From the news release:

HTC, the global leader in Microsoft® Windows Mobile-based devices, and Orange, one of the world’s largest mobile communications companies, today announced the latest slim-line, ultra-powerful compact PDA with Microsoft® push email capability for the European market. The handset runs on the Microsoft® Windows Mobile 5.0 platform and supports quad-band EDGE, GPRS, GSM, delivering instant high speed voice and data communications for the mobile workforce and consumer segments.

“We are delighted to work with Orange as our key launch partner for the latest version of our successful compact PDA platform,”; said Florian Seiche, Vice President of HTC Europe. “In our experience a product with this level of style and muscle always makes an impact. Throw in the fact that businesses can synch this device to their Microsoft® servers for true push email and Orange, and their customers, will be more than happy.”

Initially available from Orange in the UK, France and the Netherlands as the SPV M600, the device is a strikingly compact PDA in sleek black finish and supports cutting edge Bluetooth 2.0 and built-in Wi-Fi capabilities (dual support of 802.11b and 802.11g). The device is also equipped with a powerful 2 mega pixel camera and offers 128MB Flash ROM.

“Partnering with HTC has allowed us to provide our customers with handsets that offer PDA functionality with the mass market appeal of Microsoft® email synchronisation,”; said Yves Maitre, Vice President Devices Orange Group. “If you’re tired of lugging around a bag full of gizmos, the Orange SPV M600 is the phone for you. It’s a phone, a PDA, a camera, a digital music player and an email device, all wrapped up in a single elegant package.”

Orange SPV M600 Reviews

CoolSmartPhone has posted a review of the Orange SPV M600, and finds it a miniature Pocket PC with the functionality and useability of a regular sized Pocket PC. The conclusion? “Overall the M600 has some excellently subtle yet striking looks and does it’s job well. However, like the T-Mobile MDA Vario I found myself wanting just a tad more juice in the CPU. Sure, it’s not slow by any stretch of the imagination but it could be a little quicker. The camera is much better and the 2 Megapixel quality shines through. The WiFi operates well and the power-saving functions do a great job in prolonging battery life. I found the extra one-handed functionality worked well, and it’s easy to fool people into thinking that this is a “fancy phone” rather than a Pocket PC.” Link.

MSMobileNews has posted a review of the Orange SPV M600, and concludes, “The Orange SPV M600 is a great trade off in terms of size versus function; with a feature packed list of specifications that actually delivers on most counts it will keep the vast majority of its customers more than happy. With WiFi, Bluetooth, a decent screen (bright and clear although not as high resolution as we’d have liked), a CPU that runs at a speed faster than you would expect and all of the usual features that you would expect from a Windows Mobile Pocket PC such as Internet browsing, audio and video playback, full POP and IMAP email support, and the ability to be able to install a huge range of third party applications, the M600 is a very powerful device that fits in the palm of your hand.” Link.

Infosync reviews the Orange SPV M600 and concludes, “Contrasts abound in Orange’s SPV M600. An excellent display and comprehensive connectivity are held back by the absence of a thumbboard and 3G, resulting in a device best suited for viewing rather than editing data. At this, it does very well indeed, and although it’s no match for the operator’s own SPV M5000, good battery life, an improved setup for one-handed navigation and a 2 Megapixel camera render it a very nice sidekick indeed - even though its performance is modest and its memory limited.” Link.

Trusted Reviews reviews the Orange SPV M600, and finds the battery life as just acceptable. About the Pocket PC’s screen: “On the screen side of things, I wish the SPV M600 had stretched to 640 x 480 pixels, just for that extra bit of crispness this resolution delivers, but I have no problems reading texts on the 320 x 240 pixels it does offer. I should say, though, that anyone who finds small print in general a bit of a strain on the eyes, might not be so bowled over.” Overall. the verdict is good. “The ultimate endorsement, as far as I am concerned, is setting up my speed dials. I’ve done that with the SPV M600. ‘Nuff said.” Link.

Pocket-lint has a review of the Orange SPV M600 and writes, “Personally we find this package a little confusing. Hey if you want to check your email while you are on the move chances are, you’ll want to reply to them as well and although the M600 features an on-screen keyboard and handwriting recognition, it’s not match for the keyboards found on models like the Palm Treo or the BlackBerrys of this world. As a device, it works well, the Microsoft interface is easy to use and the screen big enough to see stuff without impacting on the overall size of the unit. However it’s just too half-hearted for our liking.” Link.