When it was announced T-Mobile's MDA Compact III was the first Windows Mobile Pocket PC Phone Edition device from a UK network operator to sport a built in GPS antenna.
It didn't take long for a second to appear as O2's Xda Orbit, and I've seen both. They are both based around HTC's P3300, though there are some differences in both design and features.
All three devices share a very neat system for getting around applications. The standard navigation button has been replaced with a tiny trackball and a wheel you rotate digital music player style. I really like that approach.
Both the MDA Compact III and the Xda Orbit are available with the excellent CoPilot navigation software from ALK, and thus give you a complete PDA and mobile navigation bundle. T-Mobile is continuing a longstanding relationship with ALK in offering CoPilot, O2's offering is a first for them.
The MDA Compact III lacks Wi-Fi which is something of a shame in itself and suprising as both the P3300 and Xda Orbit have managed to leave that in the mix.
My full review of the MDA Compact III has bee published by ZDNet.co.uk and you can read it here. ZDNet.co.uk will be publishing my review of the Xda Orbit shortly.
It didn't take long for a second to appear as O2's Xda Orbit, and I've seen both. They are both based around HTC's P3300, though there are some differences in both design and features.
All three devices share a very neat system for getting around applications. The standard navigation button has been replaced with a tiny trackball and a wheel you rotate digital music player style. I really like that approach.
Both the MDA Compact III and the Xda Orbit are available with the excellent CoPilot navigation software from ALK, and thus give you a complete PDA and mobile navigation bundle. T-Mobile is continuing a longstanding relationship with ALK in offering CoPilot, O2's offering is a first for them.
The MDA Compact III lacks Wi-Fi which is something of a shame in itself and suprising as both the P3300 and Xda Orbit have managed to leave that in the mix.
My full review of the MDA Compact III has bee published by ZDNet.co.uk and you can read it here. ZDNet.co.uk will be publishing my review of the Xda Orbit shortly.