Pharos Intros Smart Navigator & New Smartphones
We’re starting to see more and more smartphones with built-in GPS capabilities these days. Now, thanks to Pharos, we have two more options. But new phones aren’t the only new thing from Pharos: The company recently introduced its new Smart Navigator software in addition to two new unlocked GPS smartphones running Windows Mobile.
The new Pharos Traveler 117 and 127 are the first phones from Pharos to incorporate Pharos Smart Navigator, a new hybrid navigational product that was designed specifically for Microsoft Windows Mobile devices. Smart Navigator combines navigation software with real-time location services for traffic, maps, incremental map updates, dynamic POI (points of interest) searches, and a feature called Follow Me.
The Smart Traffic component of Smart Navigator provides real-time traffic data alongside video feeds from State Departments of Transportation and highway patrol agencies. The Smart Finder component helps you find nearby businesses from the Pharos POI server. With Maps On Demand, you can download regional maps based on your current GPS position location or corridor maps based on routes to future destinations as needed. Maps can be downloaded for $1.99/one day of access, $4.99/one week of access, $6.99/one month of access, or $49.99/one year of access. For all of you who want to spy on your significant other or kids, Follow Me lets you see another person’s location using GPS.
With Smart Navigator, you’ll get multiple-stop routing capabilities to help you plan and optimize your schedule. You can also record trips and view a bread crumb trail or export trip records to Microsoft Virtual Earth or Google Earth by using Pharos Trips & Pics software, which is a free download for Smart Navigator users.
To suit different user preferences, the Traveler 117 offers a 2.8-inch touch screen, while the Traveler 127 has a slightly smaller, 2.5-inch touch screen with a full QWERTY keyboard.
Smart Navigator will be available in December for a suggested retail price of $99.95. The Traveler 117 and 127 have a suggested retail price of $529.95 and will be available on December 1.
Traveler 117 and Traveler 127 Specifications
Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
Qualcomm MSM7201-90, 400MHz Processor
256MB Flash ROM, 128MB SDRAM
Unlocked GSM quad band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, EDGE / GPRS
3.5G tri band 850/1900/2100 MHz, UMTS 384Kb/s, HSDPA 7.2Mb/s, HSUPA 2Mb/s
Up to 4 hours talk time and 200 hours standby time
NMEA0183/AGPS compatible
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
Bluetooth v2.0+EDR
2.0 megapixel camera for picture or video
0.3 megapixel front camera for video conferences
1410 mAh Li-Ion rechargeable/replaceable battery
4.8 ounces
Traveler 117
4.44 x 2.28 x 0.60 inches (HxWxD)
2.8-inch Resistive TFT LCD, 480 x 640 VGA with 18-bit 262K color capability
Traveler 127
4.57 x 2.44 x 0.60 inches (HxWxD)
2.5-inch TFT LCD with touch panel, 320 x 240 QVGA with 16-bit 65K colors
