The second point I would like to raise is screen size.  From this image, it is nearly possible to fit the XDA Atom wholly into the screen of the XDA II.  Although the Atom's screen is only 2.7" (which is smaller than the XDA Mini at 2.8"), it is nonetheless very crisp, clear and easy to see.  Viewing this device in daylight is no different to other devices, but there is a definite difference when indoors.  The viewing angle for the screen seems to be around 30 degrees from looking front on, which is not as good as other devices I have had the joy to play with.  I have found that this is still more than acceptable, and have become quite fond of this display.

The touchscreen is very sensitive, and only the slightest touch is necessary to input any information or controls.  The shiny black plastic finish appears cheap, but closer inspection reveals all joints and grooves where pieces lock together to be manufactured to quality.  There were no imperfections with the case on my Atom, although some users report having a battery cover that comes off easily.  Packing a business card between the battery and cover appears to fix this problem.

After using my device for the week-end, and comparing it's looks and size to my XDA II, I have grown very attached to the Atom.  My XDA II now appears old, huge and clunky.  It still does a great job as a PDA and phone, but I would prefer to carry around the Atom any day.  If I am not careful, my Wife may claim ownership, leaving me with two XDA II Pocket PC's!

PERFORMANCE

When the XDA Atom is first powered up, the operating system is loaded and a neat set-up wizard is launched which guides the new owner through the various settings such as Owner Information and the like.  When everything is ready to be used, I would strongly advise new owners to check their Atom's ROM version, found by selecting Start  -> Settings -> System Tab -> System Info.  If the ROM version displayed is 20051129B2, then a ROM upgrade is necessary.  Log onto the SeeO2 website, and follow the instructions there to load on the latest ROM.  This is necessary as the initial ROM release caused the Atom to behave very slow indeed!

With the latest ROM installed, all features were easily accessable, and the device behaved as would be expected for a Windows Mobile 5 device.  Due to this latest operating system from Microsoft, users have reported their new devices as operating slower than the previous Windows Mobile 2003 and 2003SE systems, and I have found this to be the case.  The first application I loaded was the latest version of XCPUScalar, and this has turned a slightly slow device into a device that excells above my XDA II.  Now it is very zippy to start and switch between applications.  The Atom easily copes with playing games like Atomic Cannon and Atomic Battle Dragons, easily copes with large PDF documents and other software applications.  The only time I have noticed the device struggling was during playback of a movie - "The Fifth Element", during scenes where a lot of things are happening.  From time to time, video playback "stuttered".  I didn't notice this on my XDA II as much, but can say that it still occured.

Battery life is another area for discussion.  The 1500mAh battery at first seems inadequate, but with some users feedback it sounds ok.  This is a suggestion from one of our users - Jockstar:

" You need to condition the battery. Fully charge it for like 12 hours when you first get it and let it run out compleatly the first few times. The battery life gets better and better after a while, but it is a pain to start off with cos you want to use it all the time. I get about 3 days out of it at the moment with med to heavy use.

I have had my Atom for about 2 weeks now. It is synced for most of the day while at work, but it lasted all weekend and halfway into today without a problem. "

I am also looking out for battery manufacturers to introduce a high capacity battery for the XDA Atom.  This will enable users to use Bluetooth and / or Wireless LAN without stressing about their battery going flat.

Overall, I am impressed with the Atom's performance with XCPUScalar, and would agree that it is a definite upgrade from the XDA II.  There is still room for improvement and I suspect later versions will become quite snappy indeed.

MEMORY

Memory is organised into ROM and RAM - similar to older devices, with the exception that all program and data are stored in ROM.  It has 128MB of ROM and 64MB of RAM.  The 128MB of ROM contains the compressed operating system, PIM databases and all programs and data the user decides to load into either Device or Storage memory.  This choice is offered at the time of software installation. Program memory is the 64MB of RAM, and is where all open programs run.

I would have liked to see 256MB of ROM on this device, as this would allow greater application and data storage before a MiniSD Card is necessary.  I would highly recommend users purchasing the largest MiniSD card their budget allows, at the time of purchasing the XDA Atom.  The current memory just isn't enough to do anything with!

WIRELESS LAN

This is one side to the Atom that I haven't used much.  My workmate had it connected to his home WiFi network within seconds, and broadband internet was available without any effort.  The setings appear similar to the XDA IIi, and shouldn't be much trouble connecting to your preferred network.  However, some users have reported the device favours unsecured networks, and will leave your secure network when an unsecured one is discovered.  I am currently looking at a WiFi application that could become a hit here, but more information on this in the upcoming review...

APPLICATIONS

For a complete list of applications that are supplied as standard, please refer to the SeeO2 website.  It is my intention to cover as much as I can, but not all applications will be covered.  The cream on the cake is the software added by O2, and this will be discussed in higher detail...

Camera

The built-in camera is a true 2 megapixel camera.  It has a built-in LED strobe flash, and can take still pictures or short video.  Although the camera specs look good on paper, indoor shots are below average - just like all Pocket PC's.  Outdoor shots are quite good.  The color closely represents the true scene, which is a huge improvement on my old XDA II.  There is one downside to this camera and application - the user needs to keep the camera absolutely still while taking the photo, otherwise badly skewed pictures result.

I have included two pictures, one indoors and one outdoors.  The camera resolution was set to 1024 x 768 pixles and resized on my laptop.  They are here to show the difference between indoor and outdoor use, as well as color depth.

Indoor Photo of my Laptop

Outdoor Photo of my Front Yard.

Equalizer

The built-in graphic equalizer is a welcome sight for those of us who enjoy listening to our music.  When the equalizer is enabled, all sounds and music are filtered through it.  This makes a big difference to the sound quality of our music, and is a feature I will never turn off!

As can be seen from this screen shot, I have turned the preamplifier level nearly flat out, as this has a big effect on all sounds from the device.  When left at the default position (Green slider set to mid point - located to the right of the ON status) all system sounds, ringtones and music are fairly quiet.  With the slider set to max, the graphic equalizer is disabled.

FM Radio

The FM Radio is a fantastic inclusion into the XDA Atom, and will get a lot of use!  The channels and groups can be easily customised, allowing users to scan and save their favourite stations for various towns across this large, fairly dry continent.  Where I live, we are constantly struggling to get reception for our FM Radio's, including our alarm clocks.  I was impressed when the stereo headphones were inserted (they are the antenna) and the radio burst into life.  Perfect reception, and crystal clear audio.

As I am writing this review, I am using my XDA Atom to listen to the latest news.  Now, that's pretty cool for a Pocket PC!

O2 Connect

O2 Connect allows the user to access up to date information including newly released applications (like Opera 8.5 beta - mtb will be happy!), helpful hints and tips, and updated customer care contact details.

O2 Media Plus

O2 Media Plus is a convenient graphical user interface designed to give easy access to all your multimedia files stored on the device.  This application has its own hardware button below the phone end button, for quick access.

All multimedia content is accessable, including the FM Radio.

One neat inclusion is the alarm clock feature, allowing users to wake up to their choice of FM Radio, Buzzer or their favourite song.  Although I am on Holidays, I did test this feature, and it works like a charm for the FM Radio.  I haven't been able to assign my own music to this as yet - for some reason my WMA files aren't being picked up in the browse window.  This is something I will have to investigate at a later time.

O2 PLUS

O2 Plus is a neat application comprising many today screen plug-ins including O2 Plus Network Operator, Last Call, Profile, Meters, Calendar, Shortcuts and Running Apps.  It also includes a task manager in a similar style to that implemented by Omega One Battery Pack Pro.

This makes it easy to see your device stats and appointments, as well as enabling quick access to running programs to switch between or close down.

From the short time I have had to play with this newly released feature (downloadable through O2 Connect) it doesn't appear to slow down the device's performance.

One recommendation I have to new users is to disable any third party task managers if performance is reduced.  O2 Plus takes the place of these, and seems to be stable. 

O2 SMS Plus

This is one application that I wish was available for all Windows Mobile users, and available for older devices.  With O2 SMS Plus, your SMS history is displayed as if it were a Skype or MSN chat session.  This makes using the SMS service a joy, and is one application that blew my mind in it's simplicity yet effectiveness.  I choose not to use the SMS side of Pocket Outlook any more.

I would have liked to add a screen shot, but due to the privacy issues of my contacts, I wasn't able to.

Office Mobile

Along with the nice improvements made to WM5, the Pocket Office suite remains largely unchanged.  Excel Mobile and Word Mobile have a few enhancements, like being able to display graphs and charts in Excel Mobile, and have richer text formatting in Word Mobile.  Outlook Mobile remains nearly the same, and any WM5 compatible PIM replacement would be a good idea.

Phone

I love this fresh looking new dialler screen!  The phone hardware comprises a tri-band radio, with EDGE and includes GPRS functionality.

I am happy to say that I haven't noticed any change in coverage from my last device - suggesting the phone in the Atom is just as good as was my XDA II.

Photo Album

The included Photo Album is an improvement from the previous versions on older devices.

You can easily view all your photo's and manage them.

Photo Editor

The new Photo Editor allows the user to edit photo's on the fly.  It supports editing the color, contrast, sharpness.  It also supports placing of photo's inside various frames, cropping, rotating and resizing.  This is a neat addition and I am sure many users will use this feature.

Self Diagnostics

Self Diagnostics allows the user to test nearly every feature on the device.  This will prove to be an invaluable tool where problems are being encountered.  If the hardware checks out ok, then we will know that some software application is causing issues, and vice versa.

Voice Speed Dial

As can be seen, I am yet to test out Voice Speed Dial.  This application allows the user to add voice tags to contacts and programs, enabling voice activation.

Some users here have reported this feature works well in a silent environment, but doesn't work in an environment like a quiet car.  The overall opinion is that the microphone is too sensitive, and picks up too much background noise to work.

Stay tuned to the forum topic attached to this review for my findings...

Windows Media Player

Windows Medial Player 10 was one feature I was really looking forward to.  With WMP 10 on both Pocket PC and your Desktop or Laptop computer, synchronising music files couldn't be easier.  All that is needed is to select which playlists you want synchronised to your Pocket PC, and WMP 10 on the Desktop or Laptop does everything else.

I love the way Album information is displayed, I also like the look and feel.  This is definitely a must have application, and should be released for all Pocket PC's.

One note about the Atom's audio: Some users have reported a clicking sound heard through out their music playback, and this seems to be limited to some devices.  Any one looking at buying one of these should check their device while at the shop.  It would be a good idea to place some music and video files on a MiniSD card and take this with you so you can test it on the Atom's in store.

One more comment about music, with the Atom's built in stereo speakers, music sounds great through them as well as the stereo headphones (a tad on the large side, but still comfortable).

COMPATIBLE SOFTWARE

Here is a list of software that I have tried with WM5, and works - in no particular order:

• Omega One Battery Pack Pro
• Flow Simulation's Calc98
• OziExplorer CE
• Adobe Acrobat Reader for PPC Version 2.0
• Isotope244's Atomic Cannon and Atomic Battle Dregons
• Spb Weather Version 1.5
• Immersoft XCPUScalar 2005
• SOTI Pocket Controller Professional

COMPATIBLE HARDWARE

This is a list of hardware that I have tested with the XDA Atom, and found to work reliably.

• Blueant Wireless X3 Micro Bluetooth Headset
• SanDisk 1GB MiniSD Card 

The X3 Micro is a fantastic headset that sounds great with the Atom.  Check out Blueant's website for more details.

CONCLUSIONS

Reactions from the first Atom purchasers were definitely mixed, but after the release of the much anticipated ROM upgrade, many users seem quite happy with this device.  Some users traded it in on another different device, where as most seem to have held onto it.

In my opinion, this is a fantastic device.  I was impressed while playing with it at the Product Launch back in November 2005, and am equally impressed now.  I have prolonged an upgrade from my XDA II and resisted purchasing the XDA IIi.  I have now upgraded to the XDA Atom and am completely satisfied.  While this device won't suit every user, it will certainly suit most.  There is one feature that hasn't been included in the Atom, much to my disappointment.  This is a Button Lock.  Although the Atom comes with a Device Lock, it doesn't lock any of the hardware buttons to prevent the device powering up! It does prevent the buttons from activating any applications, and locks the screen in a similar way - but I would like to prevent my device powering up when it is sitting in my pocket. This is a bit of an oversight in my books.

I would like to make some recommendations to prospective purchasers:  If you are seriously considering buying this device, find a shop with a few in stock and try it out first.  Check the battery cover clips on and sits firmly, check out the sound quality for clicking noises heard during music playback, and lastly think about the screen size, and if it will be suited to your use.

Also keep an eye out for the upcoming issue of Roam Magazine - our friends there will also be reviewing the XDA Atom, and will add more information for you to consider.

I hope I have provided enough information for those thinking about purchasing the XDA Atom, to make an informed choice.  If there are things I have missed, please discuss them in the forum topic attached to this review...

UPDATE

Since writing this review, and looking at the large interest that has been shown, I thought it necessary to inform the readers that O2 have informed me of a new ROM upgrade.  It looks to be released around the second week of February, and O2 have indicated that it will boost performance even more.  Stay tuned to this forum topic for more updates!

O2 have released another ROM upgrade, which has improved device performance substantially - to the point that I don't have to use XCPUScalar to make it snappy.  Another difference is a major memory re-allocation.  The \Storage directory no longer exists, and that space has been allocated to the Device.  Please refer to the SeeO2 website for more details.

Many factors to consider.... I give O2's XDA Atom a well deserved 8.5/10