The hp ipaq 514 voice messenger review – Part 6: UI(aka the hp ipaq 514 screenshot gallery)

Sorry for the change in sequence. However, an urgent report at our sister site TamsPalm has made this reshuffling necessary

HP’s 514 runs Windows Mobile 6 smartphone edition…that is a Windows Mobile 6 derivate for non-touchscreen phones. Windows Mobile has never been a particularly efficient operating system in terms of taps/screen real estate, but the latest versions for PDA’s have improved significantly. Getting an interface migrated to a touchscreen-less device is an effort of its own, however – how has Microsoft managed it?

HP’s 514 has a ‘list-style’ home screen that informs you about network state, profiles, appointments and also has a list of currently open programs:

Hitting the Start menu shows a list of all programs installed onto the device. I would personally prefer to have more icons on-screen. Hitting the buttons 1 to 9 launches the corresponding app:

The settings application is a negative example of how a program should NOT be done…an endless list that cannot be traversed by scrolling. Instead, the element number 9 must be selected to get to the next page(numeric keys work here, too):

Many of the applets aren’t made particularly well, either – here’s the “power management” one(guessed that it also does the screen brightness?):

The PIM application suite of the 514 consists of a calendar, a contact list, a task list and a voice recorder(no ‘memo’ thingy). Most of the apps are good, although the data entry dialogs are a bit annoying(loads of scrolling):
Calendar

Contacts

Task list

Voice recorder

Office Mobile itself is laughable as no new files can be created on the go – this completely disqualifies the application for serious use. Beaming files over allows for extremely basic editing – no praise from me here:

The device also includes a Photo Viewer, Windows Media Player, a few games and a pathetic little file manager that can’t even send more than one file at a time and generally is a nuisance:
File Manager

Photo Viewer

Windows Media Player 10

Solitaire, Jawbreaker

Last but not least, HP added a ‘Help’ application and a few system tools of its own:

As for camera, voice recording and messaging – these will be covered soon!

Overall, one quickly feels that Windows Mobile for Smartphone wasn’t developed with smartphones in mind, but rather is a ‘touchscreen port’. An operating system like Series 60 definitely feels a bit better…but the 514 is usable, too! The included programs fit the reason-d-etre of the 514 well…when thinking about this machine, one must always keep in mind that this is NOT a mobile workstation!

Related posts:

1. The hp ipaq 514 voice messenger review – Part 2: screen
2. The hp ipaq 514 voice messenger review – Part 1: physical
3. The hp ipaq 514 voice messenger review – Part 3: camera
4. HP announces HP iPAQ Data Messenger
5. Windows Mobile Smartphone 6.1 screenshot gallery