ASUS debuts Glide-enabled smartphone

ASUS, maker of the popular EEE PC netbook, has released a smartphone that features a touch-responsive interface developed by the company. The ASUS P552w PDA is loaded with Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional and is the first phone to use ASUS's Glide interface which lets users browse select, zoom, scroll or flip through a series of pages simply by tapping or sliding their finger across the screen.

The phone itself packs a whole lot of goodies such as GPS, 3.5G HSDPA connectivity, Bluetooth, video capture, 2.0 megapixel camera, MicroSD expansion slot, MP3 player, and Wi-Fi.

One of the coolest features called the SMS Location Link lets friends track each other through text messages when they're at different locations. All they have to do is send each other a quick text message, and application automatically sends them a link with directions on how to get to each other’s positions.

Another interesting feature for shutterbugs is the EziPhoto application that lets you flip through photo collections with your fingertips or by using a Calendar option that sorts photo by the dates they were taken. EziMusic is also bundled up in the phone to offer music lovers an interactive interface that helps them manage their music better.

The ASUS P552w takes on the whole social networking trend with the help of a few other applications that let users connect to Flickr, YouTube, blogs, and access other content on the Web. ASUS's website doesn't say when or where the phone will be released first, but I'm hoping it comes to the U.S. soon to take on the iPhone at a ridiculously low price.