The Garmin-Asus Nuvifone M20 is the second release from the recently-formed partnership, bringing similar GPS capabilities as the Nuvifone G60 before it. Instead of the proprietary Linux OS from the first handset, though, the M20 uses Windows Mobile 6.1, making it a more extensible system.
As expected, GPS features figure prominently in the device, shipping with a full turn-by-turn navigation system with a complete set of maps. It's very similar to what you get from the G60, which is a terrific bundle, although the smaller 2.8-inch is a bit too small if you're used to standalone GPS units. The points of interest (POI) database is very comprehensive and current, allowing you to find spots rather quickly. Package comes with a car kit that includes a windscreen-mounted cradle and a charger. The size of the screen, however, makes it a tad difficult for on-dash use.
Physically, I find the Nuvifone M20 a much more attractive handset than the G60. The chassis is very compact, making it highly pocketable. Screen, as we said, is a 2.8-inch touchscreen with a VGA resolution. Images appear sharp, bright and detailed, making it excellent for actual phone uses, but a stylus is almost always necessary because of the small fonts and icons.
As a phone, call quality is great. Same with the speakerphone, although it came with a noticeable bit of echo. Battery life is very much lacking, requiring a nightly charge, thanks to the GPS unit that's always turned on by default. With the GPS off, you can probably last a day and a half (two at most), but that's as much as the 920mAh battery can get you.
Overall OS performance is decent, especially since the phone is running on a 528MHz processor and 288MB of RAM. Cross your fingers and hope that WM 6.5 actually runs faster, because the handset still posts some slowdown (such as when drawing a new map).
Phone comes with a full set of connectivity options, including HSDPA, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Messaging options are pretty complete, as has been the standard for Windows Mobile devices, and it fits in a good range of apps onboard. The virtual QWERTY is a tad cramped, which makes use a bit of a chore, though. Other features include a 3.0 megapixel camera (no flash, so largely unusable in poor lighting, but average quality, otherwise) and 4GB of onboard storage (with no expansion options).
Overall, the Garmin-Asus Nuvifone M20 works much the same way as other Windows Mobile devices, inheriting the operating system's advantages and drawbacks. If you can stand working with a small screen, the GPS features are top-notch, performing at the same level as a standalone navigator. It's a niche phone, though, but one you will likely find of great value.
