Hewlett Packard (HP) on Monday introduced the latest HP iPAQ device, a sleek and small smartphone that is based on the new Windows Mobile 6 platform, intended to deliver a flexible wireless email experience for business customers through convenient voice control and hands-free operation.

Besides the Windows Mobile 6 operating system, the new HP iPAQ device, dubbed the ‘HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger’ incorporates voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) capabilities, push email.

With the launch of new iPAQ 510 Voice Messenger, HP is apparently trying to take another shot at the Smartphone market it attempted to breach in the past with the iPAQ SmartPhone rw4500.

The HP iPAQ 500 series Voice Messenger offers up to six hours of continuous talk time on a fully charged battery. The new handset helps highly mobile professionals stay connected while they are on the road.

Besides being the first Windows Mobile 6 smart phone, the new HP device is also the first in HP's new smartphone lineup. It is also the first iPAQ device to offer the over-the-air device management capabilities that HP acquired with its purchase of Bitfone Corp., a company that develops software solutions for mobile device management for the wireless industry.

Though the HP iPAQ 500 series compliments the company's smart phones portfolio, still it keeps itself apart from others. It focuses more on voice features and fills a void in its mobile device lineup, falling somewhere between its workhorse Pocket PC phones and standalone PDAs.

Packed with over 20 voice commands, iPAQ empowers users with the ability of hands-free operation. Its powerful "voice reply" feature enables users to reply email by dictating and sending a voice response, without the need for any typing. Furthermore, users can also listen to email and text messages, navigate through phone and calendar tasks and speak to start applications.

“Busy professionals are constantly flooded with email and looking for ways to quickly and easily manage it and move on with their day,” said Dave Rothschild, vice president, Handheld Business Unit, Personal Systems Group, HP. “Our HP iPAQ Voice Messenger smartphone gives mobile users an easy way to manage all types of communications and stay focused on their business.”

In addition, the candy bar phone iPAQ 510 has built-in Wi-Fi to offer a VoIP alternative to conventional office phone set ups. It also includes GSM/EDGE and Bluetooth wireless technology connectivity options.

A quick glance at iPAQ 510’s specification sheet: a 220 x 176 display, 128MB ROM and 64MB RAM, microSD expansion, Bluetooth 1.2, and a lowly 200MHz OMAP850. Unlike the HP iPAQ hw6900 series, the HP iPAQ Voice Messenger is compact and lightweight at 4.6x2.8x0.7 inches and 5.8 ounces .

Besides the business purpose use, the traveling professionals can enjoy its exclusive digital entertainment features such as listening to music, watching videos, playing games, and capturing and sharing photos wirelessly.

The new device is expected to hit the market in the United States this spring direct from HP and select authorized dealers.