HP's First Smart Phone Features Voice Commands

Hewlett-Packard on Monday unveiled its first smart phone, a combination cellular phone and e-mail device aimed at business travelers.

The HP iPaq 500 includes voice-control features that eliminate the need for a stylus or miniature keyboard found in other devices. For example, users can reply to e-mail by dictating and sending a voice response, or can listen to e-mail and text messages. Other voice capabilities include navigating through phone and calendar tasks, and starting applications.

The new product also has built-in Wi-Fi that provides businesses with the alternative of using a voice-over-Internet protocol connection in the office. The iPaq 500 runs Microsoft's new Mobile 6 platform, and includes the Outlook e-mail client and the Office suite for mobile devices.

The 500 is the first in the iPaq series to offer over-the-air device management capabilities, which HP acquired when it bought Bitfone Corp. The technology lets companies remotely manage and support the device's security and access to applications, data, and networks. IT departments, for example, could remotely erase data on lost devices, configure and repair units, and provide updates and security applications.

In addition, the smart phone has entertainment features, such as music and video playback, and games; and a battery life of six hours of continuous talking, the company said.The iPaq 500 is scheduled to ship to retailers this spring in the United States. Pricing was not disclosed. The new product was unveiled at the 3GSM World Congress in Spain.