O2 blueroom

Here’s a great selection of photos taken by, or of, the O2 Xda Orbit 2. We hope you like…

We’ve seen some great reviews of the Xda Orbit 2 from our seeders, but it is worth having a read of what some of the ‘big dogs’ have to say:

4winmobile

“O2 have been renowned for innovation over the years with the creation and development of the Xda series of machines. Twelve months or so ago O2 launched what was arguably the best Xda machine - the Xda Orbit. This developed a massive following despite it having a few shortcomings such as too fast a trackball and a relatively slow operational speed. O2 have now launched the replacement for the Orbit which has been imaginatively named the Xda Orbit 2. This is again based on a generic HTC design (the Polaris) but has been fitted out with an O2 designed housing as was the original Orbit. This resultant blend of HTC technology and O2 style serves to produce a modern looking and attractive machine. The Orbit 2 serves to bring to the user a high level of features; 3Mpixel camera, fast processor, large RAM / ROM, GPS, Quad band, phone, Touch interface, etc. O2 are back with another revolutionary Orbit design, but will it follow through and gain on the success of the original Orbit or will it be found lacking? We’ll look at its features as we move through the review and see if the Orbit 2 does carry on the traditions of the original Orbit….. Once more we extend our thanks to the generous folks at O2 for allowing us to review the Xda Orbit 2.”

(you can see the full review here)

Trusted Reviews

“At first glance this is nothing special. The face-on shots on the O2 website depict what looks like a bog-standard Windows Mobile PDA phone. There’s a large 2.8in screen above which sits a small lens for making video calls, below which is a familiar-looking cluster of control buttons. You can see the usual pick-up and hang-up buttons, plus a couple of shortcut keys for activating the start menu and OK commands and these flank what looks like a standard five-way navigation key…A superb touchscreen with accompanying software enhancements, and the inclusion of the excellent CoPilot sat-nav software and kit, all elevate the O2 XDA Orbit 2 from potential also ran to viable choice. If you don’t need the keyboard of the TyTN II it’s a competent and reasonably priced alternative, even if it isn’t quite as compact as one might desire.”

(you can see the full review here)

CNet UK

“While it still has an air of seriousness about it in comparison to phones like the Nokia N95 8GB, we really like the O2 Xda Orbit 2… It’s business as usual on the inside but the plethora of connectivity options make it a great choice if you always need to keep in touch…Our only word of warning would be that if you’re used to a mechanical Qwerty keypad, then switching to a touchscreen might come as a shock — try before you buy”

(you can see the full review here)

Lolly is putting here camera to good use! You can see here original post here

Have a look at Simon Judge’s views on the return of Windows Mobile. You can see his original post here

“”I am seeing more and more people coming to me with requirements for Windows Mobile applications. I actually started programming for mobile under Windows CE (’Pegasus’) when it first came out in 1996. Since then, in Europe at least, fewer companies have been looking for Windows Mobile development and more have wanted Java ME and Symbian. The work I have done has followed this trend. However, I am starting to see this trend reverse for some reason. Why?

(more…)

vTap is an application that lets you browse and view any video you want on your Orbit 2

you can download it here or point your browser to m.vtap.com

There are hundreds of millions of videos available on the Web today, and millions more are added every week. But try searching, browsing or viewing them on your phone. It’s frustrating, if not impossible, simply because most Web video services are desktop based and not designed for mobile. And those that do focus on the mobile limit the Web video universe to only a small sliver of what exists.

That’s why Veveo™ have created vTap - a quick and easy Web video solution that lets you search, browse and pinpoint the exact Web video you’re looking for - from sources all over the Internet! vTap’s unique character-based incremental
search - where results are returned with every character entered - you can perform searches using just a few characters instead of whole keywords. It’s so easy, you’ll think it’s reading your mind…

enjoy

The next application that we’ve had fun playing around with is Opera Mini 4. It delivers several new features for quicker scrolling, navigation and page rendering. This newest release also includes Landscape Mode (so — if you prefer to — you can now view your content sideways) and the ability to sync your Bookmarks and Speed Dial with those on your Computer. It enables you to take your full Web experience and digital lifestyle with you — everywhere you go. Opera Mini 4 is free, so have a look and see what you think.

To install via download on you Xda Orbit 2

1. Point your phone’s WAP browser to http://mini.opera.com/ and click on Download Opera Mini.
2. Answer ‘Yes’ to all installation messages and enjoy browsing the full Web, right on your mobile phone!

To install via active sync

1. Click this link
   
2. Follow the download instructions

For more information view the help section here

check out the demo online here: http://www.operamini.com/demo/

Sync Your Digital Lifestyle

Now you can use Opera Link with Opera Mini 4 to synchronize your mobile phone Web links with the Web links on your computer. Simply log in to a My Opera account through your phone, to sync your bookmarks, or access them from any other browser by going to a Link Web page.

Auto-sized for Your Phone’s Screen

Opera Mini 4 dynamically changes the size of text and images, making it more convenient to read — so less scrolling is required to read content.

Create Custom Search Shortcuts

Just like in Opera for your computer, you can create your own Web search from any search field on the Internet using Opera Mini 4. Simply click on the search field that you want to grab on a Web page and then choose “Create search” within your menu alternatives. Then you can enjoy making frequent searches without having to type in the site link again.

Quick Browsing Keystrokes

Take control over your viewing options with a few quick keystrokes. Just hold the stylus on the screen to open the Context Menu, where you can turn on Small Screen Rendering (Mobile View) or reload the page.

Before you click on a link, focus the cursor on a link to check where the link will take you. You can then choose whether you want to open the linked page with images turned off. If you choose to browse with the images turned off, you can still choose to load these images in the page you are browsing by selecting “Load images.” You can even load the image in its uncompressed, high-quality, original size by choosing “Open image.”

Once installed open ‘Java’ in your programmes to find the opera mini browser!!

Enjoy

The next on the list of Apps, is the ‘Resco Keyboard Pro’. This gives you a totally new touch keyboard to use when writing a text, using word, or sending an email. The Keyboard also allows you to customize your Xda Orbit 2 for fast insertion of frequently used phrases. The keyboard is fully skinnable and supports more than 20 national keyboard layouts.

Here’s some links you may find useful:

.
User Manual
Reviews

You can download the application here

New Features

The thumb mode allows you to write quickly without a need of pulling out a stylus. The user can write a message by using just one hand, or both hands in order to increase efficiency and speed.

This mode previews the letter that is about to be written. It is a very handy feature to check whether you tapped on the letter you intended.

The correction mode is appreciated mainly by users who are getting used to writing text in the thumb mode. It ensures that the user writes only the letter he or she really wants.

Gestures & Auto-repeat

Keyboard supports standard Gestures with selectable sensitivity and Auto-repeat with selectable repeat delay and repeat rate.

Frequently used phrases

“Fx” mode allows you to write the frequently used phrases by just two stylus taps.

This mode is only supported when using the old skin.

Philip Young is trying out the Spb Mobile Shell app, you can find his original post here

“Rather than work I have just downloaded and installed a trial version of the SPB Mobile Shell for my Orbit 2 (details http://www.xda-blog.co.uk/). I’d love to say I like it because it looks rather good (which it does) but it is also a huge boon for someone whose eyesight isn’t quite what it used to be but doesn’t like wearing glasses. Big bright symbols, an analogue clock and even a weather forecast function for when I can’t be bothered to look out of the window!!!”