O2 XDA II: All-in-one enterprise solution

O2 recently released its second-generation XDA smart phone that is an integrated GPRS-capable tri-band handset with built-in PocketPC PDA functions.

Launched by Christina Teo, Hong Kong country manager of O2 , the XDA II is positioned as an all-in-one enterprise solution for business users, travelers and field agents.

Costing about P49,000, the XDA II offers a number of connectivity options such as built-in Bluetooth and the ability to take advantage of Wi-Fi services via an add-on, high-speed Internet modem.

The refined Microsoft Windows PocketPC 2003 software allows for easy carrying of Microsoft Office documents and files that can be synched with a PC.

To demonstrate the features of the new smart phone, Teo ran her PowerPoint presentation directly from her XDA II connected to a projector. Accessories such as add-on cards and keyboards were also featured to show the flexibility of the device.

"Business professionals and lovers of technology looking for the latest in mobile connectivity and communications can be more productive with the fully featured, high-capacity PDA," Teo said.

She also gave examples of how travelers using high-speed Wi-Fi connections could save money by using the MSN Messenger chat application built into the software instead of sending an SMS message.

The XDA II’s features include an 400 MHz Intel XScale processor, 128MB of memory, a built-in digital camera, the ability to playback video and MPEG4 files, and a transflective color display with 65,536 colors.

O2 envisions people in the field such as agents or traveling businessmen and sales personnel to use the features of the XDA II as a mobile POS (point-of-sale) system and as a portable communications and data-gathering device.

As a cellular phone, the tri-band capabilities, polyphonic ringtone support and the long SMS mode of the XDA II put it at par with the newer high-end stand-alone cellphones in the market.

The XDA II is a global version that can be used in any country since its settings can be changed.

"When it comes to mobile communications, O2 believes in providing the utmost in choice," Teo said, adding that the XDA II is probably the most advanced integrated smart phone device in the market because of its core features like connectivity and larger onboard memory.

Teo admitted that the device is the most expensive in its class since it is essentially a phone, a camera, an MP3 player and a computer in one tiny device.

The price of the XDA II puts it at the high end of integrated devices. Rival gadgets from Sony Ericsson and PalmOne are in the P38,000 to P45,000 price range but run on other operating systems which, while somehow compatible with Windows on PCs, may not have the tight degree of integration offered by the XDA II.