In the world of Windows Mobile devices we come across lots of incarnations of the same model, with different names. The O2 Xda Exec seems to follow the same rules. While it’s well known by more tech-savvy users by its codename HTC Universal (HTC is the manufacturer and Universal the product code), end users will know it with a variety of names: Dopod 900, i-mate Jasjar, O2 Xda Exec, Orange SPV M5000, QTEK 9000, T-Mobile MDA Pro, Vodafone VPA IV.

Regardless of name, the devices will vary very little in form factor and basic features. Depending on which version you come across it will have different customisations or built-in third party programs – all dictated by the mobile operator or distributor.

We have the chance to test the O2 Xda Exec branded device. This was the first time I found a device with options to install either the operator branded settings, themes and applications or a “Corporate” version, which is password protected and allows full control of the device, with no branding at all. I liked this feature! It may be common for O2 to do it like this, but certainly not usual on the devices I usually try (the ones from i-mate).

 
 

Click the images for a large picture

The O2 Xda Exec is running the new Windows Mobile 5.0 recently announced. It is a very versatile device, and I think its form factor clearly states its business market targeting.

How versatile is it? Well for starters it will connect to a standard GSM/GPRS network so you can have voice and data directly on this device. If your needs claim for a faster mobile connection, then it will connect to a UMTS network up to 384Kbps (here in New Zealand I am using the Vodafone 3G service). But if your costs are getting too high when using this cellular connection then you will find the option to connect to wireless LAN networks appealing – and fast, with 11Mbps connections.

Another proof of its versatility is the ability to place and receive voice calls while a data connection is in place. Placing or receiving a voice call will not interrupt a longer download, or stop emails being received.

If you have a Bluetooth headset or a Bluetooth enabled PC then you will be able to connect these too. I had no problems performing ActiveSync over this wireless connection, and I was able to connect my Tablet PC to the UMTS network by simply using the DUN (Dial-Up network service), as easy as any other standard phone. The O2 Xda Exec also worked well with my SuperTooth II Bluetooth speakerphone.

If you don’t have a Bluetooth enabled laptop but still want to use the O2 Xda Exec to connect your computer to the Internet, don’t worry. The device comes with a program that will switch the USB connection from ActiveSync to Modem Emulator, so that you can use it as a USB modem. By the way, it connects and charges via a mini USB cable, which is quite handy for travels.

This device has a very interesting form factor, and it will work by default as a mini-laptop – when open it will have a QWERTY keyboard, including soft keys for the new menus available on Windows Mobile 5.0, and dedicated keys to access Pocket Internet Explorer, Inbox, Start, [OK] and context menu. It also has keys for the Call, Video Call and End Call functions.

The backlit keyboard was a nice surprise. I got used to it quite fast and was able to type emails and posts in our forums without problems.

One new feature on Pocket PC devices introduced with Windows Mobile 5.0 is the Soft Key. This has been used before on Windows Mobile for Smartphones, but these context sensitive menu options make their debut on the Pocket PC world with this new OS version. The soft keys are areas on the bottom of the screen that act like menus, and can be activated with a tap on the screen or through special hardware keys – in the O2 Xda Exec these are marked with a “-“ (dash).

However, when using the device as a Pocket PC (i.e. with the screen completely open and converted) you will notice some buttons are missing: there’s only a directional pad with an action button on the right side of the LCD, and a small secondary video camera, used for live video calls. There are no Calendar or Contacts buttons there. This is a shame because we can swivel the screen (pretty much like those convertible Tablet PCs) and use the device as a standard Pocket PC, but losing the quick access to some functions.

Live video calls worked well, although the picture is a little fuzzy when moving - but when stable the image is very good. Voice calls are nice, with good sound.

The screen is great. The 640x480 pixels LCD is very visible outdoors, while providing VGA resolution. The fonts are clear and sharp, making it very easy to read. Also, the screen orientation is automatically changed from landscape (when open as a mini-laptop) to portrait (when used as a Pocket PC) mode.

The O2 Xda Exec is based on an Intel CPU running at 520MHz. As other Windows Mobile 5.0 device it comes with the new memory model implemented with Windows Mobile 5.0. The main difference from previous Pocket PC devices is the use of flash memory to store data and RAM for program execution only. The flash memory is 128MB but only about 43MB is actually available for the user.

Programs with high IO requirements can impact on overall performance, since writing to flash memory is slower than writing to RAM. This will be something that all Windows Mobile 5.0 devices will go through, and developers will have to be more careful now that the flash memory is used by default.

I certainly recommend installing all programs on a fast SD card, saving the internal flash memory for some programs that require this kind of memory, such as Today plug-ins and the OS databases (Calendar, Contacts, Email). Also make sure you set Outlook Mobile to store any email attachments to an external card.

The built in applications are vastly improved when compared with previous Windows Mobile versions. For example Contacts can now synchronise pictures with Outlook, and this same picture is shown when an incoming call is announced. Still on contacts the left soft key will be context sensitive. For example when listing a contact the soft key option will change between Call, SMS, Email, Web depending on what field is highlighted.

The Messaging application in Outlook Mobile is also much better now. For example you are presented with the option to add a contact when tapping on an email address that is not in the Contacts database yet.

The big changes though are on the Mobile Office applications. Word Mobile can now handle things that caused problems before – for example tables and pictures. And Excel Mobile can now manipulate charts. For people that rely on PowerPoint slides to communicate ideas, there’s a new PowerPoint Mobile application – but this is just a viewer though.

It also comes with MSN Mobile, a new free application that used to be a paid add-on for Windows Mobile 2003. It integrates MSN Hotmail and MSN Messenger to the Pocket PC's today screen, making it even more useful.

In terms of multimedia it shines with Windows Media Player Mobile 10, and it even comes with stereo speakers. But the sound quality is not that great, and background noise will make it sound bad. The best alternative is still to use a stereo headset.

The HTC Universal comes with a built-in 1.3 megapixel digital camera and a very bright light. It also supports MMS directly from the Messaging application, so you can take pictures and send them directly from your device, via MMS or email.

The model I tested (ROM 1.13.48 19 September 2005) does not have the new Messaging and Security Feature Pack in ROM yet. This software is an add-on announced by Microsoft that, when used together with Microsoft Exchange 2003 Service Pack 2, allows push e-mail and remote device management. This will be added later by the manufacturer, but it will depend on the mobile operator or distributor to actually release the update. So check with your distributor first if this is a requirement.

My impressions? Based on prices set for this model I think it is certainly appealing to the enterprise market where it can replace a laptop with the advantage of portability.

Let's see if we can test the i-mate Jasjar in the near future and compare the impressions with another model.

You can read my thoughts on this device when compared with other Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PCs for more information.

Pros

Complete wireless solution: GSM, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

VGA resolution

Enhanced Mobile versions of Word, Excel, Messaging

Cons

Feels slow when compared with previous Windows Mobile devices

Image Gallery (click image for larger picture)


Today screen with new MSN Mobile plugin


Quick control of radio communications


Configuration options for communications


Wireless LAN information at the fingertips


Wireless LAN power management


Memory information: new memory model


Live video call over 3G networks


Phone application


MSN Mobile


Word Mobile now compatible with images, tables and more


Bluetooth: Microsoft software, but functional


Bluetooth ActiveSync: easy setup


Better looking email including Contacts picture


Messaging and contacts integration


Easy to use and better looking Contacts application


Incoming call notification with picture

Other articles related to Reviews : Windows Mobile

Comments

 

Comment posted by antoniosk on 17-OCT-2005 18:52

Hi mate

I thought i'd post a response to your comments, and also let the readership know where things are going wit the platforms.

Universal (and Apache) are running the 1st release of Magneto, which went 'gold' around june time. This is a 'functional' release, with the priority being on operation rather than speed.

In Microsoft AKU1 - an AKU being similar to a service pack in the OS world - the focus was put specifically on screen rotation and speed. This is most noticeable on my Prodigy (known in these parts are the K-Jam) - really rockets along. AKU1 is unlikely to appear on Universal anytime soon.

That's because AKU2 - which will feature the Enterprise Feature Pack (EFP) - is due to go to OEM's in the next fortnight or so, and will take a few months to come out commercially.

AKU2 has all the improvements of AKU1 and so on... and the focus in AKU2 is on application speed, more efficient memory handling, and other improvements.

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 17-OCT-2005 19:06

Good comments, and true stuff. But user perception is not "usability now, speed later". Consumers will expect a system to provide the same or better performance than a previous version.

The keyword here is "performance", being not only speed but the whole user interface (including usability), and functionality.

Speed is only one of the factors, not the whole thing, but people will notice this (I have already had comments from people using the i-mate Jasjar distributed from Vodafone NZ).

 

Comment posted by antoniosk on 17-OCT-2005 21:56

I agree....

But then we are at the mercy of the software creators, the hardware assemblers, and those that choose to go to market fast.....

 

Comment posted by MiNGSECT on 21-OCT-2005 17:10

great review.. :)

mine sharing, which program to remove , in order to speed up the device?

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 21-OCT-2005 17:19

Thanks. At the moment I have removed Spb GPRS Monitor and it's a bit better.

 

Comment posted by yup danners on 26-OCT-2005 20:43

Great review thank you.

I am suffering from cognative dissonnance if that's how you spell it. I bought the exec from my o2 VIP broker over the phone yesterday, I presumed that it would be a serious advance over my xda11. I take full responsibility for the impulse buy, however, I nearly dropped the brick when I first unwrapped it. Having wrestled with Nokia 9210's, the nighmare returns! It is too big, moreover, I am really surprised at how slow it is, I've only had it for a day and it's driving me nuts. Every instruction is slower to process than my original 128k mac.
I already miss my xda11 with complimentary Outside the Box foldable qwerty keyboard. For less formal typing I use the xda 11 graphic keyboard which is amazingly versatile and quick.

I've bought the dam thing now, I'm hoping that I'll get used to it. I am not a techi and would appreciate advice in teletubby language regarding how I can speed the device up.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 5-FEB-2006 03:25

Hi guys,

nice review ;). 10x

just got my xda IIs got stollen so I'm looking for something better (it was driving me nuts cause it was crashing all the time and had to reset it countless times every day ). Is the exec the same case?

So you are saying that the exec is slow... Is it getting slow because of installed programs or it's slow "from birth"? Could it be from the operating system or only because of the low memory? Has anyone tried to change the OS? The bad thing is that the phone doesn't have xBackup so if you change it you will lose the data if the battery goes dead.

Does the phone supports mpeg4 compression when shooting a video? What MAX video resolution does it support? framerate? Is the captured video nice?

If you are aware of PDA+GSM thing that is better than the exec(or has more functions please let me know). I want to get the best thing on the market in defiance of the the theft :)

Thanks guys and take care.

Asen

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 5-FEB-2006 17:29

Sorry to hear your Pocket PC is gone... I am using the O2 Xda and with a newer ROM version it's actually faster. It's currently my primary Pocket PC Phone (voice and data), while I use the TNZ Apache most for data - it's very fast (but CDMA EV-DO only).

I am not sure about the mpeg4 compression because I have not tested and it's not something I usually use. You might want to test one in a shop.

Currently the HTC Universal (which the O2 Exec is just a model) is the fastest one in terms of 3G data on UMTS.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 5-FEB-2006 23:02

"I am using the O2 Xda and with a newer ROM version it's actually faster. "
how do I find out whether the the phone I'm buying is with the faster ROM?
btw is it only faster or did they enlarged it too?

One last: Is there big enough difference between the different releases of the phone to take account of it?

later

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 6-FEB-2006 10:21

Sometimes there are some differences, in the form of bug fixes and a few features - nothing noticeable but some bugs may be some in your face that it's always worth upgrading to the latest version.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 6-FEB-2006 20:45

oops. I'm sorry for my previous question. By saying ROM I thought you are talking about ROM memory. my mistake.
Thanks for your help.

Later

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 6-FEB-2006 20:47

In Windows Mobile terms when we say "ROM update" it actually means an update of the OS, being stored in ROM.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 6-FEB-2006 21:06

yes :), I got it but too late.

for few days I'm reading a lot of forums and stuff and people say there is a new batch of the exec with improved performance (not talking about software). Is that true?
If so if you know how to differ the new batch from the old one please tell me.

Asen

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 6-FEB-2006 22:07

Hmmm... That'd be interesting. I haven't heard of this rumour, but will look into it.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 1-MAR-2006 07:41

I got the phone a month ago. It's perfect with the new ROM !!!

can I use it as a web camera???

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 1-MAR-2006 07:55

Good stuff, I use mine every day, every minute... You can't use it as a webcam, but you can use it for live video calls when connected on a 3G network. It works well (although not a feature I use a lot).

 

Comment posted by BGone on 1-MAR-2006 09:06

hmm isn't it possible to use it as webcam with a software?

 

Comment posted by BGone on 6-MAR-2006 03:02

Here I come again :)
I've been searching for a FULL windows mobile 5 MANUAL in english (cause mine is in German) and I even contacted microsoft but they did not respond with anything valuable.

SO ! Is there such a manual at ALL? Please tell me where can I download it.

Or is that some of Microsoft's tricks? They don't make a manual and somebody writes a book ... so you are forced to buy the book !?!?!?!?

 

Comment posted by tomskm on 18-MAR-2006 22:46

Hi I downloaded the new version of software upgrade for my O2 XDA ii mini, and since lost my configuration to access vodafone nz gsm services including web access.... would someone please lend this to me or direct me in the right way to acquire the same, thank you

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 18-MAR-2006 23:47

Search for "dopod" in our forums and you will full instructions including screenshots.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 13-APR-2006 01:55

does anybody know  from where I can download ENGLISH version of exec's manual?
I see only german versions...

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 13-APR-2006 08:57

Have you tried the official O2 XDA website?

 

Comment posted by COBHC123 on 18-APR-2006 06:17

Hi, I was wondering if I could use this phone with my current provider T-mobile
I had the Sidekick 2 and I still have my SIM card and the plan is still in effect...(I have sidekick unlimited which offers unlimited email,web browsing & text messages and I have 1000 anytime minutes)
Im from California in USA and Im looking into buying this phone

Thank you
Zeke

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 18-APR-2006 09:18

You should look for the i-mate Jasjar, which is the unlocked version of this Pocket PC Phone Edition. The O2 XDA is SIM locked to the O2 network.

Also, this phone will operate in GPRS and UMTS. The UMTS band used is not the same as the one available in the USA, so your phone will work with GPRS connections (and speed) only.

 

Comment posted by COBHC123 on 18-APR-2006 09:23

For the i-mate Jasjar all I would have to do is insert my SIM card and its good to go?

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 18-APR-2006 09:35

Yes, that is correct.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 31-MAY-2006 05:45

I bumped into an obstacle on the road and it hit exaclty my exec (which was in my pocket) so it was hit from the opposite site of the display despite this the display got broken. (a little air got into it and not I can barely see what is on the display).

Do you know whether I can order a new display or get it fixed (i really doubt that's possible).

The touch screen is working.

 

Comment posted by BGone on 2-OCT-2006 22:37

I hardreseted my device but as my display is broken I cannot go past the screen alignment.
Is there a way to skip it? btw I think I'm pointing the right crosses but it reloads over and over...

 

Comment posted by QsWorld on 15-DEC-2006 05:28

I just bougth the XDA Exec and since reading these posts, I'm assuming that I need to have it unlocked in order for it to work on the Cingular Network.  Any one know how to go about that?  Also, how does a US customer get the new Rom?

 

Comment posted by zoula on 8-FEB-2007 03:36

Hi,

If your display for any reason does not work, you can use Prokect controler:
As per their documentation:

"Pocket Controller allows you to operate and control your Pocket PC, Smartphone or any other Windows CE based device directly from your desktop computer. This means that you can use your desktop keyboard and mouse to interact with programs running on your Mobile Device. Pocket Controller displays your Mobile Device on the desktop in the Pocket Controller window. To use Pocket Controller you need to have ActiveSync 3.7 or later installed."

As for the Dopod 900:


1. I love the keyboard and the screen.
2. It looks really great when you use the appropriate PDA holder in your car.
3. Sending sms's is could not get easier with the keyboard.
4. I also love the way you can just flip the screen to take notes.
5. It could be used as a great modem for GPRS or 3G
6. OS easy to use

Cont's :

1. Heavy
2. Does not support EDGE (2.5G) as mentionned in some DOPOD brochures.
3. The support here in Malaysia and also in Singapore is quasi inexistant.
4. Does not have a Bluetooth (BT) GPS Profile (if you have to use a BT GPS, you need to re-configure it at each GPS use).
5. The alarm rings when it wants to (I have read that it is a common bug in WM5- I might be wrong).
6. Too expensive.
7. The phone software does not show you if the calls are diverted from another line.


Overall I would give it a 6.5/10 after using it for 8 months and I give Dopod Singapore a 2/10 for not replhing to our support questions.


I hope these comments would be helpful.


Regards.

 

Comment posted by rajivmehta12 on 17-JUN-2007 19:12

Hi, I am a proud owner of O2 XDA exec & use it for business purposes. had the following queries
1- Is there a way to create a common group to send 1 msg to group without having to select all names everytime
2. Where could I get O2 XDA exec stylus

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 17-JUN-2007 21:45

You can do this with some third party software. You can buy spare stylus from Boxwave.

 

Comment posted by darwin on 23-OCT-2007 04:34

Hello, would it be possible for me to upgrade my O2 XDA Executive OS from Windows Mobile 5 to Windows Mobile 6?

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 23-OCT-2007 10:38

It is possible, but you won't find an official update available. 

 

Comment posted by darwin on 24-OCT-2007 02:47

Thanks for your quick reply, also, do you know the reason why my device turns off every time the remaining battery charge reaches between 35-40 %, before it never happened until it reaches i guess below 10%, is this a battery problem now that I need to buy a new one or just some settings adjustment?

 

Comment posted by freitasm on 24-OCT-2007 08:06

I'd say you need a battery replacement...

 

Comment posted by mini on 7-JUL-2008 03:13

Hi,

I am facing problem with my O2 XDA Exec..i did a hard reset on it and i got align screen option.  But now i am not able to pass through this screen.  Even after tapping ti many a times..its showing same screen.  Plz suggest!  my phone is dumb now :(

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