O2 UK has formally announced the O2 XDA Exec, the network's own-brand version of HTC's Universal 3G clamshell smart phone.

The device, which is based on Windows Mobile 5.0 and incorporates 802.11b Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 1.2 and GPRS connectivity in addition to 3G, was spotted in an O2 brochure earlier this month, though at time time O2 remained silent on the matter.

Not now. Today, it touted the device's 520MHz Intel XScale PXA272 processor; 64MB of RAM; 128MB of Flash ROM; 3.6in, 65,536-colour, 640 x 480 display; SDIO slot for expansion; and its 1.2 megapixel camera with flash, alongside a second video-call camera.

O2 said the Exec's 1620mAh removable battery provides sufficient charge for four hours' 3G talk time, eight hours' tri-band GSM talk time, 15 hours' usage as a PDA and 250 hours' stand-by time.

Orange is expected to release its version of the Universal, which it's calling the SPV M5000, shortly. i-mate's version, the Jasjar, is already on sale, as is T-Mobile Germany's version, the MDA Pro.

O2 has also announced the XDA SP, a tri-band candy-bar smart phone based on Windows Mobile 2003 Smartphone Edition Second Edition. Essentially, it's the HTC Hurricane, better known as the Orange SPV C550. The 102g handset sports a 2.2in, 65,536-colour display and contains 64MB of ROM and 32MB of RAM. There's a Mini SD slot for memory expansion, and it's got Bluetooth 1.1 on board. There's also a 1.3 megapixel digicam with 4x digital zoom.

The O2 XDA Exec will retail at £400, depending on the monthly contract and tariff selected. O2 did not provide a price for the XDA SP. ®

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