The Ultimate XDA II Review

[Janak Parekh]

Daron over at Tekguru has finished his monster 7-part review of the O2-branded XDA II device. It looks like the perfect solution for those of you who want to see every screenshot, every camera angle, and lots of thorough coverage. My only minor gripe is that the articles aren't interlinked, so you'll have to use individual links, which I include below: <li> <a href="http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=429">Part I - Hardware</a><br /><li> <a href="http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=441">Part II - Ancillary Hardware</a><br /><li> <a href="http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=468">Part III - The ROM and Settings</a><br /><li> <a href="http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=483">Part IIIb - The ROM and Settings continued</a><br /><li> <a href="http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=507">Part IV - Applications</a><br /><li> <a href="http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=528">Part V - Benchmarks</a><br /><li> <a href="http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=565">Part VI - Final Conclusions and Recommendations</a> Insert my usual gripe about the XDA II not being officially carried in the US here... ;)

[arebelspy]

It was perfect timing, I was waiting to read this review until it was all one piece. He released it last night, I read it all, my i-Mate (same as XDA II) arrived today. :D

-arebelspy

[Paul Kay]

I've only had mine (an O2 Xda II version) for a few days and absolutely love it.

But, and it's a big BUT, it does have one serious problem, although it has 128MB of memory, the OS starts shutting down applications once approx. 22MB of applications are running.

Plenty, you may think, but with all the installed background support applications that run by default plus a GPRS Traffic Counter, It's running 13MB+ of applications before I start using it.

Try running a couple of .NET CF applications and things soon start shutting down.

(It has been surmised elsewhere that this may be as a result of the way the memory has been implemented, with only 64Mb actually available for running programs, similar to the PocketPCTechs 128MB upgrades to the original xda type devices, if so that's a shame... make that a crime)

As reported by Tekguru, mine is also a money maker for O2 as it sends each SMS message at least twice, sometimes 3 times. No, I didn't go over the 160 char limit for a single text message, I sent 'test' (naturally), 4 characters, I received it 3 times.

Despite the above, it is such a versatile device, I'll live with it 'til the bugs are fixed (sooner rather than later I hope).

Paul Kay

P.S. Did I mention it's FAST, best speed I've seen yet for .NET CF applications.

[DrtyBlvd]

Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2003 9:10 pm
Post subject:
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Once the review is finally finished I will go through and link all the parts together.


Tek's comment in the forum at the site.

[surur]

I love my XDA II, and have had it for about a week. However my biggest disappointment with the device has been the inability to use it with my Tom-tom bluetooth Gps receiver. I hope this will be sorted soon, as until this works it wont be able to fully replace my old FSC Loox. If anybody has found a way around the lack of a serial bluetooth profile please post about it.

Otherwise a lovely device, and much recommended. Im posting from it now :)

Surur

[csterns]

Is this unit ever going to be available in the US? And if not, how does one go about acquiring one? Any idea of cost?

[tekguru]

As reported by Tekguru, mine is also a money maker for O2 as it sends each SMS message at least twice, sometimes 3 times. No, I didn't go over the 160 char limit for a single text message, I sent 'test' (naturally), 4 characters, I received it 3 times.


Found the solution to this one - enquire on Tekguru ;-)

[brices21]

still drueling... please, t-mobile, at least commit to future availability...

[Pinnacle]

I can't give a link, but I believe that someone from the Boston Pocket PC Users Group posted on another forum that his contacts from TMobile USA indicated that a replacement for the original TMobile PPC Phone Edition will be announced/available in Q1 of 2004.

Whether it's this device or something else, I don't know.

[Jason Dunn]

Is this unit ever going to be available in the US? And if not, how does one go about acquiring one? Any idea of cost?

You can order one today if you want:

http://estore.shopplex.com/app/storefront.aspx?cat_id=290&inv_id=31112230446767&modid=30214092059015&aid=5

:-)