Orange SPV M3100 3G handset
The ultimate smart phone?
Review Although the Orange SPV M3100 is a version of the HTC TyTN, Orange has come up with a better-looking design. That said, the two devices are otherwise identical. The black device with silver trim looks great and that's only the beginning of it, as this is a really terrific smart phone...
The SPV M3100 has taken all the good features of the SPV M600 and then gained some more for good measure. It has 3G and it supports HSDPA, although Orange has yet to launch its '3G broadband' service here in the UK. It supports video calls, but more importantly, it has a pull-out keyboard and a jog wheel.
Slide the screen to the right and turn the SPV M3100 horizontally and you're set to go. The screen will flip automatically when you open the keyboard. They keyboard is quite good, but you can't touch-type on it. Some of the keys on the review model where quite stiff, which quite often meant I had to re-type words. But it's still possible to type at a decent pace and entering text this way is far superior to using handwriting recognition or tapping the on-screen keyboard. In any case, those options are there as well for when you just want to enter some information quickly without having to open the keyboard.
The front controls are similar in layout to the M600. The M3100 has a slightly different button layout although the same functionality is there. There are two buttons that correspond to the on-screen soft menus; a Windows button that opens the start menu; and an OK button. Below these are the make and end call buttons, and in the middle is a four-way navigation pad with a select button in the middle. A new add-on is the video call button, which is located to the top left of the other buttons.
Above the screen is a second set of controls that launches the messaging software and Internet Explorer. Just above the screen on the right-hand side is the video-call camera. The display itself measures 2.8in and has a standard PDA resolution of 240 x 320. It's about time that these devices start to get higher resolution screens as many other mobile phone manufacturers manage to squeeze this resolution or higher into their standard handsets.
COMMENTS
skype on M600 ?
can i use older/slower version of skype on the M600 ? any one tried it ? does it work ?
M3100 Comments
Nice phone, nice PDA, much better build quality than the previous small factor HTC PDA phones (vario/MDA). Good quality camera, excellent use of buttons and scroll wheel. Even the voice dialling seems to work without a hitch. Looks good, feels solid (haven't dropped it yet tho!).
Gripes ?
Explorer through 3G seem to take ages "Locating" - moving between cells can leave you with a frustrating "Locating" message - problem with explorer or Orange 3G ?
Twice now (in three days) my phone has dropped off the network and getting back on has been either by hard reset or into and out of flight mode.
Finally - ORANGE!! - spend less money on silly inflatable animals and let me have a resonably priced 3G data access package! - if you don't I'll start using wi-fi n skype !
Hardware Problems
Many HTC TyTNs have been returned by owners because of screen alignment and keyboard problems. Most machines with serial numbers starting HT626, HT628 & HT630 are affected. I know as have returned two myself.
As for the SPV M3100, I have had my one for a day. The main issue is that to make a call you need to press the 'on' switch before you can press the key for the keyboard - how can you call this a 'phone'? Call quality is not as good as the SE P990, SE M600 or Nokia 9500. Will add more comments as I have more experience of this device.
Cant agree with the opinion about WM phones
'They "run" Windows, which perpetually crashes and is really slow'
Ummm.... my MDA compact last crashed about 7-8 months ago (nothing major, quick soft reset sorted it) and its fast enough to play Doom, listen to music and watch full length films.
I wont bother trying to counter the other points but will say that as an ex-Palm user ( 4 different models), Im happy with my MDA (no I dont like MS but pragmatism kicks in every now and then)
This new model looks interesting but I will wait and see, doesnt seem a huge step up from what I already have.
Orange SPV Phones
I have tried and returned EVERY Orange SPV phone they've released. They are all utterly useless:
They "run" Windows, which perpetually crashes and is really slow, they have VERY poor receive sensitivity, low transmit power, poor bluetooth (both range and quality are awful), and poor battery life. In short, they're USELESS.
I'm now happily using a Treo without problems.
