Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Sorry if it's been covered before, but over the weekend I've been eyeing up the Orange SPV.

I like the specs on it, but wondered if anyone has any 'real life' experience of it.

I've found a website that will supply the phone for free (rather than 149.99 at the Orange Shop) if I connect a 200 minute contract.

I don't like the new Nokia 7650 (I think) as it's far too chunky.

Any other PDA type phones due out that maybe worth the wait? Or would be best off avoiding the Orange SPV?

Cheers
Andy

MATTeL

There have been a couple of threads Andy... still think they watched too much Captain Scarlet (Spectrum Persuit Vehicle).

I can't remember the links though sorry.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

The old threads seem to give inital impressions as they were quiet new then. There seems to be no follow up.

Has anyone read anything about the phone in T3, Stuff or that sort of magazine?

TopBanana

I've heard lots of bad things. I'd suggets holding out for the Sony Ericsson P800

MarkCSC

Battery life is sh*t! It won't even last a day. Build quality is poor, WAP browser badly designed clunky to use. Looks nice though Not a very good phone or a PDA. If you want a PDA that can be a phone get a O2 XDA, if you want a phone that can be a PDA get the 7650 or the P800(if it ever see's the light of day)

Mark

hail-hail

I have swapped back from the 7650 to the 8210 as it is too chunky to carry around. It doesn't really work as a PDA either.

The SPV doesn't have Bluetooth which is a major draw back.

BuRR

I've got one. Quite like it.

Handy for my Outlook contacts / calendar..... and watching that Agent Provocateur video using Media Player

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

I really don't have a call (excuse the pun) for Bluetooth!

I walk to work (so no need to attach to a car kit)
I don't use a handsfree kit.
I'm office based with a PC, so I don't need connectivity to a laptop.
I'm not a heavy phone user (except in the fat way)

To be honest, it's a tarty, geeky, gadgety thing!!

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

BuRR,

That's sounds like a perfect reason to get the phone!!!

BuRR

Andy - give me an email later, and I'll send you the following SPV videos :

Agent Provocateur
Can't Get you out of my head
one of an Audi S1

I still need to tweak them (so the bitrate can be managed properly by the phone) but they're good anyway

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

BuRR,

I'll drop you a mail when I get the phone! I don't want to taunt myself with something my current phone can't use!!

I need my PAC code to port my existing number from Vodafone to Orange, and the phone place is mail order (but at least it's free!! ) So probably the end of the week!!

As a side issue, what do you think of the build quality? Battery life? Useability?

Cheers
Andy

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Cheers BuRR, you're a real gent!

Thanks to all for taking the time to reply! If all goes well I should have one by the end of the week!

BuRR

This is a good website / forum.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

jlanng/Mark,

Just curious do either of you own an SPV, or is this information from a reliable source (friends, work colleagues, family, etc)?

Not a dig, I just want to make an informed choice!

hail-hail

Andy, currently working for Orange and have access to lots of info on the SPV, just let me know exactly what info you want and I'll speak to the appropriate people.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

hail-hail,

I guess I'm concerned about:

Reliability - software crashes, hangs, etc.

Useability - are the buttons & pad ok to use? As they are quite small. (although I currently have a Nokia 8310)

Build quality - any damage due to normal use, bumps, drops, etc?

Battery life - Some have said it will only last a day!!

Thanks
Andy

PS - I couldn't think of a -lity word for the battery life!!

damian666

Longievity

Damian

hail-hail

OK Andy, give me a couple of hours and I'll speak to the appropriate peeps.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Damian,

I think Battery Longievity would be too much of a mouthful!

hail-hail,

Much appreciated.

Cheers
Andy

hail-hail

Andy, pretty much got what I expected: "yes they are reliable", "the buttons are fine" etc. so not a great deal of help.

A couple of facts anyway:

Standby: 3 days
Talktime: 2.5hrs

BL

Andy

I had it for 2 days before Christmas & decided to give it back to them for the following reasons:

1. Rubbish battery life
2. Kept crashing on me
3. Buttons were way too small & too near the bottom of the phone
4. Menus werent all that
5. Very slow
6. MEdia player was crap (but it is a phone)
7. The camera was too fidly & felt like it was going to snap

Eventually swopped for a Nokia 7650 & havnt regretted it at all. Fully syncable & get bluetooth for your pc

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

Thank hail-hail!

Cheers Bobby, but I have my reservations about the Nokia 7650. More down to the size and the fact that the camera has to be revealed everytime you dial a number!

Dr Hu

I have one & think it is the Dogs Nads - It really is a gadget freak purchase.

All my mates think it is the coolest thing ever - Its a phone, PDA, MP3 player, Video player, Mobile Internet..... etc etc

If after 3 months on Contract you don't like it, you can swap it anyway...

Agree battery life probably is the worst thing - I left mine all weekend though and it did'nt go off - but in use you need to be charging it every day.

Just bought a car charger for when I'm caught a bit short....

I am thrilled with mine - swapped from an 8210 and I reckon build qulaity is MUCH better on the SPV, much more solid.

TopBanana

I'm a software developer with some involvement in mobile applications. I know people who've been using these Stinger (aka Stinker) phones for months now and noone is very complimentary

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

jlanng,

Is that from a developers point of view or from a functionality point of view!

If it's functionality, it's down to you guys to fix it!!!

On a serious note, thanks for your comments!

Dr Hu,

Being a gadget kid, I love these things!! I might have to sell the MP3 player that my girlfriend bought for me at Xmas!!!

BuRR

I think the biggest gripe from the point of view of a developer is that they need some kind of certification from Microsoft (and from what I hear - those don't come cheap)

As for battery life - I understand that the first "service pack" - which apparently Denmark already have - increases the battery life as well as speeds up the operation of the menus.

I like it. The pros outweigh the cons IMHO.

BuRR

AND you can use your Nokia charger (plug socket or cig lighter) to charge the phone up - you just plug in the little adapter you get in the box into the Nokia charger.

BuRR

AND (lol - I'm on a roll here ) - you can use MSN messenger on the move using GPRS.

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

BuRR,

I noticed there's a section on the Microsoft website regarding the SPV, and yes I can see that they would charge a lot for the certification!!

The Nokia charger thing is a really idea! I was thinking that I would need another charger at work, but that's another question solved!

There are always firmware and software upgrades, like the T68 which use to run like a dog! So that's very cool as well!

As for MSN, I can live without that!! It annoys me enough on the PC, but to have it on the phone as well!!

Cheers
Andy

RRH

I've had one for a couple of months, but haven't really had time to get to grips with it. the more I learn how to use it the better it gets. No serious issues with battery life- and i've not had any crashes.

Having said that I've now realised that its far too complicated for me, hence its in the 'for sale' section.

simon