O2 Xda II

Combining mobile phone and handheld computer technology is a good idea and the O2 Xda II does it better than most.

It uses Microsoft's latest Pocket PC 2003 operating system, which allows anyone familiar with Windows to get going almost immediately. O2 has also integrated its own menu application into the startup screen, which provides quick access to all the phone functions as well as displaying standard Pocket PC diary reminders.

The XDA has a built-in camera, which is capable of resolutions of up to 640 x 480. These look good on the colour screen and can be sent via MMS to other picture-messaging mobile phones. It also has integrated Bluetooth.

When you want to make a voice call, you can hold the Xda like a normal phone or use the supplied hands-free kit. It's not much heavier than a normal mobile and comes with a belt clip and protective case.

The internet can be accessed through O2's GPRS service. This is much faster than the standard mobile phone network and billed by the amount of data you download, not the length of each call. Unlike similar devices, the aerial does not protrude, making it very sleek and relatively small, even for a Pocket PC.

O2 claims the battery life is three and a half hours, with a standby time of 150 hours. This is about average for a mobile phone and not a problem if it is going to sit in the cradle for most of the day. The docking cradle, which connects to a PC, is designed with a slot for recharging a second battery. O2 has also supplied a data backup application should the battery fully run out or you lose the Xda.

If you find yourself using WAP on a mobile, as well as needing contact details and a diary, this could well be the device for you. There's 128Mb of internal memory and a memory card slot for adding more.

If you're new to the Pocket PC, the manual supplied with the Xda is good and covers all aspects of setup and operation.

Contact: O2 0800 032 1502
www.o2.co.uk