Coolsmartphone Reviews O2 XDA Exec & Orange SPV M5000

[Jonathon Watkins]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news1940.html' target='_blank'>http://www.coolsmartphone.com/news1940.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I've noticed a few other websites knocking up reviews for handsets recently and I thought, "Hmm.. how can we go one better?" Then I came up with the answer. Instead of just reviewing the Orange SPV M5000 or the o2 XDA Exec, how about we review both of them. Then, to make things even more interesting, let's do a 3G video call between the two of them - just to see how they cope. Both reviews are pretty similar as they're essentially the same hardware, however you can see the reviews in full, with close-up photos, screen-shots"</i> <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/on-dash1.jpg" /> <br /><br />Gears from Coolsmartphone has produced large, detailed and remarkably similar reviews for these two devices. Peas from a pod? Pretty much. The <a href="http://www.coolsmartphone.com/article498.html">Orange SPV M5000 review is here</a>, while the <a href="http://www.coolsmartphone.com/article499.html">O2 XDA Exec review is here.</a> I find myself torn, having recently handled one of these devices. Is the functionality worth the size? That's a personal calculation that can change on frequent basis. In the non-PPC-phone days it was simple. Having both a large and a small Pocket PC would cover all bases. :wink: However these days it's more hassle to swap phone SIMs than simply pick up your second pocket PC . Hmmm, choices, choices. Are you guys tending to go for power or size and what are you willing to compromise on?

[bkerrins]

I bet it's a 50/50 thing. I want "everything" phone, GPS, Mobile 5.0 (OK, really I want XP pro), MP3,WIFI, bluetooth and camera (yes, I want a camera). My wife on the other hand wants minimum PIM information and a phone.

[Jonathon Watkins]

I bet it's a 50/50 thing. I want "everything" phone, GPS, Mobile 5.0 (OK, really I want XP pro), MP3,WIFI, bluetooth and camera (yes, I want a camera). My wife on the other hand wants minimum PIM information and a phone.

I'm personally really beginning to see the attraction of the tiny PPC phones. But - I also want it all. :lol: Compromise? I'm prepared to give up a CF and even a SD slot to live with a mini SD slot (though not micro SD). I would even give up VGA for an otherwise perfect device. I don't know what else I would be wiling to sacrifice though.

[ctmagnus]

I need: Wifi (g would be preferable to b), Bluetooth (latest iteration), large-ish screen (the screen on the Eten M600 looks a little small for my tastes) fast processor regardless of MHz, at least 64MB RAM after the OS has done it's thing, at least that much usable ROM but preferrably more, IR for those days when nothing else will do, five buttons plus power plus five-way d-pad, separate BT, WiFi, and charging/notification LEDs, six-hour-plus battery on a charge, and VGA would be a pleasant surprise.

And a Vaja iVolution case to keep it in.

[healingbreeze]

I have had an XDA exec for two weeks now. I am a great fan of the XDA having had an XDA 1 and then an XDA II and now Exec.

It is quite heavy, but apart from this it is great. Unless you use a Bluetooth headset it does take a moment to open up and switch the screen around for phone use.

Having said that it sits quite happily on the desk and can be used in speaker phone mode. My office houses 4 large servers and a RAID array with cooling fans and the noise cancelling mic gets rid of all the noise to my callers (though not for me!).

In practical terms the battery life is terrible...but keeping it plugged in to a laptop with the USB means it is always being charged.

I am still awaiting delivery of an active car cradle to charge it on the go. I have built in GPS in my car so don't have a need for it in a PDA/Phone. However, I have tried TrafficTV from http://www.traffictv.co.uk/
Which is great! you can see all the motorway movement before you commit yourself.

The Voice command for dialling works well. The built in web cam looks good but I have not made any video calls, who wants to look at me! I daresay it could have its uses in a diagnostic situation or emergency.

I use all the features of it as Word processor and spreadsheet and find the keyboard really useful particularly with formulas. Although the hand writing recognition is even better than my old XDA II.

Windows mobile 5 is great it is has come a long way and becoming much more 'desktop' like in functionality.

Yes, it is big and heavy, but with terminal service client I can operate on 3G and manage servers remotely with a workable screen, it is the nearest thing to a real pocket PC.

If you are always on the go and need to do all this it is great in spite of its bulk and weight.