Orange's new flagship PDA, the SPV M2000, comes with everything the mobile business traveller requires to stay in touch. It integrates Wi-Fi technology, allowing you to drop into a HotSpot location and communicate with your corporate network, or take advantage of free Internet telephony using a VoIP service, such as Skype. It also has a touch-sensitive screen (unlike a smartphone), Bluetooth and a built-in camera for video and photo messaging. The slide-down keyboard also makes the SPV M2000 special, allowing you type e-mails and text message more quickly and more comfortably than a regular mobile phone or PDA, and the LCD screen is big enough to browse the Internet or work on documents on the move with relative ease. If you need a full-functioning PDA with a phone and Wi-Fi (PalmOne's new PalmOS-based Treo 650 doesn't have built-in Wi-Fi), the SPV M2000 is almost perfect.

Pros: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi; supports VoIP; slide-down keyboard
Cons: Bigger and bulkier than a smartphone; useless digital camera


The SPV M2000 (125x72x19mm, 195g) is a Windows Mobile 2003 for PocketPC Phone Edition-powered PDA that combines a relatively high-resolution 3.5in. colour screen (240x320 pixels) and supports full Web access, e-mail and instant messaging. And unlike more restrictive smartphones, the fact that it's a regular PDA means you have more opportunity to personalise the device with a greater range of applications.

The device is sold exclusively in the UK to Orange customers, so it comes with a range of Orange and Microsoft applications and services including photo messaging, e-mail, calendar, contacts, personal information services, instant messaging, Pocket Internet Explorer and Windows Media Player Mobile. Having said that, tech savvy readers will notice that the chassis (codenamed 'Blue Angel') is identical to the XDA II, MDA III, and the iMate PDA2K. This is because they're all designed and manufactured by Taiwan-based High Tech Computers.

Similar to any decent PDA, many of the handheld's functions can be synchronised with a Windows-based desktop PC, including e-mail and calendar software (Microsoft's Outlook for Windows is included), and the built-in camera allows you to take and send photos - albeit at a paltry maximum resolution of 640x480 pixels. You can even backup your contacts and calendar onto the Orange network so you know your details are relatively safe and can be restored at any time. Alternatively, data can be backed up manually using the built-in SD card slot (32MB card supplied). New applications and services can also be downloaded or upgraded over the air, rather than having to download them first to your computer.

As expected, the phone includes several applications and services unique to Orange, such as Packet Video player for access to video content and an excellent Orange Update service which lets you trial and download new applications such as ringtones, tube maps and games. There are also applications for viewing PDFs and PowerPoint presentations, and the Wireless Manager software makes connecting to Wi-Fi network or HotSpot a snap.

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