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By Damian Koh, CNET Asia
Jun 13, 2007

If the number of launches is anything to go by, mobile phones with built-in GPS (Global Positioning System) seem to be the current focus. For Nokia at Showcase Nokia 2007 in February, the press was treated to a hands-on of the newly launched 6110 Navigator and E90 Communicator which both feature onboard GPS navigation capabilities.

And at a more recent event for the 6110 Navigator, members of the press took part in an Amazing Race-styled mini competition which had various teams shuttling along Boat Quay and Clark Quay in Singapore, while at the same time getting a feel of AGPS (Assisted GPS) in action. According to Nokia, AGPS operates in combination with a technical framework that allow third parties, such as telco operaters, to reduce the initial time needed for the device to calculate its current position and is especially useful in urban areas. Based on our previous experience with the Nokia N95, the 6110 Navigator (the first Nokia to feature AGPS) indeed took a much shorter time to lock onto our position.

Access the Nokia Navigator with just one button.

The built-in GPS navigation is the highlight of the 6110 and Nokia clearly intends to show it off. To that effect, there's a one-touch Navigator button below the directional keypad.

Kudos to the onboard speakers on the rear which were sufficiently loud and clear. This is especially important when one has to keep one's eyes peeled on the traffic while receiving voice guidance rather than be distracted by what's onscreen. To get from Point A to B, we could select whether we wanted to travel via the shortest distance or reach our destination in the soonest time possible.

In the simulation, we had a car speeding at 108kmh in downtown Singapore and, during the course, we had icons popping up whenever a point of interest was nearby, such as a restaurant, hotel or shop. Since it's not humanly possible to travel at that speed by foot, there's a nifty Pedestrian mode should you decide to stroll to your destination.

The Nokia 6110 Navigator comes in either black or white.

The main difference between the 6110 Navigator and the N95 is the navigation software. The former uses Route 66, while the N95 is preloaded with Asia Map (from AGIS) and Nokia Maps (smart2go). Map data for both devices, however, is from NavTec. Other differences include an automatic sensor for day and night display, 3D perspective and adjustable viewing angle, alarm speed during car driving and alarm trigger at pre-determined points of interests.

Maps can be purchased using the Nokia Map Manager or downloaded over the air from Route 66's store. The map and turn-by-turn navigation feature are expected to cost between 9.95 euros and 49.95 euros (approximately between S$10 and S$50) depending on the maps purchased. The best part is this is a one-time cost with a lifetime subscription.

Connectivity-wise, this quadband Navigator ships with 3G and HSDPA capable of reaching speeds of up to 3.6Mbps. What's missing are wireless LAN and infrared. Fortunately, there's Bluetooth and push email, in addition to a Message reader function that reads emails or text messages aloud.

Other standard fare are a customizable My Own key with a mini-B USB port and microSD (up to 2GB) expansion card slot on the left spine, a 2-megapixel camera at the back with sliding door to protect the lens and integrated flash, plus a second shooter above the 2.2-inch QVGA screen for video telephony.

In hand, the 6110, which comes in either black or white, feels solid with a sliding mechanism that spells assurance. Though like the Nokia 8800, retracting the top lid produces a loud metallic clack. A dampener would have been great to reduce the sound.

Nokia rates the phone with a talktime of 3.5 hours and up to 11 days on standby.

As a sum-up, the 6110 Navigator looks attractive and compact enough to appeal to drivers or frequent travelers. For Singapore users, the 6110 will come bundled with a local map and maps for Johor Bahru and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

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