Hewlett-Packard (HP) unveiled plans to release a slew of new smartphones over the course of 2005 a couple of months ago. Quite a bit of information about the first of these cellular-wireless devices has emerged since that time.

Although the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the iPAQ hw6500 for release in the U.S. already, it kept most information about the device close to the vest because of a Request for Confidentiality from HP.

Due a recent slipup, however, the agency has posted the user manual for the hw6500 on its Web site—close to three months before the confidentiality agreement was set to expire.

Here's what we know:

The hw6500 runs on Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition, Phone Edition, a 312 MHz Intel XScale processor, 64 MB of memory (46 MB available to the user), and an 8 MB File Store. Taiwanese original equipment manufacturer High Tech Computer (HTC) designed the smartphone.

As a GSM/GPRS handset with high-speed EDGE support, the hw6500 can achieve average data transfer rates between 100 kbps and 135 kbps on a compatible network. The new device will also integrate a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver with NMEA (National Marine Electronics Association) standards support for navigation and other location services.

Even though it lacks an external antenna, HP asserts the Pocket PC can still get good reception from GPS satellites. Where that isn't possible, the device turns to cell phone tower triangulation to determine locations. It bundles TomTom Navigator software plus the ability to download one free city map.

In an apparent change in strategy, the hw6500 incorporates a backlit QWERTY thumb-keyboard. While the company's first smartphone, the iPAQ h6315, shipped 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's Treo 650 or newer Pocket PC Phones (e.g. Sprint's Audiovox PPC-6601 and Cingular's Siemens SX66) that even have retractable keyboards.

The hw6500 integrates two memory card slots, one for Secure Digital cards and a the other for miniSD cards. It also supports Bluetooth wireless, but not Wi-Fi like some other new and upcoming smartphones. It should measure 4.7 x 2.8 x 0.8 inches (118 x 71 x 21 millimeters) and weigh 5.8 ounces (165 grams).

hw6500 Next to Audiovox SMT5600
(image from msmobiles)

The new Pocket PC Phone is the first handheld of its type with a square 240 x 240 pixel resolution display. It also has a 1.3-megapixel camera for 640 x 480 pixel pictures and video.

The hw6500 is due to ship by the second half of this month from an as-of-yet unnamed carrier. Cingular Wireless is as likely a candidate as any, however, since it is the only mobile operator in the U.S. with a widely deployed EDGE network.

Rumors say the smartphone should sell for about $600.