A smart, neat messenger
Sunday, 2 September 2007
Susan Ferroa
When the first call was made on a mobile phone back in 1973, it was a life-changing moment. It may not have felt like it at that time but since mobile phones became commercially available in the mid-1980s, the transformation of the handset and the lives of people around the world has been one step short of phenomenal.
As a new mobile phone enters our world each day and one more person proudly cradles his new phone, a few other people may be going through that moment where the ever-useful device is being wished away. Usually, that moment comes makes the mobile phone makes it presence felt when it really shouldn't.
With its strange affinity to Murphy's Law, the mobile phone usually puts through calls or messages in situations where you just might have one hand balancing an ice-cream cone and the other hand in the pocket searching for change to pay for the now fast-melting treat. Wishing you could just tell the phone to either stop the call or read out the message doesn't help. It'd better to own a phone that can, and will,do just that.
Few think "mobile phone" when the name HP is mentioned since it is best known for its innovative computing range for homes and offices. Its foray into handhelds has mainly kept those in corporate circles happy with the iPAQ Pocket PCs, and little else for those who wanted to enjoy both computing and communication.
The Messenger range from HP was really suited for those with large hands and pockets, since the blend of phone and organiser saw devices that are as broad as they are heavy. Most HP Messengers were weighing in between 140 and 170 grams and measuring at least 5cm wide, with twice that measurement for length.
So the new iPAQ 512 Voice Messenger is truly a rare gem in the HP family. It has the look and feel of most candy-bar mobile phones and weighs in competitively at just over 100grams. While it can't beat other mobiles in the looks department, your choice in this HP will be respected as a clever choice.
The best feature is this mobile will talk to you and you can talk back to it. No, you can't get advice on your next partner, but it can help you send notes to that person and make sure you are never too busy to take that person's call.
The secret is, the Voice Commander. While it's true that this function can be found in varying degrees of functionality in other mobile phones, what sets the HP's Voice Commander apart is the benefit of a good integrated microphone.
Having tested the Voice Commander on a few other mobiles, I found the HP Voice Messenger more accurate in deciphering speech. It was also much more responsive to human speech.
Before receiving the HP phone, I had tested another device with Voice Commands. This other mobile would always offer the wrong contact even with a simple instruction such as "call Mum", before proceeding to put through the call even when the answer was a loud "NO!" when the "proceed to call ?" prompt was offered.
Still suffering from nightmares of the phone with a mind of its own, I approached the HP with a reservoir of reservations over the Voice Commander.
The HP Messenger erased all worries, not even faltering even when confronted with an instruction to call up a contact nicknamed "Ala", and a mumbled response to the confirm call prompt.
I particulary like the Read Message function since I've seen enough drivers courting disaster on the road by either reading or texting messages while driving. It also takes the annoyance out of receiving a message while driving since it can be read out to you.
Of course, it would be even better if something could be done to improve the robotic voice that just kills those heart-warming messages as they're read out in the steely, stilted stacatto.
It is also possible, with the Voice Messenger, to dictate a message or email and then send it just by speaking to the phone hands-free. You can also tell the phone to answer a call, so even when both hands are full, you can still pick up a call.
Apart from managing calls and messages, the device can also be programmed to identify your voice commands to launch programmes, just as in other mobiles which also offer voice activated programmes. The difference is just how accurately the commands would be computed, which in the case of the HP, as earlier mentioned, the margin of error is low.
You will be able to tell quite quickly that the HP Voice Messenger has a good microphone as well as receiver as calls received are very clear. However it was somehow difficult to get used to the quality and tone coming through the receiver, although that could just be a matter of personal preference.
The phone runs on Windows Mobile so you will be able to access the suite of Windows-related solutions to read documents, manage files, listen to music and watch videos. With its WLAN applications you're also sure of having easy access to the Web and VoIP for cheaper calls.
It won't be easy to forget that this is a mobile phone that comes from a firm strong in building PCs with the array of tips, help menus and wizards to make sure the user is able to get the best from the device.
It was also great to see that little details weren't overlooked in designing the phone with accessories like the very clever charger that allows the phone to be charged via USB through a power outlet or computer. What that means is when you're on the road all you'll need is your HP Voice Messenger, one cable and a little socket.
All in, the HP Voice Messenger is a neat and easy smartphone, the way communicating should be.
.............
Internet
When the first call was made on a mobile phone back in 1973, it was a life-changing moment. It may not have felt like it at that time but since mobile phones became commercially available in the mid-1980s, the transformation of the handset and the lives of people around the world has been one step short of phenomenal.
As a new mobile phone enters our world each day and one more person proudly cradles his new phone, a few other people may be going through that moment where the ever-useful device is being wished away. Usually, that moment comes makes the mobile phone makes it presence felt when it really shouldn't.
With its strange affinity to Murphy's Law, the mobile phone usually puts through calls or messages in situations where you just might have one hand balancing an ice-cream cone and the other hand in the pocket searching for change to pay for the now fast-melting treat. Wishing you could just tell the phone to either stop the call or read out the message doesn't help. It'd better to own a phone that can, and will,do just that.
Few think "mobile phone" when the name HP is mentioned since it is best known for its innovative computing range for homes and offices. Its foray into handhelds has mainly kept those in corporate circles happy with the iPAQ Pocket PCs, and little else for those who wanted to enjoy both computing and communication.
The Messenger range from HP was really suited for those with large hands and pockets, since the blend of phone and organiser saw devices that are as broad as they are heavy. Most HP Messengers were weighing in between 140 and 170 grams and measuring at least 5cm wide, with twice that measurement for length.
So the new iPAQ 512 Voice Messenger is truly a rare gem in the HP family. It has the look and feel of most candy-bar mobile phones and weighs in competitively at just over 100grams. While it can't beat other mobiles in the looks department, your choice in this HP will be respected as a clever choice.
The best feature is this mobile will talk to you and you can talk back to it. No, you can't get advice on your next partner, but it can help you send notes to that person and make sure you are never too busy to take that person's call.
The secret is, the Voice Commander. While it's true that this function can be found in varying degrees of functionality in other mobile phones, what sets the HP's Voice Commander apart is the benefit of a good integrated microphone.
Having tested the Voice Commander on a few other mobiles, I found the HP Voice Messenger more accurate in deciphering speech. It was also much more responsive to human speech.
Before receiving the HP phone, I had tested another device with Voice Commands. This other mobile would always offer the wrong contact even with a simple instruction such as "call Mum", before proceeding to put through the call even when the answer was a loud "NO!" when the "proceed to call ?" prompt was offered.
Still suffering from nightmares of the phone with a mind of its own, I approached the HP with a reservoir of reservations over the Voice Commander.
The HP Messenger erased all worries, not even faltering even when confronted with an instruction to call up a contact nicknamed "Ala", and a mumbled response to the confirm call prompt.
I particulary like the Read Message function since I've seen enough drivers courting disaster on the road by either reading or texting messages while driving. It also takes the annoyance out of receiving a message while driving since it can be read out to you.
Of course, it would be even better if something could be done to improve the robotic voice that just kills those heart-warming messages as they're read out in the steely, stilted stacatto.
It is also possible, with the Voice Messenger, to dictate a message or email and then send it just by speaking to the phone hands-free. You can also tell the phone to answer a call, so even when both hands are full, you can still pick up a call.
Apart from managing calls and messages, the device can also be programmed to identify your voice commands to launch programmes, just as in other mobiles which also offer voice activated programmes. The difference is just how accurately the commands would be computed, which in the case of the HP, as earlier mentioned, the margin of error is low.
You will be able to tell quite quickly that the HP Voice Messenger has a good microphone as well as receiver as calls received are very clear. However it was somehow difficult to get used to the quality and tone coming through the receiver, although that could just be a matter of personal preference.
The phone runs on Windows Mobile so you will be able to access the suite of Windows-related solutions to read documents, manage files, listen to music and watch videos. With its WLAN applications you're also sure of having easy access to the Web and VoIP for cheaper calls.
It won't be easy to forget that this is a mobile phone that comes from a firm strong in building PCs with the array of tips, help menus and wizards to make sure the user is able to get the best from the device.
It was also great to see that little details weren't overlooked in designing the phone with accessories like the very clever charger that allows the phone to be charged via USB through a power outlet or computer. What that means is when you're on the road all you'll need is your HP Voice Messenger, one cable and a little socket.
All in, the HP Voice Messenger is a neat and easy smartphone, the way communicating should be.
.............
Internet