OQO 02 gets official Garmin GPS accessory

We've always wondered exactly what people were supposed to use UMPCs for, and now we have at least one answer: as GPS units. Yep, that's right: OQO and Garmin have released an official kit to turn your $2,000 OQO 02 into a $400 Garmin GPS unit. For $237. No, we have no idea who would buy this, but if you're feeling like throwing some bills around, you'll find a Garmin Mobile PC unit, car mount, and power adapter in the box, as well as a small note from us with an address you can send your additional silly money to for proper disposal.

PS. - Yes, we know you can also buy the Garmin adapter for $99 and the mount for $59, but it's the ridiculous bundle pricing that's got us all hot and bothered.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

[Flashpoint @ May 21st 2008 8:06AM]

First of all, I'd never buy a GPS unit that wasn't already married to the car itself. Sooner or later - you get out the car and leave it - only to come back and realize someone busted in for it. That happened to one of my friends.

Secondly, as cellphones get more powerful, these GPS units will be shunned for a cellular phone running a GPS navigation system. If Apple, for example, markets the new iPhone properly (which they won't) they'd have a windshield mount for the iphone [which swivels for landscape and portrait] and allows you to use it as a portable GPS device.

[blizz419 @ May 21st 2008 8:24AM]

do they have this in the ipod touch, probably not i assume only connectivity is standard wifi on that but hey maybe they''ll add GPS to a ipod touch soon, i love the concept of the iphone just not as a phone all those features on a cellphone i'd kill battery to much, thats why i plan on getting a ipod touch, but you are right they really should market the iphone that way.

[happy_penguin @ May 21st 2008 10:48AM]

If the GPS isn't married to the car you'd damn well ought to carry it with you or at least hide it out of sight when you park. Besides, just because it's married to the car doesn't mean that people won't steal it. You might even come back and find your entire car gone.

[darkstar @ May 21st 2008 8:08AM]

i wish all umpc has this form factor!

[crispy @ May 21st 2008 8:23AM]

Has anyone used garmin mobile pc? I've heard that Garmin released some gps software not too long ago for umpc but the stupid software was keyboard intensive with no on screen text input. Windows xp tablet edition's on screen keyboard sucks.

Now if this software is almost exactly like the ones they use on their all in one units this I'll be checking this out myself.

[CL @ May 21st 2008 8:36AM]

Problem for using the OQO as an in-car GPS is that the OQO has an active touchscreen, you can't poke the screen with your fingers. Instead, you will need to use a stylus like you are using a wacom tablet.

And to answer the question why use an UMPC as an in-car GPS, I am currently using a Fujitsu u810 for that purpose. I like the idea of it being more flexible, I can pick whatever mapping program I want and the map updates are much cheaper than the ones on a standalone PND (like you can find MS Streets & Trips on sale for $30 all the time)

[Juice @ May 21st 2008 9:20AM]

Yeah, not sure why a tech blog is asking why you would use a UMPC for anything. That's what UMPC's are for. Anything. Ya dig?

Oh, it's not an iPhone. I get it...

[cjgunit @ May 21st 2008 11:29AM]

Do You have to use the Garmin software with the mount or can you use somehting else like streets and trips?

[Goffochoco @ May 21st 2008 9:21AM]

Flashpoint @ May 21st 2008 8:06AM> And then you will leave your car and forget your iPhone on the dashboard ;)

[happy_penguin @ May 21st 2008 10:50AM]

Flashpoint would probably leave his iPhone on the roof of the car just to get rid of it. :D

[Eric @ May 21st 2008 9:21AM]

I use an N800 internet tablet for mapping. It works well, but was more expensive than a stand-alone unit.

The downside is it really doesn't take advantage of the network connection once you load up all the maps. Maybe Nokia will figure out the potential power of a networked GPS for sharing information, but if current trends are any indication, they'll start a project and forget about the follow through.

[Pochi @ May 21st 2008 9:23AM]

Yesterday I sent a huge e-mail in to The Consumerist about my nightmare in dealing with OQO. Hope they throw it up, I wouldn't wish their products/tech support on my worst enemy. Long story short: 7 months ago I ordered an OQO 02. I still have yet to receive a working one.

[Greg Baz @ May 21st 2008 10:28AM]

airplane/car adapter $79.99

Portable power adapter for on the road or in-flight powering and charging of your model 02 computer and docking station.

99.00+59.00+79.00=$237.00

Wow what a bargain to buy them in a bundle instead of on their. Maybe you save money on shipping? As if shipping them together in a box vs separate in a box would save so much money.

[TIMMAH! @ May 21st 2008 12:32PM]

Er... for $237 couldn't you just buy a standalone GPS unit and save yourself 1 cable connection?

[F33D @ May 21st 2008 8:31PM]

I love my OQO2 and want to answer the question as to why a person would by a UMPC. I work as a PDM Tech and that requires me to be in the field as well as the office. This PC is the perfect form for me to stay connected and have access to all my files in a paperless world. When I relocate from the field to the office or vice versa, my hand are full and being able to attach my pc to my belt works great. If I have to go to training my OQO2 takes up 1/5 of the area my gateway tablet would and has all of the same functions. Sure the specs are crappy but this is designed to be a office tool and not a gaming rig. So lets go ahead and establish who uses a UMPC; a person who does more than sit at desk all day and who sometimes needs his hands free.

[Garst @ May 22nd 2008 4:56AM]

Why not just use Mircosoft's Streets & Maps? I actually heard it's a great system. And it's only $75.

[Srdjan @ May 24th 2008 10:21AM]

Hi, good people,
What’s wrong with you? What is the point of gadget at all? To buy one, use it for a couple of days and throw it away???
Or to think what would you like to do with ultimate technology, make your project and spend some good time till you realize.
I find this spectacularly amazing having umpc-gps-corresponding software and then enjoy it.

Unless this article has not written by a girl (no offend just, you know, girls do not have this sense for play like boys have)

Enjoy and please continue to give us the latest of within gadgets.
Regards