Date:17/12/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/12/17/stories/2004121705072000.htm

National

High-end PDA mobile phone arrives

By Sandeep Joshi

NEW RANGE: At the India launch of premium mobile data devices O2 Xda II mini and Xda IIs in New Delhi on Friday. — Photo: Kamal Narang

NEW DELHI, DEC. 16. Personal technology buffs have good news, but there is a high price tag. Targeting high-end mobile phone users, the U.K.-based mobile technology company O2 today launched two compact PDA (personal digital assistant) mobile phones in India. The models, Xda II mini and Xda Iis, will be distributed by the Singapore-based Goldkist International.

O2's Xda II mini is a fully equipped mobile office with a Microsoft operating system and applications such as Word, Excel, Outlook, Internet Explorer and PDF. It is a tri-band phone and has connectivity features including Bluetooth version 1.2, infrared and mini-USB.

The Windows mobile-based Xda IIs has wireless LAN (local area network) capabilities and an internal Quad-band antenna that maximises its global connectivity while maintaining a streamlined design. The Xda II mini costs Rs.34,888 and Xda IIs handheld Rs.44,888.

The company through its product was making people aware about the multiple usage potential of hi-tech mobiles, Mark Billington, chief executive officer of O2 Asia said here. It would launch six new models in India next year, including devices to harness the speed of 3G (third generation) networks for mobile data applications. In Asia, O2 was focussing on the device market that has high potential rather than seeking to establish itself as a mobile network provider, he added.

According to H.D. Gupta, managing director of Goldkist International Singapore, the company has sold over 2,000 Xda II handhelds since its India launch in September. As the exclusive distributor of O2 products, Goldkist was aiming to sell 2,000 handsets from January 2005 through its stores in Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai, and through other dealers.