CES: Pharos Unveils Pay-As-You Go Nav on Smartphones

January 6, 2009

With the CES circus set to get underway in Las Vegas later this week, mobile phone maker Pharos has unveiled the product introductions it is making at the show, including a several GPS-enabled, unlocked GSM smartphones with pay-as-you-go navigation.

The Windows Mobile 6.1-based Pharos Traveler 137 features the company's Smart Navigator software, which has won a 2009 Consumer Electronics Show Innovations award for outstanding design and engineering. A hybrid navigation system, Smart Navigator works both on-board and off-board the device; a user can use the mapping and navigation functions even in area where they can't get cellular coverage.

Initially, maps of the United States will be provided free of charge on the Traveler 137. Pay-as-you-go maps are available for Canada, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe as well on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis, according to Pharos. The service will reportedly soon be extended to include maps of China, Russia, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, and elsewhere.

Other features of the Pharos Traveler 137 include:

Qualcomm MSM 7201A 528MHz processor
256 MB DDR SDRAM memory, in addition to 512 MB of flash read-only memory
GSM quad band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, EDGE/GPRS
Tri-band 3G, 1700/1900/2100 MHz, UMTS 384Kb/s, HSDPA 7.2Mb/s, HSUPA 2 Mb/s
up to four hours talk time and 200 hours standby time
3.5-inch display with touch panel, 480 x 800 pixel VGA with 65,000 colors
GPS, assisted-GPS compatible, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth v2.1 + EDR, and FM radio wireless connnections
3 megapixel camera for picture or video; .3 megapixel on the front for video conference
USB 2.0, micro SD slot with SDHC support, and a stereo audio jack
1380 mAh Li-Ion, rechargeable/replaceable battery
size: 4.60 x 2.40 x 0.51inches
weight: 4.9 ounces

Pharos is also introducing three other GPS-enabled, Windows Mobile-based GSM handset models, including the Traveler 117, Traveler 127, and Traveler 619. The 117 boasts 3.5G data connectivity and a 2.8-inch touch screen display, as well as the company's Smart Navigator software. The Traveler 127 has similar features, but uses a QWERTY keyboard and a 2.5-inch display. The 619, meanwhile, is designed specifically for mobile field workers, and as such boasts a QWERTY keyboard with larger keys.

The Traveler 137 will be available late in the first quarter of this year, but the 117, 127, and 619 models are available from retailers now, according to Pharos. The 137 will retail for a suggested $599.95; the 117 and 127 sells for a suggested $529.95. The 619 goes for a suggested $199.95

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