Dash Express redesigned for Q1 2008 launch

More than a year after its initial tease, the Dash Express receives a much needed makeover in preparation for its overdue commercial outing. The WiFi, cellular, and GPS packing navigator with two-way traffic updates and travel-time forecasting now features a larger 4.3-inch display, louder speaker, beefier internal battery, and power connector on the dash mount instead of the navigator. They've also axed the button clutter up front by introducing a pair of touch-sensitive buttons along top: one makes a volume button appear on the touchscreen while the other brings up the menu. Although well behind their initial launch projection, the fact that they have the time to fine-tune the design is a pretty good sign that a revised Q1 2008 launch date is in the bag.

[Via x64bit, thanks Dave]

Read -- new design
Read -- new date

[Nicky Smith @ Sep 17th 2007 2:36AM]

I was a beta tester, and this little (actually big) thing is pretty sweet.
The Yahoo search is so great. Just the other day I was with my friends in DC and we decided to go bowling, so I just typed in "bowling" and I got directions to the nearest place. How cool is that?
Even though the address we wound up at was for a row house in a lower middle class neighborhood, if it had taken us to an actual bowling alley, it would have been totally awesome!

[ark_v2 @ Sep 17th 2007 3:03AM]

So, may I ask, why are you up?

[garone @ Sep 17th 2007 3:17AM]

This device rocks. I have been an early beta tester for months. This will change the game once it is launched!

[kyle allen @ Sep 17th 2007 3:38AM]

it somehow reminds me of the wwpc, anyone remember that? what ever happened to that? it was sweet

[PEZ @ Sep 17th 2007 7:36AM]

I remember a tomtom (715?) that was supposed to have GSM and WiFi, though I dont know if it was supposed to be released in the states. I was supposed to beta test this dash, but never got the go. It would have been nice. I like devices like this that are (can be) always connected.

[Tony C @ Sep 17th 2007 8:49AM]

Looks kool and a far cry better industrial design than the original, but why include the hard ledge across the back? There's no side view, but from the angle photo, it looks like a slightly curved "r" shape. Makes it a lot less mobile device, especially for storage and carrying around. Makes sense to put the speaker there, so it reflects sound off the windshield and I'm sure the patch and cellular antennas are there too. But I prefer the design of my Nuvi, where the patch folds down when it's not in use and makes the entire unit nothing more than a flat rectangular box when stored.

[Rod @ Sep 17th 2007 11:32AM]

The "r" shape exists so they can place the antennae in the optimal location. Remember it has a GPS, WI-FI and GPRS radio inside the device. I can tell you that this device is awesome. And once you see what it can do, you won't care what it looks like.

The Dash guys are really listening to their customers, and I really believe they are trying to build the best product they can. On top of that, with the internet conncetivity, they can add updates, and new features wirelessly, so you should get software and feature updates frequently.

[Majeed Shabanikia @ Oct 26th 2007 12:34PM]

From: Kiatech Industry Group
Subject: Cooperation
Dear Sir
I am writing to inform you Kiatech intend to participate in a tender calling by one great car maker, more than 300,000 cars per year , to product and supply RFID &GPS for car , here in Iran. According to the car maker requirements, the supplier will have to be cooperated with one foreigner reputable company based on one form of cooperation as below:
-Production under license
-Institution of joint-venture
-Buying the knowhow and production technology
In this regard, we would like to invite you to join us as our licensor and main part supplier for taking part to bid of this project. Certainly, if our invitation is acceptable to you, we will subsequently provide you more information. Moreover, we appreciate very much if you could inform us your decision preferably within the next ten days.
Sincerely yours,
Chief Executive Officer
Majeed Shabanikia