MalaysiaGIS.com

Source: The Star

The new iPAQ hw6515 Mobile Messenger PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) is expected to present fresh opportunities for mobile applications and services developers, says Alex Chang, manager for HP's iPAQ Pocket PC and emerging product market development.

"The hw6515 is our first Pocket PC PDA with integrated GPS (Global Positioning System) navigation capability."

"This opens up opportunities for developers to create new applications, such as those indicating the location of automated teller machines (ATMs), restaurants, shops, and other facilities," said Chang.

The Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition-based device will be officially launched today.

It comes bundled with a GPS map that not only indicates direction, but also works out the fastest route between two points, and verbally guides users to their destinations.

The map is supplied by Mappoint Asia (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, a local subsidiary of Bangkok-based MappointAsia Co Ltd, which provides a range of terrestrial and satellite maps, mapping software, vehicle tracking and other solutions there.

The hw6515 also HP’s first PDA-phone with EDGE (Enhanced Data Rated for GSM Evolution) capabilities, in addition to its GPRS (General Packet Radio Services) and GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) features.

The device supports up to 236Kbps (Kilobits per second) downlink data rates over EDGE networks, which enables applications like streaming video, mobile TV, and streaming audio, as well as interactive online gaming and bandwidth-hungry business applications.

It’s also HP’s first device with dual SD (Secure Digital) card and mini-SD slots for additional, non-volatile storage and connection to external peripherals, Chang said.

Chang also said that as a hardware provider, HP will help applications developers by providing them with detailed device capabilities, hardware roadmap and assistance in marketing their solutions worldwide.

The effort is part of its global Developer & Solution Partner Programme to help all third-party developers of solutions running on HP platforms.

"We currently have about 46 local developers producing mainly business-oriented applications for Pocket PCs," said Chang.

These applications include sales force automation, logistics, and warehousing, as well as customer relationship management solutions.

"Developers should also consider developing personal information management applications like calendar, contacts, shopping lists, and bank account management," said Chang.