iPAQ K3 and neglected tribute updates

Well, I know I promised to update my iPAQ tribute posts every week or at least every other week, and well, I guess that didn't happen (sorry, iPAQ fans). I am still working on the next post on running Linux, mostly spinning my wheels to find ways to get good screenshots and make stuff work properly. Anyhoo, I recently came across a few news items that caught my eye, mentioning HP's upcoming K3 (pictured above), so thought I might distract you with some of the poop on the latest handset to carry the "iPAQ" name.

Sure, I know it's a phone (gasp)! Still, it's called an iPAQ and it's news.  AT&T will carry it later this year, and it might just ring in a new era of something innovative in the handheld arena for HP (ahem...yes, well...whatever)!

Pocketnow's Brandon Miniman is quoted on his blog, speculating about the new screen and UI, "...though the interface shown on the device is mysteriously similar to leaks of Windows Mobile 7 we've seen. Also lending to the possibility of this being a WinMo 7 device is that it won't include a stylus. Since 7 should include support for capacitive screens, this makes us wonder if the K3 will usher in a new era of capacitive screens for Windows Mobile device."

...hmmm, sounds interesting. I wonder if there's even a ghost of a chance that maybe the iPAQ PDA devices like the 110/210 models (still sold) will also morph into an iPod touch-like device or finally cross over to the iPAQ afterlife?

Engadget (who broke the story last month), posted the full leaked specs, but couldn't resist adding some acerbic comments about the type of user who might own one, "..feature a 2 megapixel camera (a second cameraless version for high-security businessfolk might be available, too), 256MB of RAM, a half gig of ROM, microSD slot, GPS, triband HSDPA and quadband EDGE, WiFi, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a QVGA display to complement the full QWERTY keyboard. Looks like it won't be the most exciting smartphone on the carrier's shelves, but it might be a sensible choice for businesses and really, really boring people."

Ha ha, really boring people... That's pretty funny. Wait, I guess they mean me? Oh well, if the shoe fits! I wonder if there are any "boring" iPAQ loyalists out there that would consider grabbing this new device when it becomes available? Personally, I think it looks like more of the same in the HP messenger line. Pretty much a souped up HP Blackberry that's probably slower and less stable...