O2 has been building its XDA range of Windows Mobile devices for some years, and the original XDA Orbit has just been refreshed with advent of the rather uninspiringly-named XDA Orbit 2.

Exclusive to O2 as the XDA Orbit 2, fans of other networks can go the SIM-free route and obtain this smartphone as the HTC Touch Cruise. It may look slightly different as the Touch Cruise, but the key features are shared.

This is a smartphone with built-in GPS and you can get it from O2 in a bundle with the CoPilot navigation software, or without that software if you have a preferred satnav alternative.

GPS aside, the XDA Orbit 2 is brimming with other smartphone features. There is Wi-Fi, 3G with HSDPA and a 3-megapixel main camera to keep you happy. A VGA camera sitting above the 2.8-inch screen caters for two-way video calls. For voice calls the smartphone is quad-band GSM.

The XDA Orbit 2 incorporates HTC's TouchFLO interface. This is not loved by all, but if you are a fan then the ability to swipe the screen up, down, left and right with a finger to get to various services, and to scroll around within contacts, move around within Web pages and perform other functions just by dragging a finger around the screen, may appeal.

The front-facing navigation button looks like standard fare for a Windows Mobile Smartphone, but in fact it has nice a surprise on offer. You can press it left, right, up and down as you normally do with navigation buttons, but it can also be rotated under a fingertip for scrolling through lists such as your contacts. Add in the large Call, End and softmenu buttons and the XDA Orbit 2 should appeal to those with stubbier fingers, who can find some smartphones a bit of a fiddle to manage.

For those who like to listen to music via a smartphone there is good news in that the provided headset is two-piece. It is mini USB at the device end, but has a 3.5 mm connector just past the microphone. More good news comes in the fact that the XDA Orbit 2 includes an FM radio.

While it does cram in a lot of features, the XDA Orbit 2 is on the chunky side at 110mm tall, 58mm wide and a generous 15.5mm thick. It isn't overly heavy at 130g, but you are probably going to be aware of it in your pocket or bag.

For O2 customers the XDA Orbit 2 represents the height of smartphone capability. If you already use a smartphone from this operator, it might be worth considering an upgrade.