After many months of speculation, rumours and hearsay, the O2 XDA Atom has officially arrived here in Australia.

I was a lucky MTekk Moderator that was invited to attend the O2 Media Launch in Sydney, and this artical is intended to outline the ocasion, with all the juicy and much anticipated details.

First and foremost, the following is O2 Asia Pacific's official media release...

O2 Introduces the World’s Smallest Multimedia PDA-phone

Xda Atom delivers the best in mobile entertainment, productivity and connectivity
 

Sydney , AUSTRALIA - 8 November 2005 – O2 today unveiled the smallest multimedia PDA-phone on the market, the O2 Xda Atom.

• This sleek piano-black device sets a new benchmark in product design by being the world’s first PDA-phone to feature a 2.0 mega pixel camera with a built-in flash and an FM radio tuner.  Weighing a mere 140 grams and measuring only 58 (W) x 102 (L) x 18.5 (T) mm, the Xda Atom has all the features users expect from bigger PDA-phones in a small package.  
• One-stop, all-in-one entertainment device
  Besides the digital camera and stereo tuner, the small and mighty Xda Atom provides the ultimate mobile entertainment experience with a brand new application called O2 MediaPlus.  Created specifically by O2 for PDA-phones, the O2 MediaPlus is a one-stop multimedia centre that allows users to launch and control various multimedia features on the Xda Atom from one interface.   The O2 MediaPlus is the only software that provides equalizer settings for playback on Windows Media Ò Player 10 Mobile.  With the software, users can create music playlists directly on their handheld, customise the interface and play downloaded movie clips and imported MP3s at any moment.  Users can listen to FM radio or music files on the built-in stereo speakers or Bluetooth stereo headsets.  They can also view photo and video libraries from the large 2.7” TFT-LCD display.  The 262K-colour QVGA touch-screen will vividly display memorable photos and video clips in the finest detail.  
• Mobile office in your hand
  The first device from O2 to run on the new Windows Mobile TM 5.0 operating system, the Xda Atom gives users enhanced features in Microsoft® Office programs for Windows Mobile including Word Mobile, Excel® Mobile and the new Powerpoint® Viewer.  Users can get direct access to Hotmail and POP3 accounts from Microsoft® Outlook.  Accessing the Internet or transferring data has never been easier with a large number of connectivity options such as built-in Wireless LAN, EDGE GSM/GPRS, Bluetooth v1.2, Infrared, mini-USB and ActiveSync®.  
• Help in your hand
  Users can keep their Xda Atom in optimum condition and maximise its efficiency with exclusive applications like Self Diagnostics and Auto Configurator.  The Self Diagnostics utility offers a step-by-step guide for testing and detecting malfunctions.  Frequent travellers will appreciate the Auto Configurator utility, which detects operator settings on individual SIM cards and configures devices accordingly.  Switching between networks and operators in different countries will be a breeze on the Xda Atom.   John Featherstone, Vice President of O2 Oceania said, “O2 has a mobile device for every customer’s needs - mobile productivity, messaging and multimedia.  This reflects our commitment toward designing and marketing devices that are desirable, full-featured and easy to use. It furthers our promise of offering greater convenience to our users.”   ”With its rich multimedia features and O2 MediaPlus application, this one-of-a-kind device will appeal to users who are looking for a single mobile handheld that attends to all their lifestyle needs. The Xda Atom will further O2’s technological and product leadership.”   Calum Russell, Mobility Business Group Manager, Microsoft Australia said, “As one of the first devices running on the Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system, the Xda Atom gives users the flexibility of email and information any where at any time.   “When the work day is over, the Xda Atom delivers users great entertainment by integrating Windows Media Player 10 Mobile,” said Mr Russell.  
• Pricing and Availability
  The Xda Atom is available from December 7 at a recommended retail price of AUD$1,229, inclusive of GST and a one-year local warranty.  It is distributed by Ingram Micro and Brightpoint Australia and available through Harvey Norman, Harris Technology and all major IT and phone distributors and retail outlets.  Further information is available at SeeO2.com.

As Dave has already posted, the media briefing was held on the "O2 Glass Island" boat, similar to a very large houseboat, with all walls obviously made of glass.  The boat was boarded from Darling Harbour, and soon departed for a three and a half hour cruise around Sydney Harbour.   On board were journalists from various organisations, the staff from UpStream Australia, the Manager of Microsoft, and the CEO and Vice President of O2 Asia Pacific.  I shared a table with some excited journalists writing for the new "Roam" magazine, as well as other equally excited guys like myself.

Mark Billington (Middle) - CEO of O2 Asia Pacific, John Featherstone (Right)- Vice President of O2 Asia Pacific, and Harvey Sanches (Left) - Microsoft, all made good speeches covering the development and idea behind the XDA Atom.  Mark Billington was definitely excited about this new and unique Pocket PC, and stated that O2 have designed the device.  Having a check list of desirable features, and the exterior design outlined, they had the device manufactured to their specifications.  As such, the XDA Atom belongs to O2, and the competition can't copy the device.  The XDA Atom will only be an O2 device!  For the past three years, O2 have been building their name in the global market, and with the release of the Atom, O2 have taken the "...Pocket PC to the next level", and this multimedia device is "...an extension to your PC" - Mark Billington.

Other posts and articals on MTekk cover the XDA Atom specifications quite well, so adding these details again is not necessary.  For those who haven't seen these details, the full specifications and product information is available from the O2 Website.

O2 have handed me a list of the applications, and forms a good summary, so I have included this below:

• Small and Powerful
  Measuring approximately 58 (W) x 102 (L) x 18.5 (T) mm, and weighing just 140 grams, the XDA Atom is the smallest multimedia PDA-Phone in the market.  This device delivers the best in mobile entertainment, productivity and connectivity.
• O2 MediaPlus
  The XDA Atom provides a one-stop multimedia centre with a customisable interface which provides a single access point to all media applications, including FM Radio Tuner, digital camera, Windows Media Player 10 Mobile; as well as photo, music and video libraries.
• The O2 MediaPlus is the only application to provide equalizer settings for playback on Windows Media Player 10 Mobile.  The new equalizer function lets users customise the audio experience to their liking, while built-in stereo speakers offer great sonic fedility.
• An Office in your Pocket
  The new Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system gives a whole new meaning to the term "mobile office".  Users can launch quickly and easily Microsoft Office programs like Word Mobile, Excel Mobile and the new PowerPoint Viewer, and stay efficient where ever they are,  They can also access Hotmail accounts or POP3 email while in transit, and synchronise contact images or exchange business cards wirelessly.
• 2.0 Megapixel Camera with a QVGA screen
  The XDA Atom sets a new benchmark in product design by being the worlds first PDA-Phone to feature a 2.0 Megapixel camera.  A built-in flash lets users capture pin-sharp photo's and richly detailed videos indoors and outdoors, day and night.  The device's large 2.7" 262K-color QVGA TFT-LCD touch screen displays vivid image playback and documents files in the finest detail.
• Great Speed
  The XDA Atom offers fast processing capability by sporting a beefy Intel PXA27x Processor at 416MHz.
• Rapid Data Synchronisation
  The ActiveSync application will quickly update calendars, contacts and emails between an XDA Atom and a laptop or PC.
• Abundant Memory
  128MB Flash ROM and 64MB RAM of onboard memory means users don't have to skimp on applications useage and data storage.  Hardcore multimedia fans can create a library of songs, videos and games with miniSD cards.
• Wireless LAN Connection
  Built-in Wireless LAN lets users hop online at various hotspots quickly, and enjoy fast data transfer and short downloading time.
• Live on the EDGE
  A tri-band EDGE phone, the XDA Atom gives users a potential threefold increase in data rates over current GPRS networks to deliver the full potential of mobile internet services.
• Data settings for Auto Configuration
  With the Auto Configuration utility, users are automatically connected to pre-configured operator settings in different countries.
• Improved Battery Life
  With a standby time of 150 hours and a talk time of up to 5.5 hours, this device provides a good number of hours of entertainment, communication and productivity.
• Self Diagnostics
  Designed by O2, this new utility walks users through a step-by-step testing process to ensure the XDA Atom is working at optimum condition.  It can help identify a problem or determine if a particular feature is working at its maximum capacity.
• Black is Back
  With its glossy piano black finishing and rounded ergonomic curves, the XDA Atom is the latest lifestyle accessory suitable for all business users and consumers.
• Chat away with O2 SMS Plus
  O2 SMS Plus is another O2-exclusive program that gives a one page-summary view of all incoming and outgoing text messages.  Besides keeping track of SMS, it lets users conduct multiple chat sessions with friends via SMS, just like they would with Microsoft Internet Messaging.
• O2 Plus
  This O2-exclusive program provides a more convenient way to check out device and applications information.  It helps users manage all running applications on the XDA Atom and displays important information like battery and memory statuses on the home screen.

During the afternoon, I was able to have a quick play with the device and looked at the FM Radio Tuner application, Windows Media Player 10 Mobile and O2 MediaPlus.  I ran out of time to investigate the Self Diagnostics application - of which I am looking forward to doing in the near future.  I was very impressed with the screen brightness, clarity and resolution.  Also the ease of navigation that Windows Mobile 5.0 offers.  The XDA Atom's size and mass are amazing, and makes my XDA II seem like an old fashioned typewriter!  Before attending the Product Launch, I had my eyes set on the O2 XDA Exec.  I was glad to see the Imate JASJAR in the flesh (courtesy of one of the freelance journalists), and compare its size, mass and features with the XDA Atom.  I must admit, the Imate JASJAR is a nice device, but in my opinion, the XDA Atom is one step ahead!  I will not be upgrading to the XDA Exec as the XDA Atom fills all my requirements perfectly, and fits almost anywhere!

Mark Billington stated that the XDA Atom will have changeable covers - just like most mobile phones, except that the user will not be able to change them.  The device will need to be sent away for the covers to be changed.  Apparently the various covers that will be available look very good.

I am eagerly awaiting December the 7th!  Bring on the Atom!