Garmin-Asus, a co-branded alliance between satellite navigation leader Garmin and AsusTeK Computer, has announced the Middle East launch of its full-touch, all-in-one smartphone.

The Garmin-Asus M10 offers preloaded professional, mobile navigation features from Garmin and provides users with accurate maps and rich points of interest, said a company statement.

The navigation tools on the M10 can be compared to the Garmin nüvi 1410, with a fast GPS positioning time of 33 seconds. It also includes features such as lane guidance, to direct the drivers to the correct lane for an approaching turn or exit.

Moreover, it displays road signs, junctions on their route and highway mode that tells drivers the next three upcoming street exits so they can plan ahead, it added.

'The M10 is a top navigation smartphone of its kind and combines maps and navigation usage for meeting the needs of a segment of smartphone customers in the Middle East,' said Christoper Aceremo, country product manager for Handhelds, Asus Middle East.

'The M10 is our answer to people’s need for work-life balance,' it added.

Equipped with numerous points of interest, M10 enables customers to locate the one closest to the current location and guides them till they arrive at it.

The M10 is ready for automotive navigation out-of-the-box and includes everything a customer needs to it in a car, including a powered dashboard and windshield mount.

The M10 will be available across all leading retailers in the UAE for Dh1899 ($517) starting from this month.

The Garmin-Asus M10 runs Windows Mobile, making it the ideal smartphone for business use, while its smart navigation capabilities, comprehensive social networking features and connected services enable users to lead a truly smart lifestyle, said a company statement.

“Moreover, the Garmin-Asus M10 is a powerful time-saving tool that is designed for anyone who is tired of carrying numerous devices and instead wants to carry one device that gives them many of the same features found on a stand-alone phone, laptop, personal navigation device and digital camera,” it added.-TradeArabia News Service