Mobile Handhelds & PDAs

" Pharos Introduces Two New GPS Smartphones "

November 2008

While they're mostly a maker of standalone GPS devices, Pharos has had a line of smartphones for a while. We reviewed their GPS Phone 600 last year and found it to be a slightly uneasy compromise between Windows Mobile Pocket PC and GPS, though it definitely had its strengths. This year's models are the Traveler 117 and 127. Both models are unlocked GSM/EDGE/HSDPA phones that run on T-Mobile's EDGE network or AT&T's 3G HSDPA network. They run Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional with 400 Mhz processors, which we consider the minimum for Windows Mobile to perform well. They have 2-megapixel cameras, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and weigh 4.8 ounces.

The main difference between the two units is that the Traveler 117 has a 2.8" 640x480 touch screen and no keyboard, and the Traveler 127 has a 2.5", 320x240 screen and a keyboard. The Traveler 127 actually looks a lot like a BlackBerry 8800, if the BlackBerry ran Windows Mobile.

The real draw of these phones, of course, is Pharos' navigation software, which will come with each device. Pharos' new Smart Navigator product has some interesting features, such as the ability for families to follow the locations of each others' devices on a map or through the Net - good for caravanning.

The Traveler 117 and 127 will be available on December 1 at Amazon.com and Newegg.com, for $529.95.

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