| Windows phone supports Russian satnav |
Dec. 02, 2008
 Russian company RoverPC has announced a Windows Mobile 6.1 phone that reportedly works with the country's GLONASS (global navigation satellite system). The "G7" includes a VGA-resolution touchscreen display, an FM receiver, accelerometer, dual cameras, WiFi, Bluetooth, and a 624MHz processor, according to the company.
(Click here for a larger view of RoverPC's G7)
Though RoverPC did not itself provide specifics, several websites report that the G7 is compatible with Russia's GLONASS satellite network, analogous to America's GPS system. Intended to provide worldwide coverage ultimately, GLONASS currently has a fleet of 17 satellites, and provides coverage throughout the former Soviet Union, according to maps published by the Russian Space Agency.
Like the only other GLONASS-capable device we've come across, Glospace's SGK-70 PND (personal navigation device), the G7 is apparently also compatible with GPS satellites, and uses these if it cannot get a fix on their GLONASS equivalents. According to RoverPC, the device includes maps of Russia and the former Soviet republics, has a database of speed cameras with audible alerts, and offers traffic alerts using data provided by the Yandex web portal.
The back of the G7 touts GPS, but the device is also reportedly compatible with GLONASS
The G7 offers a 2.8-inch touchscreen display with 640 x 480 pixels, plus both a three megapixel camera with autofocus and a front-facing VGA-resolution camera for videoconferencing. It uses a 624MHz Marvell PXA310 CPU, plus a Qualcomm MSM6280 baseband processor.
Above and beyond GLONASS and GPS, the phone's wireless capabilities include quad-band GSM (850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz) and tri-band WCDMA/UMTS (850, 1900, and 2100MHz). Via HSDPA (high-speed downlink packet access), the G7 supports downloads at up to 7.2Mbps, RoverPC claims. The device also includes Bluetooth 2.0, 802.11b/g wireless networking, and an FM radio, the company says.
The G7 is described as including a Web browser, e-mail client, and organizer -- which might or might not be Microsoft's standard offerings -- plus an accelerometer that changes display orientation according to how the phone is being held. It comes with 128MB of RAM, 256MB of flash storage, and a microSD expansion slot, according to RoverPC.
Features and specifications provided by RoverPC for the G7 include:- Processor -- Marvell PXA310 clocked at 624MHz, plus Qualcomm MSM6280 baseband processor
- Memory -- 128MB of RAM and 256MB of flash storage
- Display -- 2.8-inch touchscreen display with 640 x 480 resolution
- Wireless:
- WAN -- HSDPA-capable, with quad-band GSM (850, 900, 1800, and 1900MHz) and tri-band WCDMA/UMTS (850, 1900, and 2100MHz)
- WLAN -- 802.11b/g
- PAN -- Bluetooth 2.0
- GPS and (according to third-party reports) GLONASS
- FM receiver
- Other I/O:
- USB
- headphone jack (presumed)
- Expansion -- microSD slot
- Battery type/life:
- 1500mAh lithium-ion battery
- 150 hours standby
- 4 hours talk time
- Dimensions -- 4.33 x 2.36 x 0.66 inches (110 x 60 x 16.9mm)
- Weight -- 4.09 ounces (116g)
Further information
According to RoverPC, the G7 will be available this month for approximately 16,900 rubles (about $617). More information may be found on the company's website, here.
For more information on GLONASS, visit the Russian Space Agency website, here.
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