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Navigon updates US iPhone navigation app, live traffic updates are a go

A little later than previously alluded to, but Navigon's finally rolling out live traffic update to its MobileNavigator iPhone app. Same prices as mentioned before, it'll regularly be $24.99, but for the next four weeks, it's only gonna ring up at $19.99 for lifetime use, no monthly fees. Not that TomTom needed anything else to think about, of course. Full presser after the break.

Navigon adding live traffic to iPhone navigation app, asks 'TomTom who?'


Practically all summer, the buzz surrounding TomTom's forthcoming iPhone GPS app was near deafening. But said noise apparently didn't penetrate the labs at Navigon, as that very outfit has produced what's easily the most full-featured option on the market today. Just a week after updating the already-great app with text-to-speech, iPod controls and location sharing, the company is now proclaiming that live traffic will splash down in October (at least in North America). The update will enable the software to utilize real-time speed data from drivers currently en route as well as historical information in order to alert you of slow-downs and re-route you when necessary. We've personally seen live traffic functions fail more often than not, but we're giving Navigon the benefit of the doubt here until we can test it ourselves. Best of all, it'll only cost MobileNavigator users (priced at $89.99) a one-time fee of $24.99 for lifetime traffic, and if you snag it within the first four weeks after it goes on sale, that rate drops to $19.99. So, TomTom -- what now?

Navigon sneaks text-to-speech, iPod controls and location sharing into MobileNavigator app


TomTom's much-ballyhooed iPhone GPS app best step its game up, else it'll get left in the dust by none other than Navigon. The lesser-known nav company today introduced the second major update for its MobileNavigator iPhone app (our impressions are here), and the feature additions aren't anything to scoff at. For starters, the program has become the first on-board navigation app for the iPhone to gain text-to-speech functionality, and just in case hearing street names belted out through a robotic voice ain't good enough for your high standards, the inclusion of iPod control should win you over. At long last, drivers can access the full range of iPod functionalities with a single click from map access, and it even recognizes the shuffle feature to keep you guessing. Finally, a location sharing function has been added to make stalking your pals that much easier; to close, Navigon has knocked $10 off the purchase price, bringing it down to a nearly-palatable $89.99 -- and yes, those who already own it can download the update gratis.

[Via HotHardware]

NAVIGON dizzies with navigation options, then gets us pointed in the right direction again

NAVIGON dizzies with navigation options, then gets us pointed in the right direction again
Do you like having a plethora of navigation choices, Jefe? You'll love NAVIGON's offerings unveiled at last week's IFA, then, a suite of devices that spans from the low end to the high, all featuring pedestrian navigation -- in case you don't already look enough like a tourist. The most affluently wealthy sightseers will be nervously clutching the 8410 or 8450 Live models, both of which offer 5-inch capacitive displays made of honest to gosh glass, Real City3D offering "photo-realistic" navigation, and optional DVB-T reception to catch some Simpsons re-runs when you get lost. On the next step down are the 4.3-inch 6310 and 6350 Live, which lose the glass screen, fancy rendering (though certain landscapes and buildings are still 3D), and digital tuner. Next are the 3.5-inch 2400 and 2410, which sport up to four hours of battery life when wandering untethered around the city, while the 1400 and 1410 models round out the lineup on the low-end. The two Live models, the 8450 and the 6350, offer wireless traffic, weather, and even speed camera updates across 32 nations in Europe; a tidy bundle for those exploring the continent, but at €79.95 ($115) per year you're certainly paying for it. On the hardware side prices start at €129 ($185) for the 1400, then run all the way up to €499 ($715) for the 8450 Live.

Navigon brings MobileNavigator to iPhone's App Store, we go hands-on


While the world waits with bated breath for TomTom to make good on its promise of providing a bona fide GPS application for iPhone OS 3.0, Navigon is stepping in with every intention of stealing the aforementioned firm's thunder. Sure, AT&T has issued its own subscription app that dings you $9.95 per month, and we've also seen a few dedicated GPS apps surface from both Sygic and XRoad, but this is definitely the first on-board iPhone nav solution from what we'd call a "major" GPS company. Available starting today in the App Store, the 1.29GB MobileNavigator program contains comprehensive NAVTEQ maps of North America, and if you're interested in Europe, Navigon's app for that side of the pond was released around a month ago. Click on for a few of our thoughts.

Navigon 8410 GPS debuts, packed full of features for the trendy Euro jet-set


It's been a few months since Navigon ceased doing business Stateside, and already the company's back on our radar with a device that made us wish they'd stuck around these parts a while longer. The Navigon 8410 features a 5-inch touchscreen, a polished steel frame, and a righteous assortment of features, including: DVB-T digital television tuner, City3D's photo-realistic 3D mapping software (only for select cities on the continent), and a media player for all your fave tunes, flicks, and pics. Available only in Europe, we don't have a ship date for you yet, but we do know it'll cost €449 ($630). Now, if you excuse us, we were due in Bonn hours ago.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Navigon withdraws from GPS business in North America


Man, talk about coming straight out of left field. After blowing it out at CeBIT just two months ago, Navigon has just announced its intentions to pull out of the navigation business here in North America. According to CEO Egon Minar: "Due to the difficult economic environment and the aggressive pricing we have decided to withdraw from the PND business in North America for the time being. We are however not closing down our Chicago office which will continue to serve our automotive and mobile phone businesses in North America." He did assert that the company would "continue to fulfill all obligations to its existing PND customers in terms of map updates, etc.," but nothing else on the subject was said. So long, Navigon -- we'll miss your "uber-premium" wares.

[Via SlashGear]

Hands-on with Navigon's newest GPS units


Navigon had a shockingly large presence at CeBIT this year, and considering just how many issues these Europeans seem to have with following directions, we weren't at all surprised to find it among the most crowded booth at the entire show. Needless (and harmless, might we add) jabs aside, the firm had a number of its latest GPS units up on display, and while the model numbers (and software, obviously) were a touch different than the US models announced yesterday, the hardware was definitely the same. We really dug what we saw, too, as the curvaceous, thin designs really caught the eye and the LCD displays were all bright and easy to read. If you're hungry for more pics, you know where to look.

Navigon announces Rand McNally-powered 4300T max and 7300T nav units, less awesome 3300 max


Looks like Navigon's new relationship with Rand McNally is starting to bear fruit -- the company just announced two new GPS units preloaded with McNally Scenic Routes. Both the 4300T max and the 7300T have over 250 pre-programmed routes from Rand McNally's Best of the Road series, sorted into categories like "weekend getaways" and "regional trips." The $279 4300 max (pictured) is the more basic of the two, featuring a 4.3-inch 16:9 touchscreen display, 2GB of storage with microSD expansion, Bluetooth, free traffic updates, and the new MyRoutes personalized routing system, while the $399 7300T repackages all that into a slicker "frameless" case and adds in voice-enabled address entry and control. Navigon will only say Q2 for the 7300T, but the 4300T max is due to arrive on March 9 along with the identical but stripped-down 3300, which drops Bluetooth, traffic, and Rand McNally content to get the price down to $199. Check a pic of the 7300T after the break.

Navigon keeps PNDs fresh with downloadable data packs


As if a partnership with Rand McNally wasn't enough, Navigon's giving prospective buyers even more reason to hand over a pinch of their savings. Starting this Spring, Navigon GPS owners will be able to download several new content decks for their devices, including Red Light Camera data, a North American expansion pack, a European map, 3D landmarks and extended POIs. All of the new material will be hosted on the company's Fresh platform, and pricing ranges from $19.99 for each Rand McNally guide to $129.99 for European maps on North American PNDs. Hit up the read link for specifics on each.

Navigon teams with Rand McNally to put a little travel in your PND


Not that we haven't seen navigator manufacturers partner up with travel companies before, but it's still pretty rare to hear of a PND maker looking out for the travelers and not just the completely lost crowd. Here at CES, Navigon has just announced a partnership with Rand McNally (the first of its kind, we hear), which will result in Scenic Routers and City Guides from the aforesaid firm being available on Navigon devices. The guides will provide over 250 scenic routers and pre-planned trips across all 50 states (we're guessing the Road To Hana made the cut?) and Canada, and there's also information on the best attractions and landmarks in more than 1,400 US / Canadian cities. The new data packs will be available on select Navigon units as well as in retail outlets and Navigon.com this Spring for $19.99 each.

Navigon launches "uber-premium" 4.8-inch 8100T navigator


In an effort to make sure you're well aware that the 8100T is the most premium possible, even better than ultra- or mega-premium, Navigon has definitively described the aforesaid navigator as "uber-premium." So, now that the bar is set at an unbelievably high level, how's about an outlay of the sure-to-be-phenomenal specs? We're talking a 4.8-inch display, brushed-metal housing, a 3D view using NASA terrain height data, free real-time traffic updates for life, voice destination entry, Bluetooth handsfree support, text-to-speech and an inbuilt lane assistant. The only question left is simply this: is all of that uber enough to warrant the $599 price tag?

Navigon launches 5100 max / 2090S GPS units at RadioShack


We had a respectable hunch that Navigon's 5100 max would be hitting US shelves in short order, but we weren't aware that it'd be launching alongside a friend. As for the 5100 max, you'll find a 4.3-inch touchscreen, Reality View Pro / Lane Assistant Pro technology, handsfree Bluetooth support, text-to-speech, an Exit Guide and free real-time traffic updates for life. The little sibling (dubbed 2090S) checks in with a 3.5-inch touch panel and most of the same internal niceties already mentioned save for Bluetooth. Look for the cute couple right now exclusively at RadioShack (or RadioShack.com) for $299.99 / $199.99, respectively. Full release after the break.

Navigon's 5100 max slips into FCC database


Details are understandably scarce at the moment, but Navigon is apparently taking its 1+ year old 5100 navigation unit to the max. The predictably titled 5100 max has reportedly just seen its way into the FCC's lair, and we're told that it'll feature a 4.3-inch display, Bluetooth, text-to-speech and lifetime traffic / Zagat ratings. As for price and availability? We'll have to wait for the official word from Navigon on those bits. In the meanwhile... Rockford or Chicago?

Navigon's 2000S satnav: helps get you home, doesn't break the bank


Navigon is continuing its full-steam-ahead approach with another addition to its satnav lineup, namely, the 2000S. The 3.5-inch touchscreen device comes loaded with an ATLAS III 375MHz CPU, a SiRF GRF3i+ GPS chip, 64MB of SDRAM, 2GB of flash memory, and microSD support. The 2000S sports a similar feature set the company has rolled out on previous devices, including Reality View Pro (which provides 3D signage to help with interchanges and exits), Lane Assistant Pro, and Directhelp, a push-button service that grabs directions and emergency numbers on the double. According to the kind folks at Navigon, the device will sell for a very affordable $199, and is slated to be available in October.
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