In a press release today, HP has announced the pending launch of the HP iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger smart device featuring a QVGA touchscreen display, QWERTY keyboard, quadband GSM/EDGE with triband HSDPA access, 3.0 megapixel camera with video recorder, speakerphone, microSDHC expansion slot, internal GPS transceiver, Cyberon Voice Commander software, HP Voice Reply for emails sent to Outlook from Exchange servers, and Windows Mobile 6.1 along with HP’s Enterprise Mobility Suite software that eases device setup, management, and deployment across corporate enviroments.
The device was first announced (pdf link) back in September of 2007 when HP revealed its intentions to re enter the smart device market after the quiet reception of its prior efforts on Cingular/AT&T and T-Mobile which were derided for being below par and poorly developed in comparison to similar devices from i-mate and HTC at the time. At one point, FCC documentation demonstrated the device with AT&T branded user manuals which lead to a possible release on the carrier before all mention of the device seemed to disappear from the minds of most people.
The device is expected to launch at the end of the month with specific dates unavailable at this time.
