Windows Phone Thoughts: Mitac Mio Digiwalker 168 Review

By the Way, It's A Pocket PC, Too


Figure 19: The Mio 168 with the antenna fully extended.

With all of the interest over the built-in GPS and the included mapping software it is easy to forget that the device is a first-rate Pocket PC. Powered by an Intel PXA 255 with 64MB RAM and 32 MB ROM the Mitac Mio 168 doesn't set any records for speed or storage, but it's no slouch either. It performs most tasks at an acceptable speed, and it includes an SD/MMC slot for expansion.


Figure 20: Size comparisons 1 (top to bottom): Mio 168, HP iPAQ h2215, Viewsonic V37. Note the Mio's antenna in the folded position.


Figure 21: Size comparisons 1 (top to bottom): Mio 168, HP iPAQ h2215, Viewsonic V37. Note the Mio (which is face down) is narrower than even the h2215.

The Mio 168 includes five hardware buttons and, although the review unit's icons were the standard Pocket Outlook images, three are originally set to activate the Mio Map, POI and GPS Status screens. The documentation shows the icons as images related to the Mio Map software so this may be different in the production models. Of course, as usual each button can be mapped to any application you wish. Four of the buttons themselves are arranged in pairs on either side of the D-pad, with the top buttons slightly bigger than the lower buttons. This gives the unit a slightly stylish look without affecting the ease of use of the buttons. The fifth button, by default Record, is located on the left side of the unit below the power switch.

The Mio 168 comes standard with a 1350mAh non-replaceable battery that provides exceptional battery life during non-GPS operations. Even with the GPS switched on I was able to use the unit continuously for several hours between charges. Fortunately, Mitac included an auto adapter in the package so as to preclude having to rely on the internal battery while using the unit for navigation during long trips.


Figure 22: The Mio 168's back, with the antenna in the stored position.