I have been using an iPAQ Pocket PC since its introduction in 2000. In fact, I had one of the first 3600 series devices. Since that day, I have been hooked. Every time HP (formerly Compaq) announces a new iPAQ device, I want one. And when it arrives, I'm like a kid on Christmas morning.

However, when the iPAQ 3970 was announced and some of its specifications revealed, I wasn't all that excited. Better screen? I couldn't see how that was possible. More ROM? Who needs it? XScale 400 MHz Processor? Yeah, right, like I need that kind of power in a handheld. Then I saw one and once again, I just had to have it!

SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENTS BUT THE SAME FORM FACTOR

I ended up purchasing an HP iPAQ 3975. The only difference between a 3975 and a 3970 is the box it comes in, and the only differences between a 3975 and a 3950 are that the 3975 has Bluetooth support and an additional 16MB of flash ROM. Therefore, most of the comments in this review apply to any 3900 series iPAQ Pocket PC.

Press the On button and you see that screen, that beautiful screen! The original Compaq iPAQ set the standard for screens and other manufacturers have worked hard to compete with it. But the screen on the 3975...Wow! The last time I reacted like this to a screen is when the first High Definition Plasma TV screens came out. They were so much brighter and crisper than their old, dingy cousins. The same is true here. The 3975 has a 3.8" diagonal, 240x320 pixel touch screen that uses Transflective TFT liquid crystal technology and is capable of displaying 16-bit color (65,536 colors)—and these are the same specs as the 3800 series. But the new screen is much brighter and easier to view than the one found on previous iPAQs. I don't know what HP did, but I like it.

The outward "form factor" of the iPAQ 3975 is the same as that of the 3800 series. Additionally, the 3975 has the same Expansion Pack interface as previous iPAQs. That means that there are plenty of Expansion Pack options. Any external keyboards, Expansion Packs, and cases that work with the 3800 series will work with the 3975 as well. It is nice to see a company stick to its promise not to change the form factor radically, since such changes force you to purchase new peripherals for each new device in a product line.

The 3975 uses Intel's new PXA250 XScale processor, which is capable of running at speeds of up to 400 MHz. However, it has been widely reported that these devices are no faster than their older 206 MHz Intel StrongARM siblings. I found this to be true. When this article was completed (in mid-September, 2002), no updates were available from Microsoft or HP. I hope they offer something soon.

The Pocket PC 2002's operating system and built-in applications occupy approximately 24 MB of flash ROM, and the 3975 comes with 48 MB. HP utilized the remaining ROM to create the iPAQ File Store, a user-accessible section of ROM that, can hold approximately 22 MB of data, applications, and other files. The great thing about this flash ROM File Store is that it is non-volatile memory, which means that even if the iPAQ were to lose all power, the files and data in the File Store would not be lost. File Store was such a hit, HP decided to increase the amount of Flash ROM on the 3975 to 48 MB. HP uses a little of this to store some of the add-on applications it includes with the device. You get about 22 MB of non-volatile storage space.

The 3975 has a built-in SD card slot for expansion and, unlike the iPAQ 3800 series and most other Pocket PCs with SD slots, accepts the newer SD input/output (SDIO) cards as well as SD and MMC memory cards. Currently, the only SDIO card available is a Bluetooth card, which would be redundant in the 3975. But digital camera, GPS, and wireless SD cards are all in development.

Finally, HP upgraded the IR port to "commercial grade," allowing you to control just about any remote control device. They also included the Nevo Universal Remote Control software to support this feature (more on that in the software section).

ENHANCED SOFTWARE FROM HP

The iPAQ 3975 comes with the Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 operating system and applications built in and ready to go. The applications include versions of Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, Inbox, Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, MS Reader, Media Player, and more. In addition, a number of user-installable applications from Microsoft are included on CD, including ActiveSync 3.5, the desktop PC program that lets Pocket PC users synchronize data with, transfer files to and from, and install applications from, a desktop PC. A complete description of this software is on Pocket PC magazine's Web site (www.PocketPCmag.com/bg2002/ppchpc.asp).

The 3975 also comes with a number of built-in HP applications, and HP has made some improvements and additions to this software. One notable improvement is in the way the new iPAQ handles power. In the Power Settings applet, there is a new tab called "Standby" (Screen 1). If the iPAQ isn't recharged regularly, it will eventually run low on battery power and automatically shut down (or go into "standby" mode) to preserve the files and data stored in the internal RAM memory. While in standby mode, it cannot be turned back on until the batteries are recharged. The new Standby tab in Power Settings lets you adjust the "Standby Period." This is the amount of time (in hours) you can leave it in standby mode before the battery goes completely dead and you lose your data.

Screen 1: The Power Settings utility now lets you adjust the Standby Period of your iPAQ 3975, affecting the usable capacity of your rechargeable battery.

HP also included an improved backup application with the iPAQ 3975. You can now pick and choose the files to be backed up (Screen 2) and schedule automatic backups of your data (Screen 3) in case you forget—like I tend to!

Screens 2 and 3: HP included an enhanced backup utility on the iPAQ 3975. You can now choose the files you want to back up (left) and schedule automatic backups (right).

NEVO UNIVERSAL REMOTE CONTROL

I could write an entire article on the Nevo Universal Remote Control software that ships with the iPAQ 3975. It's probably my favorite Pocket PC application to date. Nevo lets you control TVs, VCRs, DVD players, and other audio/visual (A/V) devices from the 3975. You can set up a separate screen for each room in your house, with icons for the A/V devices in the room. You can also configure Nevo for different users.

Configuring Nevo for your A/V devices is easy. For every A/V device there is a control code that identifies its characteristics. Built into Nevo are the control codes for thousands of devices, presented to you in lists organized by device type (TV, VCR, DVD player, etc.) and brand. All you have to do is select your TV, VCR, etc., from the list and Nevo can control it. It will appear as an icon on the main screen (Screen 4).

Screen 4: Nevo's main screen. The various remote devices that Nevo is configured to control appear as icons.

Tap on one of the device icons and the first remote control screen for that device appears. The number of remote control screens associated with each device varies, with as many as five for the more complex devices. You can even create Favorites pages that let you quickly switch to a different TV channel by tapping on a network logo rather than a channel number (Screen 5). Master controls can also be set up to allow you to quickly power on or off several devices (such as your TV, DVD, and Receiver). Finally, the graphic buttons on the various screens are big enough for you to tap with your fingers rather than the stylus.

Screen 5: Nevo lets you create Favorites pages that let you quickly switch to a different TV channel by tapping on a network logo.

The final bit of new software included with the iPAQ 3975 is the iPAQ Image Viewer. HP always included one of these on its Jornada brand Pocket PCs, but this is the first time I've seen one on an iPAQ.

VARIETY OF FREE AND TRIAL SOFTWARE ON CD

HP also includes a variety of applications, both full and trial versions, on the iPAQ's software CD and on the Internet. The full version applications include the following:

Jeode Java Virtual Machine—An implementation of a Java Virtual Machine, allowing you to run Java-based applications.

Quick View Plus—An application that lets you view 70 different file types.

FileCrypto Data Encryption—A utility for encrypting confidential files on your iPAQ.

Adobe PDF Viewer—An application for viewing Adobe Acrobat documents.

RealOne Player for Pocket PC—Plays Real movies on your iPAQ.

Wordlogic Predictive Keyboard—Another way of entering data into your iPAQ quickly and accurately.

iPresenter PowerPoint converter—Converts your PowerPoint presentations for use on your iPAQ.

Pocket Watch—A world-time graphical clock.

Bust'em Game—A fast action game.

Peacemaker Pro—A utility for "beaming" programs via IR between your iPAQ and a Palm device.

Vindigo (Link to site for download)—A program for finding music, restaurants, and more on your iPAQ.

Macromedia Flash Player (Link to site for download)—View Flash programs on your iPAQ.

Audible Manager and Audible Player (Link to site for download)—An application for accessing and listening to a variety of Audible documents.

The trial versions include:

Xcellenet Device Management Agent—An agent for allowing IT to track and manage your iPAQ.

Eletel Messaging Software— Lets you record, send, and receive voice messages to and from any phone.

Margi Presenter-to-Go (requires purchase of additional hardware)—Lets you edit and view PowerPoint Presentations on your iPAQ.

eWallet—Keeps track of all your credit cards and banking information securely.

ListPro—Lets you maintain unlimited lists on your iPAQ.

IBM Via Voice Command (Link to site for download)—Voice recognition software for the iPAQ.

LATEST IN A GREAT LINE OF POCKET PCs!

The 3975 is the latest in a great line of iPAQ Pocket PCs, and the first to be introduced since the HP/Compaq merger. The improvements in this latest iPAQ strongly suggest that HP wants to stay on top of the Pocket PC world, and will do what's needed, in performance, features, and innovations, to maintain the iPAQ's lead.

The 3975 isn't perfect. There's plenty of room in flash ROM, but keyboard and Expansion Pack Plus drivers still must be loaded by the user. Also, it still lacks a removable battery and a built-in CF slot. It's true that the new Expansion Pack Plus has a CF slot and removable battery, but it would be so much easier to have those features right on the device.

Still, the iPAQ 3975 is now my device of choice. It's priced at $749, $100 more than the 3870. But the screen alone is worth the extra $100. You can buy the new HP iPAQ 3975 at HP's online store (www.shopping.hp.com).