O2 XDA Atom Exec Review: Part 4 – Software

By: Mohammed Al-Ashram

October 03, 2006

Introduction:

I will display a lot of screenshots and almost all of them are self explanatory. I have reduced the size and resolution of these screenshots so we can accommodate more of them in this part of the review.

The biggest plus point on Atom Exec that it comes with 192MB ROM and 64MB RAM. There is plenty of device memory, having a 192MB ROM is an excellent approach by O2, but more memory will always be appreciated. With up to 98.26MB available storage memory you can install all essential and critical applications on device memory without a hassle.

Arabic Software "Informobility":

Informobility  develops Arabic solutions and customization for Windows Mobile which is called Arabic Windows Mobile (FJE) (في جيبي ع) which comes with the following features:

• Full Arabic support to all of your Pocket PC applications
• Full Arabic synchronization with MS Office (Word, Excel, Notepad, etc.)
• Full Arabic synchronization with Microsoft Outlook (Calendar, Contacts, Tasks, E-mail, Notes, etc.)
• Full Arabic support to Internet Explorer, MSN Chat, and SMS/MMS
• On-screen keyboard layout for Arabic and English text input
• Right-to-left and left-to-right alignment
• Arabic, Farsi, and Indian numerals
• Farsi keyboard support
• Ability to disable Arabic in some apps

I prefer to use Arabic enabled settings instead of the full Arabic system, the option is selected when the device initializes from a hard reset or you can access the installation later from O2 AutoInstaller, I didn’t select “Full Arabic Interface” but I can still have it if I need it later. Informobility also bundles Atom Exec with the following:

Pocket Arabic Dictionary (في جيبي قاموس):

Pocket Hijri Calendar (في جيبي تقويم هجري)

Just select an Arabic country to have the list of all the national holidays of this country in the remaining calendar days. Just go to Settings, System, then select “In4Mobility Fee Jeibi Ein”, select the country from the menu and go back to Hijri Calendar.

Pocket Holy Quran (في جيبي قرآن كريم)

This is the full Quran with audio support which can be installed in storage memory, it is great to bundle the full Quran as bonus with Atom Exec, other developers or OEMs may ask you to buy the application separately.

In the last few screen shots you can see there is an option to enlarge the letters which is very useful when you are using a small screen such as Atom's Exec 2.7" screen. Tafseer also available.

Pocket News Reader (في جيبي أخبار)

Pocket Arabic Notepad (في جيبي محرر)

Pocket Prayer Times (في جيبي مواقيت الصلاة)

Pocket Smart Dialer (في جيبي هاتف)

Smart Dialer application makes it east to dial and make phone calls.

Click here to brows the full list of Informobility’s Windows Mobile software.

Bundled Productivity Software

ClearVue PDF

This is a PDF viewer which will defiantly needed on your device. The following screen shots of Atom Exec Manuals loaded on the device:

Equalizer

Excellent application for music lovers. You can select form different profiles or make your own profile. You can further increase the volume at the bottom slider which can make it really loud on both the internal speakers and the headset. This is what makes the device is more focused to be a multimedia device.

GPRS Monitor

This is an excellent application developed by Spb Softwarehouse which monitors your GPRS consumption.

JAVA

Atom Exec supports Java 2 Edition, J2ME. The MIDlet Manager allows to download Java applications, such as games and tools. It is easy to install and to operate, the manual has full details to guide you through.

Jeyo Mobile Extender

This is also bundled to be used with your MS Outlook. I already own it because it is a must have applications.

Jeyo SMS Backup

Many Pocket PC users normally look for a third party software to backup their SMS and O2 again knows what their consumers want and bundle this important utility.

O2 Connect

This is my favorite O2 application on Atom Exec, it is defiantly one of the most important support programs that O2 effectively use to reaches to their customers. On this application you can connect to O2 server and download latest information such as ROM updates, no need to go and check manually, you are always kept informed, I like it when the information comes to me instead for me to go and search for it. Explore the following screenshots:

O2 MediaPlus

This is one more reason proves that Atom is also aimed at multimedia, O2 MediaPlus is like a host of other applications in one and it adds more, checkout these screenshots:

O2 Phone Plus

This was already discussed in Part 3.

O2 SMS Plus

This was discussed in the previous part, just a few additional screenshots:

O2 Plus

This is a smart task manager, it completely closes programs and it adds shortcuts to the taskbar and on the today screen, it has shortcuts to many functions such as rotate screen, programs, battery life, etc... It is very obvious how important this application and it amazes me that some other OEMs don't even consider to design or even borrow a freeware to add to their devices.

Photo Album

It is integrated to work with the camera, we will have more details about the camera in the next part of this review. This Photo Album is an advanced application with capabilities to edit the images, enhance, add customization and more.

Self Diagnostics

This application runs several tests on the device to make sure it is running top notch.

SIM Contacts

This is a standard application and available in almost every Pocket PC Phone:

World Mate (Standard Edition)

I didn’t install this application because it is an old version and I already have better replacements such as Spb weather, Spb Time and 1-Calc.

Code Wallet Pro 2005

I already installed the newest version and I am using it instead, but it is an appreciated offer by O2 to have another application bundled for free.

O2 Companion CD

There is really nothing to mention here, the CD contains MS Outlook, ActiveSync 4.1, Jayo Mobile Extender 2.0, PDF format of the Manual and Quick Start Guide, and how to add media to the device. You will find the bundled applications already available on the device and can be installed using O2 AutoInstaller.

Recommended 3rd Party Software:

There are thousands of Pocket PC software, but you can get the most of them at an unmatched offer. Recently I have reviewed Best of Everything CD offer by Smartphone and Pocket PC Magazine. Check it out here.

Part 4 Conclusion:

The bottom line is Atom Exec has enough device memory to make you further enjoy owning another Pocket PC Phone. The memory is a big advantage, and more memory will be always welcomed at no much compromise on battery life. In addition, the device is bundled with essential software which makes it ready to be used immediately out of the box. I have managed to use this device without an immediate urge to look for a utility or an enhancement to make is work better, it is already bundled and the normal user wouldn’t feel any complexity to use this device. I have replaced O2 Plus with my favorite Spb Pocket Plus, I noticed O2 Plus causes the device to be a little slower. I did my own today screen customization but still I like the O2 theme.

Coming-up on Part 5:

Final conclusion.