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Manufacturers redirecting R&D on declining GPS device orders?
If you enjoy the decimation of an industry as much as Google does then you're going to love the latest rumor sourced from DigiTimes' manufacturing moles. According to the Taiwanese rumor rag, personal navigation device R&D teams at the manufacturing powerhouses of Foxconn (aka, Hon Hai) and Wistron have been shifted to other devices in the face of "declining PND orders." Seems logical as GPS-equipped smartphones snuff out their dedicated forebears with the same converged precision that turned wrist watches into items of fashion. The strange part of this DigiTimes rumor is that said manufacturers have shifted those PND teams to focus on e-book readers and (are you ready?) MIDs. Man, if the world's largest manufacturer of consumer electronics sees MIDs as a more economically viable option than personal navigators, well, maybe things are more dire for TomTom and Garmin than originally feared.
Mio MiBuddy GPS units to trade Windows CE for Android
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.
Motorola DROID official on Verizon: $199 on contract, coming November 6th (video)
digg_url = 'http://digg.com/gadgets/Motorola_DROID_official_hits_Verizon_November_6_for_199'; We knew good and well this thing was coming sometime in November, and now Verizon Wireless has made it official: the Motorola DROID will hit Big Red on November 6th for $199 on contract (after a $100 mail-in rebate). Naturally, the DROID itself is just the first of what could be many Android-laced phones coming to the carrier, and Verizon Wireless CMO John Stratton even stated that the phone "is wide open" -- pretty big words from a company like VZW. Android 2.0 will be front and center, along with Visual Voicemail, a 3.7-inch display (854 x 480 resolution), 5 megapixel camera (with dual-LED flash), a bundled 16GB memory card and a beta version of Google Maps Navigation(!). For those wondering, yeah -- the DROID is the first phone to offer that, which transforms Google Maps into a turn-by-turn routing system that'll have your dedicated TomTom / Garmin trembling in fear. There's also a slide-out QWERTY keyboard, 3G, WiFi, voice-activated search and over-the-air Amazon MP3 downloads. With all that, who needs the iPhone, right Ivan? %Gallery-76678%
Google adds free turn-by-turn navigation, car dock UI to Android 2.0 (video)
Those nat service providers' fears were actually quite justified. Google today unveiled Maps Navigation (beta, of course), an extremely upgraded version of its current Maps software that'll be free and, from what we understand, available by default on all Android 2.0 devices. All the usual Maps features are present, including the ability to search by name of business and have it suggest the closest matches, both semantically and geographically, and traffic data. We're also now looking at turn-by-turn navigation, female robotic voice and all, and integration with satellite and street view, the latter of which will be able to show you what lane you need to be in when exiting the highway, for example. Instead of just searching nearby, it'll also now search along the route for when you're looking for upcoming gas stations or fast food joints that won't take you too far off your beaten path. Select addresses can be added to the Android home screen as their own icons, and given the limits of living in the cloud, trips and their respective visual feeds will be cached just in case you hit dead spots along the way. Still no multitouch, but as VP of Engineering Vic Gundotra noted at a press conference, there's nothing stopping a company like HTC from adding that feature à la Sense UI. In addition to demonstrating the basic navigational functions, Gundotra also showcased a new user interface that appears when the device hooked up into a car dock, one that is intended for use "at an arm's length away." Essentially, it means much larger iconography and a convenient "voice search" option front and center. We later got confirmation from a Google product manager that car dock detection was definitively a hardware-based feature, which we take to mean Android devices currently on the market won't necessarily have the same convenience. If Android 2.0 takes off how Google (and Verizon!) hope it does, companies like TomTom and Garmin are going to seriously need to worry about their bottom line. Watch Gundotra demonstrate the app after the break. Update: Navigation for the iPhone? Gundotra said the ball's in Apple's court, so no telling if / when that'll happen. Remember how well Latitude integrated? %Gallery-76633% %Gallery-76637%
TomTom XL 335S: mostly the same, but slightly cheaper
Maps cost money, people -- and if you're TomTom and you're trying to shave a couple bucks off your latest nav unit, you can do it by leaving some out. Like, say, maps of Mexico. That's really the only difference we see between the $239 XL 335S announced today and the $249 XL340S announced back in April -- both have 4.3-inch touchscreens and the usual Map Share, IQ Routes, and Advanced Lane Guidance features, but the new kid won't go south of the border. We'd spring for the extra peace of mind, honestly -- but if you're willing to live dangerously, the 335S is on sale now.
Garmin's connected nuvi 1690 now shipping for $500
Guess what, kiddos? Garmin's minty fresh connected PND is now shipping, and if you plan on getting your home address on one of those labels, you best break out the checkbook. The nüvi 1690 is now moving out from Amazon's warehouses, and just as promised, it's going for a penny under $500. Is real-time access to Google search, white page listings, real-time traffic and flight status updates on your GPS unit really worth all that cheddar? Maybe -- but just wait until those two years of free service expire. Good times.[Via navigadget]
TomTom pushes Google services to mid-range XL 340S LIVE
TomTom has already delivered its LIVE services to an array of its higher-end personal navigation devices, but now the company is pushing the Google love onto less expensive siblings. Er, one less expensive sibling. The mid-range XL 340S LIVE has just been launched, complete with Google-powered Local Search, real-time traffic information, real-time fuel prices, local weather and the company's own IQ Routes, which gets you from one point to another via the most efficient route possible. Essentially, this is simply a 4.3-inch (320 x 240 resolution) XL 340S with connected services, and as with Garmin's latest, said services are being provided courtesy of AT&T. Unfortunately, the $299.99 asking price only includes three months of LIVE; after that, you'll be shelling out $9.95 per month and hating every minute of it.
Garmin's nuLink! service powered by AT&T -- more connected nuvis to come?
Connected PNDs have it rough. Ever since Dash folded, the future has been murky at best for any GPS company hoping to rope consumers in by promising real-time information on the face of their navigator. Garmin, however, is hoping to get folks hooked by avoiding that awful monthly fee for the first two years on its nüvi 1690, and it's using AT&T's network in order to do so. Today, the carrier proudly announced that it would be the one providing service to the device, giving users within range of an AT&T tower access to Google Local search, updated fuel prices, white page listings and Garmin's own Ciao! social networking system. What's interesting, however, is the high-profile nature of the partnership. We'd hate to speak too soon, but would we be nuts to think a whole cadre of AT&T connected GPS units were on tap for, say, CES 2010? Guess only time -- and sales data from the 1690 -- will tell.
TomTom intros 5-inch XXL 530S and XXL 540S navigators
TomTom felt the need to out its new GO lineup at IFA earlier this month, but evidently these critters didn't quite make the cut. The new XXL range is comprised of the XXL 530S and XXL 540S (shown above), both of which pack 5-inch touchscreens and the outfit's own IQ Routes technology (which surveys a variety of factors in order to get you from point A to point B in the quickest fashion). Both units also include full maps of the US and Canada, Map Share, a 'Fold and Go' EasyPort mount and a refreshed user menu that we've been badly longing for. The 540S ups the ante with advanced lane guidance, maps of Mexico, a sleeker design and seven million POIs. Both PNDs should splash down next month in the US and Canada for $279.95 and $299.95, respectively.
TomTom's new x50 user interface gets pictured
We'll be honest -- after seeing TomTom's best efforts on its flagship GO 740 LIVE, we couldn't be happier to witness a new user interface for the outfit's PNDs. After taking the wraps off of the GO 950, GO 750 and GO 550 yesterday at IFA, the good folks over at Mobility Minded were able to take a quick peek at some UI improvements that'll ship on the new trio. Aside from just looking entirely more modern, TomTom also added a "Live" tab that gives drivers quick access to upcoming traffic, the cheapest gas nearby and the location of fixed and mobile safety cameras. We'd still like to see a bit more overhauling in the future, but if you're interested in a closer look at what's changing in the immediate, give that read link some love.
TomTom unveils GO 950, GO 750 and GO 550 with IQ Routes at IFA
Here lately, all of the buzz surrounding TomTom has been focused intently on the outfit's iPhone app and accompanying car kit. But over in Berlin, the company seems entirely more interested in showcasing some new wares that fall into its core product category. Making its debut at IFA, the GO x50 lineup is comprised of the GO 950, GO 750 and GO 550, all of which tout the company's IQ Routes technology to get you from point A to point B in the very least amount of time. The trio promises to calculate routes faster than ever before, and they also include the planet's largest collection of historical speed profiles. Once you're on your way, the units can tap into RDS-TMC services in order to take current road conditions into account and get you from point A to point B in the least amount of time. Also of note, these three now feature voice command and control, and each ships with an active dock with integrated RDS-TMC information. The x50 lineup is scheduled to ship this autumn for undisclosed amounts, with the GO 950 packing maps for the US, Canada and 45 European nations and the GO 750 / GO 550 offering maps in select regions of Europe only.
Sanyo's Gorilla Lite PND packs 4GB in an incredibly thin frame
Sanyo, a company best known among mid-80s McKean Elementary school students for the portable cassette recorder Henry Hutchinson used to incessantly play "Mr. Telephone Man" by New Edition (true story), seems to be going from strength to strength with its Gorilla line of handheld PNDs. The NV-LB50DT Gorilla Lite packs a 5-inch touchscreen, LED backlight, and 4GB SSD in a package a mere 18.8mm thin. The device also features a 1Seg digital TV tuner, an accelerometer for switching between landscape and portrait mode, support for MP4, JPEG, MP3, and WMA playback, and Sanyo ECO mode (which tells you if your driving style is good or bad for the environment). Sure, this isn't the DVD playing, CD-ripping powerhorse that we last saw from the company, but you probably knew that as soon as you saw the word "Lite" in the name. Available soon for a price to be determined. [Via Akihabara News]
GPS study finds that real-time traffic updates save drivers four days per year
You know what we hate? Sitting in gridlock when we could be, you know, out doin' stuff. At the very least, it's the antithesis of the "wind in your hair," Dean Moriarty-esque image we've carefully cultivated over the years. "If only," we say to ourselves, "there was a way to find routes that were free of congestion." Sure, we've heard all about your fancy real-time traffic updates -- but how well do they actually work? According to a study by the GIS data and services company NAVTEQ (so, you know, take it with a grain of salt), drivers that use GPS systems with real-time traffic info spend 18% less time behind the wheel than those who do not (that's a whopping four days over the course of a single year, or enough time to watch 1 1/2 Peter Watkins films). In addition, the company says that smarter navigation has been shown to lower CO2 output by 21 percent -- which is a good deal, no matter how you slice it. There's been no study yet to determine how drastically driver performance would decrease if Bob Dylan was the voice of your PND, but we'll definitely keep our eyes out for that one.
Garmin's connected nuvi 1690 and browser / camera-equipped nuvi 1860 leak out
Garmin already had a little fun at CeBIT this year, but it looks as if the PND maker is gearing up for quite a thrilling IFA, too. For starters, we've confirmed that the nüvi 1690 you've seen floating about is legitimate, and if Garmin prices those connected services right (read: gives them away), it stands a chance of being a real winner. Slated to launch on September 3rd just as IFA kicks off, the 1690 will pack a 4.3-inch WVGA display, North American maps, text-to-speech, Bluetooth handsfree support and EDGE data for pulling down weather, flight statuses, fuel prices, movie times, traffic and Google-powered local search results. It should be available at the tail end of Q3 for $499.99, though there's no word on how pricey the connected services will be. If you're looking for even bigger and better things, there's the nüvi 1800 family. The nüvi 1820 checks in with a 4.8-inch WVGA panel, a Linux-based OS, Bluetooth handsfree support, WiFi, lane assist, a traffic receiver, text-to-speech and a few features not found on your common PND. We're talking about a full-fledged web browser (with YouTube support), multimedia player, access to email, internet radio streaming and even video streaming. Of course, you'll have to provide the web access, but if you've got a MiFi or the like riding shotgun in your ride, you can keep this bad boy connected throughout the trip. Also of note, the nüvi 1860 packs all of the aforementioned goodies but throws in a 3 megapixel camera with geotagging for good measure. Garmin doesn't bother to mention pricing details on either of the 18xx units, but we get the impression that both will sticker for well over the $500 mark.Update: That $500 sticker on the 1690 will include two years of connected services -- not perfect, but a solid gesture nonetheless.[Thanks, Anonymous]
User manual for Garmin's connected nuvi 1690 reveals "nuinfo" service branding
The connected PND, by most accounts, is a dying breed. Dash couldn't pull it off, TomTom's execution was downright pathetic and no one even remembers that Insignia made one. But considering that Garmin's nüvi range has always delivered, we're going to let the nüvi 1690 ship before passing judgment. Said navigator, which just slipped into the FCC's database a fortnight ago, didn't have too many details attached to it, but a recently discovered user manual reveals that although Garmin's local-data service will be powered by Google, the company has branded it with the virtually-unpronounceable name "nuinfo." Yeah, we have no idea, but we're definitely interested in finding out what the ultimate plan is -- the shots of the device in the manual lead us to believe that local weather information will be on tap in addition to the usual waypoint searching and so forth, but unless Garmin throws these so-called "connected services" in gratis, every smartphone owner on the planet will simply laugh and move on. [Via GPS Tracklog]
TomTom XL Live connected GPS passes the FCC
Looks like domestic drivers may soon have the privilege of shelling out extra money every month for TomTom's "connected" services. According to recently unearthed FCC documents, the mid-range (and until now Euro-centric) XL Live has been manhandled and passed all its tests. This guy operates on the GSM850 and GSM1900 bands, which means it should be available on AT&T or T-Mobile's 2G network -- you know, when it does make it to market. And when it does make it to market, might we recommend you go with the Homer Simpson voice skin? That thing is hilarious. [Via GPS Tracklog, Thanks Rich]
FineDigital's FineDrive iQ Special helps commuters learn FineEnglish
Ah, those crazy-beautiful multi-purpose navigation devices of South Korea, is there anything they can't do? If your answer is that they can't teach you English, think again. The iQ Special features a language trainer built on voice recognition software from its predecessor, the FineDrive X700, alongside the usual fare of goodies we westerners rarely get to see: SiRF-based GPS, DMB digital TV, video and music playback, and even TPEG traffic alerts. Priced at 469,000 KWN ($384), this PND is available today, and it's probably redundant to note that it won't be making its way to English-speaking countries any time soon -- not that we doesn't need it, mind you. [Via AVING]
nuvi GPS with EDGE data makes its FCC debut
Sure, you're still waiting for your Nüvifone, but in the meantime it looks like the kids at Garmin have taken all that hard-won knowledge and applied it to their latest PND. The nüvi 1690, which recently popped up at the FCC, features GSM, GPRS, and EDGE connectivity. The unit won't support voice calls, although with Bluetooth you should be able to use it as a hands-free unit for your current cellphone. Garmin has thus far been mum on this guy, but as GPS Tracklog points out, the IFA show in Berlin is just around the corner -- certainly the company will have something to say about all this by then. To check out the FCC bit for yourself, hit that read link. [Warning: PDF.][Via SlashGear]
M&Soft launches 7-inch Mappy AP1 PND in South Korea
M&Soft's Mappy navigation software seems well established in Korea, and now the company has decided to offer its own hardware for it in the shape of a 7-inch SiRF-based touchscreen device. Of course, it wouldn't be a South Korean PND if it didn't include a DMB digital TV tuner, video and audio playback, and a photo / text viewer, but the company's gone one better by offering the elaborate, gimmicky GUI you see above. Pricing is pretty decent too, set at 349,000 KRW ($283) with a 4GB SDHC card, or 399,000 KRW ($323) for an 8GB unit. The AP in the model name stands for "Absolute Pride" -- sure, make your jokes, but maybe it's that wise-guy sense of humor keeping this sort of tech away from Western shores.[Via Slashgear]
Sony debuts 6.1-inch NV-U3DV navigation unit
Well, it's not the Android-based Walkman / PND that Sony supposedly has in the works for next year, but we're guessing the company's new NV-U3DV navigation will still turn a few heads nonetheless, and not just because of its large 6.1-inch screen. Launched today in Japan, this PND packs a 480x272 resolution on that big new screen for bigger buttons and more map space, along with a number of fairly unique features like Position+ G, which makes use of an accelerometer, gyro-sensor, and pressure sensors to detect the direction of the vehicle even in touchy environments like a tunnel or high incline. Otherwise, you can expect all the usual media player features (including mobile TV in Japan), live traffic information, and a full range of points of interest and various guides courtesy of PetaMap. No word on a release 'round here just yet, unfortunately, but folks in Japan will be able to pick this one up in August for ¥65,000, or just under $700.[Via Sony Insider]
