The power of the Atom
Professor Xavier would be proud
Full-Fledged PDA phones have always had a size disadvantage – that is, until the mini came along. And now, we've got the Atom. On paper, the absence of a few millimeters may not seem much, but ironically, it's what this phone doesn't have that makes you take notice. The metal skin is also gone, replaced by a piano-black lacquer shell, turning the unit into a magnet for fingerprints. Better keep a pack of 3M Microfiber cloths handy.
Upgraded from the mini's tech specs are the 262k-color-capable TFT screen, a mini SD slot, EDGE connectivity, and built in Wi-Fi, which turns the Atom into a VOIP phone of sorts. Bluetooth connectivity still remains a standard feature as well as triband GSM support. Battery power has been amped up to 1500mAH. Rounding out the new feature set is a 2-megapixel camera at the back.
The device's Windows Mobile 5 OS offers a few enhancements which include on-the-fly portrait and landscape display orientation, enhanced USB 2.0 syncing, non-volatile data backup and new mobile versions of Excel, Word, Powerpoint, Internet Explorer, and Windows Media Player 10. Also included with the Atom are several custom apps such as the O2 Plus desktop app, which lets you access commonly used functions such as the calendar and manage running apps. Previously, you had to purchase and install third-party launchers like SPB Pocket Plus to get such functionality.
While more feature-packed than the mini, we were expecting more from the Atom's camera. Camera activation took several seconds and the pictures were grainy. Our test unit also had a tendency to slightly warm up during Wi-Fi surfing. The touch screen also requried a bit more stylus pressure than what we're used to. Despite all this, we still find the Atom a worthy successor to the mini.
Ed Geronia Jr.
XDA ATOM | P42,500
www.seeo2.com
TECH 412MHz Intel CPU. Built-in Wi-Fi. Triband GSM/EDGE. Windows Mobile 5 OS
LOVE Improved ergonomics. Built in Wi-Fi and included O2 apps.
HATE Poor camera. Mini SD slot means your old SD cards are useless (if you have some)
WE SAY O2 once again leads the pack for mini-sized Windows Mobile 5 PDA phones.
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T3 Magazine Philippines - May 2006 Issue
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 XDA ATOM
Sizing up
A shave here and there trims off a few millimeters. Surprisingly, you can feel the difference.
309 x 83 x 7 mm
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