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Garmin-Asus nuvifone A50 runs Android, knows where you are turn-by-turn
The long rumored Nuvifone jump to Android is here just as we get set to kick off Mobile World Congress next week. Garmin and ASUS claim that the A50 brings "more location technology than any other smartphone" with a plethora of location-aware apps making use of a highly sensitive (though unnamed) GPS receiver. Spec-wise, the A50 packs a 3.5-inch HVGA (that's 480x320 pixels, presumably) capacitive touchscreen with custom, finger-friendly UI, 4GB of internal storage with microSD expansion, and accelerometer for the usual portrait to landscape mode flip. The A50 uses satellite, network-based, and terrestrial sources to quickly zero in on your location and comes pre-loaded with Garmin turn-by-turn navigation, lane assist with junction view, and maps -- no need to download them over the network (and risk data dead spots), eh Google. In fact, it's ready for in-vehicle (ships with car mount and vehicle power cable) or pedestrian navigation out of the box. The A50 also brings on-device sync with Microsoft Exchange server and includes all the usual Google mobile services like search by voice, Maps with Street View, Gmail, YouTube, and Android Market. Rounding things out are a multitouch WebKit-based browser and 3 megapixel autofocus camera that automatically geo-tags your snaps. The A50 will launch in Europe in the first half of 2010 though pricing has not been announced. We're still digging for more specs but will definitely be back with a detailed hands-on from Barcelona next week. Update: We have an insider telling us that the device runs Android 1.6 (something we've seen before) and uses Qualcomm's gpsOne platform for SatNav. Makes sense, but we won't be able to confirm until we meet with Garmin-Asus next week at MWC.
Mio launches the Explora K70: beauty, 3G, and GPS abound
Mio's rumored Explora K70 is sitting pretty at CeBIT, and while we wait for the full hands-on treatment, we thought an introduction to what appears to be a stunningly loaded GPS phone was in order. Network connectivity is a blow out in the K70 with quad-band GSM, triple-band HSDPA / HSUPA, Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS which is handled by Qualcomm's gpsOne chip. The 3.5-inch touchscreen display is a 400x240 WQVGA number, a 3 megapixel camera hides around back, a jog dial's included for quick scrolling, and it is all powered by Windows Mobile 6. Looking at the spec sheets it seems there will be two different SKUs, a handset-only package and a "Full SKU" that includes in-car charger, device mount, and so forth. We're suitably impressed, expect more news including dates and pricing as soon as we can get them.[Via GSMArena]
Qualcomm nabs Skyhook license for gpsOne platform
SiRF learned this lesson almost two years ago, and now Qualcomm's picking up on the same thing: WiFi-based positioning seems to work pretty damned well, all things considered. The company, which offers its gpsOne platform to handset manufacturers for integrating AGPS -- a now-standard feature on virtually every new phone -- has tied up with Skyhook Wireless to license its WiFi Positioning System, capable of approximating location by getting a read on nearby WiFi access points. This'll only serve to make gpsOne even more accurate than it already is, integrating traditional GPS signals, cell tower triangulation, and Skyhook tech into a single package for future devices. Notably, gpsOne powers a whole boatload of Sprint and Verizon phones, so if you're cursing VZ Navigator every time you slip into an urban canyon, this might just help (when we eventually see Skyhook-enabled guts in retail devices, anyway).
Sprint enabling gpsOne in its EV-DO aircards
Have a newer Sprint EV-DO datacard for that spiffy lappy and portable, anywhere-you-go semi-broadband connectivity? If so, Sprint may be doing you a solid soon, as the mobile carrier has now said it will be sending an OTA update to some of its datacards to enable gpsOne location technology. Cards affected -- so far -- include the Novatel S720 and the U720 EV-DO USB modem -- along with possible others later this year. The coolness starts with gpsOne enabling Windows to use the intercepted GPS signal for everything from on-road navigation to remote logistics control and more.
