Nokia just announced their cheapest phone to come pre-installed with turn-by-turn GPS software, the Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition. Like the company's other travel-ready handsets, the system boasts Nokia Maps at the helm, providing a bevy of location-based features for both in-car and on-foot use.
With both a GPS and a digital compass among its hardware components, the new device brings a complete suite of navigation capabilities. Apart from the turn-by-turn driving directions, it comes with full voice guidance, straight line navigation and bundled maps (locations depending on the region where you bought it).
Features of the candybar 2710 Navigation Edition include a 2.2-inch QVGA display, Bluetooth 2.1, FM radio with RDS, a 2.0 megapixel camera module and a pre-loaded 2GB microSD card. There's also the standard S30 music player onboard, which should work nicely with the 3.5mm audio jack.
Nokia is targeting both developed and emerging markets with the release, offering map sets for a wide range of countries, including both urban and rural areas. It ships with a car mount and an in-car charger right out of the box.
Retail price for the Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition is being pegged at an affordable €110 (about $163), with the official release slated for the second quarter of 2010.
[Nokia Press Release]
Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition Announced, Cheapest Nokia Phone With Pre-Installed Maps Softwareunratednoel2009-12-07 13:28:56
NewsNokia 2710 Navigation Edition Announced, Cheapest Nokia Phone With Pre-Installed Maps Software
LG just announced a new specialized touchscreen phone, although it seems they're restricting it for the South Korean market. Called the LG Cyon SB210, the handset brings a bevy of navigation features that should prove especially useful for golf enthusiasts.
Physically, the new device resembles the upcoming Chocolate Touch VX8575, which Verizon has been rumored to have lined up for later in the year. In terms of features, though, it's a handset all its own with a unique set of capabilities.
Using the onboard GPS radio, a magnetic compass and a fancy accelerometer called G-sensor (which detects slight shifts in movement), the LG Cyon SB210 lets you map out your golf game from your mobile phone in real time. It bundles over 280 golf courses, along with maps for mountain climbing and other leisure activities. LG also filled the device with a bevy of golf-related services and various navigation-based professional features.
Phone specs include a 3.0-inch touchscreen display with a 240 x 400 pixel resolution, a 3.2 megapixel camera module, 242MB of onboard storage (with microSD card expansion) and a 1,000 mAh battery. Dimensions are 111 x 55 x 12.3 millimeter, with a weight of 106 grams.
The LG Cyon SB210 is slated for availability later this November in South Korea via wireless carrier SKT. Price is slated for 638,000 KRW (around $539).
[via Unwired View]
LG Cyon SB210 Announced For South Korea, Offers Navigation For 280 Golf Courses Among Other Leisure Featuresunratednoel2009-11-02 16:35:27
NewsLG Cyon SB210 Announced For South Korea, Offers Navigation For 280 Golf Courses Among Other Leisure Features
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.
Garmin-Asus Nuvifone M20 Offers Excellent GPS, Attractive Chassis, Small Displayunratednoel2009-09-26 11:59:26
Phone ReviewsGarmin-Asus Nuvifone M20 Offers Excellent GPS, Attractive Chassis, Small Display
The Pharos Traveler GPS 137 is the immediate successor to the Traveler 127. In fact, they share almost the exact same features, differentiated mostly by physical design and some variance in performance. As such, it shares mostly the same advantages and disadvantages as the earlier handset.
First off, the 137 is a sleeker, more attractive update with a full touchscreen front panel, compared to the QWERTY-fitted one of the 127. Departing from the clunky looks of its predecessor, the new device fits right into the current smartphone market, with streamlined looks and a very clean design. Build appears to be very good, with a soft back cover.
The large 3.5-inch display is a stunner. Offering a 480 x 800 resolution, it fosters extra-clear images with plenty of brightness to go around. Naturally, the larger screen is a better unit for use as a GPS, as well. It also comes pre-loaded with Spb Mobile Shell, one of the best third-party skinning for Windows Mobile phones to make that tired OS look fresh for a change. It includes an onboard accelerometer, although performance on that end wasn't very consistent.
It comes with the same Smart Navigator software as the Traveler 127, along with a full set of maps, so your GPS service is free. Like we said in that previous review, this isn't the best location-based software around and warrants a consideration, for the most part, only because it comes free with your phone. Too bad, really, because it is a complete system, offering voice and text navigation, multiple routes, POI and trip recording. There are even real-time updates for traffic, gas prices, movies and local weather. It's a good set of features, though, so many of the design issues can be overlooked.
As a phone, voice calls were decent, although it had a persistent background hiss. Speakerphone was largely unusable, other than the most ideal conditions, like a quiet room with great reception. It offers quad-band roaming, along with 3G and Wi-Fi, so connectivity suite is pretty complete. Battery is rated at 7 hours and it can last you a good couple of days before recharging.
Since it's a Windows Mobile phone, messaging and apps suite are on par with industry best. Much of the other features are just pretty standard, though, including a 2.0 megapixel camera (average stills), basic media playback (great movies because of the gorgeous screen) and average HSDPA browser speeds.
Like its predecessor, it's tough to recommend the Pharos Traveler GPS 137. While it keeps its end of the bargain by outfitting a complete phone, implementation is still not solid. If you're looking for value, though, a pre-installed complete GPS software and gorgeous touchscreen (around $500, depending on where you purchase) at this price point sounds like a good deal.
Pharos Traveler GPS 137: Gorgeous Screen, Complete GPS Pre-Installed, Uneven Performanceunratednoel2009-09-13 23:36:33
Phone ReviewsPharos Traveler GPS 137: Gorgeous Screen, Complete GPS Pre-Installed, Uneven Performance
If you thought Nokia was done milking every last drop they can out of the 5800 XpressMusic (after the, admittedly, awesome Star Trek version), you're sadly mistaken. The company just announced a new edition of their modern touchscreen debut, fitting it with full-blown GPS features right out of the box. Billed as the Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition, the handset now comes with lifetime guidance software licenses for the particular region they were purchased.
With voice-guided turn-by-turn licenses for both Drive (in-car use) and Walk (personal navigation), the latest version of Ovi Maps and a full set regional maps all pre-installed, the 5800 Navigation Edition offers a full GPS solution without any extra purchases. According to Nokia, the latest version of Ovi Maps that comes with the handset features high-resolution aerial images, 3D landmarks, terrain maps, an updated POI database (with content from Lonely Planet, Michelin and WCities) and numerous premium features (extra purchase required). It will ship with a swiveling dashboard mount, 8GB of microSDHC storage and an in-car charger.
All these, of course, come with the 5800's high-end music talents and its regular set of capabilities. Just to refresh you, the phone's specs include a 3.2-inch LCD touchscreen (640 x 360 pixels), a 3.2 megapixel camera with Carl Zeiss lens, high-end connectivity (HSDPA speeds, Wi-Fi), dual speakers with surround sound and stereo Bluetooth. It's running the Symbian S60 5th Edition.
The Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition will begin shipping sometime this coming third quarter. Retail price is expected to be around $400, before taxes and subsidies. No news yet on exact markets this phone will be available for.
[via Nokia Blog]
Nokia Updates Their Touchscreen Pioneer As The 5800 Navigation Editionunratednoel2009-08-23 09:00:41
NewsNokia Updates Their Touchscreen Pioneer As The 5800 Navigation Edition
