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Garmin International released its first GPS (global positioning system) Pocket PC, the iQue M5, earlier this year. It followed up that handheld this summer, and has released its third model, the iQue M4, today.

Unlike the first iQue Pocket PC or its low-priced sequel, the M3, the M4 comes pre-loaded with highly detailed City Navigator North America NT street data of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

GPS Short Course: A GPS receiver gathers pulsed signals from as many of the two dozen or so GPS satellites orbiting the earth as it can lock in. Using triangulation—by measuring and comparing the travel time of individual signals—the receiver calculates its position, and it's accurate to within twenty yards or so.

The iQue M4 uses Garmin's StreetPilot interface that greets users with two options, "Where to?" and "View map." By incorporating larger, more intuitive navigational icons, Garmin says it is possible for users to select icons with their finger, rather than a stylus with the iQue M5.

After using the touch-screen to enter information about the destination, the driver is given detailed, turn-by-turn, voice prompted directions. Destinations may also be selected through the points of interest (POIs) database, which includes nearly six million POIs such as restaurants, fuel, banks and hotels.

As with other Garmin handhelds, the iQue M4, which measures 2.83 x 5.04 x .75 inches (72.0 x 128.0 x 19 millimeters) and weighs 5.9 ounces (166 grams), features an integrated flip-up GPS patch antenna that can be positioned for optimal reception. It has a 312 MHz Intel XScale processor, 64 MB of RAM and a Secure Digital In Out slot for memory and peripheral expansion.

For some reason, the new Pocket PC runs on the now date Windows Mobile 2003 Second Edition and not Windows Mobile 2005. Windows Media Player for playing music is included and you can work with Microsoft Office files as well. The standard package includes a USB synchronization cable, AC wall charger and auto cradle.

The iQue M4 should ship in December for about $700.