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Mio MiBuddy GPS units to trade Windows CE for Android

by Joshua Topolsky posted Nov 2nd 2009 at 9:22AM

If you're keeping tabs on Mio Technology's GPS happenings, you'll be interested to dip into some facts that PC World has uncovered about the company's upcoming offerings. According to the mag, the next version of the electronics-maker's MiBuddy satnav unit will dash the underlying Windows CE architecture for Google's newer and far more suave Android platform. The new device will be pushing into MID territory, boasting a 4.7-inch touchscreen along with a hardware slider keyboard, the ability to browse the internet, and WiFi and Bluetooth onboard. Call us crazy, but it seems possible that devices like dedicated PNDs running Android could easily adapt Google's new turn-by-turn system as their primary mode of operation. Alternately, you could switch between Mio's proprietary version and Google's variation... or they could axe the big G's altogether, though that awkward situation makes far less sense to us. No word on timing or price just yet, but we'll keep you posted.

[Via NaviGadget]

Update: Seems this is all just a great big mixup, and the whole Android thing is just untrue. Bummer.

Mio debuts Freeview-tuning Navman Spirit TV V505 and V735 PNDs

by Darren Murph posted Jun 23rd 2009 at 8:21AM

We already knew that Mio was planning a few PNDs for the European market with integrated Freeview tuners, and now the outfit has come clean with the official launch of the Navman Spirit TV V505 and V735. Just as expected, the TV tuning satnav units boast 4.7- and 7-inch displays (respectively), with each also packing an EPG, two available antennas and support for video, photo and music playback. There's also a new slidetouch UI, 3D maps, built-in traffic support (with a lifetime subscription), an FM transmitter and a selection of Travel Books that provide in-depth listings of the best local stops. The new devices should hit UK shelves next month for £229 ($372) and £299 ($487) in order of mention, though we get the feeling a US version may not be in the cards.

Mio's new Intel Atom and AMD Neo netbooks might help you navigate through a sea of me-too computers at Computex

by Paul Miller posted Jun 2nd 2009 at 9:11PM

Sure, it's odd to see Mio churning out a couple of netbooks, but what's even more surprising is that they're at least somewhat interesting. The 8.9-inch Atom N270-powered Mio N890 includes 3G, GPS, Mio navigation software, an accelerometer, and a MagSafe-style breakaway power connector. It all weighs in under 2 pounds, and measures less than an inch thick. Meanwhile, the Mio N1210 (pictured) is one of the few computers we've seen so far running AMD's new Neo MV-40 processor. There's no mention of GPS, but the 12-inch laptop is preloaded with Windows 7 and 3G data, measures under an inch thick, and weighs under three pounds. No word on price for either, but both should be headed to Europe this fall.

Read - Mio N890
Read - Mio N1210

Mio Spirit TV spotted in the wild doling out routes, serving soap operas

by Darren Murph posted May 13th 2009 at 10:33AM

While we Yanks are stuck with overpriced PNDs that suck down weather forecasts and pretend to alert us of upcoming traffic problems, folks overseas are using their navigators to watch fresh episodes of Top Gear. Navman, better known these days as Mio, has just outed two new satnav devices across the pond, both of which sport a built-in Freeview TV tuner, Bluetooth, Google search, walking mode and loads of POIs. The Spirit TV will arrive in both 4.7- and 7-inch flavors, with expected pricing hovering in the £200 ($306) to £300 ($459) range. For obvious reasons, we aren't expecting this one to head Stateside anytime soon, but those camping out in a Freeview territory should feel free to hit the read link for more hands-on shots.

Update: Slashgear got some hands-on video with the device, and considering that the TV tuner is modular, we could feasibly see a US-friendly one installed and shipped here. Yes, please. Thanks, Chris!

Mio's Moov S501 and S401 finally go legit

by Paul Miller posted May 13th 2009 at 9:47AM

After Mio basically non-confirmed / confirmed these to us in April, letting us know the pricing was off, but saying nothing else about the leak, it was really just a matter of time until the two navigators broke into the realm of officialdom. The Moov S401 and S501 bring 4.3-inch and 4.7-inch displays, respectively, along with a new "Spirit" interface and some new functionality like Google Send-to-GPS, NavPix for pulling location from geo-tagged photos, text-to-speech for spoken street names and MioMore 2 PC software for calculating mileage and fuel economy. The S501 is Mio's thinnest PND ever at 0.64-inches, and includes 12 million POIs, while the S401 is inexplicably thicker at 0.71-inches, with 4 million POIs. They go for $200 and $180, respectively, and will go on sale in June.

Gallery: Mio's Moov S501 and S401 finally go legit

Mio S401 and S501 nav units leak out, due in May

by Nilay Patel posted Apr 29th 2009 at 4:02PM

It's been a while since we've seen a new Mio navi hit Stateside -- Mitac seems to be concentrating on the Magellan brand here -- but it looks like there's still some kick left in those boots: say hello to the Moov S401 and S501. Baby brother 401 will ~~sell for $129~~ and has a 4.3-inch screen and four million preloaded POIs, while the ~~$169~~ 501 bumps it up to 4.7 inches and 12 million. Both have Mio's newish "Spirit" interface, but we're most intrigued by the repeated mentions of gas price searching and Google Send to GPS in the docs we were leaked, which suggest integration with a service like MSN Direct. We'll find out soon -- these are set to land in Radio Shack in mid-May.

Update: Mio just pinged us to say that these prices are wrong, but they didn't tell us anything else, so stay tuned.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

Mio's C523 V2 navigator aims to route motorcyclists

by Darren Murph posted Apr 9th 2009 at 7:39PM

Not that it's impossible to find a GPS for motorcyclists or anything, but your options are certainly limited. Mitac's Mio branch is looking to give hog and crotch rocket riders one more alternative with the 4.3-inch C523 V2, a somewhat varied version of the 2007 original. The included "rider mode" supposedly enables motorcycle riders to not spend as much time glancing at the screen, though we suppose the tweaked interface could still work for folks in traditional motorcars. Crazily enough, the unit also supports 1seg digital TV tuning in Japan, though we wouldn't recommend checking out your favorite programming whilst dodging those much, much larger automobiles whirring around you. Pricing is set for ¥44,800 ($446), but there's no indication of when (or if, even) this will head stateside.

[Via NaviGadget]

Mio launches the Explora K70: beauty, 3G, and GPS abound

by Sean Cooper posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 11:36AM

Mio's rumored Explora K70 is sitting pretty at CeBIT, and while we wait for the full hands-on treatment, we thought an introduction to what appears to be a stunningly loaded GPS phone was in order. Network connectivity is a blow out in the K70 with quad-band GSM, triple-band HSDPA / HSUPA, Bluetooth, WiFi, and GPS which is handled by Qualcomm's gpsOne chip. The 3.5-inch touchscreen display is a 400x240 WQVGA number, a 3 megapixel camera hides around back, a jog dial's included for quick scrolling, and it is all powered by Windows Mobile 6. Looking at the spec sheets it seems there will be two different SKUs, a handset-only package and a "Full SKU" that includes in-car charger, device mount, and so forth. We're suitably impressed, expect more news including dates and pricing as soon as we can get them.

[Via GSMArena]

Mio's Believer GPS puts POIs, Book of Psalms at your fingertips

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Feb 19th 2009 at 7:58PM

Mio has had some fun products in the past (well, at least one), and if you're among the great number of our mitzva-observant readership this item should be right up your proverbial alley. The Ma'amin (Hebrew for "Believer") is a GPS unit available in Israel. Besides the maps and the POIs (including holy sites, synagogues, cemeteries, and ritual baths) this guy includes the Book of Psalms, a Hebrew calendar, and plenty of prayers and blessings. Additionally, the device keeps things on the up and up by only speaking in a man's voice and cutting out the telephone and internet access. Prices start at around $240.

Mio launches four new Moov navigators at CES

by Darren Murph posted Jan 9th 2009 at 3:58AM

There's no Turbo Boost or anything involved with this bunch, but Mio has launched four mildly interesting navigators for 2009. The new Moovs all sport an improved "Spirit" software platform, and while the S300 features a 3.5-inch panel, text-to-speech and 12 million POIs, the S500 steps up to a 4.7-inch panel. The Moov S556 keeps the same 4.7-inch display but adds in Bluetooth and Junction View, while the S700 breaks out a 7-inch panel. The whole lot is supposed to ship before the second half of this year for $199.99, $249.99, $299.99 and $299.99 in order of mention.

[Via GPSTracklog]

Mio's Windows Mobile-powered concept MID hands-on

by Darren Murph posted Jan 8th 2009 at 9:20PM

Well, what have we here? While waltzing about the CES floor today, we stumbled upon a conceptual Mio MID that looks suspiciously like Sony's VAIO P. The currently unnamed device was actually lookin' pretty sharp, as it boasted a 7-inch WVGA (800 x 480) resolution display, integrated WiFi, a non-removable battery good for eight hours or so and a full QWERTY keyboard. It was also packing a trackball setup, an SD card slot, a few USB ports and audio in / out. We were told that the design was still being finalized and that it wouldn't ship until mid-2009 at the earliest, and while we'd love to see this piece ship Stateside, we have our doubts. Oh, and did we mention that this thing runs on an evidently skinned version of Windows Mobile? Because it does. Peek the gallery below if you're in disbelief.

Gallery: Mio's Windows Mobile-powered concept MID hands-on

Mio said to be prepping GPS-enabled 3.5G touchscreen handset for Q1 2009

by Darren Murph posted Dec 1st 2008 at 1:05PM

Not that Mio hasn't pumped out a GPS phone or two before, but the rarely-heard-from handset maker is reportedly on its way to delivering its first 3.5G touchscreen-based GPS phone in Q1 2009. Undisclosed sources singled out at DigiTimes have it that the mobile will be powered by a 3.5G chipset from Qualcomm and will come loaded with Mitac's self-developed "Spirit" touch interface. Additionally, it'll pack a 3.2-megapixel camera and should launch ahead of Garmin's oft-delayed nüvifone. In related news, Mio is also scheduled to launch a GPS-packin' MID before Q1 2009 ends, though it's still unclear if it'll choose a 7- or 8-inch panel to accompany the 3G radio and Windows CE operating system. Riveting stuff, huh?

[Via GPSTracklog]

Navman intros slimline S100 GPS unit

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 9th 2008 at 6:01PM

It looks like those wanting a GPS unit that's a bit more stylish than the usual fare now have a new option to consider from Navman, which has just introduced is IDEO-designed S100 model. In addition to being shiny, this one measures just 13.5-mm thick, and packs a 4.3-inch "super flat" touchscreen, all the usual PMP features, 3D maps, Navman's trademark NavPix photo navigation, and SirfStar's InstaFix II, which promises to deliver a GPS fix five times faster than normal. It also uses Mio's new "Spirit" software with Glide Touch, which provides "simple tap and slide functionality," but apparently not full multi-touch. No word on a release 'round these parts, but folks in the UK will be able to pick this one up in November for $199, or roughly $340.

[Via NaviGadget]

Mio's Knight Rider GPS gets reviewed, high-fived

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Sep 30th 2008 at 3:16PM

Sure, we've been totally into Mio's Knight Rider GPS, but how does it really stack up? PC Magazine took it out for a test drive and found that the device is essentially a Moov 300, which they say has solid route calculation times and a straightforward menu system. The Knight Rider version comes pre-loaded with maps for the US, Canada and Puerto Rico -- an improvement over typical Mio US-only map packs -- and the reviewer likes the device's 58 POI categories (compared to the Moov 310's paltry 35). The biggest knock on the unit is the lack of live traffic on-board; you have to purchase a subscription and a separate receiver (not yet available on Mio's web site). Of course, you could always go for the aforementioned 310 with a built-in traffic receiver (and $20 lower price tag), but how cool would that be? Not cool at all. Don't take our word for it, though, hit the read link and check out the whole review for yourself.

Mio's Knight Rider GPS now shipping to the hardcore fans

by Darren Murph posted Sep 27th 2008 at 11:30PM

Anybody can say they're going to shell out for a Knight Rider GPS pre-order, but when the house party dies down and everyone peaces out, who actually keeps that order alive? For you, dedicated K.I.T.T. fan, your moment in the sun has arrived, as Mio's legendary Knight Rider GPS is finally shipping within one to two business days. William Daniels is calling -- are you tuned in?

[Via CNET]