O2 Xda Flame In Stock and Available for Purchase

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://phones.anythingonline.com.au/c481/category102/p112994' target='_blank'>http://phones.anythingonline.com.au...gory102/p112994</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Yes, we really do have stock."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070604-flame.jpg" /><br /><br />Well, I think Australian-based Anything Online's one-liner sums it up nicely. The highly anticipated <a href="http://www.seeo2.com/product/XdaFlame/template/Product.vm">O2 Xda Flame</a> is <a href="http://phones.anythingonline.com.au/c481/category102/p112994">available for purchase</a> at A$1,321.05, or in US dollars, just a pip under a grand. With Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.0, a 3.6" VGA display, an NVIDIA GoForce 5500 GPU, TV-out, SRS WOW HD, an FM radio, and 2GB of storage, what more could you want? Oh, I know - GSM 850 support. ;)<br /><br />If you happen to have one of these beasts in your hands, let us know how it rocks (or doesn't rock) your world.

[Frankie1]

Well what are we going to do... We are in need of the ultimate device, unfortunately this is not the one.
What more could we wan't Darius? Good question.
Off the Top:
1. Hardware Keyboard - I don't know what's worse, device with 2.8 inch displays, or devices with 3.6 inch displays with no keyboard. I will go with the latter. Crack that touchscreen layer and your mobile prodcutivity just dorpped down to nearly nonexsistent unless of course you have a back up device. On my retired Blue Angles I would crack the touch screen layer all the time, but still be able to operate it using a combination of the d-pad and the key pad. What good is a 3.6 inch dispaly when 25% of that is being taken up by the keyboard. Unless you want to whip out your stowaway everytime you want to enter text.
2. WM6, but I'm sure there will be an upgrade soon.
I'm not a heavy user of GPS but if I was I would include it in my list as number 3.
Well folks, I guess the closest we can come to to an "ultimate" device would have to be a device who's a member is the series that is ironically named the "Ultimate" Series. Based on my list you should already know which divice I'm aobut to mention: I-Mate Ultimate 7150 http://www.clubimate.com/ultimate/ult7150.htm

*Tightly clutching my Universal*
Till next time.

[netboy]

http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20070604-flame.jpg


WHAT IS WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE? too many on the shell! reasons?
i'm one of the millions that not buying this junk without 850/1900 HSDPA!

[srmz]

Certainly NO GO for me without a hardware keyboard, EDGE and Quadband GSM radio. Probably the only thing right with this device is the large VGA screen and 128 MB of RAM

Regards

[thierryb]

I have bought one to them few week ago. I will receive it tomorrow.
I do not agree with you. I am waiting from a long time a a vga pdaphone with acceptable weight and dimensions. It's the first one.
I do not need a keyboard. I am directly writing on the screen and my handwriting is well recognized.
I already have a gps head, So it could be better to have it inside, but not mandatoy, and in addition that will save battery life.
Affer years with two devices, a vga pda and a phone. Tomorrow I will discover the life with only one.

[VisualMonster]

I'm amazed that some actually like hardware keyboards.

I've had my slide out keyboard on XDA IIs for many years now, and now never want a keyboard again. The slide out mechanism will eventually feel flimsy. I also rarely even use it. I can type almost as quick using a stylus and the softkeypad.

My ideal device would skip on the keypad, have built in GPS, and have a smaller form factor (due to no keyboard).

[TOCA]

Do I realy have to emigrate to the land down under, to get my sweatty hands on this gizmo? :?

If so, then I'll start packing right away, before it becomes oldschool 8)

I can only find one flaw on the flame: No CF port :evil: But I'm starting to get used to that thought, since eaven high end DSLR cameras are starting to use SD cards 8O

[AndyH]

I also ordered one and recieved it a couple days ago; so far I love it! I am also against those stupid little hardware keyboards that add thickness to the device. I can understand how some dislike the fact that it is missing better phone connectivity (EDGE ect.) but with the crazy price of the data plans in Canada, I don't care right now. If I was to write a list of specs that I would classify as a realistic "dream device", this would come very close.

My biggest hold off from getting a ppc phone before is the fact it has always been too much of a comprimise between a phone and a powerfull ppc.

My x51v Axim is proud to sit next to my new O2 Flame!

Andy

[DARKMON]

I got my o2 XDA Flame a couple weeks ago from a overseas supplier for just under 950.00 US and 27.00 shipping. I got it in three days, quicker than some domestic shipping. Anyways, some of the items that I noticed to date are the following;

1. The Invidia graphics chip is not much of a plus right now, much the same way as the Axim x51v, you need the programs made for it to have any benefit. In fact I see no improvement in video playback using CORE player and tweaking the settings. We’ll see…
2. I owned the x51v and loved the VGA screen. The screen on the flame is brighter and sharper with better color saturation. The dell was abet washed out.
3. I really wish it had at least a SD card slot instead of this micro SD slot. Its so darn small! And only 2 gig of storage. I'm used to the double slot of the Dell, I would have up to 12 gig of storage with two cards-lots of movies!
4. The only way to turn it on is with the power button on top of the unit. With a PDA phone you should be able to turn it on with one of the phone keys. You can't even re-map another button to turn it on with. Big minus for me.
5. I love the idea that it retains the infrared port! I use it for my remote control and the program that comes with it works well.
6. The camera lens on the back is not protected! I can't understand why they go through the trouble of putting a camera on your phone and its so easy to get scratched! On some units you will find the lens recessed abet to help shield it.
7. There are no cases for it yet! Luckily I had an old ipaq 3900 series case and other than some of the holes not lining up, its a pretty good fit!
8. The sound quality through the ear speaker is very good. The callers tell me the sound quality they hear is much better than the eTen m600+ I had, but that phone was plagued with sound issues.. The volume is very good too. The "stereo" speakers are good sounding for play back of movies and such. Its a clear sound, not muffled by hidden speaker locations.
9. The build quality is the best I've owned in a PDA/phone. I've owned different pocket PC's since the iPAQ 3600 in April 2000 so I've seen and used my fair share of devices.

You know, every device is going to have compromises. Yes, it would be nice if it had a GPS chip in it, but I seen to get around pretty good so far with out one. I owned the imate MDA from t-mobile for a while and it was a well built phone, but I just didn’t like the keyboard. Plus it had no balls. I wanted a phone that had lots of screen real estate. I need to see a lot of information at once and the small screens can’t help someone with 51 year old eyes. I just can't use the 2.8 screens anymore. If I wanted something that small, I would get a Smartphone, Mobile 6 standard type phone. I've used to have a imate SPi 3 Smartphone, great phone! But its only good as a phone. You really can't put info in to it. Just retrieve info from it. And that’s still pretty much the way I see the Smartphone platform. Yes you can impute info into them, but you can’t write out a couple dozen tasks quickly on it.
Anyways, the Flame is a great PDA/phone. It’s the x51v reborn into a phone. Yes it’s not perfect and it is very expensive, but I figured that I go through a phone every 16 to 24 months so in that time something closer to perfect will come out and I’ll be first in line to get it.

[AndyH]

I agree with most of what you said DARKMON, especially regarding the memory expansion slots. Do you know if it is micro SDHC? I am just assuming it is ( I know....never assume).

I just ordered a case on eBay; it only cost $20 and will be a temporary case untill a better one comes around; that should solve the camera lens issue. You think after spending all that $$$$$, they would put a %$#ing case with it. :twisted:

Enjoy you 'baby'!

Andy

[ecsk2]

Well folks, I guess the closest we can come to to an "ultimate" device would have to be a device who's a member is the series that is ironically named the "Ultimate" Series. Based on my list you should already know which divice I'm aobut to mention: I-Mate Ultimate 7150 http://www.clubimate.com/ultimate/ult7150.htm

*Tightly clutching my Universal*
Till next time.

Are you aware of the "dimesnions issues" arount the 7150?

See this:
http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=71306fcc599267849aff024734747fa4&amp;t=1107812&amp;page=11&amp;pp=15

Also compare this REAL picture of a real Kjam next to the 7150 dummy.

http://www.paragon-designs.com/Media/showimage.jpg

Compare that to how the "official" dimensions put 7150 next to a K-Jam:
http://www.sizeasy.com/page/comp/2133

..then draw your own conclusion! :roll:
[/img]

[MadBison]

Hello Darkmon

Having had the unit for another week, are your opinions of the Flame the same?

What do you think of the build quality?

I am thinking about getting one of these to replace my failing hx2700. I really like the build quality of the hx4700 with its magnesium alloy frame, and the awesome size and quality screen. But most everything else about it has been problematic at some point or another, and I need to replace it. The flame looks like it for now.

Thanks
David

[thierryb]

The build quality seems perfect, largely better than my n311, and similar or better to my old loox720. But I have it only since few days.

[jagsta]

well, what should i say here,used many ppc with/without gps with/without keyboard smaller/bigger screens,recently used htc x7500 for a month..!
now using o2 flame,had it for a month now,tell you what i am a software freak too,every new software hits market i have to test on my ppc,i found flame is the best to take any type bugs/crap some of those softwares creat,flame does not freeze like htc x7500 did (microdrive is the issue for htc i believe) o2 flame with built in 2gb rom,yes i preffered built in 2gb rom instead buggy 8gb hard drive (built in bigger rom is always faster than expansion memory) ,ppl crying for keyboard with ppc and i do not see this slide out keyboard thingy use with these ppc phones,making a quick call or typing sms i felt them just useless,some devices have them because some ppl want them not that they should be there,however
i use a software called "one handed dial" for making my calls by using only Dpad,it lets you scroll up/down hit whichever digits just using Dpad so you don't have to touch screen when making a quick call specially when in the car,for writing sms i use another software for quick writing and am happy with it.
now we do not have built in gps in our FLAME, again i don't mind it BECAUSE have used every single device out there built in gps and found gps very slow that way, i would rather ahv e an external gps reciver and i do have an external gps receiver sits on my dash board in a corner and i use tomtom navigator which is pretty good when using bluetooth gps receiver, how it works..i just click gps button when getting car and open tomtom and it turns bluettoth on in my device itself so i don't have to worry about that part then tomtom searches gps for max 30/40 seconds (thats cold cold start using after 2/3 days) and thats it gps has so strong reception and everything is ready, otherway around when i had built in gps phones i was just sitting there waiting and waiting and believe or not sometimes waited 15/20 minutes and gps is still searching,became useless sometimes because i was already at the destination and gps was still asleep, reason why because they have built in everything in one device included gps module but gps actually needs more space and works better if its exposed.
o well i better stop here,if i keep writing then nobody would bother reading it,just tell you the conclusion i came up with was:
o2 flame rocks, not so big and not so thick, fits in pocket as its called a pocket pc/phone call quality is the best,2 gb internal memory and you can stick 2gb micro sd so 4gb memory you can use in one go.
camera could be 3 or more mp but tell me how much do you use this type camera ? so whats there is not bad.
built is really good some rubber kind metirial is used and it gives you good grip and ofcourse vga set up is the best, very sharp and bright screen.
O2 FLAME IS THE PPC/PHONE RIGHT NOW.

[thierryb]

In fact the main issue is the distribution: only in asia pacific. But of course we can purchase it everywhere in the world thanks to the net. I leave in France and I have one. But probably I am alone in my country. The issue will be bigger in case of malfunction.

The Flame is a real POCKETpc VGA PHONE. Not a small laptop, not an umpc, with keyboard. But people like keyboard as we can see in the pool in progress. But if you do not need keyboard, the Flame is really the best one.

The pda with no limits except:
- battery, but not worse than my previous pda, that where not phone.
- driver memory, like all WM device; I hope we will have an upgrade to wm6, and that wm6 is better concerning that point
- Microsoft bluetooth stack; probably the main and only error of the guys of o2; but umb could also improve that
- the o2 support; tried it to declare small bugs, their answers were not at the level of their products. But this limitation is will shared by all manufacturers.

Why no limits ?
- 2 go of rom. you can install all the software you want, and they are all available at bootup or wakeup. You do not need to optimize.
- 128 mo ram, you continue to use magic button or aeb button but not for close app, just to switch rapidely between them.
- the biggest, clearer, precise pocketable screen; if the dimension are bigger, it won't be really pocketable like the Advantage or other umpc. 800x600 for these dimensions, will not really improve your real life, except if you have good eyes. Bj/ if it is the case, try the flame with smaller fonts, or change the zoom on other softwares, and you will see that the limit will be you.
- video: no limit. and it could be better when the guys of coreplayer will use the coprocessor. And you can even display it at the same time on you Tv.
- processor speed: it Is enoughfor all my softwares including the most demanding one my gps software Garmin Que: recalculation is near immediate (in all my previous pda, including the loox 720, i was obliged to desactivate this feature, now always on); zooming is immediate (again, in the past, I did not allow automatic zooming); and so on. And processor speed is a compromise with battery.

Additionnal features:
- FM radio: quite good, except you need to plug the earbuds, and you can record, even program recordings.
- Photo and video: usefull but not buy it for that

One more think: materials are good and well assembled, except perhaps the screen during the first day that give the feeling that it moves under your pen. But now, at present time, that feeling has disappeared.

[jagsta]

question here: why did they start calling that wm5.2 crossbow as wm6? i believe real wm6 is going to be released in 2008 sometimes or could be year after, what they did with wm5.1 they just added few things and tried clearing few bugs ,i don't believe there is a huge difference between wm5.1 and wm5.2 ,the reason because the underlay is the same, they did not do any structure changes but brush up few things on top and changed few icons etc real bugs of wm5 are still there even in so called wm6 and won't be going untill they start new wm6 from the scratch and thats what they did ,just started working on it so we won't be seeing real wm6 till later sometime.
what we have got as wm6 right now is actually second addition of wm5, just like wm2003 and wm2003 SE.
did i make any sense here? 8O

[ecsk2]

The pda with no limits except:
- battery, but not worse than my previous pda, that where not phone.
- driver memory, like all WM device; I hope we will have an upgrade to wm6, and that wm6 is better concerning that point
- Microsoft bluetooth stack; probably the main and only error of the guys of o2; but umb could also improve that
- the o2 support; tried it to declare small bugs, their answers were not at the level of their products. But this limitation is will shared by all manufacturers.


AND lack of EGPRS (EDGE)!

[ecsk2]

question here: why did they start calling that wm5.2 crossbow as wm6? i believe real wm6 is going to be released in 2008 sometimes or could be year after, what they did with wm5.1 they just added few things and tried clearing few bugs ,i don't believe there is a huge difference between wm5.1 and wm5.2 ,the reason because the underlay is the same, they did not do any structure changes but brush up few things on top and changed few icons etc real bugs of wm5 are still there even in so called wm6 and won't be going untill they start new wm6 from the scratch and thats what they did ,just started working on it so we won't be seeing real wm6 till later sometime.
what we have got as wm6 right now is actually second addition of wm5, just like wm2003 and wm2003 SE.
did i make any sense here? 8O

Please do not confuse WindowCE 5.0 (version 5.2) with Windows Mobile 5.0 they are to different things. WM is BASED on WindowsCE yes, just like XP &amp; Vista are based on WinNT, but noone really confuses XP or Vista with NT :)

The next Windows Mobile will be WM7 codenamed "Photon", based on WinCE 6.0.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Embedded_CE_6.0

[pierro78]

The pda with no limits except:
- battery, but not worse than my previous pda, that where not phone.
- driver memory, like all WM device; I hope we will have an upgrade to wm6, and that wm6 is better concerning that point
- Microsoft bluetooth stack; probably the main and only error of the guys of o2; but umb could also improve that
- the o2 support; tried it to declare small bugs, their answers were not at the level of their products. But this limitation is will shared by all manufacturers.


AND lack of EGPRS (EDGE)!
I also read ( http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=90497&amp;st=110&amp;p=635272&amp;#entry635272 ) that the screen is kind of dim , could you please comment on this ?

Btw I also live in France, did you buy it from http://phones.anythingonline.com.au/c481/category102/p112994 ?

Thanks !

[thierryb]

edited: Duplicate post

[thierryb]

I also read ( http://www.ppcsg.com/index.php?showtopic=90497&amp;st=110&amp;p=635272&amp;#entry635272 ) that the screen is kind of dim , could you please comment on this ?

Btw I also live in France, did you buy it from http://phones.anythingonline.com.au/c481/category102/p112994 ?

Thanks !

The screen is not dim.
I bought it at anythingonline, exactly.

You can read all my remarks concerning this pdaphone on pdafrance, ppcsg, xda-devs, and here.

I always like the flame, even if I have found a lot of minor bugs.

[Menneisyys]

Just posted an extensive review of particularly he 3D compliance of the Flame to http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=439927 - worth a read!

[TOCA]

Oh Menneisyys you spoil sport :wink:

I was/am so hot on that Flame, and now you've spoiled my dream of the perfect PPC :?

Guess I'll just have to stick to my trusted old Himalaya, for a while longer :roll: Eaven if it's now running WM2003SE (thanks to XDA dev.), and has a CF slot + VGA out backpack (No thanks to my bankmannager here), foldable keyboard and a BT mouse, making it the smallest Laptop in the office 8)

Maybe there will be more GoForce supported titels in the future? When the 2700G was new, no one was supporting that, for a while 8O

And maybe there will be WM6 for the Flame, in a near future? Fingers crossed :)

[Menneisyys]

Maybe there will be more GoForce supported titels in the future?

Hopefully. I wouldn't think it'll happen in the near future, though.

[thierryb]

Probably just marketing,
http://www.nvidia.com/object/hh_games_demos.html

But marketing is often at the beginning.