HP today announced the first shipment date of the HP iPAQ Business Messenger, a 3G smartphone designed for maximum mobile productivity, to a global audience at the HP Connecting Your World conference.

Available worldwide beginning June 30, the HP Business Messenger shines with a stylish, glossy, piano-black design and features an integrated QWERTY keyboard, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system and the latest wireless technologies,(1) to simplify the complexities of business and personal life.

The feature-packed HP iPAQ Business Messenger also offers voice and mobile email communications, along with support for critical business applications. It uses tri-band UMTS/HSDPA and quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE wireless technology to allow customers to make calls(2) and quickly access the Internet from around the world, while integrated Bluetooth and Wi-Fi wireless technology allow for convenient connectivity.

"As more of the workforce becomes mobile, people are demanding greater sophistication and functionality from smartphones," said Paul Damiani, vice president and general manager, Handheld Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. "HP has used customer feedback to develop devices that not only provide connectivity, productivity tools and GPS navigation, but also support the business applications that truly keep the on-the-go professional connected."

The HP iPAQ Business Messenger runs on the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system for access to familiar productivity applications and a richer mobile experience with Internet browsing and texting, simpler email and wireless setup, and security enhancements.

The device features an alphanumeric QWERTY thumb keyboard for fast typing, a touch-screen display and a five-way navigation button and scroll wheel on the side allowing convenient one-handed navigation through menus and emails. Built-in Cyberon Voice Commander and HP Voice Reply features enable hands-free emailing and other device commands.(3)

Those constantly on the move will welcome turn-by-turn navigation(4) via built-in GPS. The HP iPAQ Business Messenger also features Microsoft Internet Sharing software that simplifies connecting to the Internet with a notebook PC anywhere high-speed cellular data networks are available.

In addition to the latest entertainment applications from Windows Mobile 6.1, the HP iPAQ Business Messenger features a 3-megapixel camera. Photos captured with an HP iPAQ can be directly uploaded to the leading online photo service Snapfish, as well as other online digital photo services.

The HP iPAQ Business Messenger also supports HP Enterprise Mobility Suite, the HP mobile device management solution that allows easy setup and over-the-air manageability. The suite allows enterprises to remotely manage, help secure and support mobile devices for maximum device performance and access to applications, data and networks.

Pricing and availability

The HP iPAQ 900 Series Business Messenger will be available worldwide. Shipping dates will vary by region and are expected to begin by June 30. Prices will vary by country and region.

More information on the HP iPAQ 900 Series is available in an online press kit at www.hp.com/personal.

About HP

HP focuses on simplifying technology experiences for all of its customers - from individual consumers to the largest businesses. With a portfolio that spans printing, personal computing, software, services and IT infrastructure, HP is among the world’s largest IT companies, with revenue totaling $110.4 billion for the four fiscal quarters ended April 30, 2008. More information about HP (NYSE: HPQ) is available at www.hp.com.