| work and huddled around to watch | | | | flash memory. A MiniSD card slot for |
| excitedly as the wrapping was torn off | | | | expanding the memory is located on the |
| and we opened the box to review it!The | | | | top of the phone. |
| Atom Life enters the Indian market as | | | | Camera |
| part of 02's new strategy to divide its | | | | The 2 megapixel camera takes decent |
| five main product segments: performance, | | | | pictures with resolutions ranging from |
| lifestyle, messaging, hybrids, and | | | | 80x60 to 1600x1200. An LED strobe flash |
| smartphones. The products in each | | | | and a self-portrait mirror are also |
| segment have feature sets appropriate | | | | built in. |
| for their target market. This device | | | | Shaping the Masterpiece |
| fits into the lifestyle category with | | | | At first glance, the Atom Life looks |
| its good looks and multimedia | | | | like any other 02 model, but look |
| capabilities. Speaking at its launch in | | | | closely and you'll see a few subtle |
| Mumbai recently, 02 Asia Pacific and the | | | | differences. The device's glossy black |
| Middle East CEO, Mark Billington, stated | | | | plastic screen is the in-call speaker |
| that the Atom Life is a PDA that will | | | | grille, which also houses status |
| power the user both at work and play. We | | | | lights-green for standby, red for |
| decided to put this claim to test. | | | | charging, and blue to show that |
| Packed with Features | | | | Bluetooth is switched on. Volume |
| The 02 XDA Atom Life is a tri-band GSM | | | | controls are on the left, and the camera |
| 900/1800/1900 phone with GPRS and EDGE | | | | and record buttons are on the right. |
| capabilities. The built-in Wi-Fi | | | | Keys on the front panel include call |
| functionality makes it an excellent | | | | accept and reject controls, two soft and |
| device to check e-mail on the go. GPS | | | | media player shortcut keys. |
| (Global Positioning System) navigation | | | | The Atom Life weighs 145 grams which is |
| is not built in, but it's possible to | | | | quite light for a PDA. Its slick form |
| add an external receiver. The Atom Life | | | | makes it a true style statement. |
| is 3G capable-the front-mounted VGA | | | | Chinks in the Shining Armour |
| camera makes video calling simplistic | | | | 02 markets the Atom Life as a PDA that |
| In-call voice reception is nice and | | | | doubles up as a multimedia device. Even |
| dean. | | | | though it has SRS-WOW surround speakers, |
| The Atom Life runs on Windows Mobile 5, | | | | the volume levels could have been |
| so mobile versions of Microsoft Word, | | | | higher. The glossy black plastic finish |
| PowerPoint and Excel are included. These | | | | is prone to fingerprints and smudges, |
| applications ens that your work won't | | | | and the chrome plating- especially |
| suffer no matter where you are. Other | | | | around the stylus holder slot-wears out |
| preinstalled applications include 02 | | | | easily with heavy use. The 2.7-inch LCD |
| AutoConfig, 02 Autolnstall, 02 Connect, | | | | screen might look good at first, but it |
| 02 MediaPlus. 02 SMSPIus, and 02 | | | | isn't the clearest we have seen. Team |
| PhonePlus, which make the phone | | | | this up with terrible viewing angles and |
| economically strong. 02 Connect offers | | | | you have real disappointment on your |
| access to software updates via a GPRS | | | | hands. The quality of still and video |
| connection, while 02 MediaPlus allows | | | | photography is also below average. |
| you to access all your stored music, | | | | Verdict |
| videos, and photos from a single | | | | The 02 Xda Atom Life is a brilliant |
| interface. You can use PocketMSN to | | | | device, and a great solution for all |
| access your Hotmail account and chat | | | | your business and multimedia needs. |
| with your contacts through MSN | | | | There's a chance that you might find it |
| Messenger. The Internet Explorer makes | | | | a little confusing to handle initially |
| browsing the web a breeze. There's also | | | | but once you get the hang of it, |
| a mobile version of Windows Media Player | | | | organizing your daily schedules and |
| 10. And to round off the package, there | | | | carrying out vital daily tasks will |
| is Microsoft ActiveSync to connect the | | | | become very convenient. Also, the |
| Atom Life to your PC.The Atom Life is | | | | enhanced multimedia functions make the |
| powered by an Irte XScale PXA 270 | | | | Atom Life a pleasure to work with. The |
| processor running at a mind-blowing 624 | | | | elegant shape ensures that you are |
| MHz. We were impressed by the | | | | carrying a guaranteed style statement in |
| capabilities of this processor, which | | | | your pocket. As the maufacturers |
| was able to multitask and run heavy | | | | said-the Xda Atom Life surely does power |
| applications without am hiccups. It | | | | you at work and play! |
| features 64 MB RAM and 1GB of internal | | | | |