Mitac Launches a Pocket PC with integral GPS

MikeB

Mitac International today announced the launch of the Mio 168 and claimed that it is the world’s first Pocket PC with a built-in GPS module.

The Mio 168 features Microsoft Windows Mobile 2003 Pocket PC OS, an 300MHz Intel PXA255 processor, 32MB ROM, 64MB SDRAM and a 3.5-inch, 65,000-color transflective TFT LCD screen. For expansion, it has an SDIO slot.

Aimed at car drivers, the Mio 168 includes a map function, providing navigation to places such as gas stations, restaurants and parking lots in Taiwan. With each purchase, the company is also providing a free 32MB MultiMedia Card (MMC) with a US map. Mitac currently does not plan to market the device in the US. “But the map function will be great for Taiwanese business travelers on the road in the US,” said Justine Liu, a PR manager at Mitac.

The Mio 168 is priced at NT$12,000 (about US$352).

The company also launched an entry-level Pocket PC – the Mio 336 – aimed at college students and female consumers. The device features similar hardware specifications to the Mio 168 but without the GPS module. The Mio 336 is priced at NT$7,349 (about US$216).

Both Pocket PCs will be available this weekend in Taiwan, with availability across the Greater China region soon, Liu said.
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Mike Barrett

NikosF · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 1:55 am Post subject:

Looks like a great concept. Now combine that with a phone and you've got my dream PDA.

My regret is that Garmin did not choose the PocketPC platform for its iQue and chose the Palm instead. With Garmin's experience in GPS it would have made a killer device.

But seeing as how often I have to reboot my PocketPC (3970 with 2003) and how I never had to reboot my previous Palm V, I can see why they chose the more robust platform.

Dave · Posted: Wed Nov 26, 2003 2:18 pm Post subject:

This has to be good for the Pocket PC market. I wonder which other manufacturers will take on board a GPS integrated version soon ?

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