GpsPhone
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ASUS officially walks away from Garmin-Asus partnership
Chalk another up to the rumor mill. Just as we'd heard, the Garmin-Asus partnership will soon be no more. After a few arguably valiant attempts to break into the smartphone market, it seems as if ASUS is walking away in hopes of finding greener grass elsewhere. According to Reuters, an unnamed ASUS official has confirmed that it would be "ending its mobile phone cooperation agreement with Garmin." We're expecting the rest of the breakup details to roll tomorrow, but honestly, you'd turn the other cheek and move on if you were classy. But we both know that's not happening, right?
iPhone 4 gets KIRFy with an antenna
We're sort of loving the fact that Apple's next-gen iPhone is already being KIRFed up, and although we've already seen a couple clumsy attempts at beating Apple to market with a clone of its own product, this lovely GPS-PHONE raises the bar by adding in a telescopic antenna. What's it for? We have no idea. We just know we want one.
Garmin-Asus nuvifone M10 gets handled, reviewed in the wilds of Russia
We just heard about Garmin-Asus' WinMo 6.5.3-packin' M10 yesterday, and already the handset has been broken out for a photo shoot and hands-on review in Russia. The design itself isn't anything otherworldly, but we have to say -- we're kind of digging the user interface. Granted, we've a soft spot in our hearts for Garmin's nuvi line of PNDs, so anything remotely familiar gets a big thumbs-up 'round these parts. At any rate, critics noted that the phone was a pleasant mix of WinMo and nuvi, which is something that really sets it apart from other Windows Mobile-based offerings. There's nary a mention of exactly how awesome this thing would be with Windows Mobile 7, but if you're in no hurry to ponder the next big thing, give that source link a look.
Mio said to be prepping GPS-enabled 3.5G touchscreen handset for Q1 2009
Not that Mio hasn't pumped out a GPS phone or two before, but the rarely-heard-from handset maker is reportedly on its way to delivering its first 3.5G touchscreen-based GPS phone in Q1 2009. Undisclosed sources singled out at DigiTimes have it that the mobile will be powered by a 3.5G chipset from Qualcomm and will come loaded with Mitac's self-developed "Spirit" touch interface. Additionally, it'll pack a 3.2-megapixel camera and should launch ahead of Garmin's oft-delayed nüvifone. In related news, Mio is also scheduled to launch a GPS-packin' MID before Q1 2009 ends, though it's still unclear if it'll choose a 7- or 8-inch panel to accompany the 3G radio and Windows CE operating system. Riveting stuff, huh?[Via GPSTracklog]
Airis T482 GPS phone prepares for French release
Don't lie -- you thought they buried that PDA acronym years ago, didn't you? Keeping the Personal Digital Assistant alive and well is Airis, which is readying its T482 GPS phone for release in France. The all black handset is set to be sold with or without navigation software and feature quad-band GSM support, GPRS / EDGE connectivity, a 416MHz Marvell PXA270 processor, 64MB of RAM, a 3.2-inch QVGA display, 2-megapixel camera and a microSD expansion slot. Furthermore, you'll find a SiRFStar III GPS receiver, Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g WiFi, FM tuner and a rechargeable Li-ion, natch. Better get set to break open the piggy bank, as this one will demand €424 ($671) for French maps, €478 for coverage of Europe as a whole or €399 ($631) without pre-installed routing software. [Via NaviGadget]
Montclair State mandates use of GPS-enabled phones
Nearly six months after Slippery Rock University introduced a RFID payment system for mobiles at its campus, we've learned that Montclair State University is requiring that all full-time undergraduates carry a school-issued mobile for their own safety. The handsets, which cost some $210 per semester, are already being carried by about 6,000 students, and feature a GPS function that can be activated to ensure campus police are alerted of their location if something goes awry. Aside from being able to send a request for help immediately, the phone will also call for assistance should the feature remain on for longer than a preset length of time. As it stands, the university has yet to see the Rave Guardian technology used in situations other than false alarms, but a 32-member police force is kept on staff in case any future calls prove legitimate.[Image courtesy of WCBSTV]
Hop-on intros HOP1883 GPS phone
It's been a hot minute since we've heard from Hop-on, but the firm is hitting us up with a new GPS phone dubbed HOP1883. Granted, it's currently listed as "in production," and the only product shots we're seeing are mere renderings, but nevertheless, this tri-band GSM handset purportedly sports a candybar-styled exterior, 2.8-inch QVGA (320 x 240) display and support for a variety of languages. Additionally, it features an integrated SiRFstarIII GPS chipset, up to eight-hours of talk time, 32MB of SDRAM, Bluetooth 2.0, USB 2.0 connectivity, a T-Flash expansion slot and a two-megapixel camera to boot. Sadly, all we're missing is a price and a release date, but here's to hoping it won't be long before those final pieces fall into place.[Via NaviGadget]
AMEX Digital intros G-Plus GPS phone with 3D display
Just in case a GSM handset with a relatively sleek exterior, integrated GPS chip and a very sexy selection of color options weren't enough to pique your interest, how's about we throw in a 2.4-inch 3D display? Truth be told, we're just as in the dark as you when it comes to deciphering exactly what "3D display" means in this scenario, but we're hoping that it has more to do with 3D maps and less with gaudy goggles. Regardless, the candybar-styled handset boasts tri-band GSM connectivity, up to 2.5-hours of talk time (200-hours in standby), an embedded GPS antenna, QVGA panel, USB connectivity, a 1.3-megapixel camera, integrated media player, miniSD expansion slot and a couple of built-in games to keep you busy. Regrettably, AMEX Digital wasn't kind enough to dish out pricing or availability deets, but it looks like you can phone 'em up if one of the mobiles pictured above just climbed to the top of your must-have-at-all-costs list.
Japan could keep tabs on defense officials via GPS phones
It's not like the Japanese government hasn't dabbled in GPS (and RFID, too) tracking before, but the nation's latest idea involving Big Brother is (unsurprisingly) catching a fair amount of criticism. Reportedly, Japan wants to equip senior defense officials with GPS-enabled mobiles, and it's making no bones about the reasoning behind it. Quite frankly, it's looking for ways to keep a more watchful eye on officials' whereabouts after a higher-up was recently "treated to hundreds of expensive rounds of golf by a defense contractor." Reportedly, the handsets would only be given out to senior staff "required to report for duty in the case of a security emergency," but a number of anonymous individuals have already expressed disdain for the plan through local news outlets. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear, right?
T-Mobile offering discounts on Pharos GPS Phone 600 / 600e
Sure, it's not like the GPS Phone is fresh on the block or anything, but those frightened by the pricetag may be able to inch closer to snagging one thanks to a new deal with T-Mobile. Reportedly, those looking to grab Pharos' GPS Phone 600 or 600e can now purchase one with "up to $200 off" so long as you ink your name to a two-year agreement. Of course, those opting for the 600e won't be blessed with the Ostia navigation software, but you can purchase the handset for as low as $399.99 if you agree to a voice and data package, while the map-equipped 600 will run you $499.99 with the same plan. Shave a little ugly off of it, and we'd be sold.[Via MobileWhack]
Pharos GPS Phones released for sale
Almost three months after announcing the Pharos GPS phone, the handset has officially been released for sale as of this week. Two versions will be available now (as expected) with the 600 model selling for $699.95 and the 600E going for $599.95. The 600E lacks the complete maps of North America and the Ostia navigation package from Pharos itself for $100 less. Both handsets, of course, come with the SiRFstar III GPS chip and WM5, WiFi and all other normally brandished smartphone goodies like Bluetooth and a 2 megapixel cam. Now that this beast is upon us at the $700 and $600 price tags, will you bite? That's quite a bit steep for a phone without 3G support, but if you're, umm, really chomping at the bit for a $700 GPS phone by a new manufacturer, here's your next phone. [Via CNET]Read - PTL600Read - PTL600E
Pharos announces GPS Phone -- no really, that's the name
Pharos, another up and coming gadget company has taken the next step for its GPS device lineup by jumping into the phone space, and rebadging that ETEN device (you know, the much discussed X500 glofiish, aka OX500). Dubbed GPS Phone (we really think calling it The GPS Phone would be much more potent), it's got all the specs we knew this phone was packing, including: SiRFStarIII GPS receiver (duh) with Pharos Ostia nav software, quad-band GSM / GPRS / EDGE (sigh), WiFi, Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera, FM radio (o rly!), and a friggin fat $699 price tag. Now, we're not necessarily saying $700 for a GPS-equipped Pocket PC is too much, but we really do wish they could have shaved $5 off the top of that margin and dropped in a damned UMTS / HSDPA radio, you know? Ah well, SIM unlocked and yours come February. More pics after the break.
