Mobile Review: Sep 5, 2011

Company ORSiO Solution, a relatively new player in the market Windows Mobile smartphones, presented a very interesting product which has received index g735. This device will undoubtedly draw the attention of fans of high-tech devices combined all-in-one ". In addition to the built-in GPS-receiver, the existence of which clearly says the letter «g» in the title of machines, our hero is equipped with a module Wi-Fi, Bluetooth version 2.0 with EDR, a powerful processor with 400 MHz and a sliding QWERTY-keyboard. Especially pleased that g735 boasts also a very attractive price. g735 - second GPS-communicator ORSiO. It was preceded by a model n725 GPS (also known as RoverPC G5), with a more powerful processor (Intel XScale PXA 272 520 MHz) and an external GPS receiver. The reader who keeps abreast of developments in the world of mobile devices, probably already noticed the functional similarity of the hero of our today's review with the Glofiish M700, recently appeared on the shelves. The similarity is no coincidence, both devices are designed Taiwanese manufacturer Quanta Computer and built on the same platform.

Direct competitors, in addition Glofiish M700 and his brother besklaviaturnogo X500, a new device from ORSiO no. However, in the review, we draw a parallel with communicators and the Glofiish most closely matches the characteristics of devices HTC P3300 (Artemis) and a QWERTY-slider HTC TyTN. With the specifications of the competition can be found in the table below.

Recall that to construct a comparison table you can use the "Comparison of PDA and communicators" in the "Catalogue of the CPC on HPCru. Testing to us ORSiO g735 got quite burdened charms complete set, because it was an engineering sample. According to the manufacturer, the device goes on sale with the following set:

Leather Case-Holster
extra stylus
Protective Film
lace to be worn on the hand
AC adapter
Wired Headset
miniUSB sync cable
CD with additional software
CD with MS ActiveSync
User guide
Warranty Card

Not every manufacturer equips its communicators leather case, a film and an extra stylus, and the lace on her hand - so even a new word in the set. In general, for a set ORSiO g735 put a strong quartet. All is good, but lacks the car holder and charger from the cigarette lighter - the indispensable companions of any GPS-device. Apparently, the producer decided to give freedom of choice to potential buyers, good range of such accessories on the market is quite wide.

Design and Ergonomics

ORSiO g735 looks more rustic, the tightly mown corners of the body, budget plastic, large size and weight. Nevertheless, the device lies in the hand comfortably. Yes, and all controls are very thought out and different sizes of solid and responsive free swing.

The front part of the g735 is made of black plastic with silver buttons. Above the screen are two buttons: the left, marked with an envelope, by default, somehow tied to your notebook, while the right is responsible for calling the Screen Today. Both buttons are combined with LED status of the communicator.

Below the display are placed two hardware buttons for controlling the soft-keys application next door - hang up and call reception. By the way, to fit your needs by standard means you can reprogram the five hardware buttons typewriter. To navigate menus and launch applications used by large four-way button with confirmation at the center. I must say that the central key is not above the lines of presses. But here it does not cause inconvenience, since the very lines - just great.

Now we shall examine the sidewall g735. On the right side are the volume keys and another programmable button that defaults tied to activate voice commands and voice recorder (On Hold). In the lower part is located 2.5 mm headset jack. The left side of the communicator manufacturer as "not deprived: in the upper part is placed on / off button, and the bottom - a key call camera. There is a reset button.

At the bottom end of the communicator - the classic miniUSB connector and a slot for expansion cards. ORSiO g735 supports the format microSD, which is gradually becoming the standard for smart phones, thanks to its compact size.

On the top of cars there is nothing but "ear" for the strap.

Separate description hears sliding keyboard device. Progress in it - quite heavy, which, however, may be costs of the engineering model. In any case, pay attention to it when buying. To adapt himself to open the keyboard, and especially close with one hand, definitely need to practice and skill. The first time his fingers constantly hit the volume keys.

Button on the keyboard are quite large, are located in four rows. Work with them comfortable and pleasant, because every click is accompanied by a characteristic soft click.All the keys are provided with a pleasant blue backlight, as well as navpad on the front panel, so the typing in the dark does not cause any difficulties ... until we print in English. With the Russian letters, things are not so good. If latin characters perfectly visible in the darkness, the Cyrillic disappears along with the light.

And there are several explanations. First, the Cyrillic characters are quite small. Secondly, they are applied over the keys, and therefore are not highlighted at all. In addition, not all Russian letters fit on the keyboard. Some of them are missing, so that the Cyrillic keyboard layout take the place of arrow keys. A similar situation occurs is not the first time, so get used to this state of affairs is not very difficult. The quality of the application of Cyrillic and not be called perfect, and shaped as letters home may soon disappear altogether from the face of "hardware keyboard. Note! According to information received from the manufacturer, the commercial version of the Cyrillic way of drawing is changed. In pre-production sample engraving was done only to emphasize that the device will be Russified. But back to the inspection device. On the back side g735 located camera, speaker and LED flash framed self-portrait mirror.

The stylus holder is located right on the bottom of the communicator. Such an arrangement used increasingly and deservedly criticized by fans of "classic" placing "the stylus from the top." Perot, in my opinion, holds not ergonomically. No, in itself, a stylus is quite convenient: usual telescoping design, the average thickness, but his removal from the foam - a non-trivial task. The stylus is almost merges with the body. Protrusion on its upper part is very problematic "catch" your fingernail. This is probably just shortcomings of the engineering model. Otherwise, the location of the connectors and controls, again fully coincides with what we have seen in the X500 and M700.

The quality of plastic can be described as average. Build quality staff raises no objections. I will only play a small battery cover. In general, the ergonomics g735 can be estimated at 4-minus. The only serious gripe is the process of extracting the stylus. The special features of a hardware keyboard can be used for a few hours of active communication with the communicator.

Screen

ORSiO g735 screen with characteristics consistent with modern standards: the diagonal - 2,7 inches, resolution - 320x240, shows up to 65536 colors. Gray Scale consists of 11 divisions, and allows you to adjust the level of illumination from barely noticeable (you can not completely turn off the backlight) to a maximum at which the communicator can work in bright sunlight or artificial light. For comfortable everyday work enough to set the slider in the fifth or sixth division.

In general, the quality of the display pleasantly pleased: excellent viewing angles, a wide range of lighting control. True, ORSiO g735 does not always respond to light touch pen, which initially causes some inconvenience. This is especially noticeable in the calibration screen. Several times we apply physical force to cross moved to another corner of the display. In short, definitely worth it to adjust the sensitivity of the screen.

Speed and memory

The speed of the

The communicator uses a popular processor Samsung S3C2442 clocked at 400 MHz, which provides good performance with moderate power consumption. This solution is optimal for modern smartphones. Clock frequency is enough for comfortable work with the phone, watching videos, communicating via Skype. Unlike PDAs, the use of more powerful processors in the communicator is not always justified, because one of the main characteristics for these devices is battery life, which will certainly decrease with increasing clock frequency. On the other hand, popular in the past season of processors from Texas Instruments OMAP 730 and OMAP 850 200 MHz, although it had a low-power, but limits the owner of the device over the same Skype, and even the overall speed of their work was and still is not up to par . Samsung S3C2442 in this respect can be regarded as the golden mean.

By tradition, we tested ORSiO G735 with the package Spb Benchmark. These can be found in the following table. With the decoding performance can be found at the developer: http://www.spbsoftwarehouse.com/products/benchmark/tests.html?ru

The results indicate that in some tests ORSiO g735 even surpasses its competitors Glofiish X500/M700. True, it's superiority - a slight, and it may well be attributed to testing error. HTC P3300 was significantly slower than our today's hero, that it is not surprising when it is 200 MHz "stone". If you evaluate the performance of your device from the perspective of an ordinary user, you can say that the g735 is not the brakes, navigation is carried out instantly, standard applications such as Word Mobile and Excel Mobile opens with a barely perceptible delay. Traditionally, we have tested video playback using g735 popular player TCPMP (The Core Pocket Media Player) version 0.72RC1. Recall that the normal rate is 120%. Test clips downloaded from the official site TCPMP, encoded the two most popular codecs (DivX and XviD) in the most popular resolutions. Testing results can be found in the following table.

But when testing video g735 has proved worse than their competitors. Not entirely clear what caused such a serious backlog g735 from similar models by filling Glofiish. It is not excluded that this feature of the test instance. Nevertheless, we shall operate the figures. With the video playing in the resolution of 320x240 machine coped well. When playing videos in higher resolution, g735 no show better results. However, serious shortcomings are attributed difficult, given the QVGA resolution screen device.

Memory

As for memory, the picture is quite familiar to most users. Standard 128 MB ROM and 64 MB of RAM, of which the user can use about 71 MB for storing data and installing programs, and approximately 33 MB to run. In fact, serious problems with lack of memory during the testing apparatus was not observed. All programs are easy runs and runs without any problems. Naturally, with 70 MB of storage "does not go far, both in direct (navigation products are often supplied with maps, whose size often exceeds 70 MB available), and in a figurative sense - should be the same somewhere to put and other software. Therefore, the memory card will have to acquire. ORSiO g735 supports microSD up to 2 GB.

Sound

Sound capabilities g735 - standard. Ringing volume - sufficient, but in order not to miss a call, it is better to expose it to the maximum. Plus, the speaker is located on the back of the device, protruding slightly relative to the body, and if the device lies on the surface of the screen up, then the ring tone is much quieter. There rescues a powerful vibrating unit, which will definitely not miss a single call. By voice dynamics, used in conversation, no complaints. During the week-long test ORSiO g735 its volume was set at half of what was good enough, even when communicating in noisy environments. Quality microphone is also not satisfactory. In the absence of noise, you can record voice at a distance of 3-4 m. These figures are common for the vast majority of smartphones. Performed well ORSiO g735 and as mp3-player. To estimate the sound section used an adapter for 3.5 mm headphones Sony MDR-V300DJ. Is adequate for not too demanding user and is comparable with the sound of cheap players. Of course, for a more interesting sound desirable to use any alternative player instead of the regular WMP, disadvantages which are well known. Finally, we recall that ORSiO g735, as well as its competitors, has a built-in FM-tuner, but described in a little later.

Sociability

Regarding wireless capabilities, g735 can give odds to many modern smartphones. No, except that, gradually passing into the past an infrared port, failing which by modern standards, hardly a disadvantage.

Phone

Telephone part g735 quad-band GSM - 900/1800/850/1900 MHz. Of course, delighted and technology support EDGE, which transfers data at a rate three times greater than the possibility of GPRS. Support for third-generation networks at our hero is not provided, which is quite justified in terms of Russian realities. Although, if done dry feature comparison, here ORSiO g735 gives one of his competitors keyboard HTC TyTN.

Bluetooth

Module Bluetooth, as well as in the case of the Glofiish X500/M700, has almost the maximum to date abilities. Protocol version 2.0 with EDR enables data transfer at speeds exceeding 1 Mbps.There is A2DP and AVRCP for music through the stereo-Bluetooth headset, and, accordingly, to control the player with the buttons on the headset itself. In addition, the wireless module g735 supports FTP service for sharing files with remote devices, data synchronization via ActiveSync, exchange business cards and Bluetooth-connected keyboard. All the profiles are working flawlessly. For example, the connection with the Jabra and SonyEricsson have passed successfully. Without any difficulty interacted and the unit with phones SonyEricsson, smartphone Nokia N-Gage QD and communicator Voxtel W420.

Wi-Fi

Pleasantly pleased with the protocol and support for fast Wi-Fi 802.11g. For the parameter settings Wi-Fi at our hero has a built-WLAN Utility, which allows to change the basic parameters of the connection. In general, the in-built Wi-Fi module causes only positive emotions: communicator quickly finds the access point in range, consistently keeps the connection. As shown by my experience in those places the apartment where the Acer laptop with built-in Wi-Fi module refuses to open any page of the weak link, g735 not only allows you to navigate the World Wide Web, but also great to make and receive Skype calls .

Multimedia

Luggage

ORSiO g735 has a CMOS-matrix with a resolution of 2 megapixel, which allows you to save images with a maximum resolution of 1600x1200 pixels. As we mentioned at the beginning of the review of the device is present in flash and self-portrait mirror. Camera control interface is quite convenient, all settings made on the screen and arranged along its perimeter. Soft keys are large, their location, "enchanted" under the control functions of the camera the thumbs of both hands. In general, the camera control can be assessed as "excellent." Of the main settings are available:

choice format of the stored image (JPEG or BMP)
additional color modes (negative, grayscale, retrospective) and mode of "reflection"
white balance (six preset modes and automatic detection)
Choose a picture resolution (1600x1200, 1280x960, 640x480, 320x240x 176x144)
enable or disable flash
selection frame of the three options.

Autofocus function is not available, but picture quality is quite acceptable for devices that level. After a little "dialogue" with the device, you can get pretty good pictures. With the examples you can find below.

ORSiO g735: example photo (jpg, 1600 x 1200)

Video recording is also present. You can choose the quality (high, medium, or low) and the video resolution (320x240, 176x144 or 128x96), but only one format - 3gp. Also in the video mode you can adjust the white balance to enable or disable sound recording. At the maximum quality minute of video takes up about 4.5 MB. As for quality, in a static state can still be seen, what captures the communicator, but even with the slightest movement of the picture is transformed into a continuous multi-colored mess. Here are examples of video recording in the room. In the first case of moving the camera in the second chamber remains in place.

ORSiO g735: Video sample (3gp, 4,57 MB)

ORSiO g735: Video sample (3gp, 4,82 MB)

Videotaped in daylight also recommend not moving the machine.

ORSiO g735: Video sample (3gp, 3,70 MB)

ORSiO g735: Video sample (3gp, 4,55 MB)

In short, video - not the strong point g735.

Radio

The very existence of radio - a definite plus communicator. Recently, more and more often we can see an integrated FM-receiver devices, Windows Mobile. The management interface is absolutely similar to that available to the Glofiish X500/M700, therefore, consider it in detail, we will not.But nevertheless, we list the main features:

playback is possible only through the headset, also serves as an aerial
in memory can store up to 30 stations for the three regions - Europe (87,5-108 MHz), Japan (76,0-90 MHz) and U.S. (87,5-107,9 MHz)
smooth volume control
ability to turn off the screen in the radio mode.

In general, the receiver works well. In conjunction with a headset on RoverPC W5 confidently accepts all major radio stations (complete test was not possible because of her absence, however, is unlikely to staffing headset from g735 will be qualitatively different from all others, supplied with the communicators of the brand). Unfortunately, when using g735 with adapter 2,5 mm to 3,5 mm, the reception quality is much worse. True, it is typical for most mobile devices with built-in radio. The function of recording the radio is not available.

Runtime

In ORSiO g735 installed lithium battery solid capacity in 1530 mAh battery, similar to what we saw again at the Glofiish X500/M700. Let's see how many survived communicator at different loads. Maximum load. The brightness set to maximum, the speaker volume - also included Wi-Fi network in the search mode, and Bluetooth. Through Windows Media Player in the cycle is played a "heavy" video. Battery life in this mode was - 2 hours 58 minutes. 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 - 21 hours 5 minutes. 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 - 15 hours 31 minutes.

As can be seen from the table, ORSiO g735 showed very good results in the mode of everyday use, and lagged behind its competitors in the maximum load. Likely to affect specific power management settings. With average load, which implies 10-15 minutes of calls per day, hours of music listening, 20-30 minutes of using the wireless interfaces, a periodic activate GPS, PDA "lived" about two days.

GPS-receiver

The device is based on the recommendations not requiring 20-channel chip SiRFstar III. As you know, it does not require an external antenna for communicating with satellites. Apparently it played no role in that the developer made no provision for housing g735 connector for external antenna. Of course, external antenna, in some cases can improve the quality of signal reception GPS. Nevertheless, in the absence thereof, ORSiO g735 copes with navigational tasks. No failures have been reported, even inside buildings receiver consistently kept in touch with 2-4 satellites. Of course, in tunnels, underground parking, sometimes on the first floor link with the satellites was lost, but it already belongs to the shortcomings of GPS technology in general. Pleasantly pleased with the start time and the receiver. It is only slightly different from that stated in the specifications SiRFstar III. Recall that the standard for this chip are 42, 35 and 1 second for cold, warm and hot start, respectively. Time Hot Start the average was about 2-3 seconds, which is very, very bad. When you first start g735 discovered satellites in about 1,5-2 minutes, which is also a good indicator.Navigation software included with the communicator was not, but, according to preliminary information, the device will be available with the program "Roos 3D». More accurate data on this subject yet. Given the lack of a complete navigation has been selected to test the program Autosputnik. Trouble with the navigation, as already mentioned above, was noted. Ligament ORSiO g735 and Autosputnik "perfectly coped with the tasks of navigation, as in the conduct of the route, and just show mode current location.

Soft

ORSiO g735 running the operating system Windows Mobile 5.0 with service pack AKU 3.2. This package is found is not the first time, so it briefly list the main differences from AKU 2.X:

Internet Explorer with support for AJAX, which allows you to create / view the dynamic page on your mobile device
multi-language support (Language Provisioning), which gives the developer an opportunity to include multiple language packs in the standard set of devices
improved support for wireless connections, in particular, modified service A2DP for listening to music via stereo Bluetooth-headset, as well as support for WPA2 security standard for Wi-Fi connections
probably the most pleasant and helpful - you can have tunes in mp3 the call without any additional software
slightly improved email client Outlook Mobile
program Internet Sharing, greatly simplifies the process of using the communicator as a modem.

With optional software is preinstalled on g735, things are not so rosy as that of communicators Glofiish. Besides the standard set by Microsoft, on a typewriter can be found utility Voice Commander. The program is designed for voice control device and has enough features.

In addition to standard features such as voice dialing subscriber or activate the menu item Windows Mobile, you can make calls or third-party applications, for example, play a specific file from the library of Windows Media Player. The default application assigns labels to new programs and music files, but if we do not like the label assigned by default, there is always an opportunity to put your own. The voice recognition works through the microphone of the device or through the headset. In addition, we note program Wireless Manager, again familiar to us communicators Glofiish. Recall that the application is designed to centrally manage all wireless interface device.

The specifications ORSiO g735 was listed mysterious "CD with additional software. That there would be is still unknown. Hopefully, the company ORSiO compensate for the deficiency of software preinstalled, placing on a CD a few full-featured programs, as was the case with the g725.

Price

Recommended price ORSiO g735 is 18,500 rubles ($ 700), which makes the g735 one of the most lucrative offers class "all-in-one".

Notes Users

In company with ORSiO g735 I spent a little over a week. It took a while to get used to the keyboard and stylus, but, in general, use the typewriter was pretty comfortable. As for controls, I personally did not like the location of the navigation buttons at the base unit. In my opinion, its worth it to put closer to the display. Now on to the device. I periodically connect to the W-Fi-networks for Internet access, activated the GPS-receiver, using Bluetooth. All wireless interfaces have worked on the "excellent". Nevertheless, there were a few unpleasant moments. Those who use the services of the operator MTS, will understand me. Innocuous broadcasts (Cell Broadcast) with the word "capital", coming in several times a minute, often cause irritation. My attempts to disable them using standard device failed. Apparatus was absolutely still, a point was marked by a tick (on or off), messages poured in any case. Hopefully, this will be fixed in future firmware.

ORSiO g735: receiving Cell Broadcast is enabled

ORSiO g735: receiving Cell Broadcast off

Another flaw is the program name can not change the language on a hardware keyboard, the standard means. In this case, whenever necessary to resort to using the stylus. In fairness, this situation has been observed and Glofiish M700. To fully use the hardware keyboard, it is necessary to carry out some simple manipulations. First download the program to work with the hardware keyboard AEKMap, then download the patch, designed for the Glofiish M700. "Patches" to put in the installation folder (by default, Program Files / AEKMap). After that, we are able to "hang up" feature to switch the language on the keyboard at any hardware key. It would also solve the problem with inability to display Cyrillic in some third-party applications.

Output

With the advent of the regiment ORSiO g735 keyboard vans arrived, so you can only rejoice. So far the market leader, the company HTC, is preparing to release its P4450, also known as Kaiser, ORSiO produces a product worthy of attention for at least fans of multifunction devices with hardware keyboard. True, g735 hardly a stylish device. Its design is rather fit the definition of "classic". Nevertheless, its hardware capabilities of your device implements a 100%.

Finally, as always, thoughts about the potential buyer. ORSiO g735 suit users, for which, first of all, important features, coupled with mandatory QWERTY keyboard. Lovers of fashion phones, our hero is likely to disappoint. Now, as usual, we reduce all experiences to the pros and cons and see what happens in the dry residue.

a rare combination of Wi-Fi (802.11g) + GPS (SiRFStar III) + EDGE + hardware keyboard
FM-radio
solid battery life
good screen
headphone jack 2,5 mm (observing the gradual transition of producers on ExtUsb, I would venture to attribute it to the pluses)

small set of pre-installed software
substandard performance of the Cyrillic alphabet on a hardware keyboard (only in the test sample: in commercial quantities, according to information from the manufacturer, will be improved factory performance of the keyboard)
the absence of a connector for external GPS-antenna
difficulty with the withdrawal of the stylus from the slot

The authors, translation:

ORSiO g735: another keyboard wagon