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Like Bluetooth and WiFi, GPS has become somewhat of a staple standard in the new phones of today. However, unlike the Bluetooth and WiFi, GPS doesn’t work on its own and requires a stable, robust client to deliver the optimal GPS experience.

Purchasing a GPS enabled phone has never been easier, since most mid to high end phones / PDA phones / smartphones come readily equipped, but let’s face it – navigating on Google Maps isn’t exactly a walk in the park, and not everyone can afford (or be bothered) to purchase the latest version of Map King or PapaGo.

But is that all GPS is destined to be? Just another fancy technological moniker that comes packed with every new mobile device just because it should be there? Nope. Not if Garmin can help it, with the help of Taiwanese device maker ASUS, of course.

Story continues after the jump.

Powered by a Qualcomm 600MHz processor that’s backed by 512MB of RAM and ROM, the Garmin ASUS M10 is the very able successor to the previous products of the Garmin ASUS partnership, the M20 and G60.

In terms of dimensions, the M10 registers a very pocketable 55 x 115 x 10mm, and in comparison with an iPhone 3GS, the M10 comes with a slightly narrower screen although it measures at 3.5-inches with a WVGA (480 x 800) resolution.

Speaking of the screen, the M10 comes with a resistive touch screen. This means that besides the physical inability to accept multi touch gestures, pressure on the screen is actually required to launch a program or to type in an address. Because of this, the M10 not only works with long fingernails, but also comes with something that we’ve learned to forget over time – a stylus.

Offering a fast satellite lock-on time of 33 seconds (in best case scenario settings, of course), the M10 also comes with interesting bits of software that you may find pretty convenient. One of which is a network management software that turns your M10 into a WiFi AP, and another is a novel attempt at social networking / instant messaging called Ciao!.

 

Having said that, you can also load up new programs from an almost endless catalogue called the Internet, since the M10 runs on – gasp – Windows Mobile 6.5. We must say though, that Garmin and ASUS have done a good job in skinning WinMo6.5 and integrating most of the commonly used GPS functions directly on the home screen.

 

Instead of having to launch the GPS program before you can key in a destination, the M10 allows you to open up a search box directly from the home screen. It is even able to detect addresses directly off websites, emails and SMS’ and look them up in one click.

Rounding off the package is a 5MP camera, a 1500mAh battery, a car kit and the very affordable price tag of RM1499. To find out more details about the Garmin ASUS M10, hit up the official website at http://my.garminasus.com.