14 DAY TRIAL // Mobile phone maker Garmin-Asus announced today the release of the Windows Mobile-based nüvifone M10, a full-touch, all-in-one smartphone. According to the company, the new handset can keep any user connected at all times through the business and personal contacts, email, calendar and IM capabilities it sports, not to mention that it comes with preloaded mobile navigation from Garmin. The new handset is expected to become available for purchase in Europe and Asia in the first half of the ongoing year, and will also be showcased at the upcoming MWC show in Barcelona, next week.
“The Garmin-Asus M10 is our answer to people’s need for work-life balance. The M10 runs Windows Mobile, making it the ideal smartphone for business use, while its smart navigation capabilities, comprehensive social networking features and connected services enable users to lead a truly smart lifestyle. The M10 is the phone for the new Smart3 era.” said Benson Lin, vice president and general manager of ASUS’ Personal Mobile Devices Business Unit, Handheld Business Group.
The new device comes to the market with Microsoft's Windows Mobile 6.5.3 operating system on board, and offers users fast access to services like the Windows Marketplace for Mobile, where a great deal of applications are available for download. “The Garmin-Asus M10 is a powerful time-saving tool that is designed for anyone who is tired of carrying numerous devices and instead wants to carry one device that gives them many of the same features found on a stand-alone phone, laptop, PND and digital camera,” said Cliff Pemble, Garmin’s president and COO.
The specifications list of the new device includes a 3.5-inch WVGA touchscreen display, 512 RAM and 512 ROM, 4GB of Flash memory, Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), HSDPA wireless connectivity, an intuitive 3D Task Manager, as well as a Billboard feature that brings important information to the display. Not to mention that it packs a 1500 mAh battery inside which should offer enough usage time. And there are also syncing capabilities to Microsoft Exchange so that one can keep contacts, calendars and emails secure and available at all times, as well as social networking features, and a 5-megapixel photo snapper with geotagging capabilities.
“The M10 has advanced navigation features equivalent to a high-end Garmin nüvi® such as lane assist with junction view that guides drivers to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit and realistically displays road signs. It also has highway mode that tells drivers the next three upcoming street exits so they can plan ahead. The M10 is ready for automotive navigation out-of-the-box, and it includes everything a customer needs to use the device in a car, including a powered cradle and windshield mount,” the company also notes.