Mio A701 GPS smart phone

SatNav, PDA and GSM phone in one pocket-friendly device

By Lars-Göran Nilsson • Get more from this author

28th April 2006 12:54 GMT

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Bluetooth is part of the package, although only Bluetooth 1.2 not the latest version, 2.0 - not a major problem as it will still work with most Bluetooth accessories.

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A 1.3 megapixel camera is also part of the package, although to be brutally honest it takes some of the worst pictures I've seen from a camera phone. I never have high expectations from a handset's camera but in this case the quality was just appalling, even at the best quality setting and highest resolution. There's a dedicated button for the camera on the right-hand side, but I'd stay away from it if I were you.

The SD card slot, fitted with a protective rubber cover, sits next to the camera button and a 2.5mm audio jack for the supplied stereo hands-free headset. Oddly enough, the stylus is located at the bottom right-hand side corner and it's quite stiff to remove. It's of the telescopic kind which makes it flimsy - not what you want from a stylus. On the bottom of the A701 is a standard mini USB port - which disappointingly only is USB 1.1 rather than 2.0, so it takes a lot longer to transfer data to the A701 than it should. The left-hand side is home to two volume keys and a small notch that holds the handset in place when used with the in-car cradle.

Around the rear is the camera and the much more useful speaker. This is loud enough to provide clear instructions even during high-speed motorway driving, something some other PDA- and phone-based navigation systems have a problem with.