mio news, reviews, software and freeware

And to think MWC 2009 showed us the best of the bests mobile handset devices, here comes a direct challenger to Garmin Nuviphone, get ready to drool.
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So how is Taipei this time of year? Is everything going as planned? How is Computex? Are those manufacturers really getting their best and newest products on display but ready to be properly released?


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Mitac has unveiled MIO P560 Windows Mobile handhled at the CEATEC 07. It has built-in SiRF GPS module, a VGA screen and a 400Mhz CPU.

Mitac Mio P560 features:

* Windows Mobile 6
* WiFi
* Bluetooth
* Navigation software for Windows Mobile 6
* 20-channel SiRFstarIII GPS technology
* Fast 400 MHz processor for quick route recalculation
* Full PDA functionality and synchronisation with Microsoft Outlook
* SDHC support for memory expansion up to and more than 4GB
* 349€ ($490 USD) without MioMap v3, 399€ ($560 USD) with MioMap v3

It's clearly beautiful design and the powerful processor, windows mobile platform and GPS functions make this device quite interesting indeed.

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Mio Technology has announced the DigiWalker A702 Windows Mobile GPS phone back in June and now they have launched it officially. Mio have made from this phone one very good GPS navigation device, as we can see from it good GPS receiver. This new DigiWalker features also Wi-Fi, and impressive 3.2 mp camera camera with auto-focus, but it has it has slow processor and lacks 3G.

Below is the Press Release from Mio Technology

Mio Technology Announces New Mio DigiWalker A702 GPS PDA Phone

3.2 megapixel camera with photo geotagging, business card scanner, GPS navigation and PDA for the business traveler on the move

(September 6, 2007) - A leading maker of GPS devices, Mio Technology, announces today its much anticipated successor to the Mio DigiWalker A701, the sleek Mio DigiWalker A702 GPS PDA phone. The multipurpose A702 features the latest Windows® Mobile 6 Professional operating system. Offering all-in-one capabilities in one compact and slim device, including those of a 3.2 megapixel camera, GPS navigation system, Quad-band phone, and PDA, the A702 is the perfect companion for business users.

3.2 megapixel Camera
Business travelers no longer need to worry about the quality of photos taken with a GPS PDA phone! With a built-in 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash, the A702 is ready to capture crisp photos and videos on the go. The A702 is also equipped with geotagging, providing a new approach to taking and sharing photos. Also equipped with a business card scanner function, A702 does away with cumbersome inputting of long business address and contact details. Users can just scan a business card with the built-in camera and the A702 will do the rest. (note)

GPS Navigation
In addition to the latest 20-channel SiRFstarIII GPS receiver, the A702 is also equipped with quick positioning technology, which improves GPS start up times with ephemeris data downloaded via Wi-Fi or GPRS. Whether traveling on a train, automobile or on foot, users can know where they are at all times and plan the quickest routes to their intended destination. Turn-by-turn directions, visualized instructions and detailed maps, allow users to navigate a new city with ease and locate restaurants and other establishments via the Points of Interest (POI) search feature.

Windows Mobile 6 Professional
Windows Mobile 6 Professional operating system offers new usability, manageability and security improvements not found on previous versions. It also offers a new more authentic PC-like Microsoft Office experience on mobile communication devices with the new mobile versions of Outlook, Office Word, Office Excel and Office PowerPoint. It also features Windows Live for Windows Mobile, providing access to Windows LiveT services.

Connectivity
The A702 helps users stay connected on the move with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. Whether synchronizing with other Bluetooth devices, such as a hands-free headset, or staying connected with business contacts and colleagues via Wi-Fi, the A702 will help users stay productive and informed.

Specifications:

CPU : 200 MHz (TI OMAP 850)
GPS Chipset : 20-channel SiRFstarIII
Camera : 3.2 megapixel with autofocus and LED flash
GSM Networks : GSM Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900), GPRS, EDGE
Display : 2.7" Anti-glare TFT
Wi-Fi : 802.11b+g
Bluetooth : V2.0
USB : V1.1
Memory Slot : MicroSD, support HCSD
Dimensions : 110 x 57.5 x 16.5mm
Weight : 148 g

You can find more information about Mio DigiWalker A702 Windows Mobile GPS phone here.

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Computex 2007 has lot of pleasant surprises for us and one of them is Mio A702. It is latest Windows Mobile powered Mio phone and is scheduled for a release sometime in the next half year. Powered by latest Windows Mobile 6 Professional operation system the device includes GPS, a 3.2-megapixel camera, a numeric keypad, a scroll wheel, and a microSD slot.

Interesting about Mio A702 is the SiRFstarIII with SiRFinstantFix and the Navsteadi. Navsteadi is a novelty based on SiRFDiRect technology that apparently corrects wandering tracks typical of high-sensitivity GPS chipsets like SiRFstarIII in very degraded environments such as urban canyons, and it appears to be quite efficient.

I wish i had more information for this new Mio smartphone, but that's all for the moment.

Picture by phonedaily

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MiTac has recently introduced their latest Pocket PC cell phone model Mio A501 in their Digi-Walker line.

Mio A501 is one sleek device with dimensions of 95.7x59.6x20.7mm. Mio A501 is not only compact to hold but also gives you feeling for style. It comes with an in-built 2.0 Megapixel camera for clear pictures everytime you wish to capture your precious moments. You also get Bluetooth in the smart Mio A501 cell phone model. As far as memory you get 1GB storage space and 64 MB of RAM in Mio A501.

Mio A501 Digi-Walker Specifications:

Dimensions - 95.7 x 59.6 x 20.7 mm
Weight w/battery - 147 g
Primary display resolution - 240 x 320 pixels
Networks - GSM850, GSM900, GSM1800, GSM1900
Connectivity options - GPS, Bluetooth, GPRS/GSM, USB, SDIO
Maximum camera resolution - 2 megapixels
Operating system - Pocket PC
Main processor type - Texas Instruments OMAP 850
Main processor speed - 200 MHz
RAM - 64 MB
ROM - 1000 MB
Expansion option(s) - SD, SDIO, MMC
Installed applications - MioCalc (with currency and unit conversion), World Time, Mio Menu, Mio Today-plugin, World Card Mobile, Emergency Locator, Quick Positioning (AGPS), Mio SMS Location
Additional functions - SiRF Star III GPS chipset
Included accessories - USB sync cable, AC adaptor, headset, nylon belt case, Getting started CD, quick start guide, standard battery, car cradle, car charger

This GPS enabled PocketPC Phone can be yours this June onwards in about $675.

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Today, at the annual CeBIT technology trade show, Mio Technology unveiled its latest product range of GPS navigation systems. Three products in the new range - the Mio C320, Mio C520 and Mio C520t - feature the new 4.3 inch widescreen display and split-screen view. All three products feature the latest Tele Atlas maps (2007.1), the MioMap v3 software, as well as other GPS must haves such as free out-of-the-box speed camera alerts and 20 channel SiRFstarIII GPS receiver.

The three ultra-slim widescreen devices also come equipped with a new easy-to-use click-in docking cradle with a more powerful speaker. To enable usage of Traffic Message Channel (TMC) reports, C520t will be supplied with a TMC-enabled version of the cradle (available as accessory for C320 and C520).

As with previous products, Mio users are able to download speed camera database updates for free for one year from the moment of registration, add their own camera locations and share them with other Mio users over the internet.

C320, C520 and C520t: Change the way you travel every day

Building on the success of the Mio Technology's C510E and C710, the C320, C520 and C520t set new navigation standards with the brand-new split-screen view on a widescreen display.

The split-screen view provides more routing information to the driver than ever before without sacrificing map detail. The split-screen displays key journey information, such as time and distance to destination, next four manoeuvres, information about local traffic congestion or selected points of interest (POI) nearby, such as petrol stations. This creates a totally new experience of well-informed, comfortable, trustworthy navigation for the user.

The new series retain the key features that have made Mio products so successful - all in a stunning 2cm deep, slim-line design that still fits snugly into a coat pocket or handbag.


Mio C520T, C520 and C320 GPS navigation systems feature:

* Maps of 22 Western European countries, pre-installed on the internal 1GB flash memory
* New anti-glare 4.3 inch widescreen TFT display
* New split screen view splitting map and journey/POI/TMC information
* New easy-to-use ;click-in;, in-car power cradle design with a powerful speaker (TMC cradle for C520t)
* Larger touch-screen buttons and new predictive keyboard feature for simpler address entry
* Support for TMC
* 400Mhz processor and the SiRFstarIII GPS receiver
* Speed camera warnings out-of-the box, with free updates for one year
* USB 2.0 for fast download connection and SD/MMC card slot for memory expansion
* In addition, the C520 and C520t offer
* Hands-free mobile calling with built-in Bluetooth; wireless technology and microphone
* MP3 player, Photo Viewer, and Calculator

All three GPS devices will be available in April and will be pricedas followrs:

C320 - 349 euro
C520 - 399 euro
C520t - 449 euro

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MiTAC is releasing another GPS-enabled Pocket PC Phone device. It is called Mio A501 Digi-Walker and is expected to hit the market in march 2007.

MiTAC Mio A501 Digi-Walker features:

* Windows Mobile 5 AKU 3.5
* 201MHz TI OMAP 850
* 2.7" QVGA screen
* 64MB RAM / 128MB ROM
* Quad Band GSM / EDGE
* SiRF III GPS
* Bluetooth 2.0
* 95.7mm x 59.6mm x 20.7mm
* 135g
* 1050mAh battery

Unfortunately, there's no 3G wireless (Edge GPRS instead) and no WiFi. It is cool that MiTAC are continuing releasing new devices even they are not so rich of functions as HTC's ones.

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After long waiting all Mio A701 users now can enjoy the AKU2 upgrade for their Pocket PC phone.

Mio A701 AKU2 update features:

* Microsoft email-push and MSFT technologies
* Voice command and dialling
* Emergency location sms - Location call
* New speed dialer
* Build-in Phone City application
* Operators settings GPRS Configuration tool updates
* And bug fixes

It is available for download here.

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Mio Technology announces availability of two new portable navigation devices, based on cutting edge satellite navigation technology with a brand new, user-friendly interface. Mio C710 is a top of the range device and is equipped with maps of 24 European countries and a built in TMC receiver. Mio C510E is based on the same technology and comes with full UK mapping and Major Roads of Europe (MRE) installed with full maps of 24 European countries on a DVD, making this device exceptionally good value for money. The devices come with Tele Atlas maps (2006.1), the most recent version available commercially at the moment.

Mio C510E and Mio C710 Key features:

* Intuitive interface with full touch-screen entry and seven digit postcode recognition for simple operation
* Dedicated pedestrian mode and anti-glare screen for better visibility outdoors
* Speed (safety) camera locations' alerts
* Free database updates for one year after registration and ability to add new cameras
* Rapid predictive search by name across thousands of Points of Interest with phone numbers
* Hands-free calling with Bluetooth connectivity and built in microphone
* Get going quickly with SiRFstarIII and new fast processor
* Outlook synchronisation so users can call and navigate directly to their contacts

With the latest SiRFstarIII GPS receiver, a 400 MHz processor and touch screen destination entry, these devices have one of the highest specifications on the market today. Both weigh a featherweight 170g and at 110mm long and 20mm high are slim enough to fit into the smallest of pockets or hand bags. They have crystal clear 3.5" LCD screens supporting 65,000 colours and run on built in batteries which provide over 4.5 hours of navigation on foot with the backlight on and GPS function at full power.

One of the good things about these navigation devices is their design, which is ideally fitted for pedestrian navigation. Small and light, they fits easily in your hand and the anti-glare screen improves visibility.

Both devices come with a windscreen mount, car charger and a USB lead for downloading speed camera locations. The C510E will retail for £239.99 and the C710 will retail for £359.99.

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