O2 have released their latest member of the XDA Atom family named the O2 XDA Atom Exec.  They have been kind enough to allow me two weeks to play with this device so I can write this review.

The XDA Atom Exec is equipped with some new features that really make it stand out from the previous models (XDA Atom and XDA Atom Pure) and is marketed for the executive market.  O2 have moved away from the glossy black case that the first Atom's were designed with and have produced the Atom Exec with a dark grey matt case.  Earlier models were prone to show up any fingerprint or oily smudge.  Not so for the Atom Exec.

Lets start with the specifications:

Specifications

Dimensions  

• Approx. 58(W) x 102(L) x 18.5(T) mm
• Weight with battery: 140g

Warranty  

• 12 months for main unit
• 6 months for supplied accessories

• Microsoft® Windows Mobile™ 5.0 software with Messaging & Security Feature Pack (MSFP)
• Microsoft® Office Outlook® Mobile with Direct Push Technology
• Microsoft® Office programs for Windows Mobile™
• Pocket MSN® for access to MSN® & MSN® Messenger

• Intel XScale® PXA 27x processor 520MHz

• 192MB Flash ROM
• 64MB SD RAM
• MiniSD memory card slot

• 2.7” TFT QVGA LCD display with touch panel
• 240 x 320 dots resolution
• Support 262K colours

• Stereo speaker
• Speaker with receiver
• Supports speaker phone operations

• Colour 2-mega-pixel CMOS camera
• Preview mirror for self portrait
• White LED strobe flash
• Support still image and video capture

Connectivity

• Built-in Wireless LAN
• Infrared IrDA
• Bluetooth®
• Integrated GSM/GPRS
• Tri-band EDGE phone
• Mini-USB connector
• Stereo audio jack

• Windows Media® Player 10 with Equalizer controls
• Playback support: MIDI/MP3 / WAV / WMA/AMR formats
• Ring support: 64-chord MIDI, MP3, WAV and WMA ring tone formats

• Main unit
• Battery
• Universal AC adapter
• Stereo wired headset
• Mini USB cable
• Additional Stylus
• Getting started Companion CD with Microsoft® Outlook® 2002 and
• ActiveSync®
• Quick Start Guide and User Manual
• Limited warranty statement

The Atom Exec also comes with an Infrared keyboard in a black leather pouch (XM-02) and a 'Getting Started' CD for the Infrared keyboard.

Bundled Software

• Code Wallet® Pro 2005
• Jeyo Mobile Extender
• Jeyo SMS Backup
• WLAN Manager
• World Mate® (Standard Edition)
• O2 Phone Plus
• O2 Plus
• O2 AutoInstaller
• And all other available applications for the Xda Atom

Case

As I have mentioned in the beginning of this review, the XDA Atom Exec case is dark grey with a matt finish that doesn't show up fingerprints like earlier models.  The exterior is identical in shape and size with previous models with buttons in the same locations.

Atom Exec Front

Atom Exec Rear

Atom Exec Left Side

Atom Exec Right Side

Atom Exec Top

Atom Exec Bottom

Performance

After reading through the specifications on this device I paid attention to the 520 MHz processor and also the 192 MB of ROM.  I wondered how it would compare to the XDA Atom with its 416 MHz processor and 128 MB of ROM and the I-Mate JAMin with its TI OMAP850 processor running at 195 MHz.  After reviewing both the XDA Atom and I-Mate JAMin, it was clear that the JAMin was much snappier.  In this case, it is a close call to determine which device is faster between the I-Mate JAMin and XDA Atom Exec.  I put both devices through the same tests and can only suggest they are equal in terms of responsiveness.

I currently don't have access to a Microsoft Exchange Server to test the direct push technology offered with this version of Outlook Mobile but I have read on certain forums that it works.

Regarding the software the Atom Exec comes bundled with, there is plenty of ROM available for these applications plus more.  If you have multiple MiniSD cards and often swap between them, installing the main applications into ROM is convenient as you don't have to go hunting for the card where the application is installed.  For the tests I conducted I had the following loaded:

• WEBIS Pocket Informant Pro
• Skype
• Microsoft Voice Command
• Opera Mobile
• SOTI Pocket Controller Professional
• Developer One Code Wallet Pro 2005 (Bundled)
• MobiMate WorldMate Standard (Bundled)

On the Atom Pure I currently have, the above applications work but take a little time to load.  On the Atom Exec, they load promptly and everything just runs smoothly.  Plus - there is plenty of room for more applications to be installed into ROM.

Plenty of Memory

Software

While my previous reviews have highlighted most of the included software, this review will omit the standard software inclusions as these have been well covered in those reviews.

Code Wallet Pro 2005

With Code Wallet Pro 2005 users can securely store and view their personal and confidential information from Bank Accounts, WiFi access point settings, Software Licences to Web Site Login information.  The data is displayed however the user wishes to see it.

Information of this type is handled poorly on standard Pocket PC devices and it is nice to see O2 offer this as part of their software bundle.  I will be writing a detailed review on Code Wallet Pro 2006 over the coming weeks.

Jeyo SMS Backup

Jeyo SMS Backup and Jeyo Mobile Extender offer the user ways to backup and restore SMS messages.  This comes in handy if family or friends delete important messages while sending SMS messages to their friends.  It is also good if the user needs to keep SMS messages so that they can perform a hard reset from time to time.

WLAN Manager

The fresh looking Wireless Manager is an excellent way to manage the different radios on board the Atom Exec.  The upgraded icons look neat too.

WorldMate (Standard Edition)

WorldMate Standard Edition is an application developed by MobiMate with the traveler in mind.  WorldMate displays the time and weather forecasts for user selected cities around the world.  Also included is a currency converter, unit converter, international dialing prefix list, international clothing size comparison charts (which defaults to bra sizes!) and a travel checklist with almost every item that can be thought of.

I will be reviewing WorldMate Pro 2006 in the next few weeks (with thanks to MobiMate) with the idea to demonstrate all the rich features available.

O2 Media Plus

O2 Media Plus is a great application to access all the multimedia on the device.  This application is a standard O2 addition across the Atom family range.

O2 Phone Plus

O2 Phone Plus for the XDA Atom Exec allows the user to use smart dialling and control who can call them.  This would be handy to screen all calls while in a meeting except for the essential numbers that are allowed to call.

O2 Plus

O2 Plus is a handy task manager that is downloaded through O2 Connect.  The version of O2 Plus on the XDA Atom Exec has some minor improvements over previous models to help it run smoothly.

Camera

While the 2 mega-pixel camera is an excellent feature to have, the performance of the application still falls slightly short of user expectations.  Previous Atom models struggled with the camera however the Atom Exec handles it much better. 

Phone

The phone dialler screen is the same across the rest of the Atom family.  With the test calls I made to and from friends they all reported that the conversation sounded very clear.  I placed the Atom Exec into speaker phone during the conversations with no effect on audio quality and clarity.  Importantly the called parties didn't hear any echo's while in either mode, and I didn't hear any echo's either.  Another significant point I noticed is the Atom's signal strength around my home.  It works quite well even though I live between two cells and suffer call drop-outs from time to time (both cells provide marginal coverage) on other phones.

Conclusions

The Atom Exec offers most of the tools needed for the business professional in a small and light weight package.  If O2 were to include an alternate PIM such as Agenda Fusion 8 or Pocket Informant Pro with the software bundle, then the Atom Exec would offer all the tools required by a business executive in this fast paced world.  I have made mention of this to O2 and they are considering its feasibility.

As it stands, the Atom Exec would be my pick of the devices currently reviewed if you are looking to upgrade today from an older WM2003 device, or are looking for your first Windows Mobile device to assist with your busy schedule.  Current XDA Atom owners (running the latest ROM release) would find this device only a minor upgrade.

The advantages gained from upgrading from an earlier Atom would be:

• Code Wallet Pro
• WorldMate Standard Edition
• 192 MB of ROM
• 520MHz Processor
• Improved camera performance
• Manufacturer's second design - most hardware issues seen in earlier Atom models should have been addressed in this model
• Leather Pouch - not available with the review device
• IR Keyboard - not available with the review device

The disadvantages of this upgrade from an earlier Atom would be:

• Cost.

Most WM5.0 devices have an upgraded ROM available that includes direct email push technology and the messaging and security feature pack.

Early releases of the XDA Atom Exec (small batch) suffered damage to the display during the manufacturing process but this has now been fixed.  If you purchase an Atom Exec and notice a watermarked screen just return it to where you purchased it as a DOA and you will get a replacement.

Now for my review score...  After comparing previous Atom's and the I-Mate JAMin to the XDA Atom Exec, I determined that both the JAMin and Atom Exec perform equally well under normal use.  Battery life on all devices is fairly comparable.  The clear winner is the XDA Atom Exec simply due to its rich features, nice collection of bundled software, FM Radio, 192 MB ROM and the included IR Keyboard.

Agree or Disagree?  Discuss it here!