Garmin-ASUS M10: The phone that tells you where to go

There are combination devices that work -- think Swiss army knives and home theater systems -- and then there's those that don't, like sporks (combination spoon-forks) and MP3 watches, which are some of the silliest 'techovations' we've ever seen. The general rule of thumb is that the combination has to be more than just convenient, but useful and easy to use. Which was why when navigation device maker Garmin and Taiwan-based computer manufacturer ASUSTeK paired up to introduce the Garmin-ASUS M10 smart phone, we were intrigued.

In a nutshell, the M10 is a touch-screen smart phone that wants to claim the title "all-in-one" by taking typical PDA functions like business and personal contacts, email, calendar and instant messaging, and add to them mobile navigation and maps from Garmin and Tele Atlas. It's a simple, obvious solution for real portability that manufacturers have been researching for years, but so far have failed to hit. The issue has always been that dedicated GPS devices don't perform well as phones and smart phones aren't optimized for fast satellite-device response and performance.

Enter Garmin and ASUSTek, who both bring their expertise in each area to overcome the usual deficiencies. Think of it as a smart phone which is built around navigation. Depending on network environment and phone usage, time to first fix (for the satellite tracking system to be 'locked' onto the device) for the M10 takes a mere 33 seconds, which is comparable to most commercially available portable navigation devices (PND). And it's no bare-bones phone either -- the M10 is the first smart phone to come with Windows Mobile 6.5.3, which at this time is the latest version of the mobile operating system, and thus comes equipped with all the bells and whistles that it offers, including access to Windows applications and a new user interface.

Two color options -- black or white.

All powerful, all in one... really?

CNNGo got a preview unit of the M10 to try out the much-discussed PDA and PND features, and on first impression, we weren't impressed. it didn't seem that useful as a portable device and there was the eternal nagging concern of all combination gadgets -- how crippled will I be if it's lost or breaks down? It was also starkly plain -- none of the jazzy styling of the Sony Xperia X10 or the sleekness of the Apple iPhone.

Then we got into a car and it all made sense. The Garmin-ASUS transitions nicely from a go-everywhere phone to a fully fledged GPS navigation device, giving accurate turn-by-turn directions and instructions while on the road. This isn't a device for leg-bound pedestrians but for road warriors who zip all over the island frequently. The M10 also has features such as 2D City Maps, text to speech, lane guidance and junction view information (to help guide drivers to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit) and realistically displays road signs. 

The GPS maps in the M10 are powered by Tele Atlas, the licensing business unit of location service provider TomTom. And if the name Tele Atlas sounds familiar, you'll see it in the corner of your Google Map search in Singapore as they partner with the search giant for digital maps and navigation. It doesn't mutate into a dumb GPS device while plugged into the car either -- you can still make calls, check your calendar, contacts, email, Internet browser, and messaging simultaneously.

The M10 is equipped with a full QWERTY soft keyboard for text input, HSDPA and Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) connectivity for wireless access and a five megapixel camera that automatically geo-tags photos. It is available now via M1, Starhub and all authorized resellers at the recommended price of S$638, which is a very competitive price point considering the equivalent Garmin 1460 PND is going for S$449.

For more details, head down to www.garminasus.com.