O2 (UK) Confirm XDA Mini Pro Release (& Great Deals)

[sion]

In light of O2 Germany announcing that they will be releasing the wizard as the XDA Mini S, I have just spoken to O2 (UK)'s Marketing Dept & they Officially confirmed they will be follcwing suit, with a UK release date of late October or early November, (stock & supply pemitting, (haha, hehe), they also confirmed that it will be released in the UK under the brand name of the XDA Mini Pro instead of Mini S, GET EM WHILE THERE HOT BOYS (or not, as the case may be)

Regards & Best Wishes Ash'e.

[saldous]

October / November. Jeez that is ages away.

I'm now looking at the Tornado (i-mate SP5) but from looking on the Expansys site where you can pre-order this it is very very expensive.

[sion]

The Price of the XDA Wizard Pro looks like its going to be £199.99-GBP or less, sounds like a good deal to me, think I will leave the Tornado or XDA Phone well alone in light of that.

Regards Ash'e

[ccsnet]

The waiting is killing me...

Terran

[ShALLaX]

The waiting is killing me...

Don't get me started. I've had mine on order since August and I've been without a phone for a month :|

[saldous]

£474 actually: http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=125518 :(

[sion]

Actually I need a new O2 contract, so instead of buying the I-Mate sim free version online, think I will hang on that little bit longer & get the XDA Mini Pro version of the HTC Wizard & save myself £300.00 GBP, since I need a new phone contract as I will need to make phone calls next year.

Always beer an early (wait for a good deal) adoptor, not an early, early take what ever deal I can, merely to get my hands on the latest kit first adoptor, you no I have always found what a difference a month can make when buying newly released tech.

Besides which my contact at O2 said that there is a chance that with the right contract it could even be free, (best for business 250 or above).

Oh on a foot note 02 business is offering completely free of charge GPRS access within reasonable usage limits (not more than 38 megs download a month).

All in all if you get a free Wizard and free GPRS access and some exclusive minutes every month for 18 months, sounds like a good deal to me.

Regards Ash'e

[mikeycollins13]

I'm buying a jasjar now w/o2 plan, not busniess, though I can, would love the data bit...

[sion]

Its only available when you buy direct from O2 & when it is an XDA branded product & is available from the 15 of October, ethical usage does apply though.

Regards Ash'e

[mikeycollins13]

So it would mean unlimited 3g? Skype calls and all? Unbelievable. Also, how do you know it is only available from the 15th vs the 3rd as o2 say? ( I spoke with o2 business today)

[sion]

Although in theory Skype should work on GPRS, they say on the Skype site that there are problems with it, & Personally I have never managed to get it to work, usually lock in to a free WiFi Zone to use Skype.

Besides Which a Skype call on GPRS, would be highly bandwidth/megabyte intensive, which would be in contradiction of the O2 ethical usage limits.

However as to the date that is what I was told over the phone, could have moved it up my contact is one of my best mates from Oxford Uni who managed to become a director of O2 (lucky sod) but he does sometimes get his dates wrong he works in IT not marketing,

Nevertheless there is (within certain limits) free GPRS, which with a free XDA Mini Pro, & some inclusive minutes & texts I think its still a good deal and a great money saver,

Regards Ashe

[mikeycollins13]

This is the first i hear about this usage policy, but I thought the free data, whether 3g or gprs (I am getting the jasjar on an 02 contract for minutes, not data) was indeed only for o2 business users, and not the o2 35mb data only tarif (35GBp). I am confused as where the data is free.

You can have a data only business tariff, but that has a 35mb limit, besides, I don't know how you find unlimited data on o2??? (I get GPRS bills)

[sion]

My buddy at O2 lets me know what the best deals are that are coming up, however O2 has a strict policy of not releasing any information to even its sales staff untill at max a couple of days before they become active, because if they did a lot of people would keep waiting for the better deals and this could makes there sales eratic.

As a customer they want you to take the best deal that is available at the time not what is on the cards in a months time.

O2 are trying to get there GPRS usage up and have come up with a plan to get more of there XDA business users used to using GPRS and the internet on there devices, knowing full well that once they get use to it even when the offer ends they will more than likely keep using it after experiencíng its advantages first hand.

I am just lucky that a director at O2 likes to keep me sweet because of certain aspects of my work and my long freindship with him, because of this I get the luxury of a little bit of pre-release information, thats all, believe me I always joke with him about giving me a little bit more for old times sake, I never get it though, although I do with a little bit of patience always get a good deal, he has never let me down yet, it was him that told me to hang on for the release of the XDA Mini Pro, and the unreleased release date for it, although O2 UK will corfirm that they definitely are releasing the XDA Mini Pro, my buddy just let me know when and what good deals would be attached to it.

Regards Ash'e

[sion]

In Light of some of the Sim Free prices I Keep seeing around this site, I think that maybe it might be worth waiting for some of the contract deal with the big providers.

Regards Ash'e

[mackaby007]

Sorry guys if this has been mentioned already, but for anyone that's missed this, what do you think of the 'magicians' successor, o2s' branded xda Atom?
Same form factor as the magician, but with WM 5.0, 128 Rom, on-board wifi, 262k QVGA screen, integrated FM Radio and a .....yes...2 megapixel camera upgrade!
I'm getting seriously confused. If we can believe these specs, it really throws a spanner in the works for me. I mean, I've pretty much decided on the Universal (just not sure on MDA Pro or o2s' Exec) but this 'Atom' thing is a serious upgrade from the old Jam and remains 'pocket friendly'. Opinions anyone...advice would be appreciated.
Anyway check this link and judge for yourselves.
read more here: http://asia.cnet.com/reviews/handhelds/0,39001703,39095540p,00.htm

[jaythemagician]

i don't have any "sources" but i called up 02 and they confirmed that it will be released on the 3rd and the mini s should be out by the end of the year as they have it on there system as a near future release

[mackaby007]

To jaythemagicain:
if that post of yours was in response to mine,...thanks alot! I'll need to check out both the Exec and the Atom side by side, in person, to get a clearer perspective on things.
I was seriously contemplating the MDA Pro due out hopefully end of this month,...but now, can't wait till the 3rd! What's a few more days, right?

[sion]

I have to admit that all the recent news as regards the XDA Atom, is confusing me to, had almost decided on the Wizard or XDA Mini Pro as they are now calling it unlike XDA Mini S there calling it in Germany, now however, the XDA Atom slowley creeps in and confuses us all again, a few confirmed specs would be really usefull.

Even Jag at O2 has heard nothing about it yet & I don't even know if it is anything to do with HTC.

Has anyone got any updated specs to put us all out of our misery

Regards Ash'e

[jaythemagician]

It could be that it's the same sort of thing like voda and orange did when they basically made the jam but reworked it and made the vpa/spv versions.Perhaps one of the mini s's,but the keyboardless version,and reworked?

[sion]

Been searching for hours on the Internet & making lots of phone calls to everyone I know that may have any information on the Atom but to no avail, and no definative answer or information looks like we are just going to have to be patient, as I have said in other post this is almost like searching for the Holy Grail of Smartphones.

Every body loved the size of the magician, but wanted 128 Megs, WiFi & WM2005, but not to many people wanted the extra size, the slide out keyboard that caused the extra size or to have a slower CPU. Well it appears that the elusive XDA Atom fullfills all of these criteria, but is more elusive than the Holy Grail. However you can bet a pound to a dollar, that it will not reach Europe, and definatly not the UK, perhaps the operators are afraid to many people will buy them and start using Skype on WiFi, and effect there profits, it would certainly be easier to sell to the youth market because of its form factor.

Perhaps HTC should be listening to some of the comments on this forum as I reckon they could have a world beating Iconic device if they only thought about it and listened to what people are saying.

Oh well I will get down from my Soap Box now, any comments Chaps

Regards Ash'e

[Pyrofer]

I see what you are saying about form factor, but I love the wizard and its keyboard.

Its soooo easy to use as I do my existing Himalaya, but a quick slide and wahaay, a keyboard The previous slide KB was a disaster but the wizard one looks actualy workable. Why oh why they killed the processor speed ill never know. Just because we want a small device it doesnt mean we want it slow!
I would probably have seriously thought about the wizard, but because of the lack of speed mainly, and 3g, im getting a universal. The twist/flip is a damn fidly thing to do quick and no where near as nice as the wizard, but hell, you cant have everything. Now a Universal with the wizard style slide KB? damn, that would rule. Although thinking about it, you can use the back of the screen as a screen protector when its in your pocket! No more crappy stick on screen covers and rubber skins and plastic shells etc.

[saldous]

You can't compare the CPUs they are completely different. It is like comparing the clock speed of an Intel CPU with an AMD one. They don't match up.

[ccsnet]

You can't compare the CPUs they are completely different. It is like comparing the clock speed of an Intel CPU with an AMD one. They don't match up.Assuming any one could work out what the AMD speeds mean :)

Terran

[sion]

Well now we know that HTC are producing the Athena or rather the XDA Atom, I have to say that I am sold already, probem is how do I get one, its as small as a magician, but with 128 megs of Ram, a 416mhz cpu, WM2005, an FM radio, and of course that all important WiFi, no keyboard, but no way of getting hold of one, think I am going to stick with my XDA with WiFi card just in case O2 UK come up with a release date, I want that holy grail, of pda's and I really feel that this is it, any thoughts,

Regards Ash'e

[sion]

what nobody got any Comments on the XDA Atom/HTC Athena then, thst most unlike you guys, was looking forward to you're glib repartee and banter chaps,

Regards Ash'e

[sion]

What still no comments on that mighty Atom yet, been really busy on other projets, paying ones need to get the old pennies in the piggy bank if I am going to afford an XDA Atom or XDA Mini Pro Whichever comes sooner or better or even at all, come on chaps dying to have a natter & debate with you all again, any comments boys,

Regards Ash'e

[arg0]

I really like the HTC Athena/XDA Atom since I am looking for a device the size of HTC Magician but with WM5. If it will be released before the end of the year I'll buy it. Someone said it will be released by O2 UK end of October, but I think this is unlikely, since to my knowledge it has not even been annouced yet in Europe! So I will probably go for Wizard, even if I don't need the keyboard and therefore do not like the extra thickness.

[TechniKal]

i-mate K-JAM + Anytime 200 + 250 Texts Promotion
from eXpansys UK Limited

http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=126380

Package Price: Free
Monthly: £30.00 (25.53 exc.)
Availability: 433 In Stock Now
If you order this product before 4pm today, UK customers could expect delivery on Tuesday morning.
Free Shipping


I have just ardered one. will be processed on monday when they open.
only thing is that it is a 18 months contract at £30 a month

[sion]

Just finished having supper with an O2 UK director (not marketing Dept), it appears that they do feel that that the XDA Atom, is going to be the ultimate lifestyle device & accessory, and a little more robust & a tadge more pocket friendly than the wizard & they are going to eventually add it to there UK product portfolio.

However with the device not even released yet & no real UK release dates truthfully on the horizon, & in there words: "our current XDA range is becoming slightly dated & cumbersome", they need to do something, and the Exec & Mini Pro appear to be the temporary solutions, until the Atom is released that is.

So I will forgoe the Mini Pro for now & stick to my dated XDA IIs in the hope that they secure some Atom stock and release dates soon, also have spoken to people who already have their Wizards and the general concensus is that the slide out keyboard is very fragile, so I think it is time to start investigating when & how to lay my hands on an XDA Atom. I still want that holy grail of smartphones & I think the Atom is going to be pretty damn close to it so.

It always taken more courage to dare to be right, than fear to be wrong.

So by hook or by crook Atom it is then.

Regards Ash'e

[sion]

After reading the reviews other people have given about there Recently purchased Wizards on the other forum I passed this comment:

Fantastic reviews chaps, everything I wanted to here, so in light of all that when and how can we all get our hands on HTC Athenas or XDA Atoms, it would appear every gripe here would be answered quite easily by purchasing an Atom.

Better size, lack of keyboard, faster CPU, more robust and ergonomic build and feel, 2.0 camera, these are you're thoughts not mine, all we all really wanted anyway was a HTC Magician with Built in WiFi, 128 megs of ram and WM2005 and in the Atom were getting it and a few extra bits all in that Magician size we new & loved.

As I said in a previous post: It always takes more courage to dare to be right, than fear to be wrong.

Regards Ash'e

[saldous]

How many times you going to post the same reply in different threads...?!

[sion]

Many Apologies, I just thought that my comment was relavant and in the same context as all three, very sorry if it upset you so much - Ash'e