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 The device is a personal digital assistant (PDA) and mobile phone, with a colour screen that runs on Microsoft's Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition operating system. In terms of its network connection, XDA can operate on both GSM and GPRS networks. It also includes a variety of features such as Internet access, instant messaging, e-mail, music, location-based services and of course games.
A run through XDA's specifications shows an impressive mixture of software on the device including an MP3 player, Windows Media Player and unified messaging. Moreover, the device has an Internet browser that lets users not only access WAP sites, but also most "normal" Web sites. Other applications include Microsoft Pocket Word and Pocket Excel as well as Microsoft Pocket Outlook.
XDA will be available in all O2 territories including the UK, Germany, the Netherlands and Ireland, and will cost between STG400 and STG500 depending on the market, the company said.
The XDA is manufactured by Taiwanese company HTC which also makes phones and PDAs for Compaq and Toshiba. Inside its sleek shell the handset contains Intel's ARM-based 206MHz StrongARM central processing unit.
Kent Thexton, chief data officer for mmO2, said new devices like next generation handsets and PDAs were needed in order to make the most of high-speed data networks.
"We are the first operator to custom manufacture such a device," Thexton said. "We aim to grow data service revenues from around 12 percent to 25 percent within three years."
MmO2 also announced partnerships with more than 15 content providers on Tuesday to create new multimedia mobile services and applications for the O2 XDA, including Amazing Games, AIM, Emblaze, MB Games and Purple Software. These content services will see the firm roll-out news and games services as well as various information and m-commerce applications
The new device brings to three the number of devices the company will be offering to help lure business users and so-called "high-value" consumers to its network.
Just last month the company said it would begin selling RIM's BlackBerry in Ireland for around EUR800 per handset, a PDA and e-mail device targeted at the business segment of the market. The company is set to begin selling Handspring Treos later this year, yet another high-priced PDA targeted at business users.
Both Handspring and RIM are set to deploy updated versions of their two devices later in the year that include phone functionality and colour screens.
For more information on the XDA visit http://www.o2.com/xda
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