Pharos Traveler 137 Navigation Smartphone Will Sport WVGA Touchscreen

Pharos has taken the wraps off the Traveler 137, a Windows Mobile smartphone with a WVGA touchscreen and a focus on navigation.

This device will be sold unlocked directly to consumers, who will be able to use it with any GSM carrier.

"Most navigation solutions for smartphones only work when within a carrier coverage zone,” said James Oyang, PhD, President, Pharos.  "We've equipped the Traveler 137 with our hybrid navigation system that follows you wherever you want to go and charges you only when you actually use it."

Maps of the United States will be provided free of charge. Pay-as-you-go maps will be available for Canada and Western and Eastern Europe on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.

More than Just a GPS

The Traveler 137 will have a tablet shape and feature a 3.5-inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) touchscreen.

It will run Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, and therefor be bundled with a suite of productivity and entertainment applications for handling such tasks as email and web browsing.

This will be a quad-band GSM phone with tri-band HSPA 3G (HSDPA 7.2 Mb/s, HSUPA 2 Mb/s).  In the U.S., it will offer the 3G frequencies used by carriers like AT&T and Rogers, and also the special frequency useed to T-Mobile.

Other wireless capabilities will include Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g), Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR, and an FM tuner.

The Traveler 137 will also sport dual cameras -- 3 MPx primary and 0.3 for video conferencing -- and a microSD card slot.

Other specifications will include:

• 528 MHz processor
• 256 MB RAM and 512 MB Flash ROM
• 1380 mAh Li-Ion, rechargeable/replaceable battery
• Up to 4 hours talk time and 200 hours standby time
• Size: 4.60 in (L) x 2.40 in (W) x 0.51 in (H)
• Weight: 4.9 ounces

Pricing and Availability

The Traveler 137 will be available late in the first quarter of 2009 from major retailers for a suggested price of $600.

Maps of the United States will be provided free of charge. Pay-as-you-go maps will be available for Canada and Western and Eastern Europe on a daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly basis.