(Click here for a larger view of O2's Xda Orbit II)Though O2 says in its release that "the design of the Xda Orbit II was exclusively for O2," the device appears to be a slightly restyled version of the
HTC Touch Cruise, introduced in November 2007. The Xda Orbit II includes HTC's much-touted TouchFLO UI (user interface), according to O2.
First introduced with the
HTC Touch, TouchFLO is able to distinguish whether the screen is being touched by a stylus or by fingers, and respond accordingly. Finger touches allow scrolling, panning, and zooming in or out.
Other features of the Xda Orbit II are also identical to the HTC Touch Cruise, starting with the ARM11 based Qualcomm MSM7200, clocked at 400 MHz. The phone has 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash memory.
The MSM7200 has integral GPS capabilities, and these are complemented on the Xda Orbit II by the Tom Tom Navigator software supplied, according to O2. The phone's microSD slot can be used to store maps: As sold in Germany, for example, the device comes with a 1GB card holding "comprehensive maps of Germany, Austria, Switzerland and all European main streets," according to O2.
Other wireless features in the device include support for HSDPA/UMTS (2100 MHz) and GSM/GPRS/EDGE (900, 1800, 1900 MHz) cellular networks, along with Bluetooth 2.0 and 802.11b/g wireless networking. High-speed data downloads are rated at 3.6Mbps for HSDPA, and 384Kbps for UMTS; upload rates for both technologies are specified at 384Kbps.
The Xda Orbit II also provides an FM radio and dual cameras. Its three megapixel autofocus camera is intended for photos, while a front-facing VGA (640 x 480 pixel) camera is intended for videoconferencing.
Key features and specifications of the Xda Orbit II, as listed by O2, include:
- Processor -- Qualcomm MSM7200, clocked at 400 MHz
- Memory -- 128 MB RAM; 256 MB flash
- Display -- 2.8-inch TFT display with 320 x 240 resolution and LCD backlighting
- Keys -- 4-way navigation wheel with enter button
- Wireless interfaces:
- WAN:
- UMTS tri-band (850/1900/2100MHz)
- GSM quad-band (850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz)
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g WiFi
- WPAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- Camera -- 3 megapixel camera with auto focus, plus VGA-resolution camera for videoconferencing
- Built-in GPS receiver
- Built-in FM receiver
- Other I/O -- mini-USB
- Expansion -- microSD card
- Dimensions -- 4.3 x 2.3 x 0.6 inches (110 x 58 x 16 mm)
- Weight -- 4.6 ounces (130 gm) with battery
- Battery -- 1350 mAh rechargeable lithium-ion
O2 says the Xda Orbit II is available now in Europe, priced at 99 euros when purchased with a cellular service contract.
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