Known for its aggressive approach towards releasing new iPAQ Pocket PCs, Hewlett-Packard today announced plans to adopt a similar tack in the world of smartphones.

To build on its initial entry into the market, the iPAQ 6300 series, the computing giant is determined to roll out a slew of new cellular-wireless handhelds in the coming year. It says these devices will incorporate several different types of wireless technologies and be offered in a variety of designs and sizes.

First up is the iPAQ Mobile Messenger.

Even though HP is stingy on details, the company did say this device would integrate wireless voice, high-speed EDGE data networking, and, a first for the company, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver for navigation. In another apparent change in strategy, the unit will also incorporate a built-in keyboard.

While the current iPAQ h6315 ships with a keyboard attachment, it appears HP is responding to prospective customers who passed on the earlier model because the keyboard wasn't physically merged into the unit like with palmOne Treo 650 or newer Pocket PC Phones (e.g. Sprint's Audiovox PPC-6601 and Cingular's Siemens SX66) that even have retractable keyboards.

HP plans to demonstrate iPAQ Mobile Messenger at the 3GSM World Congress in Canes, France from February 14th to 17th.

The company says its upcoming smartphones will deliver expanded Microsoft Exchange and Outlook support and compatibility with Good Technology's GoodLink software for 'push' based wireless access to corporate e-mail, calendar, contacts, and other data. 'Pushed' data is sent automatically to a mobile device, as opposed to requiring users to request the information. The most well-known example of 'push' e-mail is Research In Motion's BlackBerry solutions.

In related news, the company announced an update to its HP Mobile Printing for Pocket PC software. The latest version enables wireless printing from a handheld PC to a variety of HP printers and non-HP printers.