Mio Technology is set to raise the satellite navigation stakes with two new, competitively priced products. The Mio268 is the first purpose-built, portable satellite navigation device offered with a UK recommended retail price of less that £300. The Mio269 does all this and more, coming pre-installed with all European maps for a remarkable £399. Whether jumping into your car to drive to a meeting, out on a mountain biking weekend, walking around central London, or driving the family to Spain, Mio268 and Mio269 can take the pain out of planning and navigation.

With pre-set modes for car, motorbike, bicycle and foot, the Mio269 and Mio268 are specifically designed for every navigation need. Whether you simply want to get from A to B by car with the minimum of fuss, urgently need a petrol station or want locate a country pub to break your cycle ride for lunch, you’ll find everything within easy reach. There’s also an MP3 player included for those times when you’re not on the move.

Both devices are portable, so satellite navigation no longer means making your vehicle a beacon for local car thieves. Instead the Mio268 & Mio269 can be carried your pocket when you’re not in the car or on your bike.

Personalised features such as the HOME button – that will guide you directly home after a long meeting or hectic weekend – are evidence of a device that has been designed from the ground up as a means of navigation not a PDA that doubles as a navigation unit.

For 2005’s consumer electronic products, style is as vital as function, and the Mio268 and Mio269 tick all the boxes here. The Mio268 comes in trendy black and metallic colours, while the Mio269 features classic charcoal grey and dark silver colours. The buttons on both devices look the part with cool blue back lighting.

The Mio268 comes complete with a map of the UK and car-mounting kit for £299. While the Mio269 comes pre-installed with all of Europe’s maps, car-mounting kit, remote control, carry case, bicycle mount and ear phones all for £399. The Mio268 and Mio269 will be available in UK major electrical and motor accessory stores from February 2005.

Simple navigation:

With the Mio268 & Mio269 you decide how detailed the directions need to be. Whether it’s just major roads you need to see or right down to side streets to find that elusive shop, you get all the information you desire, whilst hiding anything you don’t need. And, thanks to the digital map data from TeleAtlas, Mio268 and Mio269 allow you to select destinations from many ‘points of interest’ built into the maps. Whether you need to find the nearest petrol station, train station or restaurant within easy reach, simply select one from the list and your Mio268 or Mio269 will take you there.

Selecting your destination couldn’t be easier using the touch screen keyboard or from a list of destinations you have already programmed in. You can also plan your route before you set off, allowing for you to get a feel of your journey before you go. When you really need to get home after a long day, all you have to do is press the ‘home button’… regardless of where you are, your Mio268 or Mio269 will immediately direct you back home.

Easily transferrable:

Whether in the car, on a bike or on foot the portable nature of the Mio268 and Mio269 is suited to many modes of transport. Anything goes as both devices have different settings - car, motorcycle, bicycle and walking – to ensure that the directions meet your speed of movement. Safety comes as standard with the Mio268 & Mio269 , for example, when in bicycle mode the device will direct you towards cycle routes and keep you away from busy roads. This simple logic is mirrored in walking mode.

Easy to use:

The Mio269 is a ready to go navigation system, no uploading maps or swapping memory cards. The in-built 2.5 GB hard disk contains virtually everything: a map of Europe with 13.2 million kilometres of roads and streets, the navigation software and many other extras including an MP3-player. While the Mio268 offers the same but with the maps stored on memory cards. The user friendly software and preinstalled maps on hard disc or memory cards mean all you need to do is switch the device on, and you’re ready to go.

The Mio268 and Mio269 run on the MioMap software which is based on the class leading Personal Navigator 4 by Navigon. The software has been adapted with ease of use in mind: you control the navigation system with the tips of your fingers. All functions can be activated through the touch screen, while the external buttons provide immediate access to the most important functions. The menu consists of clear and colourful icons that effortlessly take you to the various functions of the Mio268 & Mio269.

MP3 Player included:

Both Mio268 and Mio269 come with a built in MP3 player. If you opt for the Mio268, you can copy your MP3-files to a memory card (up to 1 GB), which you then insert into the device. If you choose for the Mio269, you can transfer your MP3-files directly onto the hard disk of the device. The Mio269 has 500 MB of free disk space, which equals 8 hours of listening enjoyment!

Accessories and updates online:

Users can buy additional accessories, parts and new maps for the Mio268 and Mio269 at shop.mio-tech.be. Every six months Mio will also make updates to all maps available for download from the website.