O2 XDA II

The O2 xda II (£349 inc. VAT) is the most PDA-like of the smartphones in this group. For this reason it’s not the sort of device to get if you are looking for a replacement mobile and want to be able to treat it like a normal phone. For starters, it’s too wide to be just slipped into a pocket or handbag, and those using it without a headset are likely to feel somewhat self conscious with its unusual size and shape. Instead, the xda II is aimed at those looking for a PDA that also offers the added benefits of connectivity. This means it’s likely to appeal more to business than to leisure users, and this is reflected in the phone’s features as well as its design.

However, even for a PDA, the xda II is already beginning to look large. With the recent crop of releases from the likes of Sony and HP, PDAs are getting smaller and the xda’s69 x 128 x 19mm dimensions and 185g weight places it at the heavier end of the PDA market. Although the handset’s tri-band GPRS connectivity goes some way to excusing this, we suspect it won’t be long before a slimmer, but similarly specified, device appears on the market.

The xda II is similar in appearance to the original xda, although we felt that it’s not as good-looking, with an additional section on the top of the unit for the internal antenna and a digital camera. However, it’s far from being ugly, and the overall impression is of good build quality and a usable design. The xda II runs on Pocket PC 2003 Phone Edition. Anyone already familiar with the standard Pocket PC operating system will find this a highly usable device.

O2 has also added its own software layer to the OS, providing a Today screen with shortcuts to the most popular applications, a mute shortcut to silence your ringtones and a Task Manager. We found this more useful and user-friendly start page than the one that comes built-in, but you can easily close it if you prefer the original page. Another software addition is the POP3email setup wizard, which is designed to take the confusion out of establishing your email accounts.

Users simply have to enter their email addresses and passwords, and the wizard will do the rest for you, working out your account details for you. Other additional software includes ClearVue PDF and PowerPoint readers, Wireless Modem and O2 xmail. Because of the xda’s large size, it’s unlikely that most users would want to use it to make calls without a headset. The presence of Bluetooth functionality means that you can connect a wireless headset – as well as synch wirelessly with your computer. Picture quality on the 640x 480-pixel digital camera is excellent. The supplied software makes taking, editing and emailing photos extremely easy, while the xda’s colour screen acts as a very good viewfinder. The xda is powered by an Intel PXA263 processor running at 400MHz. Memory capacity is an impressive 128MB and there’s also an SD expansion slot should users need to add more. The screen is a vast improvement on its predecessor, the 16-bit colour display providing clear and crisp images that makes it a pleasure to use. The xda II’s closest rival in this group is probably the Eten P300, since it uses the same touchscreen input and is based on the same operating system.

However, in truth, the xda II is really unlike any other smartphone currently on the mainstream market. Because of this it can command its own audience: those looking for a highly functional PDA with all the benefits that GPRS connectivity can offer. Whether this market will be enough to secure the future ofO2’s take on the smartphone format remains to be seen. However, in the meantime, O2’s xda II is a well-made and usable device that offers a real alternative to a standard PDA.

RATING: 8

PRICE: £297/£349(EX/INC. VAT)
PROCESSOR: INTEL PXA263 400MHZ
MEMORY: 128MB
EXPANSION: SD/MMC
SCREEN: 16-BIT TFT
SIZE: 69 X 128 X 19MM
WEIGHT: 185G
OPERATING SYSTEM: WINDOWS MOBILE FOR POCKET PC 2003 PHONE EDITION
CONTACT: 0870 2257879 WWW.O2.CO.UK