The Box
The packaging is very nicely presented and
serves to show exactly what you are buying - a very cool Pocket
PC which is running the new PPC 2002 Phone Edition Operating
system.
The package lists the specifications as expected
but also gives pictures of forthcoming XDA accessories:
- Expandable Keyboard
- In-Car Charger
- Extended Battery
It looks like O2 as a company are going to
give reasonable accessory support from the early stages of
the XDA's life.
The packaging also serves you a superb layout
picture on the back cover showing exactly where each feature
of the XDA is. This is where the first surprises start to
appear. Comparing the device to the iPAQ, instead of the RECORD
button you have a VOLUME button, the first of many design
differences which are more akin to the Pocket PC Phone Edition
operating system contained within.
On opening the packaging you find:
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- The XDA
- The power supply transformer
- Two socket adaptors for the power supply
(UK & USA sockets)
- The power adaptor to XDA lead convertor
(exactly like that of the newer IPAQs)
- USB sync cradle
- Hands-free kit
- Flip-top case
- Belt clip for the case
- Quick-start guide (24 pages)
- User manual (110 pages)
- XDA Companion Disk:
- Getting started tour
- Install Outlook 2002
- Install ActiveSync 3.5
- Download connection wizard
- Enhance Your Pocket PC
- Overview
- Productivity
- Microsoft Money for Pocket
PC
- Microsoft Reader with Cleartype
for Pocket PC (already in ROM)
- MS Reader Books: Treasure Island,
Great Expectations, The Time Machine and the
Encarta Dictionary
- Microsoft Reader with Cleartype
for the PC
- Mobility
- Pocket Streets
- AvantGo (in ROM)
- Go offline with Hotmail and
your Pocket PC
- Entertainment
- Link to Microsoft to download
trial games: Minesweeper, REversi or Hearts
- Windows Media Player 8 for
Pocket PC
- MS Windoes Media Player for
PC
- Microsoft Reader with Cleartype
for Pocket PC (already in ROM) [again]
- Microsoft Reader Activation
Pack
- MS Reader Books: Treasure Island,
Great Expectations, The Time Machine and the
Encarta Dictionary [again]
- Microsoft Reader with Cleartype
for the PC [again]
- Tools
- Microsoft Transcriber (already
in ROM)
- Internet Explorer 6 for the PC
- Learn more
- Link to Microsoft's Pocket PC Club
- Quick Start Guide & User Manual
in electronic format
- Extra software on the CD
- Citrix client for Windows CE
- Warranty card
- Spare stylus
Which is rather more than you usually get
with a standard Pocket PC as far as hardware, but the CD is
a great disappointment as far as bonus software goes!
The Outside - Details and Design
On first examining the XDA itself you get
the impression that it is very well constructed, its origins
from HTC (the creators of the iPAQ) are very clear indeed
and it seems to share similar design elements. That is the
aluminum body with chrome buttons and cursor pad. On applying
the twist test to the XDA (a gentle twisting force) there
are no cracking or popping sounds - the device feels very
well put together.
The first real eye-catching element to the
design is the built-in antenna (which serves as a stylus holder)
this can be seen on the top right of the XDA and helps give
a mark of distinction to the otherwise classic PDA form factor.
The Stylus is held in place by friction and is easily removed
by finger pressure on the small raised tab which projects
from the stylus when seated.
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The stylus itself is some 3.5"
long and constructed from what appears to be brushed
aluminium and plastic, yet it feels heavier than these
materials. The point is slim and smoothly mates with
the stylus body. The plastic shank of the stylus may
be unscrewed to reveal the reset spigot which is used
on the XDA for performing hard or soft resets. This
is clearly an idea taken from the Palm organisers and
is very welcome. The only critique here is that the
stylus could be a little longer, it's around 1/8"
shorter than that of the iPAQ and almost fits into the
palm of my hand.
The antenna itself appears sheathed
in a pearl gray plastic and this livery is also used
on the external port covers on the XDA. These covers
are the only possible design flaw found so far as they
are rubberised plastic and are held in place by friction
- this design is used by Motorola on some of it's mobile
phones and I know from experience these can be easily
lost.
Saying this, these 'loose' covers are
only used to protect the Handsfree Socket and the External
Battery Socket Cover. At least the sockets are protected
unlike some other PDAs where they are open to the air!
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One port which surprisingly is not fitted
with a protector is the sync/power port, this is left
uncovered - on my model at least.
The only other port on the XDA not fitted
with a flexible grey cap is the MM/SD card slot, this
is located in the base of the XDA immediately behind
the sync/power port and this is filled with an 'SD blank'
which can be removed to load an SD or MM card. Any cards
fitted into this port are released by a single press
on the end of the inserted card which then pops out
a few millimetres to allow the user to grip the card
and pull it free. Cards are loaded by pushing them into
the slot until they lock into position. Be sure to put
the the blank into a safe place - again it can be easily
lost!
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Detail picture showing the
record button, the IrDa port and the on/off switch. Again
the buttons are recessed to avoid accidental operation
and suit the smooth lines of the XDA. |
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The SIM Card cover is made
from a similar rubber material to the other protectors
but this time is formed into a 'bendy' hinged flap where
the plastic is bent back to insert the SIM card. This
hinge is similar to that found on the Casio EM500 where
it protects the MM card slot. When this cover is pressed
tightly shut however there is no sign of looseness and
there appears to be no entry paths for dust. Good news
all round! |
Looking at the controls and features on the
XDA we find the following located round the edges of the device:
- Top left hand side - volume control
- Top left hand corner - infrared port
- Left hand side of the top - recessed power
button
- Bottom right hand side - SIM card holder
- Bottom right hand - hands-free connection
socket
- Bottom right of the base - recessed hard
reset (battery on/off) switch
- Centre bottom of the base - SD/MM card
slot and power/sync connection
- Bottom left of the base - recessed soft
reset switch
While the front sports:
- Top right front - the power indicator
- Top center - speaker
- Top left - contacts button
- Top right - calendar button
- Bottom centre - cursor pad / action button
(navigation pad)
- Bottom left - call key (green - illuminated)
- Bottom right - cancel call key (red - illuminated)
- Very bottom left - microphone
All of the keys are recessed into the front
of the XDA which should prevent accidental activation. The
power button supports a press and hold feature whereby the
backlight is toggled on or off - there is no automatic light
level sensing on the XDA.
The 'End call' button if pressed and held
toggles on and off the phone part of the XDA allowing it to
function only as an organiser.
The left and right directions of the navigation
pad allow to access the Speed Dial and Call Log features respectively.
If the action button is depressed and held speakerphone mode
is activated.
The power indicator has several indication
states:
- Flashing green (every 3 seconds) - GSM
network signal
- Flashing green (every second) - Notification
alarm reminder
- Steady red - battery empty
- Flashing red - low battery
- Steady amber - battery charging
- Steady green - fully charged
The back panel of the XDA supports:
- Top right and left - locking lugs for securing
the External Battery.
- Upper right hand back - External Battery
Connector Cover - this is removed when fitting the External
Battery.
- Center back bottom - External Battery clip
socket - the External Battery clip fits into this socket.
The main battery is internal and is not user
removable. According to the user manual the External Battery
will give an additional 4 hours of life to the XDA and is
charged when fitted to the back of the machine - there is
no separate charging socket on it.
The internal battery appears to be fully charged
within an hour of the XDA being placed in the Sync Cradle,
but the Quick Start guide warns it should be charged for 3
hours - while the manual itself recommends 3-4 hours.
The screen on the XDA is capable of displaying
4096 colours (compared to 65000 colours on the new PPC machines)
and this restriction has possibly been implemented to avoid
using too much battery power. The diagonal size of the screen
is some 3.5" compared to 3.75" on the iPAQ.
The Cradle
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The second design feature
which serves to impress is not part of the XDA itself,
it is the sync cradle. It is again constructed from plasticized
aluminium and its straight smooth lines match the XDA
perfectly. When docked the XDA and the cradle look as
if they are a piece of modern art and certainly would
not look out of place on any executive desk. |
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The Case
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The case has to be one of the great
items supplied with the XDA, no longer do you have to
store your organiser in a plain plastic or leather slip
case, the XDA comes with a nicely tooled custom case.
The case is crafted from what I would
term medium quality leather, like that used in a good
quality mobile phone case, where it is somewhat stiff
in nature rather than supple.
The design of the case is well constructed
with the XDA being placed into the case from the right
hand side and secured via velcro'ed flaps which ensures
it is not going to come out easily.
Cut outs in the case give access to
all the main ports on the XDA with only the SIM card
slot being protected from acess.
The flap contains magnetic closures
which serve to hold it in position when closed.
The back of the case has a socket fasten
embedded within it which allows the belt clip to be
clipped into postion. The belt clip while made of ABS
plastic appears quite sturdy in construction and has
the 'C' type fixture for sliding into your belt. The
clip supports a quick release mechanism which can be
used for unlocking the XDA for operation.
The only snag found here was that the
release button had to be pressed to allow the XDA to
lock back on to the belt clip - the internal spring
is a little too tight!
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Handsfree
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The hands-free kit is again
constructed from silver plastic and matches the XDA's
livery. It appears to be very similar to a set of headphones
I use which are made by Sony and the audio quality is
very good indeed. The expected features are present -
a microphone/answer combination control which sits just
below chin level when in use, and a clip for attaching
the cable to a jacket or shirt collar. |
Technical Specification
The full technical specifications are (according
to the MMO2 web site):
Processor Type
Intel StrongARM 32-bit Processor
Processor Speed
206MHZ
Memory
ROM 32 MB
RAM 32 MB
Display
Type: Reflective TFT Touch Sensitive Screen
Number of Colors: 4096 colour
Resolution: 240 x 320 Graphic Display
System Unit
Dimensions (inches & mm):
18.2 (D) x 73.05 (W) x 129.45 (L) mm
Weight (grams & ounces):
200.8g
Volume: 140 cc
Expansion Options
Built in: Expansions SD card memory expansion slot/MMC Card
Add-on: Expansions Extended Battery
Stereo Hands free
Keyboard
Cigar Charger
Battery Life
up to 3.5 hrs Talk Time, 150 hrs Standby Time, up to 15 hrs
PDA constant usage
Battery type
Li-Ion Polymer
Synchronization Options
Included in box: USB Cradle with Cable, IR, GSM, GPRS
Available separately: Serial Cradle; USB Cable; Serial Cable
System Unit
Integrated, one-body GPRS telephony and Pocket PDA
GPRS Class B (DGSM 900/GSM 1800 MHz)
Special Features
Pocket PC apps integrated into Phone
Backup/ restore facility
Lightweight, compact
Voice recorder/ Dictaphone
Speakerphone
XDA Index:
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