[Robert Levy]

http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/review/2/2/5060.html

ZDNet has a review of the Tanager (which Orange is calling the SPV E100) and it's fairly positive. Thinking about upgrading? Take a look at this article to help decide.

"When a new iteration of Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system was announced recently, the absence of any news on the Smartphone platform was notable. The additional fact that Microsoft has only one Smartphone partner in the UK (Orange) might suggest that the company’s assault on the mobile phone market is in trouble. However, Orange clearly thinks otherwise, because it has just revamped its original SPV (the acronym sounds for Sound, Pictures, Video) with a new model, the SPV E100. This phone fixes a number of deficiencies of the original SPV."

They go one to cite size and lack of bluetooth as its major pitfalls but the final verdict is this:

"The SPV E100 is a little larger than your average mobile phone, and is by no means a budget buy. So if all you want is a phone, look elsewhere. But if you like the idea of a handheld in mobile phone’s clothing, give the E100 a serious look."

[Robert Levy]

http://reviews.zdnet.co.uk/review/2/2/5060.html

ZDNet has a review of the Tanager (which Orange is calling the SPV E100) and it's fairly positive. Thinking about upgrading? Take a look at this article to help decide.

"When a new iteration of Microsoft’s Pocket PC operating system was announced recently, the absence of any news on the Smartphone platform was notable. The additional fact that Microsoft has only one Smartphone partner in the UK (Orange) might suggest that the company’s assault on the mobile phone market is in trouble. However, Orange clearly thinks otherwise, because it has just revamped its original SPV (the acronym sounds for Sound, Pictures, Video) with a new model, the SPV E100. This phone fixes a number of deficiencies of the original SPV."

They go one to cite size and lack of bluetooth as its major pitfalls but the final verdict is this:

"The SPV E100 is a little larger than your average mobile phone, and is by no means a budget buy. So if all you want is a phone, look elsewhere. But if you like the idea of a handheld in mobile phone’s clothing, give the E100 a serious look."

[scottmag]

Also reviewed (positively) at InfosyncWorld:
http://www.infosyncworld.com/reviews/n/3792.html

Most of the reviews I've read of the Smartphones focus on the physical features (screen, keys, memory, size, etc.). I am looking for usability reviews. Are there any reviews discussing what it's like to actually use one of these devices intensively?

What is it good at? What are it's major faults that need to be addressed by Microsoft? What are some powerful applications (not games) that make it more useful?

Scott

[Robert Levy]

That's a good point. Added to my articles idea list. 8)