(Click here for a larger view of the Asus P526)Like its predecessor, the
P525, the P526 has a squared-off silver-gray case that makes it resemble a PDA more than most smartphones do. Unlike most PDAs, however, it includes GPS functionality provided by the ubiquitous SiRF
starIII chipset, which has the equivalent of more than 200,000 correlators and can track 20 satellites at once, SiRF claims.
In addition to its numeric keypad, the P526 offers a 2.6-inch display with 320 x 240 resolution. The CPU is TI's OMAP850, clocked at 200MHz and teamed with 64MB of RAM and 128MB of flash, while memory can be expanded via a microSD slot.
While the P526's hardware may be standard fare, Asus touts its "exclusive" bundled software applications. The Asus Launcher is said to make it easier to launch applications or functions, while Asus's Meeting Planner helps plan international teleconferences over three time zones.
An Asus My Secret encryption tool -- previously found on the P525 as well -- can be used to protect selected documents. Finally, Asus's Remote Presenter software can let the phone control PowerPoint presentations stored on a notebook or desktop PC via its Bluetooth connection.
Asus lists the following key technical specifications for the P526:
- Processor -- 200MHz TI OMAP850
- Memory -- 64 MB SDRAM, 128 MB Flash
- Display -- 2.8-inch 240 x 320 pixels, 16-bit color
- Camera -- 2 megapixel
- Wireless:
- Quad band, EDGE/GPRS/GSM 850/900/1800/1900
- Bluetooth 1.2
- GPS receiver
- I/O ports:
- USB 1.1
- Audio -- stereo headset jack
- Expansion -- microSD card slot
- Dimensions -- 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.6 inches (110 x 58 x 15.4 mm)
- Weight (with battery) -- 4 ounces (115 g)
Pricing was not released, but the P526 appears to be available now in a variety of markets internationally.
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