Garmin-Asus announces Android-powered A50 smartphone

Garmin-Asus A50 nüvifone

Ahead of the Mobile World Congress, Garmin-Asus today announced the Android-powered Garmin-Asus nüvifone A50.

The A50 benefits from the personalization and enhanced features offered by the Android platform, and also includes Garmin navigation with turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions for use in a car or while walking. Location features are designed into virtually every function including email, text messaging, and photos.

The Garmin-Asus nüvifone A50 is powered by Google Android (version 1.6 expected) with what appears to be a customized UI. It comes with a 3.5-inch HVGA capacitive touchscreen display, GPS/A-GPS, 4GB internal storage, a microSD card slot, an e-compass, and a 3MP camera. It will also come pre-loaded with Garmin’s own navigation (which includes maps, turn-by-turn navigation, lane assist with junction view).

The Garmin-Asus nüvifone A50 is expected to be available in Europe in the first half of 2010. There is no word yet on pricing and availability outside of North America.

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