XDA II

flywheel

well with all the sequels hitting the cinema screens at the moment looks like mmO2 want in on the act

O2 Announces Future Plans for XDA Platform

Planned for release before the end of Q4 2003. The release lists out:

• triband capability to enable seamless use worldwide
• an integrated 640x480 pixels digital camera and full multimedia messaging functionality
• Bluetooth and optional Wireless LAN capability
• a faster processor (Intel Xscale 400 MHz) facilitating faster use
• improved talk and standby time
• the Phone Edition of Windows Mobile 2003 Software for Pocket PC

not sure how Bluetooth and WiFi will be made available, by SDIO or CF accessories, may well be through SDIO. some reports have written up that Bluetooth is integrated, although, there are no tech specs or device/manufacturer details so that's not 100% clear from the press release wording, would be great if BT was integrated though

hopefully they will update their Wireless Zones APs support Pocket PC devices if they are plugging the XDA II WiFi expandability (unfortunately use a pop-up window (well last time i tried) here to control sessions, which PocketIE doesn't support)

one interesting side note was the inclusion of the number of current XDA devices sold: "More than 64,000 devices have been sold in UK, Germany, Ireland and Asia"

BrianG

flywheel

images of the XDA II have started to appear on the web, with the clearest on PPCW.net in this article:

New and clearer O2 xda II picture available

BrianG

Villain

I'd say the price of this thing is going to be OTT, I'd much rather if they hadn't included a camera it's going to add to the price in a big way.

flywheel

had an interesting hands on session with the XDA II last week - they really have learnt a lot from the first version of this device - while the more recent software and wireless upgrades for the XDA have improved its preformance and reliability - the new version has a lot more features and enhancements under the hood:

here's a pic of the original XDA and the new XDA II side by side:


pretty much every spec has been upgraded, hare are the main differences / updates:
Intel XScale Processor (at 400MHz)
64MB ROM [1]
128 MB RAM
TFT-LCD 65k Colours
GSM/GPRS Tri-Band (900/1800/1900)
GPRS Grade B, Multislot Class 10 [2]
SDIO Slot [3]
Bluetooth Integrated
Camera Integrated (640x480 max)
CF Expansion Jacket (Optional) [4]

[1]
64 MB ROM: Made up of 32MB standard for PocketPCs with an additional 32MB to hold other operator included applications, a portion will also available to be writeable to provide permanent storage.

[2]
GPRS Grade B, Multislot Class 10: GPRS suspend/resume during GSM (call) interrupt, allows for 2 upload slots

[3]
Expansion slot can now handle SDIO for peripherials (not just memory with SD and MMC cards), such as WiFi card / GPS card

[4]
There is an optional CF expansion jacket that can take Type I and II CF cards, it also has space for an expanded battery to provide extra power

Here is a pic of the expansion Jacket when on the device it is still comfortable enough to hold, if detracting somewhat from the look and form factor of the naked XDA II:



availability was formally stated as "before Christmas", price was formally stated as "depending on the operator in each O2 territory"

ppcw.net have also had a chance to play with the device and have taken some more photos and screen shots [link].

BrianG

Nero

I have been playing with one as well that we got for a trial and the integrated camera which can capture video as well is the canine's genitals. I suspect they will end up a bit pricey for the ordinary joe soap alright, probably in around the €600 mark.

Emmo

hmmmmm Dub wonder where you get your info / test handsets from from. I have been messing with the XDA 2 too.

You either work for o2 or brightpoint and im not sure which yet!

Emmo

flywheel

neither - i'm one of dem independents (although nothing like Jackie Healy Ray - I hope - certainly no cloath cap anyhoo )

this one was easy enough - managed to catch up with a guy from O2 Germany after he had given his XDA II presentation at source02.com to get some time with the device - the crowd from ORA were there with all the available accessories too

BrianG

Emmo

I see,

what do you reckon on the Blueberry? (Blackberry 2)

Emmo

flywheel

PPCW.net has just reported the XDA II will be release on Nov 1 in UK and Germany (they didn't have any confirmation on Ireland though)
http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1585

Also check out their great two part review for some in-depth info:
http://www.ppcw.net/index.php?itemid=1572&catid=60

BrianG

flywheel

Originally posted by Emmo

what do you reckon on the Blueberry? (Blackberry 2)

oops missed, your question

not a huge RIM fan myself - as I like to do more with a device - but it's a nice improvement - it's a bit thicker then I expected - but the colour certianly livens up the UI a lot

with other push solutions arriving, like Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC Phone Edition (man that's too long a term!) encorporating an SMS note for retrieval when used with Exchange - there are some decent alternatives chasing at their heals

BrianG

flywheel

and the official product info site (still not linked off the Irish site):
http://www.my-xda.com/index.html

asked about the XDA II in two O2 dealers to day - no one had any info / date... one of them did try and sell me a P800 though

BrianG