December 13, 2005

New Mio A201 GPS Handheld

Mio has released the new Mio A201 GPS with the now popular SiRF star III chipset, known for its low power draw and its high accuracy even in low reception situations. It's a Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 operating system Personal Information Manager and features a bunch of things that you might find on a typical PDA - including pocket versions of Microsoft Office. The A201's favorite feature is its rotating GPS antenna, which lets you navigate in either portrait mode - like most of the PDA competition - or in the landscape orientation favored by most dedicated devices.

The Mio A201 GPS comes with Bluetooth connectivity for Outlook syncing. It also comes with a touchscreen and a 1200 mAh battery for a solid 4-5 hour run time. The battery is replaceable, so if needed you can carry extras (a bit of a pain - I know), but if this thing needs to go with you on that camping trip, you might just need the extra batteries.

The Mio A201 is fully compatible with the TMC (Traffic Message Channel) service if the chosen navigation software supports it. This service is freely available across most of Europe, except for the UK and France, and provides constant updates and routing options on nearby traffic problems. The TMC receiver is not included with the Mio A201, but is available separately in stores or at Mio's online store.

The Mio A201 will also be offered with the latest version of the Mio Map software, version 2 for Pocket PC. Version 2 has been given a fresh new interface.

The onboard Points of Interest (POI) database has been updated to include many more locations and facilities. It now includes telephone contact details for many locations so you can book a restaurant table or find out about opening times in advance of arriving at your location. In addition to the millions of European points of interest in the onboard database, it is also now possible to download new or customized point of interest lists from a web-based subscription service.

The Mio A201 will be available in store from of the middle of December priced at 239 British pounds (inc. VAT), without mapping software. Accessories in the box include power adapter, car charger, USB sync cable, car mount and carry case. The Mio A201 comes with a two year warranty as standard.