MiTAC to Unveil 3G GPS Phones in Q2

Taipei, Feb. 5, 2009 (CENS)--MiTAC International Corp., a globally leading supplier of GPS (global positioning system) devices, will unveil its first 3G GPS phone in the second quarter of this year to counter Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 jointly launched by Asutek Computer Inc. and Garmin Corp., according to company sources.

In recent years, Asustek, one of the world's top 10 notebook PC brands, has actively ventured into the GPS device market, but hasn't effectively shaken MiTAC's top-three position in the world due to poor brand recognition and lack of cutting-edge technology. However, industry insiders widely believe that the challenger's recent move to team up with Garmin, the world's largest GPS device brand, to tap the GPS phone market has certainly threatened MiTAC.

Nevertheless, MiTAC optimistically opines that the two rivals' move won't significantly impact its sales performance in the market. Citing its experience in facing Nokia's invasion into the sector, the firm noted that launch of the brand's GPS phones hasn't eroded its sales as much as expected, thanks to its years of efforts on R&D and expertise that help to secure brand recognition among consumers in the market.

MiTAC stressed that quite a few phone makers see GPS as merely an auxiliary feature, hence failing to append practical GPS functions and truly needed services to their GPS phones. By contrast, MiTAC, starting up by specializing in GPS devices, has accumulated seasoned professionalism in the field and therefore is more competitive than its rivals.

MiTAC's own-brand GPS phones, including 501, 702 and K1, all proved popular with consumers. This helps the firm to build solid confidence in scoring promising sales of its first 3G GPS phone this year, despite competitors aggressively entering the market.