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Each of the two Pocket PCs has a series of buttons to the left and right of this combination. Some are identical on each device – Call, End, two softmenu keys, Windows Mobile Start Menu activation and OK button, and an activator for the built in GPS. On the MDA Compact III one is dedicated to Web’n’walk, while on the Xda Orbit the same button launches Pocket Internet Explorer.

The side buttons on each device are similarly located, but differently designed. So, on the top right edge we have the main on/off button, and on the bottom right edge a button for controlling the built in camera.

The bottom edges house a mini USB connector that has three functions: mains power, PC connectivity and headset attachment. The XDA Orbit also has a release catch for the battery cover. This simply slides off of the MDA Compact III.

The top edges are clear. The left edge houses a volume rocker and a voice control button. On both devices a short press activates voice control software, a longer press the voice notes software.

On the back of the casing are the lens and self portrait mirrors for the 2.0 megapixel cameras that both the O2 XDA Orbit and T-Mobile MDA Compact III incorporate. Neither has a flash.

Core specifications
The similarities continue if we look at the internal specifications. Both the XDA Orbit and MDA Compact III are quad band with GPRS. Texas Instruments’ OMAP 850 processors running at 201MHz provide the core power, with 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM in each device.

After a hard reset the XDA Orbit had 48MB of free storage memory. The MDA Compact III had rather less at 36MB, though the CoPilot software was preinstalled on this device and without it you will have a little more free storage to play with.

In both cases you can expand on these amounts, and the memory format of choice is the fiddly microSD card. The slot is the most awkwardly located I’ve ever come across: it is not unusual for memory expansion slots to be located under the battery, but this one is actually under the SIM and as a consequence it is a real fiddle to get to.

I’ve already noted that both devices have a GPS antenna built in. They also both have an FM radio with the ability to store 20 stations, the first six of which are easily accessible by tapping the main radio screen.

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