While I was on vacation I had the pleasure to test a Pharos 600. This is a GSM GPS phone from Pharos. The phone is your standard Windows Mobile 5 with MSFP Pocket Phone and includes a GPS with mapping software.
While I will not bore you with a Review of all the features I do want to talk about the GPS portion. The first thing is that it uses the new SiRFstarIII chip for handling the GPS functions. This chip allowed me to pickup a GPS signal in an elevator! The older chip is not that sensitive and usually is useless indoors.
My wife and I had no problems using the phone to map out our drive down the Pacific Coast Highway and even find hotels and gas stations. You simply find your destination by address, landmark or tapping on the map. The phone quickly gave a route to following and the turns were announced in a friendly female voice.
It can also be used as a compass. In this mode it will show position, altitude, direction and even speed. We found out that at least according to the GPS my speedometer is off by several miles an hour.
Maps and landmarks can be updated via EDGE or WiFi b/g. You can also surf the web. And with MSFP you get push mail if you have an Exchange server.
As far as battery life with the GPS and Bluetooth turned on it is good for about a day depending on how much you talk. However it does come with a car cradle that sticks to glass and has a car charge built-in. This keeps the device on for as long as the car is turned on. So for long trips this is great.
Pharos is currently beta testing Windows Mobile 6. Customers will be able to upgrade their 600 to WM6. Although currently you will have to have an XP computer to apply the upgrade.
This powerful little device can keep you from getting lost, play music, play videos, FM radio, email, web, and even do phone calls. So if you are interested take a look at the Pharos 600
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