Garmin-Asus, a co-branded alliance between Garmin and ASUSTeK Computer, has announced that its nuvifone M20 is now available with Windows Mobile 6.5. Existing owners are also eligible for the update.

The company said that users will be able benefit from host of improvements that Windows Mobile 6.5 provides, such as large touch-optimised icons, mobile applications via Windows Marketplace for Mobile, and the Microsoft My Phone service.

With Windows Mobile 6.5, the new nuvifone M20 boasts interface improvements, such as streamlined home screen, and comes preloaded with Facebook. In addition, users will be able to take advantage of Microsoft’s Windows Marketplace for Mobile to download and install additional applications to their M20, the company said.

Reportedly, the Windows Marketplace offers mobile applications, from important business tools to social networking applications such as MySpace to games. The new My Phone service offers features such as data migration, data auto-syncing, backup and restoration, remote data wiping, and viewing, syncing and sharing of photos across PC, phone and web platforms.

Benson Lin, vice president and general manager of the Asus handheld business group, said: Through its innovative integration of a phone, navigator, and browser, the nuvifone M20 is designed to enhance the lives of consumers today. With Windows Mobile 6.5, users can enjoy the same great LBS (location-based service) features of the original nuvifone M20, but with a richer and more rewarding user experience.

The Garmin-Asus nuvifone M20 running Windows Mobile 6.5 is expected to be available in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, India, Russia, Ukraine, Poland, Czech, Turkey and other markets by the end of 2009.