pmd-b200
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Alpine intros PMD-B200 Blackbird II GPS unit
It's getting close to two years since Alpine trotted out its music-playing PMD-B100 Blackbird GPS unit, but the company has now finally decided to deliver a follow-up. From the looks of it, the new PMD-B200 Blackbird II doesn't stray too far from the original in terms of form factor, with the exception of a slightly larger 4-inch 480 x 272 resolution display. Also getting an upgrade are the device's storage options, with an uncommonly spacious 10GB hard drive now included although, as NaviGadget points out, it's not entirely clear how much of that space is actually available for you to use. Otherwise, you can expect the usual MP3 and WMA audio options (no video, it seems), along with pre-loaded maps of the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, an SD card slot for additional storage, and support for NAVTEQ's Traffic FM-RDS service (with a subscription, of course). If that'll do, you should be able to grab one of these now for about $700.
Alpine announces in-car AV unit / GPS docking station
Alpine has more on its plate at CES than the iPod-friendly iDA-X001, of course, also taking the opportunity to introduce a range of other in-car units, including this AV head unit with a docking station for its also-announced Bluetooth-equipped GPS device. The main IVA-W205 unit packs a relatively spacious 6.5-inch touchscreen, along with a CD/DVD slot and support for a range of other non-disc-based media, including XM or Sirius satellite radio with the appropriate tuner, iPod connectivity with full on-screen display, and USB connectivity for other MP3/WMA players. Pop in Alpine's latest Blackbird GPS unit, the PMD-B200, and the built-in Bluetooth will work its magic to transfer the device's GPS functions to the main unit, letting you swap the device between vehicles if you choose. Look for the IVA-W205 head unit to land in May for $1,000, with the PMD-B200 GPS unit also set to drop sometime in the spring, but for a yet to be determined price.[Via Autoblog]
