First – Orange SPV E650 Appears as "Coming Soon"

First   Orange SPV E650 Appears as "Coming Soon" Wehay! It looks like the Orange SPV E650 has at last landed (err..almost). It is now sat next to the other SPV handsets in the regular Orange Shop. As we promised you just ten days ago, the innovative QWERTY / numeric keyboard combination-phone is now well on its’ way. The E650 is quoted as having a 2 megapixel camera, quad-band and 3G connectivity, MiniSD slot and more. We’re of the opinion though that there’s no 3G connectivity.


Although it’s showing as “Coming soon” the hunt is already on for the actual device. So far there’s just dummy devices and Matt Gough has emailed in to say, “Dummy ones are in the Orange shops now. Leeds city centre had one – not on display – I had to ask the guy to get it from the back”.


Links – Orange ShopE650 FeaturesE650 Details
Credit – Trevor Marshall, Matt Gough, Johnny De’Silva
Edit – Press release below.. Orange Launches First Windows Mobile 6.0 Device for Business Users

LONDON, April 11
– SPV E650 Combines Latest Microsoft Platform With Dedicated Messaging Features

Orange Business Services today launch the first Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0-powered smartphone on the UK market. Available exclusively from Orange until the beginning of May, the compact SPV E650 combines powerful functionality with sleek design and the ability to connect with Wi-Fi, EDGE and GPRS networks, making mobile messaging easier than ever before.

Designed for business users, the SPV E650 offers all the advantages of a PDA, alongside quad-band functionality for ultimate connectivity. Users can update spreadsheets or documents on the move, using the mobile versions of Microsoft Excel and Word. Windows Mobile 6.0 means that documents appear on the device screen just as they would on a PC, avoiding formatting headaches.

The Orange SPV E650 also conceals a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, making it easier than ever before to respond to emails on the move. A generous screen, which switches automatically between portrait and landscape modes, provides optimum conditions for viewing and amending documents.

“We’re naturally excited to be the first operator to launch a Windows Mobile 6.0 smartphone onto the UK market,” comments Nick Horton, Head of Business Devices, Orange Business Services UK. “By offering this powerful new operating system in a device that combines a compact, attractive design with full QWERTY functionality, we believe the SPV E650 represents the best option yet for today’s mobile professional,” he added.

Windows Mobile 6.0 offers full compatibility with Microsoft Exchange Server, ensuring seamless synchronisation between users’ email accounts and mobile devices. Even hyperlinks are supported, enabling web pages to be accessed directly from emails whilst on the move.

Security features are another important feature of the SPV E650, allowing data to be erased remotely in the event of device loss or theft, via Microsoft Exchange Server.

The SPV E650 is now available to UK business customers for £165 (excluding VAT), or from free depending on contract. The device is also available to consumer customers from free to GBP161, depending on package.


Connectivity
Wi-Fi, EDGE and GPRS

Key Features
Windows Mobile 6® 6.0:
Create and edit Microsoft Word and Excel® and PowerPoint® documents.
ActiveSync® client with push-email support
2.0 megapixel inbuilt camera
Portrait and landscape screen modes
320×240 pixel touch screen with 65k colours
Video player, recording and streaming
Sliding keyboard
Loud speaker for hands free option

Accessories (in-box)
AC adapter with mini USB power plug
Mini USB/USB synchronisation cable
Headset
Battery

Specification
Form factor: sliding keyboard
Size: 101.5 x 50 x 17.5 mm
Weight: 120g
Talk time: up to 5 hours
Standby time: up to 7 days