Posted by Mia in In order to satisfy the needs of potential buyers, MiTAC has produced Mio A501 communicator with GPS-navigation.
Design
A501 is really small, its dimensions are 20.7 x 59.6 x 95.7 mm (weight 130 g), it is slightly less than similar communicators with the 2.7 display “. But unlike the majority, Mio A501 doesn’t have a very strict form of a brick – rounded edges and cut lower edge add special originality to its appearance.
The shell is divided into two pieces of different shades of gray, and dividing oval line of the section runs between two rows of buttons on the front panel below the display. From the first sight it looks like the device is made in the form of a slider, and there is a keyboard under the display.
Nevertheless, the A501 is not a slider, a game of colors is just an idea of design. However, the idea was successful! It is difficult to confuse the novelty with any other communicator. Furthermore, the quality of materials above all praises.
By the way, Mitac Mio A501 is already followed by the model Mio A502 (right photo), similar to A501, but with slightly different appearance, and with the 6th “Windows” on board.
The device stands out against a background of other communicators with its control keys. On the front panel, below the display, a unit with the main buttons and keys of quick launch of certain applications is located – six small and one elongated button. A joystick is located not next to these buttons, but at the top of the left end.
Thus, it’s more convenient to keep the communicator in the left hand and to work with joystick using you thumb.
So forefinger falls on volume control key, located on the opposite side of the shell. For many people, such way of controlling may seem unusual and even inconvenient. But from the first minutes of communication with communicator it became clear that this is not true. Another plus of such position of the device in the hand is a very little chance of that it will be stolen in transport; and just to drop it accidentally is not easy.
Near the joystick there is a camera activation button, as well as the socket for the headphone minijack 2.5 mm. Thanks to its compact dimensions, there are many possibilities. You can carry it in the pocket of the jacket or trousers or somewhere else. You can carry it in the original textile, but very hard protective case from a set, which has attachment to the belt.
Not ordinary control keys of Mitac Mio A501 contrast to the more unusual for communicators slot for SD memory cards instead of miniSD.
However, the SD format is much more common, and if you, for example, have a camera with such a type of memory, you can view the footage material directly on the communicator, it is very convenient. The memory card slot, located on the right edge of Mitac Mio A501, has a plastic cover, so that the chances of losing the card are minimized.
The novelty connects to the computer via simple USB cable – miniUSB, so in the case of loosing or damaging, it’s easy to buy a new one in any computer accessories store.
Display
LCD sensitive display, as has been said, has a 2.7 diagonal. The range of brightness change is wide and working with it comfortable in any lighting.
Also, we must note the large angle of view and excellent colors. So it is impossible to find fault in the display, well, may be resolution 320 х 240 points is already a bit outdated.
The device runs under Windows Mobile 5.0, with a processor by Texas Instruments – OMAP 850 with a frequency of 200 MHz. The processor is not productive, but it is fulfilling its function reliably – working with office programs and multimedia is stable.
Much more unusual is the situation with the memory of the novelty. The amount of RAM is standard – 64 MB, but the volume of ROM is not 128 MB, as in most of communicators, but 1 GB! Such amount of memory is enough to install almost any necessary software, including maps for GPS- navigation.
But, as it has been said, because of the weak performance of the processor, Mitac Mio A501 had not demonstrated high performance. We tested the possibility of using the Spb Benchmark device.
Communication capabilities
Unfortunately, the novelty doesn’t have all communication capabilities. Those who want to use A501 for internet connections through Wi-Fi will be disappointed, the communicator does not have such module. It has Bluetooth 2.0, but it can’t fill the gap of communication opportunities.
On the other hand, those who often enjoy the services of GPRS will like the novelty – it supports EDGE. Like most modern devices A501 has a very stable connection. It is interesting that for those who do not like to examine settings, the producer gave the possibility of connecting GPRS by pressing one key.
Four GSM- ranges are available – 850/900/1800/1900, so wherever you are gone, you will stay on line.
Sound and autonomy
Both dynamics of A501 have relatively high maximum volume and clear sound without noise.
Headset had shown good work, despite the fact that it can be easily replaced by another, more suitable to you, because the connector is a standard 2.5 mm minijack.
A501 has a removable lithium-ionic battery with a1050 mAh capacity. This is not too much, but the 501th is not the only one with such a battery. With an average intensity of work (calls, phone book editing, checking e-mail), the battery has ten hours of use. If you save energy, it would be necessary to charge the battery every two days.
Camera
Integrated camera of Mitac Mio A501 has nothing remarkable, despite the existence of auto focus, the flash and mirror for self-portrait. The location of the camera is not quite traditional so it pushes the user to hold communicator while shooting horizontally, as a normal camera. The camera has CMOS-sensor 2.0 Mp resolution and lets making photos in JPG format with a maximum resolution 1600 x1200.
The program interface is responsible for the photo / video filming, and it is quite simple, but attractive and understandable to anyone. Camera doesn’t have a lot of options (quality, turning flash on/out, a serial shooting, mode etc.), but it is hardly a disadvantage, because the quality of images cannot be compared even with the images from any modern low-cost digital camera.
The map can be placed not only in two, but in three planes. So you can expand a bit the area of the map without changing the scale. And for work at night, when bright light irritates eyes, the program provides a special regime of work with predominantly dark-colored elements.
A501 is built on the basis of the most popular todays chip SiRFStar III, that’s why the device starts quickly (cold start – about two minutes, hot – more than two seconds), and subsequently did not lose the connection to the satellites.
It is necessary to note an additional utility “Fast GPS- positioning”, which can substantially reduce the time of cold start, the information about the current location of satellites can be automatically downloaded from the internet, for example with the use of GPRS. But another tiny utility, pre-installed in A501, lets quickly send SMS messages.
Software
Another feature of the novelty is a rather large set of preloaded software. Producer worked even over the appearance of Windows Mobile – the desktop of the Mitac Mio A501 is in black and gray colors. There is a quick launch for some applications on it, as well as panel with updated through the Internet information about the weather in the selected region. However, if you do not like new interface, you can go back to a more accustomed one.
In addition, the manufacturer has developed a graphical menu imitating the menu of cell phone. With its help the user can run almost any standard system tool and application.
To the constant gaming set was added a third game – Sudoku.
Even the standard calculator now has a new interface and allows checking the measures of length and weight, as well as the currencies of the world.
Among the preloaded software, there are several small but useful tools. We have already met one above. Among them there is a very small but useful program for sending SMS with a request for emergency assistance. Mailing list, to which it will be sent out, is chosen by user.
Another utility is responsible for the rapid voice dialing, with which you can not only make voice calls but also run different applications.
Conclusion
Mio A501 is developed carefully. Stylish design, unusual, but convenient controlling, large amount of memory, SD slot, built-in navigational receiver with Mio Map GPS-package. Finally there is a rich equipment and extensive list of software – all these distinguish the novelty from other communicators available on the market today.
Sorry to say but there are also some minuses. The lack of Wi-Fi module could affect the range of potential users of the device. However, the price easily leaves behind some competitors.
