O2 Launches the Xda Exec

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news1732.html' target='_blank'>http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news1732.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"O2 announces the launch of the O2 Xda Exec, the first integrated PDA and mobile phone device to feature 3G, offering a completely new look and feel to the highly successful O2 Xda® II range. A laptop replacement device, the new O2 Xda Exec is also the first handheld device to incorporate the Windows Mobile 5.0™ operating system, complete with a laptop style keyboard, making it the ultimate all in one device for the mobile executive. Since its launch in 2002, the O2 Xda range has grown both in capability and popularity, with more than 140, 000 sold across the UK, Germany and Ireland. The O2 Xda Execs sleek black finish combined with the faster operating system, hi-resolution video camera, tri-band functionality and improved battery life make for the ultimate mobile PDA experience for both business and consumer users, and represents a significant step forward in the O2 Xda range."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050913-XdaExecPR.jpg" /><br /><br />A press release published at CoolSmartPhone.com has revealed the launch of the O2 Xda Exec (otherwise known as the HTC Universal). I see no mention of this on the O2 site (yet), but it seems pretty official. The device includes an Intel PXA272 520MHz processor, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, a 3.6" VGA (640 x 480) 65K colour screen, tri-band GSM/GPRS, UMTS (2100) support, Wi-Fi 802.11b, Bluetooth 1.2, IR, mini-USB, an SDIO slot, an integrated camera, stereo speakers, and a 62-key QWERTY keyboard.

[Phoenix]

I read a review on this particular version of the Universal today and I'm impressed - really nice phone. I just wish this XDA was available unlocked, but it seems you can't get your hands on it unless you have a contract with O2.

Since the only differences between all the branded versions of this phone are cosmetic, the thing I like about this O2 is the black casing and the custom blue backlighting on the keyboard. The nicest looking one yet, IMO.

Makes it hard for me to say no to buying a Universal even though I've stated before that the Wizard would make the most sense for me in terms of wireless use in the States.

I just hope a North Amercian version of this phone is quick to arrive. And I hope we have a chance to get it in that beautiful black with the blue backlighting. 8)

Read the review here. (http://www.tekguru.co.uk/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=46321)

[Stephen Beesley]

I have long said that a converged device is just not for me - prefering a small dedicated phone to compliment my PDA.

This device (cost aside :D ) could probably change my mind. It really does look like an excellent all round PDA as long as the extra size did not bother you.

What I would really like to see is something like this but without the phone capability and, of course, at a lower price point.

[ricksfiona]

Wow! Now that is a nice looking device! It almost made me forgive the built-in keyboard. Almost.

If this did not have the built-in keyboard, it would be REALLY tough to decide between this and the e-TEN M600. Very hard.

[Kowalski]

i have always found built in thumb keyboards a waste of space. But when it comes to phone edition devices, a number pad would be very nice.
i dont get this, why the engineers didnt implement two more buttons just below the screen?

[page3]

Different people want different features. Personally I wouldn't consider a phone/PDA without a keyboard. The EXEC looks excellent and O2 appears to be the most cost effective provider by far (£150 on their 200 tariff).

OK, PW2005 isn't perfect but is probably the best of the (now) bad bunch, following the demise of Psion.

[Muntasser]

On the plus side its thinner than a Nokia 5110.

I had one of those for a few years, and it was the definition of brick par excellence.

So I think HTC have done a good job considering the amount of features jammed into this phone.

I really think that slimming the device a touch further, say 20% to 20mm would make a world of difference in real world usage. People say they dont mind, but PDA's are with you all day every day, usually in pockets and every mm counts.

[ChristopherTD]

I played about with the Orange version and wasn't smitten. For me it felt too large compared to my iMate Jam, not something I would want to handle all the time.

Also, the screen seemed to be somewhat out of proportion to the device, it sat uncomfortably in the middle of a vast plain of plastic. Probably you wouldn't notice when using the device but it looked odd to me!

Perhaps I would go for a slim VGA PPC Phone without a keyboard, but at the moment I will keep hold of the Jam!

[Jonathon Watkins]

Welsome Page3. (interesting names there....)

The EXEC looks excellent and O2 appears to be the most cost effective provider by far (£150 on their 200 tariff).

I'm with O2 and I am really looking forward to this device. Where did you get the figure of £150 from by the way? I can't locate the price anywhere at the moment. The only mention of price is from the press release that says it Starts at £399.....!

OK, PW2005 isn't perfect but is probably the best of the (now) bad bunch, following the demise of Psion.

Ah yes, the good old Psion days. This certainly seems to be heading in the right direction as a 5MX replacement. :D

[gavinfabl]

If I spoken to o2 several times. To upgrade (if you are outside your 12 months ) o2 200 £149 , anything less £230, 02 Max the phone is free.

Obviously 02 might tweak these, but they have told too many people this price.

[Jonathon Watkins]

If I spoken to o2 several times. To upgrade (if you are outside your 12 months ) o2 200 £149 , anything less £230, 02 Max the phone is free.

Obviously 02 might tweak these, but they have told too many people this price.

Sounds great. I've been holding back upgragin for while, waiting for this PPC, so £150 it is. :-)

[gavinfabl]

If I spoken to o2 several times. To upgrade (if you are outside your 12 months ) o2 200 £149 , anything less £230, 02 Max the phone is free.

Obviously 02 might tweak these, but they have told too many people this price.

Sounds great. I've been holding back upgragin for while, waiting for this PPC, so £150 it is. :-)

Its an awesome price.

Also note o2 have a few surprises up their sleeve.

The 02 XDA Mini S (HTC Wizard) is being released 26th Sept (or announced 26th Sept). They will also have a smartphone and the 3 gb Samsung.

But I am personally going for the Exec. I played with the Wizard and Universal for a half a day each and both are excellent , but the Exec just has WOW factor.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Wow. I've never been big on converged devices for myself... but this is one gorgeous looking unit. I can't wait to hear the feedback from real usage.

[Jonathon Watkins]

Its an awesome price.

Also note o2 have a few surprises up their sleeve.

I just hope that we don't get any nasty surprises. I just got off the phone with O2 UK who told me that the Exec should be available for order on the 3rd of October with delivery potentially 48 hours later. However,..... the O2 guy did say that £150 sounded awfully low and that in his experience, the low predicted price of nice phones often translated into high initial prices once they were released. SO, I hope the prices quoted turn out to be OK. Guess I'll find out when I place my order on the 3rd........

[supermoocow]

... I just got off the phone with O2 UK who told me that the Exec should be available for order on the 3rd of October .......

Yep gave me the same answer. I was told October release :(

[gavinfabl]

Its an awesome price.

Also note o2 have a few surprises up their sleeve.

I just hope that we don't get any nasty surprises. I just got off the phone with O2 UK who told me that the Exec should be available for order on the 3rd of October with delivery potentially 48 hours later. However,..... the O2 guy did say that £150 sounded awfully low and that in his experience, the low predicted price of nice phones often translated into high initial prices once they were released. SO, I hope the prices quoted turn out to be OK. Guess I'll find out when I place my order on the 3rd........

if entitled to an upgrade prices should be correct.

o2 plan to deliver stock to stores 30th Sept ready for selling 3rd Oct. so if you can get to a store no need to wait for the post. I will be camping outside O2 Oxford st, London to make sure i get mine :-)

[ctmagnus]

:drool:

Too bad Rogers likely won't get this one for a while, if ever, and if they do, it'll probably be in silver.

[page3]

Welsome Page3. (interesting names there....)
;) Thanks for the welcome. Don't get your hopes up though...it isn't for the reason you might think!

The EXEC looks excellent and O2 appears to be the most cost effective provider by far (£150 on their 200 tariff).

I'm with O2 and I am really looking forward to this device. Where did you get the figure of £150 from by the way? I can't locate the price anywhere at the moment. The only mention of price is from the press release that says it Starts at £399.....!

The current O2 Catalogue states the £150 price as did O2 when I rang them.

OK, PW2005 isn't perfect but is probably the best of the (now) bad bunch, following the demise of Psion.

Ah yes, the good old Psion days. This certainly seems to be heading in the right direction as a 5MX replacement. :D

Agree :) All I ever wanted was a colour 5MX with phone capabilities. Alas it was never to be :( I currently have a Jam which is bordering on excellent. I am hoping the WiFi + VGA + keyboard will finally be what I have been looking for.

[Phoenix]

Does anyone know if there's any way the Exec can be purchased outside of an O2 contract?

[gavinfabl]

Does anyone know if there's any way the Exec can be purchased outside of an O2 contract?

yes of course, but at full price circa £400-500

[Phoenix]

yes of course, but at full price circa £400-500

I know that the Universal (aka JasJar, etc.) can be purchased unlocked, but are you certain the XDA Executive version of this phone can be purchased outside of contract with O2? If so, where/how could I get my hands on one if I so chose?

[gavinfabl]

yes of course, but at full price circa £400-500

I know that the Universal (aka JasJar, etc.) can be purchased unlocked, but are you certain the XDA Executive version of this phone can be purchased outside of contract with O2? If so, where/how could I get my hands on one if I so chose?

understand now - if you dont have a current contract with o2 this may be initially tricky unless someone like me buys 2. One for me and one for you.

[Phoenix]

yes of course, but at full price circa £400-500

I know that the Universal (aka JasJar, etc.) can be purchased unlocked, but are you certain the XDA Executive version of this phone can be purchased outside of contract with O2? If so, where/how could I get my hands on one if I so chose?

understand now - if you dont have a current contract with o2 this may be initially tricky unless someone like me buys 2. One for me and one for you.

Hmm. I may take you up on that. I'd have to think about it - of course, it would depend on some things. But that's something you could and would be willing to do?

[gavinfabl]

yes of course, but at full price circa £400-500

I know that the Universal (aka JasJar, etc.) can be purchased unlocked, but are you certain the XDA Executive version of this phone can be purchased outside of contract with O2? If so, where/how could I get my hands on one if I so chose?

understand now - if you dont have a current contract with o2 this may be initially tricky unless someone like me buys 2. One for me and one for you.

Hmm. I may take you up on that. I'd have to think about it - of course, it would depend on some things. But that's something you could and would be willing to do?

correct

[Phoenix]

Hmm. I may take you up on that. I'd have to think about it - of course, it would depend on some things. But that's something you could and would be willing to do?

correct

Well I may contact you at some point, then. If I do, I'll just PM you from here on out to work out the details.

Thanks for the offer!

[Jonathon Watkins]

Hmmm, this Register article (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/09/14/o2_unveils_universal/) says that the Exec will retail at £400. Lets hope that's the full price without a contract.....

[page3]

There seems to be a press release going around that states 'from £400' which many sites have simply copied. That sounds rather a lot to me as a contract-free one can be got for not a lot more than that. A £30 p/m contract would be £540 on an 18 month contract so that would make it VERY expensive indeed.

The O2 catalogue states £150 on O2 200. More on lesser tariffs. In a forum chat the other night with o2 they said £150 was 'in the ballpark'. I went to the O2 shop in Oxford Street, London yesterday to try to find out but they had no details at all - in-fact they weren't very helpful.

I will buy if £150 on O2 200 minutes. I won't if more.