Windows Mobile based devices had been in demand for more than two years. It has been a mystery to get a device that is unmatched as the devices now in fashion are all evolved by HTC. It is only brands that are changed. The fact that all devices are similar does not necessarily mean that they carry identical features and hence buyers are uncertain about them. With the result a problem in a given model leads to the apprehension that all carriers have it too.



To ensure extra control over the standard of device, O2 has introduced the XDA Atom. Manufactured in alliance with Quanta Computer Inc. (QCI) this non-HTC device offers you an unmatched, Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone in a handy package.

O2 XDA Atom comes in the most in fashion executive black colour. It has a shiny plastic body. Impressions of fingers stick to it as you touch. You can have good grip of the phone in hand due to small bulge in plastic on both the sides. It has quality assemblage which leaves no room for grievance. It is too close to HTC Magician in design, essential features and proportions.

If you look for tiniest Pocket PC phone, the XDA Atom must be your choice. It includes a 416 Mhz PXA272 processor, 50 MB RAM and 43 MB of flash to provide you ample space for data and applications storage. It is good for the miniSD format, IrDA 1.2 (SIR), Bluetooth 1.2 and Wi-Fi (802.11 b). It has a TFT 2.7" QVGA screen with a maximum capacity of 262k colours though availability of colours at a time is limited.

2-megapixel camera is another most-looked-after feature of this phone. Its flash capacity is 1600x1200 pixel and it is good to do video too.

O2 XDA Atom has a removable battery Li-Ion 1530 mAh. FM-receiver, built-in stereo speakers and a 2.5mm audio jack are additional features in this phone. It is rich with keys for all sorts of functions that make handling easy and quick without bothering about the size as it is not massy or big but cute and tender in appearance.

The design is rather high in quality with the Atom, as a very clear and intensely sharp screen is at the frontage. Although you would feel a little uncomfortable while looking at display under straight sunshine otherwise no other cell phones can hardly match it in comfort zones.

A power button, a slot for miniSD cards with 2GB capacity and a silo are found at the uppermost side. An average size stylus is well placed in the body whereas a battery compartment, a camera and an operator's logo are on the rear side of the phone..

The lower end is identical to the HTC solution with a soft reset button, an audio jack 2.5 MM, a mic, a miniUSB-connector for PC sync and charging.

Features at a glance in alphabetical order:-

Battery : removable Li-Ion 1530 mAh. Battery life

claimed – up to 6 days standby, up to 5.5 hours of talks;

Camera: 2-megapixel with flash (the highest resolution – 1600x1200 pixels), video pics (the maximum resolution – 320x240 pixels)

Class: Windows Mobile-communicator with touch-screen;

Dimensions : 102 x 58 x 18.5 mm

Form-factor : candy bar ;

GSM 900/1800/1900, GPRS class B, multi-slot class 10, EDGE;

Interface: miniSD , IrDA 1.2 ( SIR ), Bluetooth 1.2, USB for charging/ synchronization/ modem connection on, Wi-Fi ( IEEE 802.11 b );

Operating system: Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC ;

Position in the line: opening;

Processor: Intel XScale PXA 27x 416 MHz;

Misc: built-in FM-receiver, built-in stereo speakers;

RAM : 50.39 MB available (not used to store user's data);

Rival models : E - Ten M 600, HTC Prophet , indirect rival – Sony Ericsson P 990;

ROM : 43.28 MB available to store data, install programs;

Screen: TFT 2.7" (41x54.5 mm) 240x320 pixels, 65K colors (262K claimed);

Shell material : plastic ;

Vendor : Quanta

Weight : 140 g .

Weight: 100g