Mio to ship 3.5G GPS smartphone Q1 2009

Mio Technology – brand name of Mitec International – has revealed plans to launch its first ever Windows Mobile-based 3.5G GPS smartphone in the first quarter of 2009.

The yet to be named device will feature a touch screen interface with a specially designed GUI called Spirit.

Connectivity will be powered by Qualcomm’s high speed 3.5G mobile chipset.

Additional features include a standard 12 button keypad and 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus.

Mio – a self proclaimed ‘leading player’ in the mobile GPS industry – is also planning to release a Mobile Internet Device (MID) in the first quarter of 2009.

It is believed that the device will feature a 7- or 8-inch display, 3G connectivity, integrated GPS, and will run Windows CE.

Both devices are expected to provide strong competition for Garmin’s GPS-enabled Nuvifone, due for release sometime in the first half of next year.