chose T-Mobile VPN and I could not connect to the internet. Switching to T-Mobile solved that problem. When I borrowed a friend’s AT&T SIM card and popped it in, we had no problem configuring and using MEdiaNET. So I’d say that success is pretty good with this.
HP iPAQ GPS QK Position
One thing about any GPS chip is that it can take a really long time to get a fix, especially if you are starting from a cold start. This application aims to avert such a problems by gathering the ephemeris in advance so that your device has a rough idea of where those satellites are and can get a fix faster.
Was it useful? As long as you keep it updated (because the data expires), you’ll be fine. What I thought was lacking was an auto-update feature. I would have preferred if HP had such a feature so that the device automatically connects and downloads the needed data on a pre-defined basis. The last thing you want is when you’re out there with no cell coverage and you have to spend a long time getting the first fix just to start your navigation.
HP iPAQ Tips
We know how daunting switching to a new platform can be. How do you do this? Is there an easier way to do that? With Tips, you’ll be greeted with a new tip every time your device starts up after a soft reset that aims to make your usage of the device a lot more pleasant. While some of these tips are really basic (like how to switch from one email inbox to another), remember that not everyone who is using the iPAQ 910 is a seasoned Windows Mobile user. For such users, they will find such an application useful.
That does not mean that Tips is entirely useless if you are familiar with the platform. Keep it on for a while and you may just learn something new.
HP Help and Support
What if you’re facing problems with the device? Sure you could use the pre-loaded Google Search to look for an answer online but there’s an easier way. Help and Support is an application that’s targeted at those who need it. From it’s main menu, you can choose from 5 options which should start you on the road to resolution. Still having problems? Hit option 4 which brings up Customer Support and shows you where to find information to a specific trouble.
To be honest, I always Google any problems I have with a device so this is definitely something new to get adjusted to. While it may not have a solution to every single problem you might encounter, it is a good start, especially when you are out and about.
HP Photosmart Mobile
Need to touch up a photo you just took or someone sent you? Rather than waiting till you get back to the office, Photosmart Mobile lets you do just that from where you are. Granted, this is no Photoshop but it’s got some common tasks you use it for like cropping, lighting and color correction.
Have some spare time and want to reminisce? Play it with the built in slide show feature. Or like a photo and want to make it your background? This is where you go to as well. It even allows you to attach a photo of your colleague you just took to his contact so his picture pops up when he calls.
HP PrintSmart Mobile
When you’re done editing your documents or your boss just sent you a PDF, wouldn’t it be great if you could print it out wirelessly? That’s what this application allows you to do. Add a printer using PrintSmart Mobile and you can send jobs to it from wherever you are. That way, by the time you return to the office, your documents are all ready for you to scoop up and leave for your next agenda.
Remote Desktop Mobile
I’m no mobile professional but there have been times when I wished I could connect to my desktop back home to grab a file or send it to someone else. Remote Desktop Mobile lets you do just that, if you know how to set it up (which is not hard I might add). To be able to this, your platform must support remote desktop so do check beforehand.
Once a connection is setup, you’ll be presented with the remote computer’s screen and you can pretty much do anything on it, as if you were there itself. Send that file, download a song or just to shut it down. Whatever your commands, the remote desktop will obey.
RingTones
Just because you’re called a mobile professional does not mean you can’t pimp out your phone and RingTones is one tool that will help you do just that. Whether it’s a tone you just downloaded or a friend sent you, it takes the hassle of finding out where to put the file. All your ringtones can be accessed from this light application and it even allows you to remove those you no longer need to save some space. Would have been great if it allows you to choose which portion of a song you wanted to set as the ring tone but considering how many times I have received emails asking where to place files to use as ring tones, this is a good start. Maybe the next version wour yill add file cropping?
SUN Java
Truth be told, the only JAVA application I use is Opera Mini. With the release of Opera Mobile 9.5 drawing nearer, those days might soon be numbered but until then, I’ll need a JAVA manager to run it. SUN Java is one such manager and it works really great with Opera Mini.
No issues here with SUN Java, it worked flawlessly with Opera Mini and Gmail’s JAVA client which I toyed with briefly (both regular and App version). You could even try to run your classic JAVA applications and games if you wanted to though I can’t guarantee everything will work.
In Closing
HP has packed some really useful application into the iPAQ 910 Business Manager, most of them targeted at the business professional. Unfortunately, you are not able to remove any of this application, even if you have no use for them or upgrade to a newer version in the future.
One software in question is Google Maps. The iPAQ 910 came with Google Maps (GM) 2.1 while 2.2 was just made available. Now I am under the assumption that HP would include GM 2.2 in their next firmware update but until that happens, I would be stuck with 2.1. I am unable to uninstall it though I could install GM 2.2 side by side with GM2.1. So there’s a solution there, albeit not one that we would expect. Hopefully HP would allow us to uninstall these applications in the next firmware upgrade.
So if you are a business professional, rest assured that the iPAQ 910 Business Manager works great right out of the box without too much intervention on your part. All you need to do from there is to sync it up and you’re pretty much good to go.
Be sure to check back tomorrow as I bring you the final installment of this review series where I cover the user experience I had with the device.
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Do i have to purchase GPS software to make my IPAQ 910 speak the street names? thanks which you recommend.
thanks
Yeah you would have to. I am not familiar with the ones that speak street names but TomTom, Garmin and iGo are 3 of the ones that I most commonly use and they are great.