Image Source: Engadget

Via: Solsie.com

HP has announced a new ‘nonconverged’ Ipaq ‘mobile media companion’ device – the rx4000.  Initially to be released in just the Asia Pacific region in October with an estimated starting retail price of $299, the rx4000 will boast this set of features:

• Choose to view digital content in either landscape or portrait mode to maximize the viewing pleasure of videos, photos and games. 
• A scroll wheel for a single, smooth, one-handed operation for access and navigation of digital content. 
• A large 2.8-inch-wide anti-glare touch screen to quickly launch media applications for entertainment gratification.
• The HP iPAQ rx4000 Mobile Media Companion series, which is built on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Software for Pocket PC, also includes a suite of connectivity options, such as integrated Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, enabling consumers to stay connected on the go.
• Built with integrated Wi-Fi, consumers can connect to their email and the Internet to get real-time information and download music or movies. Consumers can also download VoIP software to make free PC-to-PC calls and fee-based calls to landlines and mobile phones, staying connected to loved. 
• Bluetooth technology enables consumers to connect to other Bluetooth devices, such as wireless stereo headphones, mobile phones and wireless printers. 
• Built on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 Software for Pocket PC, consumers can synchronize their calendar and contacts with ease, while getting work done on the go with popular Microsoft applications, such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

This seems a little bit of an odd move for HP.  My impression is that the coming Ipod vs. Zune battle may leave not a lot of room for other specialist portable media players to make a big impact.  And, there are some recent research results and opinions of financial analysts that point to music-capable cellphones as probably the biggest coming force in this whole area.  So … bringing out a full-fledged PDA that is *not* a phone as another entrant in this competitive area is a surprising move.

What do you all think of standalone media player / PDA vs. converged phone / PDA / media player devices?

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