Garmin Unveils iQue M5, the First Pocket PC with GPS and Bluetooth

Strategic Insights -

The iQue M5, a new portable navigation device, was introduced by Garmin International Inc. at the International Consumer Electronics Show, featuring Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software, GPS navigation, and Bluetooth connectivity. The device is designed for mobile professionals and includes Garmin's integrated suite of Que mapping and navigation applications, providing users with a sense of direction and allowing them to navigate with turn-by-turn directions. The iQue M5 is the first device to integrate GPS and Bluetooth technology into a Pocket PC, offering users a single device for staying on task and on course.

Key Takeaways:

  • The iQue M5 features Microsoft's Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition software, supporting portrait/landscape screen orientation for easy viewing of documents, videos, and Web content.
  • The device is powered by a 416-MHz Intel(R) PXA 272 microprocessor and includes 64MB of RAM and 64MB of ROM for efficient data storage and back-up protection.
  • The embedded Bluetooth transceiver enables users to establish a personal-area network with computer systems and Bluetooth-enabled devices.
  • The device includes Garmin's MapSource(R) City Select(R) CD as a standard accessory, allowing users to download detailed street-level map data, look up POIs, and navigate to an address in the U.S. and Canada.
  • International versions of the iQue M5 will feature respective basemaps, mapping software, and language support.
  • The device's integrated Que applications enable users to see their location on an electronic map, look up POIs, and route to their selected destination with turn-by-turn directions.
  • The iQue M5 offers advanced routing features, including the ability to specify roadways to avoid and find POIs near the current route.
  • The device also includes a "location stamp" feature, which allows users to attach a location to a profile in their contact database or appointment calendar and navigate directly to these important business addresses.
  • The iQue M5 is expected to be available in January 2005 at a suggested retail price of $749.99.

Statistics:

  • The iQue M5 features a 416-MHz Intel(R) PXA 272 microprocessor.
  • The device includes 64MB of RAM and 64MB of ROM.
  • The device's battery life is not specified in the press release.
  • The iQue M5 will be available in January 2005 at a suggested retail price of $749.99.
  • The device includes a built-in basemap of North and South America.
  • Garmin will include its MapSource(R) City Select(R) CD as a standard accessory with the iQue M5.

Sources:

  • Garmin International Inc.
  • Microsoft
  • Intel Corporation
  • Securities and Exchange Commission (Commission file number 0-31983)