Mio and Qualcomm to merge GPS, real-time traffic, and cellphone

In case you missed it, the biggest trend in GPS navigators at the moment is real-time, two-way data feeds for traffic updates. There's the Dash Express of course, and TomTom's ONE XL HD Traffic GPS navigator with real-time traffic feeds provided over Vodafone's GSM network. Now Mio is looking for a piece of that action with some help from Qualcomm. The collaboration brings Qualcomm's QST1100 chipset to the mix for real-time traffic updates (presumably two-way, or why bother), voice calling, search, and the always intriguing, "more." Details on the chipset are few. We do know that it features assisted-GPS, Standalone-GPS and gpsOneXTRA Assistance technology. How very marketingy. While no date for a device launch was provided, we have a funny feeling that one of MIO's prototypes spotted at CES or perhaps that Qualcomm reference design is due for mass assembly sometime soon.

[John Johnson @ Jan 30th 2008 8:41AM]

A phone with GPS. Awesome!

[randy @ Jan 30th 2008 12:05PM]

But do they have to make it look EXACTLY like an iPhone? These people are so uncreative.

[carlo2 @ Jan 30th 2008 2:27PM]

That's sarcasm, right?

[steve @ Jan 30th 2008 8:42AM]

But they'll never beat the iphone.. at least not within the next 2 years!

[riggs @ Jan 31st 2008 8:52AM]

are u naturally an idiot, or do you practice in a mirror all day?

[fnj @ Jan 30th 2008 8:57AM]

I don't know why, but I can't help thinking that these things aren't complete until they allow the option of layering weather on top of the maps and traffic.

[Bbar86 @ Jan 30th 2008 9:53AM]

i like that idea

[Marino @ Jan 30th 2008 4:08PM]

Weather?
What weather?
We are in Southern California.

[Bobs @ Jan 30th 2008 9:07AM]

They keep getting better and better, first, it was black and white, then it was in color, and now you can get freakin traffic data. that sounds like an awesome feature, anyone else toy with it yet? i borrow my aunt's B&W garmin for geocaching, can you still do that on these nice ones?

[CanCar @ Jan 30th 2008 9:52AM]

Taking about GPS, do you know the system that has ferrari? the Traffic Assist Pro Ferrari 7929 guides during your passages through its screen tactile color of 4"" by means of a representation system 3D. Also includes mp3 system.

[Robert S. @ Jan 30th 2008 9:49AM]

MMMMM. Glossy black phone, silver lining. I think I've seen a similar looking device just cant put my finger on it. In any case if you want traffic reports you can always look online with a smartphone for free and not pay whatever the price may be with this phone.

[axemte @ Jan 30th 2008 10:24AM]

You mean the LG Prada right!?

[Robert S. @ Jan 30th 2008 9:44PM]

Well u might as well slap an apple logo on it and call it Iphone Jr.

[riggs @ Jan 31st 2008 8:53AM]

or u can slap an LG badge on the iphone and call it a prada jr.

[Robert S. @ Jan 31st 2008 9:23AM]

Personally the Prada is to boxy for my tastes but the Iphone design was not stolen from the Prada as LG insists. Look at the 3g 4g black ipod, silver lining, glossy finish. Both of which came out before the Prada. As far as the UI and features of the Prada, I've never used it but judging from the video reviews Ive seen it looks like its lacking. If you look at the MIO and the Iphone they're looking alot more similar than the Iphone and Prada. LG makes good phones, but it needs to look to Apple on how to make a good touch screen phone (LG voyager= horrible touch screen response and im guessing the Prada is the same)

[Robert @ Jan 30th 2008 11:14AM]

Never heard of TMC before?? IN whole Europe the GPS navigation systems with that get the traffic data and change your route to a better one. Phones have it for quite a while( E-Tens Glowfish series)!

[palehorse @ Jan 30th 2008 1:42PM]

nothing really groundbreaking here other than teasing us with Mio's hawt HAWT phone yet again!

DAMN YOU!!

Dual-sided touchscreen and keypad love with GPS, video, PMP powers, browsing, WiFi, and 3G... all with a slim profile in the palm of your hand... mmmmm...

Damn you MIO!!

[SOOPERGOOMAN @ Jan 30th 2008 1:48PM]

the people on their phones who cause traffic jams will finally be able to look down at their handset and realize it's THEM! Horrible Idea!

[carlo2 @ Jan 30th 2008 2:29PM]

claaasic

[carlo2 @ Jan 30th 2008 2:29PM]

classic even

[Ipaq3115 @ Jan 30th 2008 2:20PM]

Hey that looks like a...

Oh never mind...

[Marino @ Jan 30th 2008 4:09PM]

TomTom doesn't show traffic in the US. I wish it did. I paid $500 bucks for it.

[av8or @ Jan 30th 2008 6:35PM]

ok, all you iphone fanboy bandwagoners, a full touch screen device only has one possible design layout, so no one is copying the yphone
if you want to nitpick, the iphone is just like the palm devices that came out years ago with 'touch screens' :rolleyes:

[JerryA @ Jan 30th 2008 7:15PM]

I've got their software on my Titan now and it's a nice package. This looks like a great idea for people who want the phone and GPS/traffic without all the other stuff that comes with a pocketPC.