When hp first announced the 514, I felt stunned. Why does hp enter the market for touchscreen-less phones - an arena that companies like Siemens left years ago and where Nokia reigns supreme? Is Windows Mobile 6 really mature? On the other hand, hp has had a history of creating great hardware… . hp’s press department offered us a loaner 514, which I gladly accepted - can it stack up?
Indeed, the 514 is completely different…it doesn’t look like anything HP ever built before. Here are a few comparison shots next to a Nokia N71, a Treo 680 and a hp ipaq rx4240:
The left side of the ipaq contains a standard 3.5inch headphone jack, a MicroSD slot and the 2way volume toggle:
The right side contains the voice command button:
At the bottom of the ipaq, there is HP’s now-standard MiniUSB port and the microphone.
The keyboard of the 514 should be a standard multitap keyboard…but it doesn’t feel as well as its peer on the Nokia N71. The keys don’t have a ’snappy’ feel, have a very smooth pressure point, are too close to one another, their tops are way too smooth. Also, the placement of the space character is unusual:
HP hides the 514’s battery behind a small door in the back. The SIM card cannot be exchanged without removing the battery:
Overall, HP’s Voice Messenger is a well-done box - except for the keyboard. For me, keyboards must work well… before looking good…the 514’s designer apparently got this sequence wrong. HP uses industry standard ports for all peripherals(!!!)…if the keyboard would receive a redesign, this would be a great box!
Tune in soon for a look at the ipaq’s screen!