Windows Mobile is finally getting a grip on the number pad. With the debut of the keypad laden ASUS P525, the O2 XDA Stealth is a Windows Mobile 5 device developed by Gigabyte for telco provider O2. Coined as the “Stealth” for reasons unknown, the design follows the typical slider phones from Samsung and Nokia. The front piece contains the screen, four menu buttons and a 5 way directional pad while the back contains the miniSD card slot, 2MP autofocus camera and the numerical keypad.

Unlike the P525 that does a fine job of integrating true phone functions with Windows Mobile (i.e. you can operate it without the stylus), the XDA Stealth falls short of this. It may be an illusion of sorts that the numerical keypad allows you to ditch the stylus altogether as you will come to realize that the Stealth does not come with soft keys for the menu functions and the SMS input mechanism, dubbed “eZiText” isn’t as easy as it sounds. You will need to press the OK button after each word to spell out a sentence and this kinda sucks if you were under the impression that sending SMS would come as close to the experience of a real phone. In support of this, CNET had the following to say about the keypad:

On the phone front we only had a few problems with the Xda Stealth. While it in theory offers the option of either touchscreen or dialling pad for calling numbers, we found a few instances — such as entering SIM security codes — where it completely ignored the dialling pad. To make matters worse, it gave us no error messages to indicate we should only use the touchscreen, leaving us wondering why we were getting no signal all of a sudden. (source)

The Stealth has a few lifesavers, namely Bluetooth and WiFi (802.11g) connectivity but this will soon become a staple feature of all Windows Mobile devices due to consumer demand. It comes with 192MB of flash ROM and 64MB of RAM with miniSD expansion options. Triband GSM is supported but there is no 3G calls for this black bugger though. Battery life is pretty good although CNET will disagree with me. Standard phone use without wireless Internet lasted me up to 40 hours until the low battery warning popped out.

The O2 Stealth has a good thing going for it – if they try to fix the interface between the keypad and SMS. This would have been the perfect Smartphone for consumers looking for a powerful Windows Mobile device with the form factor of a phone. Maybe a software upgrade should be in the works soon? Overall I see a half baked device that could have made it to the Christmas wish list. The Stealth has a small case of identity crisis because it sports the form factor of a phone with barely the software to complement it.

Oh I do hope they fix it soon – you really can’t do much for the missing soft keys but a better (upgraded) built-in SMS application should do the trick in the meantime. And to think I called this gadget “my next phone!” Humor me.

Post from: Cellphone9