PPCW's Experiences With The XDA II

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1525' target='_blank'>http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1525</a><br /><br /></div>For those of us unlucky enough not to be able to play with this sweet-looking unit, Carlo Guerrero has posted his detailed experiences of the XDA II, along with some awesome, really high-res screenshots.<br /><br />"After my 2 hour date with the O2 XDA II, I knew I needed more. I wasn't satisfied with just two hours. I needed to explore it, find out what makes it tick and confirm every information that has leaked out into the Internet. How sweet was the news when I heard that I could spend more time with the lovely O2 XDA II. Without hesitation, I asked if I could shoot the actual device and explore it. Here are the results of that last tryst with the O2 XDA II."<br /><br />He also has some tasty hints of things to come, like a rumored piggyback CF+VGA adapter. 8O I want one of these now, but I have no idea when it's going to hit North America. :cry:

[Shadowcat]

I think this is the most beautiful and professional-looking Pocket PC/Pocket PC Phone device up to this point. It will have the most RAM and ROM ever in a Pocket PC, has a built-in camera, has built-in support for a bluetooth headset, and of course phone functionality. I'd die for one of these!

The only disappointment I can see is the lack of a compact flash slot and built-in WiFi. However I'm not unreasonable. They have crammed a lot in the device already and we can't expect to have everything. This is very close to the perfect device for me! Good job to whoever designed this device! Oh, I also wished that there were more buttons on the bottom of the device.

[maximum360]

Does it have a removable battery?

[BobWitt]

Is this likely an exclusive for T-Mobile, or will other services be able (likely) to carry? (in US)

Does anyone know if there will be a version WITHOUT the digital camera? This unit would be prohibited at many places that I work…

This could be my next PPC...

Bob

[jmbneaf]

Although lower in memory, but with built in CF and SD Slots & bigger battery, I like the ETEN P700 better. I share BobWitt's concern about the camera (most tiny camera's are not worth the extra cost / space they add) - that and security concerns too.

Take a look at it too at PPCW -> http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1520&catid=3

-JB

[ppcsurfr]

&lt;snip>
The only disappointment I can see is the lack of a compact flash slot and built-in WiFi. However I'm not unreasonable. They have crammed a lot in the device already and we can't expect to have everything. This is very close to the perfect device for me! Good job to whoever designed this device! Oh, I also wished that there were more buttons on the bottom of the device.

Nothing disappointing here as the Piggy-back unit that was described to me will have a CF slot and a VGA out port.

And since it's got SDIO, then all that is needed is an SD Wi-Fi card.

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

[acronym]

$850 ???

$ 8 5 0 . !!!!

eight hundred and fifty dollars ???

heh thats a _lot_ of money

[yawanag]

$850 ???

$ 8 5 0 . !!!!

eight hundred and fifty dollars ???

heh thats a _lot_ of money

That's my greatest fear - the price! My heart is aching for this device and I hope that I will be able to get this one the way I got my first one. Amazon.com had a $250 rebate. Either that or start a part-time job now so I can pay it off by Christmas (of next year :mrgreen:)

[ppcsurfr]

$850 ???

$ 8 5 0 . !!!!

eight hundred and fifty dollars ???

heh thats a _lot_ of money

Yep. But if the Telcos step in, they can subsidize the cost which may bring it lower than what the retail price states.

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

[Janak Parekh]

Carlo,

Out of curiosity, what camera did you use? Those are some very clean macro shots. :)

--janak

[Shadowcat]

Nothing disappointing here as the Piggy-back unit that was described to me will have a CF slot and a VGA out port.

And since it's got SDIO, then all that is needed is an SD Wi-Fi card.

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

The point is it would add a lot of bulk to the device, not to mention a lot more money! I know it has an SDIO slot, but I still prefer CF as the memory is cheaper as I have 4 CF cards already and would like to continue using them. I personally would prefer a slightly bulkier device with a built-in CF slot rather than a slim one with only SDIO.

[Pocket PC Dubai]

Don’t worry about memory, it has 64 MB ROM and 128 MB RAM

http://www.o2.co.uk/productsservices/xda2/0,,174,00.html

:)

[dochall]

I would prefer it with WIFI but that just about matches my current perfect PPC.

Certainly I will be very tempted to retire my 5550 when it arrives in the UK.

[danmanmayer]

Wow i want this even more now. Especially since your saying they are actually going to make accessories this time around. The onlyreal mistake with the first XDA well that and no SDIO. Long live the XDA.

[ppcsurfr]

Carlo,

Out of curiosity, what camera did you use? Those are some very clean macro shots. :)

--janak

:D I used a Nikon Coolpix 5000 with an upgraded firmware (Firmware version 1.7)

Saved all of it in Nikon NEF format (RAW) and then converted it to jpeg via Nikon View. I also had Noise reduction on and all the good stuff running. A bit slow while recording the image but it was worth the wait. BTW, these photos were originally taken at full resolution... about 5 megapixel worth of detail.

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

[ppcsurfr]

The point is it would add a lot of bulk to the device, not to mention a lot more money! I know it has an SDIO slot, but I still prefer CF as the memory is cheaper as I have 4 CF cards already and would like to continue using them. I personally would prefer a slightly bulkier device with a built-in CF slot rather than a slim one with only SDIO.

Let's save that for another day... :wink:

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

[Don Sorcinelli]

While I was among the very eager here, Steven "fyiguy" Hughes had an opportunity to talk with some T-Mobile USA reps this past Wednesday during an event here in Boston. It appears that the XDA II is not on the release agenda here -

Well I got some good news and bad news for you T-Mobile PocketPC Phone Edition users. I talked to the folks at T-Mobile and they said that the XDA2 (that we heard so much about and is now rumored to have an add-on extended battery and CF slot module) doesn't look like it will be arriving in the US, but a newer XDA will hopefully be released soon either the end of Q4 or the beginning of next year. This is all they would say due to NDAs.

The full story is here (http://www.bostonpocketpc.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=1816&mode=thread&order=0&thold=0).

Disappointment is an understatement for me...

DonS

[DaleReeck]

Does T-Mobile lock their phones? It is compatible with the network here in the US. If you get one overseas, I assume you could still use it here? Of course, buying one full price overseas could get nasty price-wise :)

[Monty Gibson]

Does T-Mobile lock their phones? It is compatible with the network here in the US. If you get one overseas, I assume you could still use it here? Of course, buying one full price overseas could get nasty price-wise :)

Dale,

I used to have a Nokia Communicator (Awesome except for Symbian is still not widely supported over here for software). I called T-Mobile to find out if they serviced the device and they stated at that time that any phone with a SIM module would accept service from T-Mobile. They even devised a calling program for me that included a separate line for faxes to the device! So, my point is that if O2 doesn't lock their phones directly to their service then it will operate on the T-Mobile service with a standard SIM module. At least, that is what I'm hoping for. I'm trying to find out more information myself to purchase one of these today. I'm not waiting.

[ppcsurfr]

The O2 XDA IIs that are goung to be released here in Asia will not be SIM-locked which means you can use it anywhere for as long as there is a GSM signal in either 900, 1800, 900/1800 dual band, or 1900 MHz service.

Mabuhay! ~ Carlo

[Don Sorcinelli]

Does T-Mobile lock their phones? It is compatible with the network here in the US. If you get one overseas, I assume you could still use it here? Of course, buying one full price overseas could get nasty price-wise :)

If history is any indicator, it should be possible to eventually purchase the XDA II unlocked. The XDA has been available from online retailers like Expansys for a while, and has been a better option (price-wise) than havign to order from Europe.

Even without having to order from abroad, the big question will be the price. Without the telco subsidy, this could be one pricey device 8O

DonS

[DaleReeck]

I have to believe the $850 indicated in the article is the non-subsidy price. It will probably be $599 to $649 range with new plan/extension in Europe. The I700 is $599, so I figure $649, the same price as the iPaq 5550, would be a realistic price. Unfortunately, if you get it overseas (the most likely scenario for us North Americans), it will be the full $850. Yuk. I think I'll wait till Dell stumbles out of the door with theirs. My I700 is sufficient till then :)

[maximus]

$850 ???

$ 8 5 0 . !!!!

eight hundred and fifty dollars ???

heh thats a _lot_ of money

If you think that is bad, try guess what the price is when these things hit asia. :wink:

Hint: The XDA (one) is currently priced at $850 down here.

[JoshB]

T-Mobile has their own version of this device (many press releases and photos are available at www.t-mobile.de) and have said they plan to release it in Europe by the end of October.

I would be really, really surprised if they released it in Europe and not in the U.S. The phone is already tri-band, so the only thing they'd have to change is maybe a little OS/app/marketing material localization.

I'd even go so far to say that they'd be fools not to release it here. :D

JoshB

[Pocket PC Dubai]

Considering:
1) It is a PPC + GSM/GPRS Triband MMS Phone
2) The capacity of the internal memory
3) Loaded with applications “out of the box”
4) Built-in camera

I think the price is somewhat acceptable, I know you’ll disagree with me :splat:

Alternatively if you want to buy a high-end PPC, a separate mobile phone for GSM/GPRS & MMS, applications (same available in XDA II), adding SD or CF camera you might end up with the same price or maybe more.

I will pay $850 for this device without hesitation. :wink:

[Ramin]

The released specifications (http://www.o2.co.uk/productsservices/xda2/0,,174,00.html) indicate that the O2 XDA II is a GPRS Class B device. This basically makes it impossible for the user to be able to look up information on the Internet (with GPRS) while taking a voice call (using the GSM service), since you can only do one or the other with Class B devices.

IMO, this is a major disappointment (that they didn't use a Class A radio) - since Class A devices can remain connected to both GSM and GPRS and services simultaneously. And the fact that they could have designed an integrated CF slot without adding much bulk to the device (e.g. iPAQ h2210) but did not, doesn't make much sense.

For USD$850, the XDA II is just not worth the money. It's extremely disheartening to see O2 continue to sell overpriced hardware (perhaps they just don't have the volume). I'd rather wait for HP or Dell come up with their own versions at more affordable prices.

My own O2 XDA had a tonne of problems and wasn't very dependable. It still retails (officially) for RM2,988 (approx. ~USD$780) here in Malaysia (AFAIK, there are no local Malaysian mobile operators offering subsidies for the XDA). Also, it didn't help that the support and service really sucks in Malaysia and Singapore. After just over 6 months of use, the screen went blank and I was told that this was a common problem for XDAs (fixing it cost me a bomb, since I had to have the main board replaced). Also, the product was a mediocre phone and had poor battery life.

I was excited to learn that O2 have improved on the XDA with SDIO, integrated VGA digital camera, 400MHz Intel XScale, 128MB RAM, Transflective(?) LCD etc. ...but these features are nothing new, and for you'd get after spending USD$850, once you take everything into account - It isn't what I'd call value for money. It seems more like cutthroat pricing to me.

[possmann]

Now all i have to :mrgreen: is wait until this gets to the states :onfire:

[Jeff Rutledge]

Man, I'd buy this today if I could. But I can't, so I won't.

I am a little pessimistic as to how soon I'll see it in Canada. In fact, I'll bet I get the not-yet-real HP phone device because this one's still not around.