Ask Engadget: Best PMP with GPS and WiFi for in-car use?
By Darren Murph 
posted November 19th 2009 10:29PM
posted November 19th 2009 10:29PM
C'mon, throw this guy a bone here. He's clearly looking to revamp his entertainment experience in his car, and even if this really is some master plan to just "pick up more chicks," we aren't about to pass judgment. So, any suggestions here?"I'm looking for a 5-inch touchscreen PMP or MID to effectively replace my car stereo. My ideal setup is to plug this PMP into a dock and run the audio through the aux-in of my car. I want something I can easily take out of the car -- preferably with WiFi and GPS. I already have an iPhone, but I want something with a larger screen. I've been looking at the Archos 5 with Android, but it seems like a risky option based on its lack of the Android App Market. Thanks!"
The Viliv S5 is a great choice. If you get it from Dynamism, they'll give you an extra battery and the car kit with a case. It's essentially a netbook that you can dock in your car with GPS.
@DMC-12 Yup. +1
Nokia N900.
@a Thats not a PMP.
@a
not to mention it isnt 5"
@Macca: Are you sure? In terms of supposed (it hasn't been hacked in entirely, but they're working on it :D) file format support, the N900 is a pretty awesome PMP. 480p H264 DVD rips, here I come!
That's a phone, reject.
how about HTC shift? i have windows 7 with centrafuse and bluesoleil installed. it works like a handsfree for phone and i cant think of any flaw.
secondly.., 4.3 inch HD2 doesnot look bad at all as a PND and a PMP.
@rakesh How's the battery life? Does it handle HD Flash video OK?
@bemymonkey
battery is not bad. also, the car charger is not that costly. it can easily last for about 3 hrs.
HD is a bit too much but it can handle farmville quite well. im sure it can do better with the hardware accelerated flash for youtube videos.
DROOOOOID?
Not 5" but meets the rest of the requirements well with car dock and google gps.
I don't see where the guy asks for a phone, a multi-year contract, and a massive early-termination fee.
Can you point that out to us?
@Information Central Yeah, or a screen just as small as his iPhone's (albeit with higher resolution, which is useless at the viewing distance he'd have in this application). Droid kneejerkers are becoming just as annoying as iPhone kneejerkers.
also maybe Cowon S9 or Nokia N810 but they're pretty old.
IDK
The N810 or N810 WiMax for future-proofing.
iPhone!
I don't know, why use a PMP with GPS and WiFi if you could just have a phone with it and more?
Specifically a PMP? Wow, this FAILS...
Most consumers will follow this, but there are so many more options out there...
@Philip Han If you read he already has the iPhone and the screen is too small for him.
@Macca well how about with a big fat magnifying lens in front of it??
The newest Archos contraption? Or the N900
SmartQ Q5 4.3" MID PMP with ubuntu linux, has wifi but no gps.
http://mp4nation.net/catalog/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_27&products_id=313
check it out!
why would you not just use your iphone?
I mean yes, you want a larger screen...but, really you just described a iPhone.
@Ben except for the requirement for the larger screen. So really, he did not describe an iPhone
Better question.. what's the best mobile browser that will not start to go haywire once it reaches the comment section of a post? Hmm?
@leitxo
Android browser works great... commenting from my moment right now.
@leitxo
Haven't crashed yet using chrome on my desktop but major problems with safari on my 3GS earlier today.
Here's a hint:
Not Safari.
Archos has got you covered.
I really hate to say this but a iPod Touch with Tom-Tom GPS kit, i really dislike the iPod Touch but it should work except for the bigger screen
The Dell Streak if you can wait for it. Is perfect full android 2.0, 5in high res screen Wifi, GPS, bluetooth and a MicroSD slot for your tunes.
Where does anything say that the Streak has GPS?
HTC HD2 with the screen mount kit or the yet to be released Dell i5 (Streak) running android.
That's a PHONE, dolt.
U want
- something non iPhone with "hell lot of app" support
- Has WiFi, GPS, the works..
- 5.0"+ screen
hhhhhhmmmmmmmmmm.......
How bout d new Dell Studio 17 with multitouch :-)
i doubt anything but d iPhone has such a huge collection of apps....
Rest of d specs can be found in most 5" PMPs....
dell streak if u can wait!
He wasn't something with GPS, which the Streak doesn't have.
Absolutely Archos. You'd have to wait a little while if you want the next one, but it's exactly the Archos 5 Internet Tablet (the Android one) with telephony.
The Archos 5 can run Android Market apps! You need to download them on your computer then install them from there, but I bet it's a pretty safe bet to say the next update will allow you to browse the Android Market on the device itself. I believe it's mostly an issue with the high resolution screen and some apps not effectively upscaling themselves, but I'm not 100% on that.
A lot of issues consumers had with early devices have been fixed in the last update also.
No. I hate it.
O wait I thought they were asking about the new Engadget Layout.
i have to agree with others with suggesting the Archos 5 or the Dell Streak if you can wait on it
Yes maybe, but what's the best desktop OS?
W7 or Snow Leper , uh?
Or just as interesting: Is it worth to buy Apple's products?
That's what we want to know.
Fujitsu U820, best UMPC ever made. Wifi, 3G, GPS (w/ an extra antenna when the built-in is too weak), 120gb in the 3G version so lots of space for music, 5.6" screen. Has got a disabled FM-transmitter that can easily be enabled, so even cutting the aux in is possible and instead just use the radio. x86 so any standard Windows apps will work, or Linux, if you have got the courage to tinker with that (Linux in the U820 isn't optimal). If you got the dough, consider it!
Why limit yourself. Go with the WinXP Viliv S5. The 4.8" touch screen is very nice.
Built in GPS receiver, Wifi, Bluetooth, USB you name it, it has it.
Your iPhone has video out. Install a small, cheap widescreen LCD display in or on the dash and plug the iPhone into it. It won't increase the display resolution, but it will make it readable at a distance.
The Viliv S5 is a great gadget, but reports are that the display is hard to read in bright sunlight. So, it might not be the best choice in a car.
We are working on a few different vehicle infotainment options. One of them is android powered x86 board displaying to 7" LCD. Currently, it's at the proof of concept stage. 5" is too small for in car use is what we've discovered.
Remember, this is to control your car (ie, rear view cams, climate control, videos, pandroa, etc) not to watch videos while you drive.
i just saw this post at gizmodo that looks like what you're looking for, plus a couple extra inches of screen estate:
http://gizmodo.com/5409444/camangi-webstation-7-inches-of-android-tablet-for-400
Do any of these have AV-in for a reversing camera?