The latest SPV has arrived from Orange, adding a camera and Bluetooth. Anthony Newman discovers that with each iteration they get better and better.
Orange have been the biggest supporters of Microsoft's Smartphone platform, releasing all three versions of the SPV as well as Motorola's MPx200. The version under review here is the latest and greatest SPV: the E200. With a new version of the Smartphone platform and two big new features, many expected great things of this phone. Thankfully, they haven't been disappointed - although things aren't quite perfect.
 | The Orange SPV E200 offers many necessary fixes to problems plaguing its predecessors
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Design
Physically, the E200 is nearly identical to its predecessor, the E100. Some small cosmetic changes have been made to the front of the device: the buttons have become slightly more rubbery and gained a bright blue backlight; the joystick has been redesigned (and is even better to use), and the speaker grille is even more understated.
The back of the phone reveals the biggest change: the addition of a VGA digital camera with both still and video modes. This is neatly recessed and paired with a vanity mirror for self-portraits. Unfortunately, the addition of the camera has necessitated another redesign of the battery, so older accessories won't work. On the plus side, the bottom connector is the same as the SPV E100 so cradles and cables will work just fine.
As before, the E200 fits well in the hand at a hefty but not unpleasant 130 g, with a pleasing design, solid construction and great ergonomics.
The 220 x 176, 16-bit transflective screen of the E100 has been retained, and still remains the best display of any phone out there. It offers amazing colours, super brightness and that vivid resolution.
Thankfully the buttons of the excellent E100 haven't been changed too much, and the keypad remains well-spaced, providing excellent feedback with a slight click. The numerical keys are complemented by call / hang up buttons, home / back keys and two keys to control dynamic functions. The side of the device holds the power button, voice recorder and a volume rocker, all of which are easy to find by touch. We would have appreciated a physical button to activate the camera, although a Speed Dial can be assigned instead.
A single LED graces the top corner of the device's face, flashing green every couple of seconds to indicate a GSM signal, glowing green when charging and flashing blue when the other major addition - Bluetooth - is activated.
Audio quality was always an SPV strongpoint, with the excellent signal-holding being complemented by a clear speaker whether held to the head or on speakerphone mode. Music reproduction through both speaker and headphone jack was excellent, both loud and clear, although the included stereo earbuds are a little inadequate. In addition, being a phone, the E200 is only equipped with a 2.5 mm headphone jack, so a standard pair will require an adaptor.
Connectivity
The E200 is strong in the connectivity department, sporting an SD / MMC slot for memory expansion: Orange supply an 8 MB card with the unit, containing installers for the software bundle. The same sweeping black cradle of previous SPVs is supplied, which functions both for charging and synchronization with a Windows PC. An IR port sits on top of the device, which is exactly where it should be for most intuitive use.
The real boost to this smartphone's connectivity comes in the fresh inclusion of Bluetooth. This, along with the wizards included by Orange, allows the SPV to sync over a wireless link and to communicate with a headset, as well as beam files and PIM items around - although this feature isn't yet supported at a software level, it should appear in third-party solutions. This finally brings the Smartphone platform nearly on par with offerings from Nokia and Sony Ericsson, and is very welcome indeed.
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