Announced by Asus in September, R700 GPS navigation device will be a high-end model with a 4.3 inch touch screen and RDS/TMC traffic receiver. It does not have an FM transmitter to utilize your car audio for voice directions but it does have text-to-speech operate to speak out street names.

Another nice feature on the new Asus R700 is the ability to read text messages from your cell phone using the hands free bluetooth kit.

Also we now can confirm that the navigation software will be iGO 8, the latest version that integrates 3D images of undoubtful sites such as historic buildings and other structures.

More features and specs of

• SiRF Star III integrated GPS receiver
• 4.3″ touch screen
• Light sensor
• Hands free bluetooth kit
• Anti Echo operate
• Integrated RDS/TMC receiver
• Samsung 2440 Processor
• microSD Port
• Mini USB 1.1
• 64 MB SDRAM
• 128 MB ROM
• 1300 mAh Lithium-Ion battery
• iGO 8 navigation software with maps of Europe and 3D rendering of choose structures
• Windows CE.net 5.0
• Music player: AAC, MP3, WMA; and video player: MPEG4, H263

R700 is expected to be available in Europe that December for somewhere amoung 400 € and 500 €… via

Original post by Tim Robbins