CNET Asia: O2's New Toys

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handhelds/0,39001703,39095541p,00.htm' target='_blank'>http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handhe...9095541p,00.htm</a><br /><br /></div><i>"For those who have been longing for O2 to release a Wi-Fi-enabled version of the Xda II mini, the wait is over. The UK-based mobile company recently announced the upcoming launch of the O2 Xda Mini Pro, a much-awaited successor to its hugely popular PDA-phone. (In some countries, the Xda mini Pro is known as the Xda mini S). Editors' note: O2 Singapore was unable to provide detailed specifications for the Xda Mini Pro. The product information used in this article is based on data available on the Web as at press time. As such, the final specifications may differ slightly."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050915-O2NewToy1.jpg" /><br /><i>O2 Xda Atom</i><br /><br />A bit of news over at CNET Asia should have all you HTC Magician fans bubbling with joy. The first story involves an upcoming device known as the O2 Xda Atom. Very little is known about this device as specifications have not yet been publicly released. However, based on images available to us, the Xda Atom appears to be a media-centred Pocket PC Phone Edition with a form factor similar to the HTC Magician. The only connectivity option known so far is USB (which can be seen sitting at the bottom of the device). Cross your fingers and hope it features Wi-Fi. ;)<br /><br />Read on for more! <!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050915-O2NewToy3.jpg" /><br /><i>O2 Xda Mini Pro</i><br /><br />The next story involves the announcement of the O2 Xda Mini Pro (which many of you will know of as the HTC Wizard). The device features a TI OMAP 850 processor which runs at a sorry-to-say 195MHz clock speed, 64MB RAM, 128MB ROM, Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi, GSM/GPRS support, a miniSD slot, a 1.3MP camera, a slide-out keyboard, and Windows Mobile 5.0. It's also being marketed by i-mate as the K-JAM, and Qtek as the 9100.<br /><br />Both devices are expected to arrive sometime in November. We'll keep you posted on the Xda Atom as soon as more information piles in.<br /><br />Thanks to <a href="http://www.cnetasia.com/">CNET Asia</a> for the images.

[beecher]

I think O2 XDA Atom is just only customized Magician that has some media player automatically launched by pressing that key with note sign and then this app has mapped HW keys to fit D-Pad signs...

AFAIK Magician was not previously sold by O2, so here comes their Magician... :wink:

[Darius Wey]

AFAIK Magician was not previously sold by O2, so here comes their Magician... :wink:

Actually, O2 was one of the first to release a Magician. It's known as the Xda II mini.

[beecher]

Darius, yes, sorry, there is too much operators and brands selling HTC's Phone Edition and SmartPhone stuff. It's crazy to remember all names and if it was released... :roll:

[KTamas]

Let's hope it'll have the same hardware as the Magician, but since this one has WM5...the guys over XDA-developers will do the rest *whistles*

[kaitanium]

thats tite. im always fond of black devices in this primarily silver society

[1in6430million]

I just hope they put WiFi and EDGE on it, now that they have the hardware from the Wizard - otherwise what's the point, the upgraded OS or the buttons!?

[saru83]

wow, it looks soo cool in black..

[Shaun Stuart]

It also looks smaller - look at the mini usb port on the Jam and compare it with the one on the Atom -( assuming the Atoms is a mini USB)

http://www.pocketnow.com/html/portal/reviews/0000000541/review/imateJ17_small.jpg

it may just be an optical illusion but it looks to me like the atom is smaller -

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050915-O2NewToy1.jpg

The distance between the keys and screen also looks a little shorter to me.

[MitchellO]

AFAIK Magician was not previously sold by O2, so here comes their Magician... :wink:

Nope, the certainly did in the form of the XDA II Mini. I have one.

[MitchellO]

This device looks awesome!! If it has at least the same processor as the Magician, as well as WiFi, 128Mb ROM and WM5, this device would be the ULTIMATE sucessor to the Magician. Same size (although slightly thinner would be nice) and those additions would be super!! 0X

[ultraman]

How that it will come with SD as well.

But the lack of the 2 new WM5 function keys make me double that whether it will come with WM5.

[ryo]

Wow, according to the short review on CNET Asia, the Xda Atom is slightly smaller than the Xda II mini but comes with Wi-Fi, 2-megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 5 and even FM radio. Not sure about the rest of you but it sure sounds good to me. Looks like it's going to be one of the hottest PDA phone models this Christmas.

Here's the link to the story:
http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handhelds/0,39001703,39095540p,00.htm?