At last!!! Get the things You Want!

We are definitely closer to put everything on to one device that helps to organize our daily complicated lives.

I was thinking of getting one of those Blackberry or Trio PDAs that connect to a cell phone networks and organize my life at the same time. However, subscribing to a cell phone package catering to an aforementioned device is extremely expensive. In Canada or specifically, in BC, it costs about $90Can a month. That is just the basic cell phone subscription cost. Besides, my cell phone that takes pictures or videos does an adequate job.

I am an ex-Palm Pilot III XE user. I still have the device – anyone wants it? Jumping from this archaic device to iPAQ 2750 is like going from a gloomy, extremely dark night to a bright, bird-singing and chirping, sunshine day. You know you’ll be all right if you have this iPAQ in your possession. That you could feel you are at top of the world – because you could do a lot in one little device.

Please see the following link to see the manufacturer’s detail technical spec, as I do not like to bore you with technical detail:
-http://www.epinions.com/pr-Hewlett_Packard_iPAQ_HX2750/display_~full_specs

Several things I like to mention before I go on and tell you what this amazing iPAQ is doing for me:
- Regardless of whether you have a computer (Windows
based) or not, you’ll find the use easily and without
trouble. It’s advisable that you have a computer with
Microsoft products (Outlook, Word, Excel at a minimum)
- iPAQ has expand memory slot. I bought one with 512MB
memory stick. By now, the memory stick might be more.
One Giga?
- Has a finger print security to prevent people from
accessing the info on your iPAQ. Mind you, this
doesn’t mean people possessing your iPAQ (taken
illegally) can’t use your iPAQ. All they have to do is
to do hard reset and everything on the device is wiped
out and restart at manufacturer’s original state
- iPAQ has two back up batteries. If the original
battery dies after many days of use (without
recharging), the back up battery will give you more
time before the next recharge. No more double A
batteries
- Allows you to expand space capacity, so you could store
your stuff
- This iPAQ actually uses the Microsoft products, so that
you don’t have to have redundant applications and
perhaps inferior counterparts. For example, iPAQ uses
the contact, task, calendar appointment, inbox info ---
it makes a copy of the info on your outlook
application. If you update something on iPAQ, iPAQ
will update the corresponding item on your computer the
next time you initiate info synchronization (thru
Microsoft ActiveSync application). Vice versa.
However, if you update one thing on your computer and
then you update the same thing on your iPAQ, you will
have the choice of using which copy to replace the
other. So careful in not updating the same item (task,
appointment, note, etc) on both iPAQ and computer
- When you turn on this iPAQ, it greets you with the
default items: Ownership info (you), the # number of
tasks you have outstanding, your appointments, the
status of your iPAQ (battery and space info) and any
other items you like to display (you can change the
items thru Setting)
- This package contains a companion CD which has a number
of trial applications you could install on your iPAQ.
This includes the pocket applications that make use of
your Power Point presentation and connect to your
corporate network (or your own internet network)

Here are things that iPAQ could do for you
- Allows you to listen to audio books thru an audio
player. iPAQ has mini-version of Windows Media Player
(which plays specifically MP3 files), You will need to
subscribe to a site that provides with audio books /
eBooks: www.tomeraider.com or something similar
- Records your own thoughts or meetings (!!!) – thru
Pocket Word or Note (both are included in the original
package
- Keeps track of your personal finance thru
a) Microsoft Money – you will have to buy this
application, but the pocket version is free from
the following link:
www.microsoft.com/MOBILE/pocketpc/downloads/money.asp
b) Quicken – you will need to buy the computer AND the
pocket version
- Makes changes (Create, update or, delete) to your
appointments, tasks, word documents
- Listens to your MP3 music or audios --- with or without
a headset. The speaker on iPAQ is quite crystal
clear --- you could adjust the volume
- Watch videos – The sound is the same as above
- Read eBooks thru a eBook subscription
- Play games (board, action, video, etc). One sample
site is www.hexacto.com
- Surf the internet (if you are connected –
or “partnered” – with a computer). I don’t recommend
this because your iPAQ does not have enough space to
have an anti-virus / spam software to protect from
hacker’s onslaughts
- Keep track of fitness workouts (See
www.MySportTraining.com)
- Keep track of eating habits (See
www.PocketDietTracker.com)
- Send personal files or msgs to another PDA or computer,
assuming both devices have bluetooth technology

Here are the things you need to do from time to time though:
- Do back ups of the info on your iPAQ thru a one
automated back up step, so that any cluttered memory
could be cleared up. This also helps if somehow your
batteries are drained and in this instance, all the
info would be gone. However, the chance of that
happening is most likely rare.

What I don’t like about iPAQ is that you have to buy your own case. The case is not included in your purchase. I didn’t go for the expensive case --- I just bought one that was made for small MP3 player: $5.44 CAN. The funny thing is that it actually looks better than what HP has to offer. Soft neoprene material that protects your iPAQ from accidental spills. Regardless of what case I get, if I drop my iPAQ, that is essentially the end of your iPAQ. I haven’t checked whether my iPAQ is resilient or not after a hard fall, but be assured that there will be damage.

Feeling rich? You could visit the following HP site for options and accessories:
- http://h30143.www3.hp.com/configure2.cfm?sid=18490

If you like to know more about your iPAQ, read the book ‘How to Do Everything with Your iPAQ” by Derek Ball and Barry Shilmover, McGraw-Hill / Osborne. The one I have is the second edition. It does not specifically cover HP2750 iPAQ, but the book does cover the previous versions.

Or take a look at the following site: www.pocketpctools.com

One final thing: This amazing iPAQ has the capability to use the GPS signals --- this means you could locate your physical position. You could tell what area and / or what street you are on. You could tell whether you are near your unfamiliar designation or not. However you will need to buy the following:
- Microsoft Street and trips (you have to buy the pocket
version). See www.microsoft.com/pocketstreets.
- HP iPAQ’s companion - GPS Navigation System. See the
following link: http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/pscmisc/vac/us/en/sm/pocketpc/FA196A_overview.html

UPDATE: Friday, November 04, 2005

Always back up your iPAQ. I had used my IPAQ for a few days without updating the computer with the information on the iPAQ. Inexplicably, the iPAQ reset itself and did a hard reboot. As a result, all the accumulated information was lost. I had attempted to look up on the information in why the iPAQ reset itself automatically, but no feasible explanation was found. I was in the freezing weather and then in extremely heated vehicle…perhaps that might have caused the reset. Regardless, backing up your iPAQ only takes about few minutes depending on the applications you put on to your iPAQ.

On a lighter side, I am extremely happy that I have this iPAQ --- in addition to being a tool to keep track of my daily appointments and list of things to do (and an entertainment unit – games), this tool now also becomes my reference tool. I had the following installed:
- Oxford dictionary / thesaurus. This version is quite
cheap. It allows me to locate words like I do with a
dictionary and thesaurus. I like the way it has
learning one word per day feature.
- Lextionary dictionary / thesaurus. Again, this version
is also cheap and it’s different from Oxford because it
also gives you a link to other associating words in a
much greater detail
- Acrobat reader, allowing me to read .PDF files.
Examples would comic books, documentations, novels, etc
- Microsoft Street and trips. Even without a GPS
navigator, I am able to use it to pinpoint my
destination.
- Microsoft Money. This keeps track of my finance and
updates the information on my laptop’s version of
Microsoft Money, which allows me to have reports on my
spending habits. It’s extremely fun too.

Overall, I am really pleased with my iPAQ.

UPDATE - December 4, 2005

I am still finding many great things with this iPAQ. In addition to other software already mentioned, you also get pocket version of Word and notepad. In either one of them, you could draw (paint) or sketch a map, or voice-record your thoughts, and write down things – be it your daily journal entry, your essay --- anything you desire.

I know. It’s not easy to input your thoughts or ideas, because you have to enter the words letter by letter. iPAQ has this Transcriber feature which recognizes or learns to recognize your handwriting. You could customize it so that it knows your writing style by indicating the style you often use for each letter (and even punctuations and symbols). However, not sure about other PDAs, quite often I have to go back to my writings and correct some of things that iPAQ have translated. For example, I might have written, “I had bench-pressed 250lbs today.” If I don’t write this legibly, iPAQ might have interpreted, “Ihad banch_presd 2solb oday.”

As for the voice-recording, it’s great. Even without an earphone attached to iPAQ, I could still listen to what I have recorded. The recording comes out clear.

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Thursday, March 16, 2006

I am still impressed with my iPAQ. However, with the frequent use, one tends to lose the stylus and iPAQ stylus is expensive to buy. In Canada, they are selling at three for $29.99. Here in BC, we have to pay 7% provincial tax and 7% federal tax. That might not sound much to some people, but when one loses stylus often, # of times of buying these packages of three get quite expensive.

However, I have found Belkin's version, comes in package of four, is quite reasonable. Four for $3.89. The stylus fits into the iPAQ --- not perfectly, but adequately. It doesn't have a tip that allows soft boot on the iPAQ though.


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Thursday, April 13, 2006

Devastation. I had gone back to Calgary (from Burnaby) --- 13 hour drive. I had put my iPAQ in the central console of my SUV. I also had a big mug of coffee (too big for the regular cup holder to hold), so I put that in the central console. No, my iPAQ didn't get wet from the coffee. But to make sure the mug stayed in place, I used my boot (!!!) - there was nothing else at the time - to keep the coffee mug in place. And I dropped the boot into the central console.

My iPAQ still worked, but I couldn't see half of the screen --- it was fuzzy. I was still able to write things on the screen the iPAQ could still recognizes the handwritings, but I wasn't able to see the right side.

For some strange reason, my iPAQ was out of warranty when I called HP support. The LCD screen was damaged and therefore it needed a replaced. The total repair cost is $366CAN.

Well, I actually didn't know I could buy post warranty care package. That is, after my warranty runs out, I could still get warranty on my iPAQ, but it only allows me to buy one year at a time.

LOL. I could have purchased the post warranty care package and then report the damage. LOL.

Of course, I could always get a new iPAQ...but ours here in Canada costs about $650...so it was worth my while to get my iPAQ repaired. Or was it?

If you have an iPAQ and your warranty is still in place, do buy additional warranty --- you could buy three years' worth --- with the same amount of money you pay for the post warranty care package.

Now, the question for me is: Should I get the post warranty care package for $124CAN or get a hard case for the iPAQ ($44.59).

LOL.

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July 10, 2006
I had just found out that iPAQ is more versatile than previously thought. There are actually three ways to recharge the iPAQ and the manufacturer actually provides this! Who knew?

Firstly, it allows you to recharge the iPAQ sitting on the cradle. That is, the cradle itself is plugged into an outlet (without interfacing the computer).

Secondly, the cradle allows the iPAQ to be charged through the computer, while the cradle’s plug is not attached to the outlet.

Thirdly, HP provides me with an electricity interface plug that allows the cradle’s cable to attach to the iPAQ directly. It charges the same.

It’s great to know that because, somehow my battery eliminator damaged the cradle’s circuit, but didn’t cause problem with the recharging part (that allows cradle to be recharged through the computer). The electricity interface plug is definitely helpful as well.


Tuesday, August 22, 2006
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I had finally installed Windows Mobile 5 on my iPAQ. I thought the installation disk would be a straight forward one, but it isn’t. At least not the installation disk I had received from HP.

When you decide to upgrade to Windows Mobile 5, note the following:
1. Get the Windows Mobile 5 specifically for iPAQ 2700 series, not other Windows Mobile 5 version.
2. When you get you installation disk (for Windows Mobile 5), you’ll be given installation choices: Outlook, Windows Mobile 5, active sync 4.0
3. Choose only Windows Mobile 5 and let that installed – hook up your iPAQ with your PC
4. If you already have outlook 2002 or 2003, you don’t need to install outlook provided on Windows Mobile 5 CD; otherwise, do so --- make sure you have the product code for Microsoft Outlook 2002
5. After that is done, check on activesync 4.0 next and let that installation done completely
6. At this point, you’ll have synchronization problems. Don’t worry about that now, go on to next step
7. Go to Microsoft site and get activesync 4.2 from the following site:
- www.microsoft.com/windowsmobile/downloads/activesync42.mspx
8. You will still have synchronization problems. Do the following:
a. Press the following to have a clean reboot: i) Calendar button; ii) Messaging button; iii) Power button and iv) use you stylus to press the reset button.
b. Hold on to these buttons until the bottom of the screen shows “formatting PS…”

Now you are all set for synchronization. You will need to reinstall all the added applications that are not included in the original package.

With Windows Mobile 5, you’ll get the mobile version of Powerpoint, Word, and Excel. It also provides you with notepad software where you could record sound and draw pictures. The Microsoft versions have additional formatting fonts, but won’t let you draw any pictures or record sound.

Also, Windows Mobile 5 does not have a backing up software, unlike the Windows Mobile 2003. Don’t bother to back up anything because Windows Mobile 5 won’t allow you to restore backup files. So if you have any personal files (e.g. word documents), move them to your computer’s separate directory.

If you have been using the transcribing feature, you’ll be happy with the latest version. It actually transcribes a lot faster and more accurately.

Overall, Windows Mobile 5.0 is great…if everything works great.

UPDATE: Saturday, December 29, 2007
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Have you ever dropped your iPAQ and its battery cover had gone through the elevator gap?

I did.

HP sells the iPAQ's battery cover replacement for $45.99 and I wasn't willing to do that, so I had gone to explore the alternatives.

I went to search for used parts and eBAY. After much search, I had decided to get the extended battery where an extended battery cover is included.

The following is the link of the extended battery. I bought two with two extra covers (in addition to already included two covers).
- http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEBTOX:IT&item=140187238589&_trksid=p3984.cTODAY.m238.lVI

I was sketical of whether the cover will fit my iPAQ, but when it came. I was delighted.

My iPAQ works once again. The extended battery cover also accommodates the regular battery, so I am able to use my extended battery and regular battery.

Don't make a mistake like I did though. Once I put the extended battery cover on to my iPAQ, it didn't work. I had tried soft and hard (see above update entries) resets, but my iPAQ still didn't work --- though it only rebooted itself partially (like it did before).

I had done this for few hours.

So I called HP to get assistance (and possible hardware replacement). I was told that the repair cost for any part (except LCD and circuit board) is $110 CAD and if the repair includes LCD and circuit board, then the repair bill would be $335. The maximum charge would be $335, regardless of what parts and how many different parts.

But first I would have to pay $49.95 over the phone for initial diagnosis. And if the iPAQ was required to be returned to HP's depot, the total repair bill would minus the diagnosis charge.

So what happened? The support person asked me to do a hard reset and right away, the iPAQ unit responded and did a full reboot. The iPAQ works ever since!

My advice? Do several hard resets or soft resets at least for a couple of days and make sure during those two days, attach the battery to the iPAQ unit.

Incidentally, at one point, I was thinking of gettng a new iPAQ. Eg. iPAQ 2795. I did go to hp.com and looked at all available iPAQs. iPAQ 2795 seems to be the best among various iPAQ models. I had discounted other PDA brands, as I have at least four regular iPAQ batteries and they are still useful!

The iPAQ's technology hasn't advanced that far ahead to warrant my new purchase. For example, no gigabyte internal memory space, no incorporation of GPS technology or no inclusion of video and picture capturing abilities...so I held off.

My iPAQ still does a lot more things than anyting else. I am able to read all seven Harry Potter books and other novels on my little iPAQ!

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March 6, 2008

USB Device Not Recognized
-------------------------

This was the message when I sat my iPAQ on my cradle. I could not synchronize the data from my iPAQ to my laptop.
Before you reformat your PC or / and do a hard reset on your iPAQ --- like I did, check your cradle. I spent days just to determine the problem. And I lost six months of training data.

Then when I went on to hp.ca site, I was given a choice of buying sync cable at $25 or another cradle for $69.99. I had decided to get the sync cable from HP, but the HP site told me to call the 1-800 number for this cable. So I did, but the rep wanted to charge me $35. The rep had a very snotty attitude, so she told me she would connect me to the technical support. I had no idea what that was all about.

Anyhow, I had decided to go to Office Depot that sells office stuff. Sure enough, Office Depot sells ZIP-LINQ USB charge-n-sync P03. This package indicated that it is compatible with 1945, 22XX, 38XX, 39XX, 41XX, 54XX & 55XX series handhelds.

This USB charge N sync is also compatible with iPAQ 2750. It’s only $14.99.


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July 22, 2008

iPAQ rebooting / restarting 1/4 of the way and then going dead
-------------------------------------------------

Last night my iPAQ automatically rebooted itself and shut itself off after 1/4 of the way.

I was not able to do soft/hard/clean reboots on the iPAQ. The only time the iPAQ was able to reboot (at least to the 1/4 of the way) is removing the battery and then putting the battery back to the battery compartment.

HP charges $49 for initial evaluation and then it depends on the parts replaced, it could cost between $79 and $349Can.

I had seached through various HP forums and this is what I discovered.

Apparently, there's a very tiny switch at the back of the iPAQ. It's in the right bottom and the switch is hidden in this tiny square hole.

Sure enough, when I used a pin to push a switch in this little hole, my iPAQ was able to complete its rebooting cycle. My iPAQ was able to update the files on my laptop.

I also did an untechnical thing that keeps my iPAQ working. I rolled a small piece of paper, inserted it into the little hole, and closed the battery cover.

My iPAQ is working again.

I know. I was actually debating whether I should just get a new iPAQ. After all, directdial.com is selling HX2790 for $400.

However, iPAQ hasn't advanced enough to push me in buying a HX2790. It doesn't have high enough internal storage space or have camera/video/GPS capability. I mean even the latest phone has that kind of technology!

I mean if iPAQ has speech recognition capabilty, I might have considered in getting a new iPAQ. It doesn't.

However, I still like my iPAQ. I also have a blackberry (phone replacement) but it doesn't have the writing recognization capability or use microsoft products...so perhaps one day, my phone and my PDA could come as one device. :P