HP recently announced a really cool GSM/GPRS-enabled iPaq that also supports WiFi and Bluetooth, making it one of the first to support all 3 wireless protocols.
The iPaq h6315 was developed in partnership with T-Mobile USA Inc. and allows users to make phone calls over T-Mobile's GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) network.
Most importantly, it can switch between those wide-area network technologies and LAN connections provided by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth chips.
What does this mean? Well, in theory this means I can use a VoIP softphone client on this PDA, such as Xten's SIP-based softphone. The HP PDA should use my home wireless Wi-Fi connection when I'm home (free calling using SIP or reduced calling rate via a SIP service provider), then it will "roam" to the cell phone carrier's wireless network (GSM/GPRS) when I leave the vicinity of a WiFi or Bluetooth connection.
I doubt it will seamlessly switch a live VoIP call between a WiFi connection and GSM/GPRS. They will be assigning different IP addreses for one thing. But perhaps someone will invent a PocketPC SIP client that automatically reconnects a disconnected call if it determines a change of IP address when the call is disconnected.
You can view some more info here:
InfoWorld: HP announces new GSM/GPRS-enabled iPaq: July 26, 2004: By : HARDWARE : NETWORKING : TELECOM : WIRELESS
The iPaq h6315 was developed in partnership with T-Mobile USA Inc. and allows users to make phone calls over T-Mobile's GSM/GPRS (Global System for Mobile Communications/General Packet Radio Service) network. It can switch between those wide-area network technologies and the LAN connections provided by Wi-Fi chips, and also use wireless peripherals equipped with Bluetooth technology, said John Dayan, senior director of HP's handheld and wireless business
