| Windows phones bundle custom GPS software |
Nov. 14, 2008
 GPS specialist Pharos Science has announced two new smartphones based on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. The Traveler 117 and Traveler 127 are unlocked quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz) GSM devices, with GPS capabilities including voice prompts, maps on demand, and realtime traffic information, according to the company.
(Click here for a larger view of the Pharos Traveler 117)
The new Pharos phones include "Smart Navigator" software billed as the first "hybrid" navigation system created specifically for Windows Mobile devices. Here, "hybrid" seems to mean that the software provides services such as real-time traffic information along with basic mapping capabilities. The software also supports OTA (over the air) of map and POI (points-of-interest) data.
Claimed unique features for the Smart Navigator software include:- Smart Finder -- locates business or attraction locations, addresses, and phone numbers dynamically from a database of 12 million POIs
- Smart Traffic -- which provides traffic incident and speed data, plus video feeds from State Departments of Transportation, highway patrol agencies and other sources
- Maps On Demand -- which lets users download "dynamically cut" detail maps of their current location, or corridor maps based on a route to their destination
- Follow Me -- which lets groups or families view one another's GPS-derived locations on Windows Mobile devices or via any web browser
Smart Navigator software also provides voice prompts, turn-by-turn navigation, and other features associated with dedicated GPS devices, but not necessarily with smartphone software, according to Pharos. In particular, the company claims Smart Navigator has been optimized for smaller displays, as pictured below.
 
The Pharos Traveler 127, with Today screen (left) and running Smart Navigator (right)
Given that Pharos's Smart Navigator will be sold separately for installation on any Windows Mobile smartphones (see later), the company has apparently worked to ensure that its Traveler 117 and Traveler 127 are worth buying in their own right. The two devices incorporate GPS, of course, but also incorporate the other check-off items typically sought by today's buyers: WiFi, Bluetooth 2.0, two megapixel main cameras, and secondary VGA-resolution cameras for videoconferencing.
The unlocked devices are "designed to work on any GSM network," with quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz) GSM and tri-band (850/1900/2100MHz) EDGE/GPRS. According to Pharos, the phones are compatible with both HSDPA (high speed downlink packet access) and HSUPA (high speed uplink packet access) networks, with download speeds of 7.2MBps and 2Mbps, respectively.
Both the Traveler 117 and 127 use Qualcomm's MSM7201 processor, clocked at 400MHz, with 128MB of RAM, 256MB of flash, and microSD expansion slots. The devices have up to 7.5 hours of battery life, and can acquire a GPS lock in less than 90 seconds from a cold start, or under one second from a hot start, says Pharos.
The only difference between the two models is their form-factor. The Traveler 117 has a 2.8-inch touchscreen with 640 x 480 resolution, but only a five-way controller and four dedicated keys. The Traveler 127 has a QWERTY keyboard, and a 2.5-inch touchcreen with 320 x 240 resolution.
Finally, both devices sport TV output, served up through their 2.5mm headset jacks with the aid of an optional A/V cable.
Features and specifications listed by Pharos for the Traveler 117 and 127 include:- Processor -- Qualcomm MSM7201 clocked at 400MHz
- Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage
- Display:
- Traveler 117 -- 2.5-inch touchscreen with 320 x 240 resolution
- Traveler 127 -- 2.8-inch touchscreen with 640 x 480 resolution
- Keys -- Traveler 117 has five-way controller, two dedicated calling keys, and keys for Windows menus; Traveler 127 has QWERTY keyboard
- Wireless:
- WAN -- Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900MHz) GSM and tri-band (850/1900/2100MHz) EDGE/GPRS
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- GPS
- Other I/O:
- Expansion:
- microSD slot
- SIM card slot
- Battery type/life -- 1410 lithium-ion battery providing 7.5 hours of GSM talk time, or five hours of WCDMA talk time; 200 hours of standby
- Dimensions:
- Traveler 117 -- 4.44 x 2.28 x 0.60 inches
- Traveler 127 -- 4.57 x 2.44 x 0.60 inches
- Weight:
- Traveler 117 -- 4.8 ounces
- Traveler 127 -- 5.11 ounces
According to Pharos, the Traveler 117 and 127 will be available Dec. 1, with recommended selling prices of approximately $530 each. The cost includes Smart Navigator software, which is also sold separately for other GPS-equipped Windows Mobile devices for approximately $100.
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