The xda from O2 will go on sale from today [June 18] in its stores across the UK and in Germany. This follows its successful launch in the Netherlands in May. It will be available in Ireland over the next few weeks.
The xda from O2, priced from 499 pound (EUR 782) in the UK and EUR 649 in Germany, combines a colour PDA and GPRS handset in one compact unit for the first time. With its stylish design and excellent functionality - it's a phone, a Pocket PC, an entertainment device and a personal organiser - it is the ultimate lifestyle device for people on the move.
Utilising medium-speed 'always on' GPRS mobile data networks, as well as conventional GSM, the xda from O2 offers full colour internet access, web-based email, extensive mobile phone capabilities, Microsoft Pocket PC 2002 tools (Pocket Outlook, Pocket Internet Explorer, Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Microsoft Windows Media TMPlayer 8 for Pocket PC) and personal organiser features such as 'contacts' and 'calendar'. It is the first product of its kind to support Microsoft Pocket PC 2002, Phone Edition software.
The xda bundles with 'mobile web from O2' - software that facilitates fast and intuitive Internet surfing. mmO2's content strategy is to focus on the sports, music, and gaming, and the O2 pda homepage (pda.o2.co.uk or mobil.O2online.de) offers access to pda friendly sites covering up to the minute news, sports, weather, travel, entertainment, downloads and shopping. Examples in the UK include ITN World, Britain and Business, BA, ITN Sports and Weather.com. In Germany, customers can use location-based services, news, entertainment and multimedia applications.
The xda from O2 has wide reaching appeal and is targeted at consumers, small and medium businesses and corporate customers. Feedback from trials across the mmO2 footprint has been extremely positive; around 25,000 have registered their interest and more than 1,200 units have been sold to customers in the Netherlands.
Kent Thexton, chief marketing and data officer, mmO2, said: "We are the first operator to custom manufacture such a device - the xda reinforces our commitment to lead in the mobile data space. Combining a high spec product, outstanding functionality, customer focussed content and flexible pricing and tariff structures, we believe the xda from O2 will drive uptake of GPRS technology and mobile data."
Robbie Wright, director, Microsoft Mobility Group, EMEA, added: "Pocket PC 2002 has seen an enthusiastic response among consumer and enterprise users alike since the launch last October. The xda from O2 has a revolutionary design, combined with integrated medium-speed connectivity. This product raises the bar for all integrated wireless PDA's; we believe it will be a huge success."
The xda is just one in O2's leading portfolio of mobile data products, which also includes the BlackBerry email service and the Handspring Treo organiser.
Pricing
Pricing for the xda from O2 varies by country. RRP in the UK is from 499 pound and in Germany from EUR 649, with additional monthly tariffs for voice and/or Mobile Web services.
Availability
The xda will be available in O2 stores across the UK from today, and in selected retail stores from June 22, 2002. It is also available via the O2 web address at www.o2.co.uk and www.o2online.de in Germany.
