O2's XDA range is significantly boosted by the XDA Exec, which offers a number of firsts including Windows Mobile 5.0, 3G support and an ingenious hardware design that accommodates a Qwerty keyboard and a 180-degree-pivoting screen. O2 provided CNET.co.uk with a pre-production unit for this review.
A flurry of devices based on the same HTC Universal hardware as the XDA Exec is expected shortly from other UK operators, including the SPV M5000 from Orange. We're also expecting versions from operator-agnostic vendors i-mate and Qtek.
Design
The XDA Exec is big, feature-packed and has an unusually flexible design that accommodates both traditional handheld and laptop-style operation. The two-tone grey and black lid lifts up, clamshell-style, to reveal a screen and a small Qwerty keyboard. However, users are unlikely to require the built-in keyboard all of the time, so the lid section swivels through 180 degrees, Tablet PC-style, and lays flat, leaving you with a more standard handheld configuration with the screen facing outwards. The screen automatically switches between landscape and portrait orientation.
The trade-off for this flexibility, of course, is size and weight: the XDA Exec is a giant compared to standard Windows Mobile handhelds, measuring 130 by 79 by 20mm and weighing 285g.
To enable effective use in both handheld and laptop modes, the XDA Exec is peppered with buttons and connectors. One of the shorter edges is button-free, while the other houses the power button and an SD card slot. The long edges are more cluttered. The rear (or right-hand) edge is home to the reset button, a 3.5mm headphone connector, Call and End keys, the stylus housing and a USB connector that handles battery recharging and wired synchronisation. Thankfully, the XDA Exec abandons the proprietary connector that required you to carry a converter to charge earlier XDA models while on the move.
The front (or left-hand) edge houses a pair of stereo speakers, a volume slider for both device and in-call control, a button for accessing the built-in voice dialling feature, a camera launch button and a button that turns on the screen backlight if it automatically dims.
There's also a large five-way navigation lozenge sitting below the screen in standard handheld mode, and to its right in laptop (clamshell) mode. The stylus feels reasonably solid, but it's short and flattened, rather than round like most styli or pens. As a result, it does not sit very comfortably in the hand. Annoyingly, the stylus only fits into its slot one way round, and invariably we found ourselves trying the wrong way first. O2 provides a spare stylus along with a USB cable for wired data synchronisation, a slip-style protective case and a stereo headset.
We were not able to make voice calls to our pre-production device, so we can't comment on the quality here. Both music and video sound were fine, although the maximum volume isn't terribly high.
Android App 
RSS Feeds 
iPhone App 
Newsletters
User reviews4
Add your review
Stephane Fitch 23 August 2006
Good: Fantastic access to the Internet
Bad: Slightly buggy O2 phone service
Comment: I adore this device. If you've ever driven yourself mad trying to surf the web with a mobile phone, your worries are over. This phone has access to the Internet that's about 85% of what you get on your desktop, which is fantastic when you're on the road. (And a real life saver when I first got to London and had no good access to the Internet at all). It has a tonne of other features that I'm still trying to figure out how to use. For phone calls, I'd recommend you get the smallest possible Bluetooth earpiece you can find, of course. But in a pinch, you can make a call with no earpiece. Sound is good.
The only little complaint I have is with the O2 service. It's fine overall, really. But my pals in the US have trouble getting through occasionally. And, strangely, sometimes I go to pick up the phone and it hangs up on the caller. I call back, apologise, and we're off and running.
Craig Le Roux 26 May 2006
Good: Features, flexibility, latest technology
Bad: Too little internal memory (100MB)
Comment: For what it is, I think this is a brilliant device. Yes, it is a bit bulky but I haven't found this to be a problem at all. It takes a while to get used to the way you make voice calls, but that took a few days and I love this little device.
Robert Macey 14 March 2006
Good: Keyboard, Microsoft synchronicity, Internet Explorer, Skype
Bad: Camera quality
Comment: I have been living with my XDA Exec for about four months and it manages to meet all of my needs. I have found no trouble using the phone features without the use of a Bluetooth headset and the voice dialing is a great asset.
Part of my work involves logging on and managing website content for a number of sites. Since having this phone I no longer need my laptop as I can log on and do my work from anywhere. Presentations have also been easy, just load on the PowerPoint presentation then connect to PC at destination.
I have also found I no longer need to cram my pockets with my MP3 player, USB data key etc, this does the lot.
The only disappointment I have encountered is with the quality of the pictures taken on the camera.
I have downloaded a number of third-party software packages including SKYPE, none of which I have encountered any problems with.
I would recommend this phone to any business user, or recreational user looking for an entertainment device.
See all 4 user reviews