O2 XDA Atom Exec Review: Part 3 – Wireless Features

By: Mohammed Al-Ashram

September 22, 2006

Introduction:

Just after I published part 2 of this review there was a new ROM update for Atom Exec released with important enhancements. Timely update! I am glad that I will go through these features in the remaining parts of this review with an updated device. It is highly appreciated that O2 continue to provide frequent updates to their Atom line and I hope they continuo to do so. This ROM update came within less than a month since the Atom Exec was released.

In this part I will go through all the wireless features available on the device which includes: Phone, GPRS, Infrared,  Bluetooth, WiFi and FM Radio. I will keep a focus on how those features work on Atom Exec keeping in mind the form factor and added functions to the platform using some of add-on enhancements by O2. All the wireless features (except FM radio) can be accessed from Wireless Manager.

Today PlugIns:

From the Today screen you can view important connection information such as Wireless Manager’s connection status, recent incoming, outgoing, and missed call, and at the bottom program shortcuts to FM Radio, O2 connect, etc… you can keep on adding shortcuts.

Phone Features:

To know about the inherent features of the general Pocket PC Phone operation in Windows Mobile 5.0 please visit this page on Microsoft website. These are basic features of the operating system on how to use the Pocket PC Phone, there are also some helpful tips and tricks you may find on the same page as well. Since all Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phones are having those common features I will not bring them up on this review, instead I will talk about how Atom Exec is a better Pocket PC Phone and how well it is used as a Phone and as a Pocket PC in the same time with the hardware design in mind.

a) Phone design:

The hardware design plays a vital role to enhance the overall Pocket PC Phone experience. As I mentioned earlier, Atom Exec comes in a basic Pocket PC concept design, no swiveling or sliding bits, no keyboard or keypad, just the touch screen with basic buttons and input/output features. This design proved to be very successful in the past with the best selling Pocket PC Phone the HTC Magician (i-Mate Jam, Xda Mini, MDA Compact, Qtek S100), but those days are far from over and we are currently witnessing changes in the phone design concept while maintaining the same small package. However, Atom Exec is not falling behind by any means. Yes, a built-in keypad would be a welcomed addition on Atom Exec since it gives a tactile feedback and you will be able to dial a number without even looking at the phone, but still you can do that with Atom Exec using Speed Dial, Smart Dialer and Voice Speed Dial (I will go into details of these applications in part 3: Software & Camera). So a keypad is not really necessary but it is only self preference, click here to see another new O2 device with a built-in keypad. On the other hand, a QWERTY keyboard will defiantly enhance the Pocket PC experience but NOT the Phone! It won’t do a lot to enhance the phone experience since you will be using non standard phone button arrangements and you will be looking at the small keyboard while dialing.

b) Size matters?!

Operating the phone part of Atom Exec using the 2.7” touch screen in conjunction with O2’s software enhancements worked very well. Now I’ll talk about another factor that contributes to phone features, and it is the size of the Atom Exec. It measures 58 mm width, 102 mm length and 18.5 thick. It weighs only 140 grams. The device is very small as a Pocket PC but more than just adequate as a Phone. In fact it is small and light weight. This increases portability and mobility which are essential to the usability of the phone. It is critical to be able to carry a phone with you all the time freely and conveniently. Microsoft treats Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phones as a primarily Pocket PC and a secondary Phone, where as it is the opposite with Windows Mobile Smartphones. This is rapidly changing since Microsoft gave more freedom to manufacturers and Pocket PC Phones are frequently invading the Smartphone territory. I believe that generally Pocket PC Phones are given equal importance as Pocket PCs and Phones in the same time. This is evident here in the design of Atom Exec. It is practical enough to be used in business and at work, it is small enough to be taken in any journey, it is fun enough to be use with games and multimedia, and it is powerful enough to satisfy your geek thrust.

The Atom Exec dimensions compared to a standard Credit Card size

c) O2 Phone Enhancements:

The final factor in phone features is the Added O2 Phone Enhancements. When you start Atom Exec from a Hard Reset (factory default) after you finish setting your device for startup, it will launch an application called “O2 AutoInstaller” which can be accessed at any time in Program Menu. This installer contains all the bundled software O2 offers as a bonus. It includes essential phone applications such as O2 Phone Plus, O2 connect, O2 SMS Plus, etc… (I will go into details of these applications in part 3: Software & Camera) If you ever removed any of these applications you can always reinstall them by running O2 AutoInstaller at anytime, you don’t need to Hard Reset to reinstall. Good move from O2!

After this is done, Atom Exec will launch “Auto Configuration” which is also conveniently available all the time in Program Menu. This is another smart move from O2, because you don’t need to go and download other operator’s settings and go through the hassle of changing settings and reconfigure your device. Using Auto Configuration you just select the country and the operator and you are good to go.

Atom Exec also launches “Setup Wizard” which also can be accessed anytime from Program Menu. It will ask you to set owners name, emails, network, country, etc…

You can start using O2’s phone software immediately after setup is done. On the Program Menu you will find a host of applications which we will discuss in the next part of this review, here I will tackle phone applications. You will find “O2 Phone Plus” installed, it is a dialler application that simplifies local and overseas calling. It enables simpler and faster dialling from the device by reducing the number of steps and keystrokes needed to make a phone call. It gives you options to enable or disable Smart Dialing and Block List, and you can also access different settings such as IDD Prefix Settings and Calling Card Settings. When O2 Phone Plus is enabled you can type the name of contact you want to call from the keypad, for example: to call Cassim simply type the first digits of his number then pick the desired contact from the screen, press right D-Pad button to toggle between work no., mobile no., etc. then press the talk button to call or just double click the action D-Pad button to call.

O2 SMS plus enables SMS chat, write SMS and schedule its delivery, multiple SMS recipients, exchange vCards and search feature.

Atom Exec has got the option to switch between bands, this feature is available in Settings > Connections. When you select “Band Switch” you can set the phone to a specific GSM band such as 900, 1800, 1900, both 900 and 1800, both 900 and 1900 or Auto Tri-Band. This is useful for certain areas where specific GSM frequencies are used. In addition you can also access “Cell Broadcast Settings” from the same menu.

Conclusion of phone signal strength and voice quality will be highlighted in the final conclusion of this part.

GPRS:

I rarely use Etisalat’s GPRS Service, however more frequently I use WiFi at home and at work. When Atom Exec is not within range of WiFi zone it will immediately switch to GPRS, the switching and handover goes very smoothly, I never encountered any glitch so far. When there is an incoming call the priority goes to the phone and the connection will be on hold. GPRS speed is within the standard range, but I would prefer 3G or at least EDGE (Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution). Etisalat are getting their act together to reduce their rates and offer better packages especially when the competition was ignited by Du and they also claim they have a lot to offer.

EDGE would be the solution with Atom Exec. If you are looking for a 3G enabled device then you may look for another alternative device. Typically EDGE will move the end-user data speed into the 200 Kbit/sec class. Etisalat is currently offering EDGE and I think they cover all the Emirates. When I subscribe to this package I will update you with my findings in the discussion thread related to this review.

When Atom Exec detects EDGE connectivity, there will be an "E" icon at the top bar.

Atom Exec comes also bundled with Spb GPRS Monitor. O2 realizes that this is a must have application and adds it to this device. It is a complete solution for measuring the amounts of data transfers via your GPRS, CDMA or GSM network connection and calculating network usage costs. You can buy this application separately form here.

UPDATE 25-Sep-06: Today I have inquired with Etisalat regarding EDGE and the number to call is 8006464, I talked to the support staff and he confirmed to me that I don’t need to subscribe to EDGE because it comes along with GPRS. Since Atom supports EDGE it was evident that I noticed an increased surfing speed and the indicator changes from “G” to “E” frequently, the device switches automatically from GPRS to EDGE, I don’t have control over this it seems to me that this will depend on the coverage. I also checked using Spb GPRS monitor and the highest speed I got today was 84 kbit/sec, EDGE won't always achieve 200 Kbit/sec but today it was a noticeable difference from GPRS.

Infrared (IR):

Atom Exec is equipped with an infrared port which is not intended to use the device as a universal remote control. Currently manufacturers consider removing Infrared as it becoming less popular and obviously replaced by Bluetooth.

Bluetooth:

Atom Exec uses Bluetooth SIG version 1.2 and it supports multiple profiles. Supported profiles include headset, hands-free, object push, serial port, dial-up network, advanced audio distribution (A2DP), Audio/Video Remote Control (AVRCP).

ActiveSync connection via Bluetooth is seamless with Atom Exec. The device also can be used as a wireless modem however with GPRS speeds and costs you would not use it unless it is essential. You can also listen to music on a compatible Bluetooth headset. An A2DP profile has to be activated within the device and the Bluetooth headset A2DP should be enabled. I would like to give this a test drive as well when I get a compatible Bluetooth Headset. This can be reviewed separately or added within this review in compatible accessories section.

WiFi:

Atom Exec Wireless LAN is IEEE 802.11b compliant. The device connects seamlessly and effortlessly with both secured and unsecured networks, using Modem Link Utility you can use Atom Exec as a modem.

FM Radio:

Atom Exec predecessor Atom was the first Pocket PC ever to come bundled with a built-in Radio. New in Atom Exec an additional pre-record function to allow scheduling of FM radio program recordings.

You will have to use the headset because it acts as an antenna but you can still activate the stereo speakers if you wish to listen directly from the device. After connecting the headset you can start using FM radio application, it can store up to 8 user defined favorites and each favorite contains 20 stations. When I started the applications I found channels are already stored on the device, very convenient and good effort by O2. You can select from different countries if you are traveling or you can set and save your own. It features an auto-scan function, and you can save and name your own station manually. Atom can also record and even pre-record which is a new feature on Atom Exec, you can just select time and date, duration, channel and set it up as you wish. That’s really cool! Also FM radio will be automatically muted when there is a phone call and it will resume when the call ends. You note that volume is operated separately on FM radio using – and + buttons on the application. FM reception is excellent using the provided high quality headset.

Part 3 Conclusion:

The Atom Exec is a very practical phone in its design and size. O2 made this device ready with enhancements and customization straight out of the box. The phone is reliable and easy to use, the voice quality is superb and signal quality is strong, it is almost the same compared to i-Mate Jasjar but I have noticed that Atom Exec has somewhat a better reception. The device connects to all the wireless features with no hassle at all, but unless we come across any issue we will discuss it in the forums. If you are not looking for 3G and can settle for EDGE then I am sure you will enjoy using this device as a phone with all the wireless features, I know I did!

Coming-up on Part 4:

Since the device performed very well as a phone let’s see how it will perform as a Pocket PC! Next I will explore Atom's Exec software applications. Go to part 4