Questions from a TOTAL beginner

[~J~]

Folks,

Sorry if this is real basic stuff, but hey we all gotta start somewhere!!

Work is buying me a O2 Orbit for some development (actually buying 2) and I have just a handful of questions that I'd really appreciate an answer.

1) Is The Artemis 3300 the same name for the 02 Orbit? I'm 99.9% it is, but some big-headed person I work with is causing all sorts of grief saying the phone must be a genuine Artemis 3300 and the Orbit is a cut down version. True or false?

2) Is the GPS on it Magellan / Garmin compliant?

3) OK, touchy one this, I'm hearing great reports about Crossbow and want to know if 'flashing' the WM5 ROM that comes with the O2 Orbit is legal or not (don't worry, I'm not clean cut, just don't want to cause any problems with the boss!). And likewise, if I mess up the installation, is it easy to revert back to WM5?

In a nutshell, we've a dozon or so bespoke programs for SmartPhones, all developed on a SPV M3000. These SPV's are getting old now, cracked, chipped, damaged and the O2 Orbit looks perfect (especially as we're just doing GPS stuff, hence why I ask if it's Magellan / Garmin compliant).

Whilst WM5 is still widespread, naturally it would be an advantage to use the latest technology and to ensure compatibility (have one Orbit running WM5 and the other running WM6), but obviously need some roll-back if things go wrong.

Would really appreciate some feedback before I make a purchase.

Cheers.

[colonel]

Folks,

Sorry if this is real basic stuff, but hey we all gotta start somewhere!!

Work is buying me a O2 Orbit for some development (actually buying 2) and I have just a handful of questions that I'd really appreciate an answer.

1) Is The Artemis 3300 the same name for the 02 Orbit? I'm 99.9% it is, but some big-headed person I work with is causing all sorts of grief saying the phone must be a genuine Artemis 3300 and the Orbit is a cut down version. True or false?

No, the orbit is not a cut down version

2) Is the GPS on it Magellan / Garmin compliant?

Its a std Pocket PC serial emulated GPS feed. All pocket PC software that works with WM5 would work.

3) OK, touchy one this, I'm hearing great reports about Crossbow and want to know if 'flashing' the WM5 ROM that comes with the O2 Orbit is legal or not (don't worry, I'm not clean cut, just don't want to cause any problems with the boss!). And likewise, if I mess up the installation, is it easy to revert back to WM5?

O2 has not released an updated ROM for the Orbit, let alone an update to WM6 (crossbow). It is very unusual for providers to provide an update to a major version of Windows on a current model, so would assume this won't happen. Flashing an WM device with an unlicensed OS is technicaly not legal. In terms of reverting back, it is easy unless you have screwed the boot rom, in which case you have a new brick

In a nutshell, we've a dozon or so bespoke programs for SmartPhones, all developed on a SPV M3000. These SPV's are getting old now, cracked, chipped, damaged and the O2 Orbit looks perfect (especially as we're just doing GPS stuff, hence why I ask if it's Magellan / Garmin compliant).

There are two types of Pocket PC with phone functionality. Those that use the OMAP chipset, and those that use the Samsung/Intel chipset. The OMAP ones normally have more reliable phone sides (although this is changing with the latest Samsungs and Intels) but far slower for running applications (although, again, this is changing with the latest OMAP chipsets). The Orbit is an OMAP chipset, and although works well as a phone and GPS device, you should check whether any custom software runs at satisfactory speed.

Whilst WM5 is still widespread, naturally it would be an advantage to use the latest technology and to ensure compatibility (have one Orbit running WM5 and the other running WM6), but obviously need some roll-back if things go wrong.

Would really appreciate some feedback before I make a purchase.

Cheers