PDA News

O2 xda Review
By William| Reporter
Date: 05/28/2003
O2 xda is a PDA-based phone running Microsoft’s latest Pocket PC 2002 which tightly integrates both PDA and mobile phone functionality on a single device.

New/outstanding features
The email/SMS program and phone applications are two applications on the “mobile phone” side of the O2 xda, where the Contacts application provides the required integration by supplying name, number and email information to the respective applications.

It includes the ability to surf the Internet quickly thanks to built-in GPRS capability, a speakerphone feature and playback of MP3 music files via Media Player where it can be heard through the supplied headsets.

Physical aspects
Although the O2 xda weighs slightly heavier than an iPAQ H3870 (201g versus 185g respectively), it actually comes in a smaller design which makes it easier to hold and use for both PDA and phone purposes.

By being smaller, this also meant the actual LCD screen needed to shrink down in size too - which was the case. The same depth in screen resolution was maintained.

One piece of intelligent design that I really appreciate on the O2 XDA is the storage location of the stylus.

Alike other Pocket PC devices, the O2 xda comes with several buttons that allow quick access to PDA features as well as phone functions. On the front, the ANSWER and REJECT buttons are conveniently located near the base of the unit on either sides of the 5-way navigational key. Adjusting the volume for calls can be done by pressing a button on the left side of the device, while turning the actual PDA (not the phone) on or off is done through the button at the top of the phone near the infrared port.

At the top, two preset-able buttons are available on both sides of the earpiece - one for the Contacts application (left), and the other for the Calendar (right). You can reassign these buttons from the device’s “Settings” menu.

User Interface (UI)
Most people who have used PDAs would know that the Pocket PC operating system is based on Microsoft Windows technology. So using the O2 xda is going to be something like the experience with Windows.

Conveniently, some relevant phone indicators are shown at the top of the screen on the menu bar. These include the current time, volume, signal strength, battery level (only shown when the battery level drops to around 30-40%) and message waiting/missed call indicator.

A service light indicator is also available on the O2 xda, and is located above the LCD and just below the PDA phone’s external antenna.

To access other applications on the O2 xda anytime, simply tap the “Start” icon at the top left-hand corner of the screen.

Making and receiving calls
There are three ways that you can take a call with the O2 xda - by using the actual PDA handset, via the speakerphone or through the stereo headsets. In all cases, the audio quality for calls were crisp and clear - which is most important when you want to conduct calls.

The phone-related applications on the O2 xda, including Phone and Inbox, are very simple. For example, making calls with the Phone application does not require the use of a stylus - simply tap the virtual 12-digit numeric keypad on the phone screen and tap the green SEND button (or the physical ANSWER button at the bottom of the phone) to initiate the call. You can also look up the number you want to call in your phone book by clicking on the “Contacts” icon at the bottom of the screen.

A tip for energy saving: once you have received the call and you do not need to use the PDA, press the power button at the top of the phone - which will turn off the LCD and backlight. You can still continue your call with the PDA off :)

Messaging
Whether it’s just a simple SMS message or an email for the boss at work, the O2 xda can do both wherever you may be. While SMS messages require the phone to be on the mobile network for it to be sent, e-mails can be done in the same fashion (either through CSD or GPRS) or sent when the phone is synchronised with the ActiveSync synchronisation software on your PC. Character input is done through either handwriting recognition or using the virtual keyboard.

Battery life
The internal Lithium-polymer battery of the O2 xda sure knows how to perform when compared with other Pocket PC devices. On average usage, It was able to get approximately 3 days’ worth of standby out of the device without any partial charging in between - which included high levels of PDA usage and around an hour worth of calls. The numbers will vary greatly depending on your usage patterns (that is, more/less of PDA/phone features, etc).

Major features...

Dual-band, PDA-based phone operating on Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition

The O2 xda is one of the first PDA phones to feature the new PPC2002 Phone Edition operating system, which tightly integrates both phone and organiser features together making operating such a device much more seamless than ever before. Both the GSM 900 and 1800 MHz frequencies are compatible with the O2 xda.

High-resolution, 4096-colour TFT touch screen

Alike other Pocket PC devices, the O2 xda comes with a 240x320-pixel TFT screen showing up to 4096 colours and having touch-screen capabilities.

High-speed data access via GPRS

Whether it’s a standard dial-up data connection or using your mobile network’s high-speed GPRS connection, the O2 xda comes ready with this support whenever you need it. No more “I need two devices to browse the web and send email” scenarios!

SMS and email capabilities

The Inbox application supports the sending and receiving of both SMS and email messages while on the move.

Main menu

Phone features

SMS templates

SD/MMC memory card expansion

The O2 xda provides the ability for memory expansion by using SD/MMC type memory cards and inserting them at the base of the PDA unit. A backup program is also available where calendar and contacts data can be “backed up” to a designated memory card.

IR connectivity

If you don’t have your USB docking station handy to send/receive information to and from your O2 xda and PC/laptop, the IR port can also be used for this purpose. Not restricting its use to synchronisations, it can also be used to send/receive other types of information - including business cards, images and other types of files.

5-way navigational key and physical buttons for basic phone features

There are times when you can access specific functions via using the 5-way navigational key to manoeuvre the selection cursor around the screen, and confirming selection by depressing on it. Other buttons, such as the two customisable application keys, answer/reject and volume buttons provide quick and easy access to functions without having to whip out the stylus.

Virtual keyboard and writing area for inputs

The O2 xda provides several input methods for the user to enter data onto the device - including a virtual keyboard mode, a character recognition mode, and one that tries to recognise handwriting.

Speakerphone and stereo headset available for phone conversations

There are two other options for conducting phone conversations - either through the speakerphone feature or by using the provided stereo headsets.

Dictaphone/voice recorder feature

In addition to the built-in notes feature, voice notes can be recorded and stored onto the PDA’s memory for later retrieval and playback.

Microsoft “Pocket” productivity applications

Included with the O2 xda and it’s PPC2002 operating system are the Microsoft “Pocket” applications - including some from the popular Office package (Pocket Excel, Outlook and Word), and Pocket Internet Explorer for web page browsing. All applications are customised for use on a Pocket PC and probably provide practicality when reading or reviewing email attachments with relevant formats with the ability to make changes as well.

Audio and video clip playback with Windows Media Player 8 for Pocket PC

The popular audio and video player found on our Windows PC is also available on the PPC2002-enabled O2 xda, where it provides the ability to play back short sound and video clips. The player can also act as an MP3 player.

Compatible with most other third-party Pocket PC applications

If you have any existing Pocket PC software, it is most likely that you can use them on the O2 xda as well. This means the previous investments you made on purchasing software for your previous Pocket PC device won’t go to waste.

USB docking station - for charging and synchronisation

Provided in the sales package is the USB docking station allowing the O2 xda to synchronise and charge at the same time.

In Summary

The O2 xda may just be the device that will win my Pocket PC patronage - since it offered me the additional benefits of having telephony applications available at my fingertips plus the ability to communicate using other built-in applications. For example, Pocket Internet Explorer would just “sit there” on the PDA device viewing local HTML files unless you had an external device that allowed an Internet connection.

It has quite a bit to offer, and the integration of the mobile phone feature makes this Pocket PC PDA quite complete.

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