HP Jornada 928 WDA

Arriving second to market with new concept devices can often prove advantageous, allowing more time to develop the product. HP seems to have taken this approach with its Jornada 928 WDA, a direct challenger to O2's xda (see Product update, issue 95, p102). The 928 packs in a huge number of applications in an attempt to prove its potential.

The 928 is the first Pocket PC device to feature Texas Instruments' (TI) OMAP 710 processor, which integrates a dedicated applications processor with a GSM/GPRS modem. Despite a long list of cited advantages over StrongARM-based alternatives, there don't appear to be any clear end-user benefits, so a direct comparison with O2's xda is more appropriate.

Externally, the 928's design is better thought out than the xda. Rather than resorting to a leather carry pouch, HP's removable stiff plastic lid provides screen protection without adding bulk. With the lid closed, basic mobile phone features such as caller ID, speed dialling and SMS can still be accessed via the small mono LCD and accompanying buttons at the top of the unit. One of the rechargeable batteries is removable - you can buy a spare and keep working for longer if you're away from a power source for extended periods. Whereas the xda features an SD/MMC slot for expansion, the 928 provides a CompactFlash Type I slot, which means a whole raft of peripheral devices - including wireless Ethernet cards - can be added.

Opening the lid presents you with the main cluster of control keys, featuring a four-way rocker with an execute button beneath, four shortcut keys for access to your contacts, agenda, email and home page, and the power on/off button. Down the left-hand side are the up/down rocker keys and the memo record button. All buttons respond well. The flat, plastic stylus is parked internally down the right-hand side, although this can't match the xda's stylus for rigidity.

However, it's in the construction stakes that O2's xda starts to pull ahead, as its metal casing, metal buttons, thick moulded antenna and sunken embossed buttons are all bolted together with reassuring solidity. The 928, on the other hand, resorts to a plastic casing, although it's still marginally heavier and larger than the xda. We also weren't sure about the thin, removable antenna and, taken as a whole, the 928 simply doesn't feel as well built. A comparison of the screen also shows the 928 lacks brightness and contrast, which is especially problematic when out and about on a sunny day.

Despite the 928's slower 133MHz processor, the extra power of the xda's 206MHz StrongARM only becomes apparent in the most demanding applications. The main advantage to the slower and more integrated processor is a promise of lower power consumption. Unfortunately, this is hardly noticeable and, although we don't dispute HP's claims for battery life, it hardly challenges the xda. A word of caution if you have big plans for your 928 - although the general applications are usable in normal operation, plugging in HP's pocket camera slows everything down considerably, even when the camera is apparently switched off.

HP will supply a keyboard accessory from mid-August, which is a triumph of design. Plugging into the bottom sockets, it replaces the lid assembly, leaving a flush, secure fitting that could be mistaken for being permanently attached. The backlit keyboard has a similar layout to Sharp's Zaurus SL-5500 (see Reviews, issue 93, p124), though the elongated keys don't add to usability. You're still restricted to thumb typing at a speed barely faster than using Transcriber, or even the virtual keyboard.