O2 XDA Orbit

• H
• Henning
• nuf
• 15 Dec 2006

The O2 Orbit

Review
Well, what can I say? It is small and lightweight and has a pack of punch features for its size.
I have it for few weeks now and all I can say that it is still improving on what I do. Like all the devices on the market, we want every time better features with it and the one we were looking for is not enough what we expected to have. This is where some will praise the Orbit and some will complain and will never say well about it.

All I can say to them develop one yourself and we will criticize your design.

It is the power of choice to make when you buy anything on earth and do you have to accept the outcome of the choices you made.
Some of you complain about the processor speed of 200 MHz, well it is a 3core processor and it means it can reach the clock speed of 520 MHz. I do Skype on mine and have little difference between the EXEC and the ORBIT. If you did not know about it, be happy to use Skype on it.

What is in the box?

Power supply,
USB cable to synch with the PC, MAC or Laptop
Software and Manual

WHAT IS MISSING??? A case or pouch

So I bought a pouch from the flee market at Charing Cross Station for a fiver that has a nice metal belt clip.

This is the TOP Range of XDA with a lot of potential upgrades. The screen scratches easily and a protective layer should be put on before use, why don't they include this in the box. Box lay out is very neat set out like the XDA EXEC. It doesn't come with a car charger and must be bought from another provider or from O2 itself. The wireless connection works great on my network using the Belkin 54g. It is user friendly enough if you worked with the EXEC before and has a good processor. There is no CF Card or a SD card slot but the micro SD card is situated undderneath the SIM card.
When I first want to open the Orbit, I did not no that the little lock signature present the open of the back cover.
When you want to use the Micro SD card in a card reader to transfer data faster, you have to remove the SIM card before you have access to it. This can be a good reason not to loose the card from falling out if it had a slot on the side. At least the Orbit starts much faster up than the EXEC when you done a soft reset and this are already an improvement for the O2 device.



Suggested additional features

It did not come with task manager, but I use the setting in Programs to make sure all the programs are shut when I use Skype.

There is NO infra red beam to use and I was bit confused to see that when I want to use the Bluetooth, it said beam contacts of file. So that is now sorted.

On the Medial Player, when I installed the music on the Micro SD Card, you will not be able to see the Memory card. You have to update the library so it will search for the media files.

To use the FM Radio, you have to use the USB Headset. You can’t you listen radio then. At least you can use the on screen option to choose the speaker but then you can not play the radio through your speakers of the laptop. May be the USB connection for the headset is better quality, I don’t know.
Then why couldn’t O2 pre-install the Tom-tom software or do they want again to make money on that, yet again, not all like the Tom-tom but prefer Co-pilot or Garmin. Why did they not give a disc with it like they advert on the internet at www.gsmarena.com that the Tom-tom will be included.
The screen should be able to change to landscape in more than one way on screen like the EXEC.Larger internal memory to store data like 4gig for recording voice, with a 256meg rom instead of the 128 Meg? Why don't the developers make a back-up system in Programmes for all the settings like the HP Jornada 720? When you have to do systems restore, select the icon in Programmes to have all your previous settings including contacts and email in outlook. Why don’t they install the GPRS monitor, Fax facility, Skype, PDF clear view and also a MS Access for a default programmes or even better, what about the full MS Office ? Sorry, but the screen will be too small to edit Publisher. Internet: you can only open one page at a time, why not two to browse between them. Like the XDA have MSN messenger, why not Yahoo messenger with the full settings to add and adjust. If HTC could manufature a sliding keyboard like their other models will a great feature, but you have to deal without it and use the stylus.

Hints and tips for other owners

I saved all my data, cab files and apps from my EXEC onto the laptop for future use.
I bought a 2gig SD card in London and transfer all that info and apps onto it and just click on them to install again them to the Memory Card. The ORBIT is like a cloned version of my EXEC with the same apps I used. The only thing that is missing is a External Keyboard and the Task manager.

1. Make sure you have updated the ROM and save your data on a memory card. Never try to install programmes that are NOT suitable for the device.
2. Buy a protective case like Proporta that you can carry on you, NEVER carry it under your arm. It can be purchased from the internet.
3. Keep liquids away from it and do not take a call outside in the rain.
4. Switch off the wireless and Bluetooth when you are not using it to save on battery power.
5. Do make a back up of all your work on a pc or Mac.
6. Do not try to connect or synch your device to a Palm or Epoc system, it crashes BIG time.
7. Close programmes that are running in the back ground, they use space and slow the system down. To do this, start, Settings, Memory, Running programmes and those you are not using can be stopped. Make sure you have not many programmes running while you do a synch with the pc or Mac. You will loose info while synchronizing the device.
8. To gain more space, delete the sites you have visited at internet settings under menu, options.
9. Do a soft reset after install programmes and when you know you are leaving it over night to charge.
10. Do not transfer too large files like MS Word or Excel to the device, it takes to long to open and wastes space. Rather install programmes on the SD card than on the main memory to gain more space.
11. Only when the instalments refuse on the SD card, install to main memory. Rather use your normal digital camera or video recorder.

• Reply

• J
• Jason Billyack
• mnX
• 13 Dec 2006

The phones have built in gps recivers but not software to use it!!!

If you want to use it you need software. I have used both tomtom 6 and copilot live 6 and i personaly like the tomtom over the copilot but its personal preferance!!!

I dont know about the tracking information but have also woundered the same thing.

• Reply

• H
• Henning Ras
• mJs
• 13 Dec 2006

I will put up a review on tonight.

Henning.ras@gmail.com

• Reply

• ?
• Anonymous
• Sqh
• 13 Dec 2006

i am thinking of getting some xda's for work does anyone know if they work like a tracker as well as sat nav with them having gps recievers in them, i am being told different stories, also i am being told i would have to buy a seperate sat nav for each phone?

• Reply

• B
• BossaNesta
• kCe
• 13 Dec 2006

Lenny,

I believe if u use a good ear phone will provide a decent sound quality. I'm not a pro on elec stuff, but i myself use a high end sony ear phone, and it makes all mp3 player upgraded! Actually, i believe u only plugin ur phone/mp3 output to earphone, and 3.5mm should be good enough. u know, u can't expect any THX from a pocket machine since we're still in 2006. ;-p

Plus, sound quality depends on sound card. In a machine like this, a on-board sound chip, it would never better than a notebook sound card. Since a notebook sound card usually not as good as those creative, Yamaha, ProTools, we just can't expect it's gonna as good as tho...

After all, buy a fanny ear phone, u know, high end Sony, Shure, etc. Try it, u're gonna live what u'll get. ^^

BossaNesta

• Reply

• J
• Jason Billyack
• mnX
• 12 Dec 2006

I've been using mine for 2 weeks now and am very happy with it.

I charge the batt every night but thats just habbit, truth is that i have forgotten to on a few nights and it have been ok untill the end of the next day but i do change the backlight to low and try not to play too much if i dont need to.

You dont get an XDA if you want a week of charge anyway!!!

overall the phone is great and the only thing that i dont like is that there is no keyboard!!! (but i do have the XDA Exec and got used to it)

The processer is great and i have not had problems with it except with skype but someone said they got it working ok and i havnt tryed it again!!!

Hope this helps and enjoy the phone when you get it!!!

• Reply

• A
• Anths
• x8u
• 12 Dec 2006

Does anyone know how good the battery life is between charges? I'd be interested in hearing more experiences with the phone and using it and battery life, etc. Thanks a bunch.

• Reply

• j
• johnny
• mFB
• 11 Dec 2006

Have just ordered my Orbit - and thanks to m9KB regarding the PAC/cancelling advice - I've pretty much halved my monthly bill and got the phone free (but 18 month contract).

One question - I'm new to GPS software and see TomTom 6 mentioned - when I look on amazon/ebay I see lots of version of TomTom 6 - what's the box I'm actually looking for? On amazon the price ranges from £60 to £130 across different TomTom 6 products.

Johnny.

• Reply

• L
• Lenny
• mmM
• 10 Dec 2006

Does anyone know if a mini usb to 3.5mm audio jack converter will actually work to allow decent quality headphones; and a supplier?

• Reply

• K
• Khalid
• iEx
• 10 Dec 2006

Also Resco Explorer, Resco Photo Viewer, Resco Radio,Resco Keyboard, Memmaid, SK Tools, Ilauncher.

• Reply

• K
• Khalid
• iEx
• 10 Dec 2006

On my exec I have Fizz weather, core media player, morp MP3 player, Pocket Informant, SPB Time, SBSH Diary, Smart Media Player, Cool Camera, Pocket Islam, London Tube Map, Bluetooth sniper.

• Reply

• J
• Jason Billyack
• M3d
• 10 Dec 2006

Did you use skype???

I use SPB, so if you have any questions just ask!!!

• Reply

• H
• Henning Ras
• S9a
• 10 Dec 2006

Hi.
I got mine today on upgrade for £49 from O2 London.
To install Skype direct from the website onto the divice is not so easy.Just use the XDA EXEC settings to install.

For those who struggle to do skype on this device,it is VERY easy to install.All you have to do is to copy the latest cab file first on the normal sd card.Then use the card reader to transfere it to the micro sd card.Click on it and install it on the Memory card for installment.When you use it,close ALL other programs via the runnig programs to close.Then open skype like you do normally and walla,it is running.

I can't even see the difference between my XDA EXEC and the ORBIT on skype,only the screen is smaller though.

So far NO crashes like my EXEC and I notice that you can install all apps on the sd card with no trouble like on the EXEC.

The only disadvantage with the content of the box,there is NO pouch or case for it.Have to get a camera pouch for it or modify the EXEC spare one I have.

Unluckily the earphones have to be on to use the radio and then you have to choose the speaker to listen.

It doesn't come with the TOMTOM software and a friend who has the same unit said it works great with it and is very user friendly.

For those who want to ask questions about the software I installed and tested are Mobipocket Reader,Bible Reader,Adobe Reader 2.0, KSE Truefax,Engineering Calculator,Lextionary Words,Pocket e-Sword and then the all rounder user, London Tube Map.

I see the camer have more functions than the EXEC,but I still use my Canon for digital photography.

What software do you gys and girls use on your pda phones?

henning.ras@gmail.com

• Reply

• k
• kem
• pJH
• 09 Dec 2006

I have been reading that some people had to pay for their handset but I got my XDA Orbit on 12 month contract £35 A month 400 mins 100 texts and the phone was free. When first making enquries they said £100 but this changed a few days later when actually purchasing the phone

• Reply

• ?
• Anonymous
• Px{
• 09 Dec 2006

http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/22/o2_preps_flame_pmp_phone/


latest 3g from o2 got to check the bat life though

• Reply

• S
• Shazad
• nS1
• 09 Dec 2006

Hi
Just upgraded to the xda orbit last week and got the Co pilot Sat nav for free on O2 Max. All looks good except that the Sat Nav software is running really slow, i.e. when driving in the car the road map is showing me still on the previous street when i have already taken the turn. I had the O2 exec previously and ran Tom Tom on it which worked perfectly fine. Anybody else experiencing similar problems or is it working fine.
Thanks
Shazad

• Reply

• J
• Jonathan
• my5
• 08 Dec 2006

After reading these posts Im confused. I just bought my o2 Orbit for £100 and the guy said it does not come with the satnav software - have I been ripped? If so, how do I go about getting my software?

• Reply

• ?
• Anonymous
• S35
• 08 Dec 2006

o2 live in boxes do they? if you dont like what you are charged then go elsewhere (and then have the same problem the year after)
complaining on here isnt going to get you anywhere. they are not there to give the world to you for free - making money is the point so pay or up or move on like others do. moaning on a website isnt going to change the mind of the powers that be...get a life or some money

• Reply

• K
• Khalid Bryce
• TtZ
• 08 Dec 2006

I refuse to sign an 18 month contract. Whats the deal with o2 data charges? I have been getting unlimited free Internet for about 2 years now.

• Reply

• B
• BATGIRL
• iIR
• 08 Dec 2006

All networks will try to keep you within reason. They are not going to give everything for nothing all the time. They want to keep you spending the most you can and giving as little as possiable, and then if you kick off they will give you a little something to keep you sweet. If you spend naff all they'll do naff all.

• Reply