O2 XDA II mini
- o
- omar
- PZs
- 20 May 2005
I have the o2xda2 mini. Can mp3 files be used as ringtones and if yes how do you set this up??
thanks
- V
- Vic
- PUm
- 20 May 2005
I bought the phone about a month ago after a VERY long search - I looked at Nokia 9300, Sony-Ericsson P910i, Blackbeery phones and even other O2s such as XPhoneII and XDA IIs. I must admit, being a staunch Nokia user I was a bit worried eventually picking O2 XDA Mini, but it was the best buy ever.
It has all the features that a business phone should have, and is small and light (relatively) to the baragain. Some pros and cons I found...
Pros first:
It actually doesn't hang as reading many reviews here would suggest, PROVIDED you configure it and take care of it. For a start, it pays to allocate bit more memory to the OS. Secondly, when you close a program, it doesn't really close, but goes into background instead. I have re-allocated my callendar button to be a task manager (you have 4 customisable buttons) and ocassionally go there and stop programs I don't really use. In this way, hanging will not happen.
The input method is really good, but I strongly recommend you configure handwriting recognition to your style. If you do, the accuracy is excellent with moderate neatness. The phone-pad, which simulates normal phone's keypad is brilliant, easy to use and eliminates any jitters if you are used to one-hand operation. Bluetooth is good, but note you must configure bluetooth ActiveSync through Settings > System > Bluetooth Settings (inability to ActiveSync via bluetooth tested a lot of my patience until I found this utility, which is actually NOT described in the manual). Once configured, you can easily exchange files and everything else with your PC without 3rd party software, as some suggested. The externally-accessible SD slot is also brilliant and allows use of WiFi card, GPS navigation and, of course, lots of memory. Finally, it really pays to read the manual (It's a bit chunky, but worth the ready if you want full power). You will learn things such as turning on/off speakerphone (press and hold "Talk" button in conversation), turning off GPRS (press and hold "End" button outside of conversation), using contacts that are integrated into the phone memory (tap and hold the name when it's found, then choose dial), automatic use of IDD phone card (put phone number and PIN into speed dial separated by "," for "pause", then press and keep pressed speed dial to auto-enter; when complete, just dial your IDD number - it saves a helluva lot of keystrokes), using MP3s as ringing tones (yes, it's possible), allocating photographs to caller ID, and a lot more.
Now for the cons...
The biggest shortcoming is that there is no meter for your GPRS usage (and my telco doesn't provide it either). Looking at your battery power is also a bit awkward when you want detail (Settings > System > Power) and to disconnect from GPRS, you must first know how (see above). Fortunately, there is a software called GPRS Monitor by SPB and that solves this dillema brilliantly. I would allow extra USD29.95 to buy this software if you are considering buying this phone (if you are a cheapskate, you can redownload trial version every 15 days for free, but will loose all the historical data, which is handy at times). The included ClearVUE pdf reader, which is excellent, doesn't work on all PDF files. The conversion of Word documents from standard to portable format (done automatically by ActiveSync) also doesn't work 100% all the time.
Beyond that, the phone is brilliant. It's much more compact than P910i with better camera and lot more features. It also overshadows Nokia 9300 by having a touch screen (Nokia 9300 was ok with its joystick, but not great. Also, the display section, when split open, is too heavy so you have to lie it flat when in use - cannot tilt the screen up like a laptop). The touchscreen is also what made me choose XDA Mini over XPhone II (+ it's the same height and thickness, only 1 cm wider, but with incomparably better OS, features and camera). XDA IIs has built in keyboard and WiFi, but is so big it feels like holding a brick to your ear if you want to use it as a phone.
Final thought as a user - if you buy one get a screen protector (about $10) and a silicone skin (about $25). If you scratch the screen it's expensive to replace. The included leather case is very classy, but a bit awkward to use if you are in a hurry to answer a call.
Hope this helps to anyone out there thinking of getting one.
Cheers...
- o
- o2 worker
- S35
- 19 May 2005
o2 how now shelved plans to release phone on O2
- L
- Leo
- Rxc
- 18 May 2005
hello peeps!
need help im planning to buy an O2 xda mini but i think SE p910i is better.
any comments or what unit should i go for.
thanks a lot just a little confused.
- P
- Pat Kalambaheti
- PW9
- 18 May 2005
I'm wondering if the USB port on O2 XDA II mini is compatible with USB 2.0? I have been using the O2 mini for a month. Love the feature and all, but a few tidious functions, such as organizing over 40 notes, are still waiting for answer. Overall, it is probably the best in its class.
Anyone has comment on how to organizing the notes, please do! I would be very appreciated.
- T
- T-bone
- iKt
- 18 May 2005
Yo ppl Listen Up i have the imate jam i got it for 400 hundred pounds But When I saw the price of the o2 xda II mini it was for about 300 why? i thought they where both the same with the features and they are both the same make?
- X
- Xander
- F4p
- 18 May 2005
Does the O2 XDA II mini have a chinese programme?
pls, anyboday kindly reply
- P
- Peter
- RJ2
- 17 May 2005
Do any body out there knows how to use the Voice dail features,please e mail
Thanks a million
- F
- Fosi
- TxV
- 14 May 2005
after 20days I have sold my mini with 20% loss...not possible to sinc with Mac, bad handling, storage problems etc.
Maybe my worst buy this year...the ad promises more than it can do...be carefull
- E
- EK_Used for 40 days
- RNy
- 13 May 2005
need to manage your storage.. else hang more often. If this happen, the remote party can't hear you when talking over phone. NIGHT MARE! Not easy if you driving on the road a lot. Not suitable for one hand operation AT ALL!.. I wanted to sell off but at least lost 40%.. NO VALUE.. Don't cry.. just keep resetting few times a day when hang.. OPPH!!! HANG AGAIN!!!!!..
- E
- Edianto
- PFV
- 12 May 2005
Justice :
U can download from www.seeO2.com. Put the files into storage card. Do not make any folder for the files. If u want change the themes u can tap the file (*.tsk) or go to setting >> today. The file is automatically in the 'today,. Select the themes that u want. Or u can use your own picture. Put your picture into My Documents >> My Pictures. After that, go to 'today' again and u can browse from there.
- K
- Kat
- TRP
- 12 May 2005
i don't quite satisfied with the earpiece, the quality is not that good... what do you guys think?!??! but i got mine from this website, not sure if i can post it, it's from xdamobile.com, you guys can check it out
- V
- Vidospace
- in5
- 12 May 2005
Has anyone tried a GPS card in an O2 Mini? Any recommendations on the card and software that works well with it?
- D
- DHESI BR
- S0L
- 11 May 2005
Hi there selvarajan.
I have experience with phones but not pda like o2.
Tried mailing you but m not sure u got my mail.
I heard that mini o2 lags a lot compare with normal xda2i or xda2s.
can you brief on this statement.
- j
- jony
- MNv
- 11 May 2005
4sun! u just found out the 1 million dollar question! that is what every body wants, and nobody knows! chances are , no. why? to sell the new devices! how do u think bill gates get so damm rich?
- 4
- 4Sun
- 2wI
- 11 May 2005
Is O2 Mini upgradable to WinMobile 2005 when it is launched? Does anyone know anything about it? Thanks
- S
- Selva
- M20
- 10 May 2005
Got a O2 mini & would like to share some experience with anyone. E-mail me at : selvarajan@s.carsems.com.my
- S
- Selva
- M20
- 10 May 2005
Pls be informed that CE software will hang the system for O2. Do not attempt to load in this software
- W
- WM
- PFM
- 09 May 2005
Hi, could someone kindly send the CE-Star software to me? Thanks!!
- j
- jony , portugal
- MNw
- 08 May 2005
xda II mini, has many ways to input text on it,first , like on any pocket pc, you can use a virtual qwerty key board, that apears in the screen, even in landscape mode, you can also use the text recognizer function(the transcriber and the block recognizer)you also have an exclusive program called the phone pad that simulates a normal phone keyboard with T9 text input, good for one hand operation. you can also get 3th party software , the full screen keyboard, or the PDAMedia KBD(my favorite) there is NOT a fisical keyboard .to get a rom upgrade you must go to your service provider, or the representant of phone brand, qtek, 02, mda, jam,dopod..they should do that for free.