Orsio n725: small, but deletion

The recent exit from the shadow of gray eminence smartfonostroeniya, the Taiwanese company HTC, is not a reason to relax. In other words, it does not mean that the market will no longer appear devices clones under different names. In addition to her on the glorious island of Formosa, labor and other manufacturers operating in the same way. True, in our case, the relationship is not so obvious. Speech - about the ODM-производительнице Quanta, which produced the hero of this review - the communicator Orsio N725. The fair's sake, was first released on the same thing for the European mobile operator O2, known as Atom XDA Exec and different from the N725 externally. Thus, the device (as it did not you call - Atom or Orsio) is essentially an ideological continuation of the hit this spring - Communicator O2 XDA Atom, interesting, in addition to a full wireless kit, a powerful processor and an integrated FM-receiver. The new Exec installed just over a high-speed stone, more memory, resulting in increased productivity. But now, with the release of a new wave of devices, such as the Glofiish X500 and HTC P3300 relevance of this unit falls. Features Orsio N725 draw more on the class of devices an average price level, because it has no built-in GPS-module. Nevertheless, he really has something to please their potential owners. Let's see how consistent Orsio N725 his class. The time of the first. In the sale will go three versions of the device - Orsio N725 Basic, Orsio N725 and Orsio N725 GPS, which differ in bundle. Complete with the latest will go the external Bluetooth GPS receiver, a set for the unit is installed in the car and the charger from the cigarette lighter. This equipment will help to partly solve the problem of lack of built-in GPS, however, pay for it will have a few more. Here we describe a variant without a satellite receiver.

Here are its specifications:
• Operating system: Windows Mobile 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition
• Processor: Intel XScale PXA272, 520 MHz
• Memory: 64 MB Flash RAM (RAM) 192 MB Flash ROM (ROM)
• Screen: 2.7 "transflective TFT, 240x320 pixels, 262 thousand colors
• Expandable memory: miniSD slot
• Wireless Interfaces: Bluetooth v.1.2 (Supported profiles: Headset, Hands-free, SPP, DUN, A2DP), Wi-Fi (802.11b), GSM 900/1800/1900, GPRS Class 10, EDGE, IrDA (Infrared )
• Camera: 2.0 MP (the maximum resolution of 1600x1200 pixels)
• Radio: FM-tuner
• Battery: Lithium-polymer battery, 1530 mAh
• Audio: Microphone, stereo speakers, 2.5 mm stereo headphone jack
• Dimensions and weight: 58x102x18.5 mm, 140 g.

Among close as possible to Orsio N725 can be distinguished communicator E-Ten M600 + and Qtek s200. Compared to the last, our hero is equipped with more powerful processor and large amounts of persistent memory - 192 MB vs. 128 MB. In addition, the N725 more capacious battery 1530 mAh vs. 1200 mAh, which we will test the endurance of the relevant chapter. If you remember, the results Qtek s200 in this parameter were on top. As for comparisons with the E-Ten M600 +, the latter outperforms Orsio Total internal memory (256 MB ROM to the declaration above 192 MB), but nominally loses expense of slightly less powerful processor - 400 MHz vs. 520 MHz. In addition, the M600 + does not support EDGE. And, finally, both are inferior competitor to our hero in terms of size: Orsio N725 - smaller and lighter. True, and the diagonal of its screen - a bit less than they did: 2.7 "vs. 2.8". Here's a mini-duel. Compare yourself these communicators can be as usual in the "Catalogue of the CPC on HPCru. Finally, we can not fail to mention is that Orsio, in addition to O2 Atom Exec, appeared in the domestic market is another "brother" - this time a twin, which will be released soon under the brand RoverPC G5. Both communicators released in the same buildings and differ only in name. Here is a platform from Quanta - one in three persons. But we will return to Orsio N725 and continue its review.

Supplied

Inside the Box Orsio n725 is impressive:

• spare stylus
• cradle
• Leather Case
• AC adapter
• miniUSB cable for synchronization
• lace to be worn on the hand
• Headset Hands-free
• quality protective film (on technology Brando)
• stereo adapter (2.5 mm - 3.5 mm) to connect standard headphones
• CD with software and drivers
• User's Guide.

Agree, rarely in recent years manufacturers communicators zhaluyut us in such a march set. Convenient desktop cradle replaced by cheap miniUSB cables, cases - entirely of artificial leather, laces and they buy themselves. And as such is really necessary things, as a protective film or an adapter which will connect to the unit normal headphones, so do not bother nobody. However, by us to the test without the N725 got all this wealth, so that assess the quality of the components set, we can not.

Design and Ergonomics

Orsio N725 - very small, lightweight and made of a soft-touch plastic, and therefore equally organic will look like in a man's hand, and the female palm. In the first case, the machine can even be mistaken for krupnovaty phone from some top-Series Nokia, if not too watch. Finally, communicators begin to approach in size to the cell tubes. Hence, close to the day when the device to distinguish from the usual tube-to-face is not so easy. Design N725 - universal and severe. Basic color - matte dark gray with silver trim on the edges. The screen is framed by a black border, why work when he looks noticeably brighter and more spectacular. But the face buttons in conjunction with the protruding mesh speaker, in my opinion, look somewhat outdated. However, it is a matter of taste. Maybe someone will like this duet. When you take the first typewriter in hand, there is a feeling that the body is made of cheap plastic. You press a little and creak. An-no! No matter how I twisted the phone, no matter how squeezed - no backlash side walls, no deflection is not found. The body is made of conscience - and that's a plus Orsio. In terms of location of connectors and other elements are all arranged as standard. MiniUSB and headphone output - bottom slot miniSD - from the top. Infrared placed on the right side. The camera, like all the phones on the back. At first glance, the use Orsio N725 will be familiar and comfortable. But, nevertheless, a minor difficulty is still present. However, not all as smooth, rather, everything is very even smooth. The stylus is so tightly seated in the body that get it can only be caught with a fingernail.If the majority of models you will spend your finger along the side wall and clearly feel where the small ledge pen where it can be easily removed, then the surface of the N725 in the silo - almost flat. The touch does not show up. Still, the stylus is made almost flush, that is flush with the end. Is this good or bad? On one side is good - the problem of spontaneous loss of the stylus just does not apply to this unit, on the other hand - for some time have to get used to taut the stylus. True, the pen itself - a convenient, albeit slightly tonkovatoe for my taste. Next lack Orsio - hardware buttons located below the screen. Those buttons ("Accept Call", "Reject", "Start" and "Postal Customer") that are located around the joystick, copes with its responsibilities. They, of course, an unusually harsh and are not very good returns, but still getting used to them you can. However, the navigation button - a separate conversation. Due to the very center of the convex buttons, four buttons surrounding it are not as "responsive and comfortable as we would like. We turn to the buttons at the ends of the device. On the left side is a volume control. Actually, her have one question - is unusual, confusing labeling. Why invent some new icons, and once more confusing to the user regarding the appointment of the buttons? As for convenience - everything here is excellent! When the device is in your left hand, buttons are just below the thumb, adjust the volume to be easy. Button, despite the fact that virtually no stand out above the surface, pressed very firmly. On the right side are placed the same poluspryatannye, but with a completely clear labels, buttons, run the camera and call recording program. These keys, you can "hang" and call any other application. By the way, is rather strange that the majority of producers (including Orsio) neglected hardware soft keys - many contemporary models are available, makes it difficult to control the communicator in one hand. In part, this problem can be solved, reprogram key launch mail client for the operation of the right soft button. Left button corresponding to the default per-call "Start" menu, to use for similar purposes is impossible. As a result, we have formed a rather mixed picture. On the one hand, the device is small and portable, and with another - not all seem manageable. In any case, buying advise you to pay attention to the buttons and easy operation of the communicator.

Screen

Orsio screen has a standard size for today - 2,7 "and the resolution of 240x320. The quality of the matrix screen height. Viewing angles inconvenience in not cause. Backlighting has 10 divisions, so you can adjust it with a jeweler's precision. Even in the middle position ( brightness - "5"), the screen looks very bright and contrasty.

Speed ​​and memory

Oh what a new device is not deprived, it's fast. Processor Intel PXA272 520 MHz should be able to very much what we saw during the test. However, with the first test - Spb Benchmark, we went out lining. I do not know why, but on our engineering sample, this program is totally crashed. Therefore, we tried to evaluate the performance in real applications. Take, for example, video playback in MPEG4.Most of the processors installed on your device may not be able to fully, without inhibition to play such videos in a normal computer resolution. I do not argue, if you take the time to recompress a movie in the resolution of a handheld device - 240x320, the file will be played without problems on almost any machine. But nevsegda want to spend time on it. Agree, the ideal: to copy a movie from your desktop computer to a memory card device, and immediately view. Not every machine capable of it. Therefore, this time try to evaluate the full performance of the processor Orsio N725 using a player TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) version 0.72RC1. According to standard procedure, the normal playback speed is rate of 100%, but since TCPMP shows the average result, decided to take the norm of 120%. Of course, the more the better. Test spots for the player, compressed codecs DivX and XviD in the most popular resolutions, is freely available on the website developers player. The table below shows the test results in comparison with other popular devices. So, for the two most popular permit compression, 640x480 and 640x352, respectively: - 114% and 152%. Excellent. For this machine video from your PC to convert just do not have to. Judging by the test, the stone Orsio has excellent performance. So we can expect to work with no brakes in almost all applications. Now, as usual, about memory. The total amount of RAM and ROM at a novelty more than most competitors - 64 MB (RAM) and 192 MB (ROM), and therefore the user's need to play about 150 MB. I'm not inclined to believe that large amounts of memory - it's undeniable dignity. In any case, need to purchase an additional memory card, but the extra 32 MB - a pleasant trifle.

Sound

Opportunities to work with sound in Orsio n725 most common. Speaker, by the way, stereo, good volume. Call you will not miss even in a noisy environment. Audibility and detailed sound - very good for "Tweeters". Vibrate - medium strength. The headset that comes bundled, will, at best, hear each other and play games, where sound quality is not important. For music, a music lover this is always cooked good headphones. As I have said to Orsio they can be connected via an adapter that goes in the kit. Sound quality - at the level of most MP3 players. Finally can not resist one more little comment. As communicators, as well as in phones, stereodinimiki - it's pure fashion. No stereo speakers, located at 5 cm from each other, in principle, impossible to obtain.

Communication

Phone

At first glance, everything is simple, you want to call - press "Call" button, enter the number and talk, the conversation has finished - click "End". In fact - there are difficulties. In the apparatus there is a distinct lack of buttons, there is the usual key doubles soft keys. Because of this, for example, when it is necessary not just to dial a number and get in a notebook, you will need a stylus or your finger to open the "Contacts". Partly the problem may be solved with a button marked "envelope", when clicked, by default you are in the "Messages". This button can be reprogrammed at the entrance to the "Contact Us". And another button, marked with «Windows», on which opens the Start menu, does not allow for reprogramming. In addition to the calls at your disposal the mobile Internet via GPRS (Class 10), and faster, but it is not always working - EDGE, which is an advantage of the machine.

Bluetooth

PDA without Bluetooth support is now no longer available. Moreover, it is slowly gaining popularity a new version of the standard 2.0. Strange, but not implemented Orsio newest Bluetooth v.1.2, albeit with a large number of profiles supported: headset, "" wireless headphones », Hands-free, SPP, DUN. The inclusion of a wireless Bluetooth interface is made directly from the desktop. After that, the passing standard procedure for entering a session password, you can share files with other Bluetooth devices, transferring them directly from Explorer.

Wi-Fi

In addition to the "blue tooth», Orsio supports Wi-Fi 802.11b. "Slow" standard Wi-Fi, personally for me, is ambivalent feelings. On the one hand, I understand that the fast Wi-Fi (802.11g) with data rates up to 55Mbit / s to put on bestolku communicators. Neither device will not work with slower 802.11b standard to its fullest. That is, if your device supports 802.11g, speed Wi-Fi networks is you do not really add. Let me explain. Reset a friend a few photos or music - faster than using Bluetooth, you configure both devices Wi-Fi connection point to point. " Exit is on the Internet with megabit speeds on a free hotspot in any cafe or shopping mall, you will also not allow limitations contained therein. That is, the existence of "fast» Wi-Fi on your device today - it's useless in 99% of the option. On the other hand, in the model, which claims to novelty, I would like to see Bluetooth and Wi-Fi next generation. But back to the review. To enable or disable the wireless interfaces on the device provides a standard controller for wireless connections. But we are interested not he, but a handy utility to configure the Wi-Fi. This program allows you to configure general Wi-Fi connections, such as: choice of channel, setting the data rate. In addition, the program helps to effectively manage power consumption: enable power-saving mode, forced to reduce the power level of the radiator to allow the automatic shutdown. Next tab of the program contains information about network settings (domain, IP address, DNS, the presence of DHCP). Well here is the button «Ping» - an indispensable function for any beginner Wi-fayschika. Button allows you to check the correctness of the network and perform an analog command «ping» on the desktop. Previously, this possibility is provided only to third-party software developers. The last tab tool you can view a list of available networks.

Multimedia

Luggage

Luggage Orsio n725 differs quite modern characteristics. Matrix - 2.0 megapixel maximum resolution - 1600x1200 pixels, LED flash. Setting up the camera - pretty standard. Select the resolution, the recording quality shots, forced on / off the flash, multiple shooting modes, etc.

Orsio N725: camera settings

In addition to the photos you can capture video at resolutions up to 320x240. Video can be stored directly in MPEG4. Number of frames in video footage to 16. When you turn the camera mode, the screen shows a few additional icons Management (flash, settings), the current picture resolution, digital zoom, etc. In addition, it is possible to save pictures directly to a memory card, insert a typical sound "klats, appearing during filming. Convenient option - Timer: you can run to catch friends and also get into the frame. Now experience. Recently, portable technology 1.3 megapixel camera was changed to 2 mp. The addition of megapixels for super compact optics, in fact, image quality does not add. As for other communicators, and mobile phones, camera Orsio can be used only for the simplest of goals and certainly not as a replacement camera. On the device, images look good. You can even do quite tolerable photo pals and display their photos on the screen during calls. On the desktop computer image to full screen is better not to deploy. Matrix of noise. In general, anything new, everything like everyone else. As for flash, or more correctly - LED illumination, it can illuminate the subject at a distance of 1-1,5 meters. At longer distances should not count. Nevertheless, the presence of flash, plus a clear, not all of its competitors can boast. Video that takes the camera well suited for viewing, especially on the device itself.

FM - Tuner

Orsio - a regular winner of built-in FM tuner. An indispensable thing for those who love music but do not want to be limited to collection of mp3 files. Receiver works only when connected to full-time headset performs part-time as an antenna. The program for setting up and navigating the radio - very convenient and easy to use. Once set the receiver, then you just switch between stations. But the radio - it's not all. Orsio N725 - the owner of a rare recording features songs directly from FM tuner. All the features promised by the manufacturer, of course, work. Unfortunately, FM tuner is not too sensitive. In the room listening to it will hardly be possible, though for the street - at the time. The function of recording music directly from the air allows you to save a file to wav file with not the most ideal, but acceptable quality. Interested parties can download a piece of musical composition written Orsio radio "Europa Plus" weighing 240 kb.

Runtime

The battery in our test, despite the low weight, rather capacious - 1530 mAh, so expect good results. Testing the battery life was the standard scheme. 1. Maximum load. The brightness set to maximum, the speaker volume - also included Wi-Fi network in the search mode, and Bluetooth, the Windows Media Player in the cycle is played a "heavy" video. Battery life in this mode was - 2 hours 10 minutes. 2. Normal operation. All wireless modules are disabled. The brightness is set to the second division of the account (ie, average). On the PDA was started reading the text in Haali Reader with automatic scrolling. Time work was - 15 hours 20 minutes. 3. MP3 Playback. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and the screen turned off. Listening through headphones at maximum volume. We used a Pocket Media Player and files with bitrates 192 KB / c. Hours - 8 hours 15 minutes. The results are quite good, especially when you consider that most of the time, most users use smartphones have to read books. In this regard, Orsio especially good. Now look how it stacks up against competitors. As regards the work as a whole, will have to recharge the unit with an average load of not more than once in two days. Good result for the device.

Soft

A few words about the software that comes bundled. As in the case of a complete set, here is where to roam. So, on CD with Orsio n725 delivered a working version SPB PocketPlus. For the version with the GPS device will go further navigation program (what exactly is unknown). Among the pre-software - a very good set. Firstly, a special version of the popular reading room Haali Reader for Orsio. Secondly, JAVA, responsible for the execution of Java applications, and therefore allows to install any java-toy or a program from. MMS Compozer - A utility for making MMS messages (choose the picture, fill in the fields - "who", "message", can attach an audio file.) Wi-Fi Utility - A utility for configuring Wi-Fi connection, which we described above. In addition, on the Today placed handy plugin, demonstiruyuschy battery charge, the number of busy / free memory and enables the adjustment of screen brightness.

Price issue

Retail price Orsio n725 is about $ 630 for a model without GPS-receiver, and about $ 740 per kit with GPS-navigation.

Conclusions

Orsio n725 - certainly an interesting option, which, though not without flaws. On the one hand, "for" the machine says a great performance, a full set of wireless interfaces, vivid screen contrast, a rich and complete set of FM-tuner, and the other "versus" somewhat awkward navigation keys. In any case, we finally decide to help only a personal acquaintance with the device - for ease of use and acceptability of the design. Otherwise, the list of pros clearly outweigh the negative impression.

Pros:
• quality assembly
• compactness
• excellent performance (no need to convert videos for playback on the device)
• Good battery life
• rich equipment (leather case, a film on the screen, an adapter for headphones)
• complete set of wireless interfaces, including EDGE
• presence of FM-tuner with recording function with ether
• good selection of additional software.

Cons:
• uncomfortable and hard buttons on the front panel.

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