14 DAY TRIAL // Vodafone has launched a new mobile navigation device - VPA with integrated GPS receiver. The new VPA compact GPS is ready for extra-fast data transmissions at speeds of up to 3.6 Mbit/s in Vodafone's 3G broadband network.
Vodafone's new VPA compact GPS integrates the very latest technologies and is extremely easy to use. Even high volumes of data are easy to send via the high-speed 3G network with the VPA, and it's ready for 3G broadband, which delivers turbo transfer rates of up to 3.6 Mbit/s. The 3G broadband function will be made available in the second quarter of 2007 in the form of a software update.
Vodafone's mobile broadband services allow transfer rates of up 1.8 Mbit/s in 2000 German towns and cities, and users of 3G devices like the VPA compact GPS can take advantage of the 3.6 Mbit/s transfer rates that are available in most major cities. The entire 3G broadband network will have been upgraded to this speed by summer. When 3G coverage is not available, the VPA compact GPS uses the Vodafone GPRS network for data transfer.
Thanks to an integrated GPS receiver, the VPA is also a full-value mobile navigation device. It doesn't need any additional hardware such as an external GPS receiver. To use the Vodafone-Navigator service, the user simply presses a button. The VPA compact GPS comes with the necessary software pre-installed.
The new VPA compact GPS is very easy to operate because it runs on the Windows Mobile 5 Pocket-PC Phone Edition operating system. The VPA compact GPS also supports Vodafone's BlackBerry and Windows Mobile E-Mail push e-mail services. E-mails are automatically received in real-time and users can process the mails and download any attachments straight away. File attachments in standard Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint or PDF formats can be opened and processed with the VPA compact GPS.
The integrated Windows Media Player supports MPEG4 and MP3 video and audio formats and an integrated 2 megapixel digital camera can produce both photos and video clips. A second camera is used for video telephony if both parties to the call have videotelephony-capable handsets and G3 network coverage. The VPA is designed for GSM quadband and UMTS triband, which means it can be used practically anywhere in the world. USB and Bluetooth enable headset connection and communication with other devices for schedule synchronization.
The new VPA compact GPS is due to be launched in mid-February at prices starting from EURO 299.90. This price is valid in connection with the conclusion of a Vodafone contract that establishes the Vodafone 200 tariff plus a data tariff option with a minimum 24-month term.