All eyes might be on Android these days when it comes to the next nüvifone, but it turns out Garmin-asus isn’t done with Windows Mobile just yet (at least in Taiwan). Preorders have started for the M10, which will offer a 3.5” 800 x 480 display, 600 MHz processor, and cruise on 900/2100 HSPA and 900/1800/1900 EDGE bands. The existing Windows Mobile nüvifone has already enjoyed a 6.5 update, but this M10 is apparently running the new 6.5.3, which we caught a look at during CES. If you haven’t been acquainted with the nüvifone family, they’re basically a navigation-centric smartphone family. The Linux version that came out on AT&T didn’t make a big splash, but I’m still hopeful for the concept, especially if Garmin-asus can do good things with Android. If you happen to be in Taiwan, you can preorder the nüvifone M10 here for about $USD 450, and expect to see it on your doorstep on February 6.
The Garmin-ASUS duo that gave us the Nuvifone M20 and Nuvifone G60 smartphones is still on track to launch an Android phone in 2010. Garmin-ASUS hasn’t exactly made a name for itself as a smartphone manufacturer with reliable launch windows, but it’s good to hear that the company is still planning to make good on their promise to deliver an Android-powered smartphone to market. Garmin-ASUS says that they will bring a total of 4-5 phones to market in 2010, with at least two phones running the Android OS.
An ASUS exec recently confirmed that the two companies would jointly continue to attack the mobile space with new devices. Garmin-ASUS initially claimed a Q1 2010 launch of their Android phone, they then updated the launch window for a “before end of the year” launch, and now they’re saying the Android phone will get real in Q2 2010. Hopefully, the launch of their Android phone doesn’t end up repeating the delay-riddled launch of the Garmin-ASUS nuvifone lineup.
A fresh handset from asus has passed through the FCC, complete with 3G support on T-Mobile (NYSE: DT)’s 1700/2100 bands. asus’s main interest in mobile these days has been in conjunction with Garmin for their joint nüvifone brand. Odds are good that it will be running Android, but the lukewarm reception of the G60 on AT&T has us a little worried about future products in the family. The concept of a smartphone that excels in GPS services and navigation is a solid one, but depends entirely on the implementation. With any luck, we’ll hear more at CES starting tomorrow.
The growing popularity of the iPhone platform can only mean one thing. Nope, it has nothing to do with the flakiness of AT&T (NYSE: T)’s 3G network in San Francisco. It means that we’ll be seeing more iPhone security threats rearing their ugly heads. A new variant of the original “Ikee” iPhone worm, dubbed “Ikee-B,” targets jailbroken iPhones with unsecured SSH passwords. The new Ikee-B worm infects susceptible iPhones and lies hidden until the user visits Dutch bank ING’s website. Once logged in, Ikee-B steals passwords and financial information.
To be clear, only jailbroken iPhones with default SSH passwords are vulnerable to the Ikee-B worm. Previous iPhone attacks demonstrated the need for jailbroken iPhone users to change the default password, but it’s apparently still a big enough security hole to inspire this new bit of malware. Even worse, this version of the worm isn’t just going to “Rick Roll” your homescreen, it has the potential to drain your bank account.
Now, before you panic, keep in mind that Ikee-B is only being reported in The Netherlands. It’s possible that the worm could make its way to other European countries and Australia. More importantly, you can close your jailbroken iPhone’s vulnerability by changing your default SSH password. We have instructions on how to do that here.
In case you’re one of not-that-many people who own the Garmin-Asus nuvifone M20, here’s a piece of good news for you. The company (or that’s two companies) released the official Windows Mobile 6.5 updated for your navigation-friendly device.
The update is already available in some countries whereas others will get it by the end of the year. We strongly suggest you to visit Garmin-Asus’ website and search for the latest firmware. Prior to pushing any “Update” buttons, make sure to backup your data. Once that is cleared, get set for the revamped UI that comes with latest version of Microsoft (NSDQ: MSFT)’s mobile OS, along with improved Pocket Internet Explorer, and access to Microsoft MyPhone and Windows Marketplace.
As a reminder, the nuvifone M20 comes with a VGA touchscreen, HSDPA connectivity, GPS, WiFi, 3.2-megapixel camera, and so on.
The last we heard from asus about their Android handset was that it would be available in early 2010; according to a recent interview, however, they’re now aiming for before the end of the year. We can only presume that it will be under the nüvifone brand, which recently made its ho-hum debut on AT&T. When I talked to the Garmin-asusback in the Spring, they were sounding pretty confident about Android, so hopefully the new OS will inject some life into their navigation-focused smartphone lineup. Between Motorola (NYSE: MOT), Samsung, HTC, Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE), and now Garmin-asus, the Android scene is getting very busy… Despite the competition, I’m curious what they manage to do in the way of GPS-based home screen widgets.
After meandering the Asian world, Garmin-asus is bringing their nüvifone brand to North America on October 4 care of AT&T (NYSE: T); that $299.99 pricetag rumour was dead on. The G60 nüvifone runs on Linux, rocks a 272 x 480 WQVGA touchscreen, 3 megapixel camera with autofocus, 2.5 mm headphone jack (boo), and true to Garmin’s DNA, it’s big on GPS navigation and services. This will be the only Linux phone to come out of Garmin-asus, as they’ll be switching to Android and Windows Mobile exclusively for future handsets. The M20 is currently their Windows Mobile offering, but we’ll have to wait and see if it ever finds its way to this side of the pond. If you’d like to take a closer look, I tried out the G60 in Barcelona earlier this year, or you can scope out the information page.
Along with release dates for other handsets in their Windows Mobile lineup, price points for the nüvifone G60, HTC Touch Pro2 (to be branded as the Tilt 2), and the Touch Diamond2 (branded Pure). The Tilt 2 will run you $299.99, $499.99 off contract; the Pure $149.99, $349.99 off contract; finally, the Garmin-asus nüvifone G60, of which we’ve heard little since its July launch in Asia, will be available for $299.99/$549.99. Release dates are still pretty hazy for most of them (except the The Tilt 2, which is probably rolling in on the 18th.), but late October is the best guess with the given info.
After a long road, Garmin-Asus are now bringing their navigation-focused handsets, the G60 and M20, to a bunch of oriental countries this summer. The Windows Mobile 6.1-packing M20 will be available in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia in August, but the Linux-powered G60 will be available in Taiwan in just three days, while hitting Singapore and Malaysia by the end of August. Europeans can look forward to the nüvifone in the second half of 2009.
Most of the specs are widely known, but here’s a quick recap:
nüvifone M20
Tri-band GSM / GPRS / Edge 900/1800/1900
900/2100 HSPA 7.2 Mbps
802.11 b/g WLAN, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, HFP, HSP, A2DP, AVRCP, mini USB 2.0
Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional (Upgradeable to WM 6.5)
3MP camera with auto-focus and geo-tagging
95.3 x 52.5 x 12.8 mm
2.8″, 65K, TFT with touch lens
Push / Enterprise / POP3 / IMAP4 / SMTP
OPERA browser, HTML, WAP 1.2.1/2.0
SMS / MMS / IM
3G: Up to 3.5 hours / 2G: Up to 2.8 hours talk time
Garmin-Asus have pledged to have an Android handset available before the end of the year, which should be a fruitful move for the young handset brand. Although we were expecting a launch in the Asian area, it’s a little disappointing that we won’t be able to give either of these new handsets a shot in North America for awhile longer. Maybe that Android one will come our way…
The Nuvifone G60 and M20 navigation-oriented smartphones have been delayed time and time again, but it seems the Garmin-ASUS duo is still intent on launching the devices before the end of the decade. In fact, if the latest rumblings along the mobile grapevine pan out, we’ll see Garmin-ASUS launching the Nuvifone G60 and Nuvifone M20 in Malaysia within the next 30 days!
The Nuvifone G60 is the bigger of the two Nuvifones. We’ll likely see it launching next month with a 3.55-inch touchscreen, GPS (of course), WiFi, 3G data connectivity, 3-megapixel camera and 4GB of on-board storage.The G60’s Linux-based OS struck us as both intuitive and speedy, but we’d have liked to have seen the G60 running Android.
For the Windows Mobile set, the Nuvifone M20 will bring its 2.8-inch touchscreen, GPS, WiFi, 3G, 3-megapixel camera and 4GB/8GB of built-in memory to the table. It’s smaller than the G60, but it’s also arguably more comfortable in the hand. Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional runs the show, but we won’t hold that against the M20.
Keep an eye out for a near-term launch of the Garmin-ASUS Nuvifone M20!
The Garmin-ASUS duo that gave us the 
The growing popularity of the iPhone platform can only mean one thing. Nope, it has nothing to do with the flakiness of AT&T (
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