The A50 was a postpaid phone selling for $550 outright or on 49 Cap at Optus a few months ago. Sales tanked and theyre now selling it prepaid at $199.
May possible be arriving in stores next week but currently online only at DSE.
Uncertain whether this is locked to Optus.
The A50 comes with a powered carkit (which automatically activated GPS mode) and in-built Garmin Navigation including pre-loaded Australian maps.
It is also a 3.5" touchscreen smartphone running Android 1.6 OS.
You've been around long enough to know what constitutes a valid reason for a neg, and we both know that ain't it!
PainToad, if your reason for the negative vote is based on the outdated version Android shipped with the phone, then fair enough.
But you may wish to consider why this is a problem or deserves a warning. I'm not very familiar with the Android market myself so just looking at your comments, I personally don't find it really helpful. Are there issues/limitations with Android 1.6?
And do you have an example of other 2.x devices that has similar pricing & specs like you mentioned? I'm sure others here would appreciate a link.
Paintoad.
When will you learn. A negative vote like Stewballs indicated, requires a reason. You now give that reason, although you could at least describe which 2 devices they are with.
Voting negative is to help the community understand there are better deals around, but not telling where they are, which you obviously know, isnt very community minded.
Now if we had seen your vote before your second post your vote would have been revoked, and then you would have thrown the old "mods are out to get negative voters" line back.
We are - if they dont use the vote correctly. So maybe you can make our life easier and read the guidelines. Thanks
http://ausdroid.net/2010/10/22/not-to-be-outdone-optus-lower…
That was hard…and I thought my first post was obvious.
I dont think this is a valid reason to neg.. YOu have to understand that this phone will get to 2.1.
Look at the Xperia X10, thats getting 2.1 but has been functioning fine for the last 8 months or whatever. Same applies to the HTC Hero, which was stuck on 1.5 for a while.
This phone will be updated eventually, but @ 1.6 the phone isnt really at a disadvantage. Maybe a few apps wont work but thats about it.
And that link you just posted.. makes no sense at all lol.
Are you an apple fanboy?
No Paintoad, a specious apples to oranges comparison doesn't cut the mustard mate!
There are more specs to a phone than just OS, as scrimshaw points out there are significant hardware differences; and the news from sharky_k (posted 7 hours before you provided a link to what only you think is a comparable unit) of Garmin Aust slating an upgrade to 2.x for this model rounds out the negation of your rationale! ;)
Oh pain toad… how silly is that comment!
Tell us the problems with Android 1.6?
My 1.6 is 100% !
Have you read the problems some are having with 2.1? … and not the kids reports from WP either.
The only problem with 1.6 is its not releasing the full potential of the phone (with 2.2).. however not a reason to neg as 1.6 still works and provides good experience of android. They have promised update to 2.1 by december (apparently)
There are a few main differences with the phone you chose VS this Garmin Nuviphone:
Not to mention that the A50 has significantly better reviews than the Optimus..
Yeah but other 1.6 Androids dont have built in maps with lifetime update. I am negging your comment.
thanks for the share mate, i had a friend looking for a gps unit, told him to get something like this, for 199 thats pretty damn good.
will most likely be locked to optus, but hes already with them so no need to pay unlocking fee (same if you're with virgin, tpg, any service that piggy backs of optus network - in my experience anyway)
I've heard this phone is getting an android 2.1 update very soon.
source: http://androidforums.com/garminfone/194970-garmin-asus-nuvif…
Very nice specs for the money IMHO!!! :)
Anyone know what the map update charges for this phone are? I bought a nuvi255w for fathers day which came with free lifetime map updates, and I believe the updates can be about $90.00 per year!
the phone will have an update for it by december 15 to froyo 2.1
ive played with a A10 and A50 with froyo and they are very different machines. definately worth $199
also they are on the Optus $29 cap.
Hmm, my contract just expired with 3 and I'm in the market for a gps phone. I'm looking at this on the optus $29 cap, does anyone know if using your gps counts against your 200mb data cap, or if it's quota-free?
to Run the GPS, it doesn't require internet connection because the map is built in.
Ahh, thank you,
the GPS runs off an internal antenna, so it doesn't need the internet to work out your location.
Just because it has maps built in doesn't mean it doesn't need the internet connection, other phones have maps built in but still need a internet connection to work out your location.
There are 2 navigator softwares in the phone- garmin and google maps. If you use the garmin navigator, no data is necessary. Australia maps are stored on the phone. But if you use the google maps, then yes, data is used, as it downloads the maps on the fly.
Where can I confirm that it will be upgraded to 2.1? Only thing holding me back is Android 1.6
map updates are free.
Source: Garmin Rep
Pretty good if that's true :)
http://www.gpsoz.com.au/garmin/garmin_lifetime_offer.htm
I am not sure if it is related for a promotion period. If it is from optus then map should be free.
Fine print on the box said lifetime free map updates. And up to 4 updates a year.
? Standby Time Up to 10.4 days
Wow :|
BTW
http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2010/10/garmin_asus_joi…
Pretty decent price for an entry android phone, thou I think the other one (158$ with 2.2) would be better, but good deal nonetheless :D
Thanks markis, I looked at the Garmin website and this model doesn't come up under the free map updates promotion (only some of the nuvi navigators), how do you do the updates for this phone, how do you claim etc.
These are probably the last Garmin-Asus phones you'll ever get to buy, because next year Garmin and ASUS are officially terminating their collaboration relationship.
No wonder the price drops so quickly!!!
http://news.cens.com/cens/html/en/news/news_inner_34187.html
Asus will still continue to invest more $$$ into their smartphone division.
Looks good. How does this compare to Huawei IDEOS U8150 for $159 phone from crazy john?
This phone has a bigger screen, higher resolution, and uses a slightly faster 600mhz ARM processor.
Does anyone know the major difference between A10 and A50, and price as well? I found A50 bit bulky so was considering the A10. Given A50 is now selling at this nice price will A10 be coming down as well?
The A10 has a bigger 1500mah battery, a 5 megapixel camera and double the RAM (512mb)
Slightly smaller touchscreen.
Still has the same 600mhz processor and screen resolution.
You can read the full spec list here:
http://www.gsmarena.com/garmin_asus_a10-3295.php
can it be unlocked to work with 3 sim card does anyone know?
Yes, Can be unlocked for 80 bucks. For 279 bucks, i'll be looking at other phones.
Can you please tell can it be unlocked online?
It might not even be locked to Optus, since it was all previously sold as postpaid.
I bought one of these a DSE this afternoon. Works fine with my '3' simcard. I can make and receive calls.
You do need to register your network in 'settings' first though.
NO unlocking was required.
They're aren't locked.
I have tested this phone with: Optus, 3, Vodafone and Telstra sims. All work. Only catch is no 850 NextG support, so this model may be a 900/2100 device, even though in the online specs it states 850/900/1700/2100.
Excellent buy for the money, considering how much a car dock costs for a Nexus One.
If anyone gets this can they tell us if it comes unlocked?
Thanks
sickre/rewstar, I got one (actually two, my brother bought one also), I can confirm it is locked to the Optus network, and it does have lifetime maps update free (main reason I bought it,+ reviews are pretty good for a phone/nav. this price). I also rang optus to ask if i can use other service providers that are on the Optus network, and they replied -they could not confirm it would work, "some phones are locked in away that you can only use them with Optus SIM cards".
However I can confirm that I put in a Vodafone SIM, and it worked just fine, in that I was able to dial a number and connect succesfully. So my guess is that any provider that piggy backs off the Optus network should work, I for one will go on a prepaid TPG deal, in my opinion the best value for money around, anyone out there disagree? please let me know if there are better options, as I would be very interested. Cheers!
** By the way, I also used the Navigator for a 35 min. travel, very good (actual photo shot of "some"intersections and turn-offs), and very accurate.
Thanks for the info. Just wondering did you buy one from the shop or online? I just found out Postage to Melbourne is $5.95 which is good.
Cheers ozf1,
any chance of you being able to chuck a telstra sim in there to test if that works?
That would confirm if its locked to the optus network.
Sounds like a good phone otherwise.
Cheers
The phones aren't locked. Telstra sim works fine BUT no 3G on NextG (850) only supports 2G (Telstra Mobile) and 3G on the 3/Telstra 2100 network.
Thanks for the info. Just wondering how to get the free lifetime maps update free? Please advise.
@ozf1 - I am on Vodafone prepaid and bought the unit based on your advice and I am pleased to confirm that it works fine for call and receiving same - whew, wiping sweat from brow :)
Ozzie
ozf1 how much you pay and how long did it take Optus to get yours unlocked?
Hi all, fchis and salya, we paid $199.00 from my local DSE,(victoria, western suburbs, check the DSE website for actual instore stock, by putting in your postcode or suburb (actually paid 219.00 as I decided to take the extra 12month DSE warranty) as the attendant said we only had to pay $40.00 for the 2 phones, rather than $40.00 for just one.
Salya, I didn't unlock it, vodafone runs off the optus network.
rewstar- I just put in a Telstra SIM, and I get a "Not registered on network message", and a "not able to read info. on SIM card" messages, so again, I guess that more than confirms it is locked to the Optus network.
Cheers pips' glad to be of help :)
Thanks for the help
I work for an Optus store and on a plan these are covered by 24 months warranty… I'm not sure what the case is with the pre-paids because as far as I'm aware we won't be receiving them in the pre-paid variety but I would double check this with the Dick Smith store you bought it from as I'd hate for you to be ripped for something that is included in the price.
Definitely a great deal, tempted to pick one up but I'd like to see 2.1 on it before I do. If you need a GPS though definitely grab this phone, very easy to use and a great entry phone into the smart-phone market.
Garmin-Asus offical website states these are covered by a 2 year manufacturers warranty:
http://www.garminasus.com/en_AU/support/warranty-information…
Vodafone doesn't run off the Optus Network and the phones aren't locked.
And what network does vodafone use? i wasnt aware the voda hutch network was ready ?
Let me clarify. A prepaid phone typically locked the the Optus, Vodafone, Telstra etc "network" will not work until a valid unlock code is entered.
The only exceptions have been optus phones etc work on virgin, but even that isn't the case anymore. Optus locked phones have never worked on the Voda and vice versa, so saying they're on the same network isn't correct. I don't know about the actual towers in use and whether they're shared or not but the locked phones definitely carry a unique network ID for Voda and Optus respectively, so they're definitely not interchangeable.
Back to the phone, excellent value for money, highly recommended.
Also works on TPG and Live connected, tried both sims, works fine…
Cheers Lions 44 I will check with DSE first chance I get in the morning, I gotta get some sleep now :).
Lions, I checked with DSE and they assure me it's only 12months (I guess the optus 24m. must be becuase you'd be on a 24 month contract).
However you helped to remind me that I actually have a further 12 month warranty through my credit card on electrical purchases!. So I'll be cancelling the extended DSE warranty.
What's the touchscreen like? Easy to use?
Very easy. Not as responsive as higher end android phones but basic overall. I've sold this to many older customers who are a bit worried about a touch screen phone being too hard for them and I've yet to have one of them come back, they've all loved it.
Don't forget you get 5% off if you or a friend has a Woolworths staff discount card which can be used at Big W and Dick Smith.
My question is about the screen resolution being 320x480. I read that apps won't work due to this low resolution.
1) Has this been a huge issue for people before?
2) Is it a high % of apps that won't work?
3) Do the apps not work at all or only some features of the apps?
4) Does it affect hugley popular apps or the obscure apps?
Thanks
I think 320x480 is fine for most apps. 240x320 res screens are the ones that have the most compatibility problems. Thats one of the reasons I chose this phone over the HTC Wildfire.
edit: right now its the android 1.6 that will hold you back more than the screen res. Got my fingers crossed for a 2.1/2.2 update soon!
Ive installed, paper toss, angry birds, and some game like bejewed, work fine.
Is there a NZ map included as well in this phone? Garmin GPS devices usually have map for both AU + NZ by default.
Can you run the GPS without connect to phone network? I'm asking this because I may purchase this phone and use in NZ (which I don't plan to use with their phone network).
Register with your browser after connecting up phone to computer via USB, file transfer mode, at my.garmin.com. The site installs a plug-in that detects your phone and registers it.
On registering, you get:
1 free map update for Aus
1 free Software update
From the phone you can download:
1 Aus Safety cameras
Automatically activated:
1 Free 365 day subscription to Garmin connected services
What a phone, if I could cast more than one positive vote, I would.
Also has the all important pinch to zoom, thats all that really matters :)
thanks.
Should it be life time free update for the map?
Under which product name did you get it register,? I could not find A50 there.
The box said "free lifetime map updates included".
Here is the official statement for the Free Lifetime Map updates.
Free Map Updates
The A50 includes a nüMaps Lifetime subscription, which allows you to download the newest map data up to 4 times per year without monthly fees or maintenance costs. For the lifetime of your phone, get the most up-to-date map information as soon as new data is available.
http://www.garminasus.com/en_AU/phones/nuvifone-a50/services…
On the box it says to register at my.garmin.com and thats what I did. I think you peeps are having issues because you are trying to register at www.garmin.com.au (Thought I posted the URL, but I forgot).
I thought Garmin rep said it's lifetime free upgrade?
When registering, there is a clause which says:
"Once this is received your entry will be validated and your Lifetime Map Update code will be emailed to you within 8 weeks."
But I could not find the A50 on the product name so I could not register, rang garmin and requested assistance. Awaiting their call back.
picked one up today
nice phone and the gps is great , better than my nuvi7xx
only neg i could give it for some people is there is no headphone socket
for $200 its great value
actually should have looked more in the box
there is a usb to headphone socket and a set of headphones included
To everyone thats having problems registering, please register at my.garmin.com.
1. Create an account.
2. Download and install plugin.
3. Restart browser.
4. Connect phone via USB choosing File Transfer mode.
5. Follow the bouncing ball from thereon.
Spoke to Garmin customer service, lady on phone confirmed phone will receive lifetime map updates.
can anyone tell me does it work with 3g network?
Yes it will work with 3G network on the 900 and 2100 MHz bands. It will not support Telstra Next G on the 850 Mhz band, but will work on Telstra 2100 MHz 3G band. Telstra uses 850 MHz to cover rural areas, so this phone is not good for getting coverage in rural areas, but should work fine in urban areas.
So I am confused now. I registed via my.garmin.com but on the website it says only one update but all the reps are saying its lifetime update. So, after I update now I would basically be able to go on website again to update anyways?
Also, why would you need updates anyways? You don't expect the roads to change that often?
Also, this is a great phone.
Does anyone know which thread or website will tell us when the android update is available?
To ensure you get lifetime updates, do these things:
depends on where you live
new suburbs open
roads do change ,
syd for example, last 4 years M7 orbital, lane cove tunnel and changes in roads there , its ok if you live there you know about the changes , its when you dont travel those roads normally that you have problems
Hi, i am on virgin postpaid but keen to get this phone. Can anyone comfirm he or she has tried the virgin sim on this phone and there is no problem for calls and data?
I don't have any virgin sims on me, they are all "experienced"
wont be any probs since they use optus network
HI i checked it works with my Lebara,Virgin & 3 all sims cool phone
Software update available for this phone at https://www.garminasus.com/en_AU/support/nuvifone-a50-softwa…
Updates, think I got 3d map display, but not sure if it was already there in first place.
It also works on LiveConnected for me. I think someone mentioned about tpg as well earlier.
Now, I am hoping to get the Android 2.1. Singapore version has just been released recently and they have the Android 2.1.
Just spoke to them and it will be released 16/12/2010 (so they tell me)
On whirlpool, people have managed to buy the phone from DSE for less than $199 because of the advertised Android 2.1 and the loaded Android 1.6. Anyone able to post a receipt?
very doggy DS, its only 1.6 not as advertise as android 2.1
called garmin support they suggest will have it by end of month. i might still return it and buy one if it is true.
Anyone buy this phone yet? Is it any good?
Yes I am loving it. The phone is a joy to use. The GPS is fast and quick to recalculate should you (deliberately) miss a turn. The large touch screen (compared to the Ideos) is easy to use and get used to -much better than the resistive screen I have previously used.
The phone works with a Vodafone sim (once I stuck it in the right way [yes there is more than one way you can put it in!] and registered the Vodafone AU network on it[settings/phone/Network operators/search networks]). I am slightly nervous with respect to Android 2.1 availability from Optum and potential new locking issues.
The phone only gets slightly laggy when you are doing many intensive things at the same time (gps, wifi etc), but this is perfectly tolerable.
The speaker is loud and clear. While the homescreen could be a little more modifiable it is ok. I notice that for 2.1 Android (youtube clip) you should be able to choose between the classic traffic light and modifiable interface.
The screen is easy to see in all but direct sunshine. The brightness is set at half way by default so maxing it up may help daytime visibility.
Video recording is a little on the blurry high contrast side, but this is not a big issue. The photo quality is poor in a slightly dim room.
Given the phones rarity/newness finding cases for it takes a little more work. There seem to be a few online china stores which offer a variety of hard and soft/silicone cases.
My only issue is that I suspect the garmin software update (not the maps) has slightly reduced the robustness of the phone operating behaviour. I never had any apps that required a forced close before this, but then again I have also been using task manager to kill off un-needed (and possibly needed) apps which may have contributed to the stability issues.
I hope this helps your interest level.
Pretty sure it will get 2.1, singapore have the 2.1 : http://www.garminasus.com/en_SG/phones/a50/specs.html
and an italian youtube video running an A50 on 2.1 eclair (fast forward to 2min52sec): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zs7fOW1gnhM
Yea, I bought one as well. I love it a lot~~
Regarding to update, T-Mobile also "leaked" the new 2.1 version update file: http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=838871
Looks really promissing, let's see when will Optus come up with the new updates :P~~
Update for Optus Android 2.1 supposedly available now http://www.garminasus.com/en_AU/support/
My phone won't boot past the yes optus screen though….
It all worked, but I should not have had to pull out the battery twice in the process.
It is still showing as Version 4.1.46 in the http://www.garminasus.com/en_AU/support/
This is not Android 2.1
I already download this version and it is still Android 1.6
Anyone got the 3D map working ? I can't seem to see the 3D map as shown in the url
http://www.gizmag.com/garmin-asus-nuvifone-a50-review-hands-…
I already configure for 3D in the navigation. It seems it need the 3D mapo but in my map section it only show 1 map only. Anyone has 2 maps ?
2.1 is now available on the website (as of 19 Nov).
I also don't understand how 3D works. Does it only show up in certain areas? I can't seem to get it. Any ideas?
link for anroid 2.1 update:
https://www.garminasus.com/en_AU/support/software/A50-V5.0.73-OPT.exe
firmware version shown after update as 2.1- update 1.
So garmin-asus has honoured their promise.
Worked with my TPG simcard.
now with anroid market so you can download softwares direct.
Finally, got mine today. Now for the unboxing part.
Should i start the phone up with the included Optus sim first? Or just stick in my Three sim card? Doesnt matter right?
makes no difference.
PainToad on 06/11/2010 - 10:36 Comment score below threshold.