Garmin goes Windows with iQue M5 GPS handheld

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	Garmin goes Windows with iQue M5 GPS handheld	By Jørgen Sundgot, Monday 10 January 2005

The new iQue M5 handheld from Garmin subtracts Palm OS, retains an integrated GPS receiver and adds Windows Mobile and Bluetooth.

Navigation specialist Garmin has introduced the iQue M5, the manufacturer's first handheld with a built-in GPS receiver to make use of the Windows Mobile platform. Marking a detour from its predecessors, the iQue 3600 and 3200, the iQue M5 foregoes the use of Palm OS in favour of the latest version of Windows Mobile, also adding support for Bluetooth to a mix of advanced features.

Garmin's iQue M5 abandons Palm OS in favour of Windows Mobile

Powered by a 416 MHz Intel PXA272 processor, the iQue M5 runs Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition for Pocket PC backed up by 64 MB of RAM and 64 MB of ROM. A 3.5", 16-bit TFT display provides the interface for the unit, whilst an SDIO capable SD/MMC Card expansion slot allows for memory expansion.

In the connectivity department, the iQue M5 offers serial and USB connectivity, in addition to Infrared and Bluetooth, the latter of which is new to the iQue product line. GPS support remains 12-channel, with claimed acquisition times ranging from 15 to 45 seconds depending on whether the receiver is performing a warm or cold start.

Featuring a built-in basemap of North and South America, the iQue M5 shows major highways, thoroughfares, railways, lakes, rivers and borders. Garmin includes its MapSource City Select CD as a standard accessory, enabling users can download street-level map data including more than five million points of interest (POIs). World travelers can also add a European or Pacific Rim basemap from the installation CD, with international versions of the iQue M5 to feature respective basemaps, mapping software and language support.

The integrated Que applications offer location tracking, point of interest-lookup and voice-prompt, turn-by-turn routing. In the event drivers should miss a turn, the software will automatically recalculate a new route to guide drivers back on track. Another feature is the ability to attach a 'location stamp' to a profile in a user’s contact database or appointment calendar.

The iQue M5 is expected to be available in January 2005 at a suggested retail price of $749.99 USD. Among other things, the standard package will include a USB synchronization cradle, and automotive mount with an integrated speaker and 12-volt adapter.

An additional picture of the Garmin iQue M5 is available on the following page.