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Garmin-Asus Android-powered A10 ready for almost all transportation needs

Garmin-Asus has thrown another Google Android-based smartphone into the mix. But the makers of the A10 handheld are promoting it as more than just a smartphone, but rather a "pedestrian navigation" device."
Written by Rachel King, Contributor

Garmin-Asus has thrown another Google Android-based smartphone into the mix. But the makers of the A10 handheld are promoting it as more than just a smartphone, but rather a "pedestrian navigation" device."

The core reason for being of this device seems to be for providing transportation advice. The A10 is ready to take your feet almost anywhere with integrated GPS capability plus preloaded, detailed maps in case your Internet connection is slow, spotty or non-existent. When you're planning to jump on public transit, there's also support for cityXplorer, an app that retrieves information on local bus, metro and suburban rail systems. Finally, the A10 is also ready for some road trips with an included audio mount for your car.

Being an Android-powered smartphone, there will naturally be support for the Google suite of applications including Gmail, YouTube and Maps, plus access to 30,000 more applications in the Android Marketplace the plethora of Google Apps isn't enough for you.

Here's a couple of other nifty specs packed into the transportation-friendly A10:

  • 3.2-inch HVGA touchscreen display
  • Built-in accelerometer (for tilting to portrait or landscape mode)
  • 1,500mAh battery
  • WebKit browser
  • 5-megapixel AF camera
  • Automatic geotagging
  • Electronic compass
  • Support for Microsoft Exchange

The Garmin-Asus A10 will be released first in Europe and Asia-Pacific region in mid-2010. There's no information on a North American release nor pricing anywhere yet.

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