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E Ink develops flashing displays for cloth and Tyvek, experiments with color FMV (video)
Yesterday, we found out that E Ink Holdings won't be releasing a new electronic paper display until 2012 and now, we know why. Turns out, the Pearl manufacturer has been busy refining its screen tech acumen, and extending it to a variety of different surfaces. The Digital Reader recently caught up with Sriram Peruvemba, E Ink's VP of global sales and marketing, who confirmed that his company has developed a SIRF display that can be printed on cloth, effectively turning any t-shirt into a flashing, black-and-white billboard. E Ink's engineers have taken a similar approach to Tyvek cloth, creating a display that could make your vanilla postal envelopes a little more dynamic. And, as you might expect, the company has been experimenting with an e-ink screen capable of supporting colorful, full-motion video -- though it looks like E Ink still needs to smooth out some of the grainy kinks in that one. All three demo videos are available for your viewing pleasure, after the break. [Thanks, Nate]
General Dynamics' GD300 is the Pip-Boy that runs Android
Yes, we totally stole this headline from our Spanish colleagues, but they summed it up perfectly -- the General Dynamics Itronix GD300 is right out of Fallout 3, well ahead of HP's model. It's a full-on wrist- or chest-mounted GPS unit with an unspecified version of Android at the helm, designed to deliver both real-time global positioning (with a SiRFstarIII chip and stubby quad-helix antenna) and connect to tactical radios. The eight-ounce ruggedized plastic package is MIL-STD 810G tested for durability and holds a 600MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 256MB of memory, 8GB flash storage and a 3.5-inch, 800 x 480 "glove-friendly" and "sunlight readable" touchscreen display. That's only about as powerful as your average consumer smartphone, but you're not going to be painting targets on your Nexus One, we suppose. No word on whether it will pick up post-apocalyptic radio stations as your mission unfolds. We've got a close-up photo and press release after the break, and you can find the full brochure at our source link.
Garmin's Forerunner 110 GPS watch handles just the basics, please
Garmin has managed to do GPS watches right with its long-standing Forerunner line, but the vast majority of 'em have been useful only to nerds who aren't deterred by lengthy setup procedures. The new Forerunner 110, however, changes all that. Designed to provide just the basics to runners and other fitness freaks, this SiRFstarIV-infused timepiece provides near-instant access to distance, pace and time "within seconds of stepping outside." Marketed as an entry-level solution for those who don't need added complexity in their life, it can also be used in conjunction with heart rate monitors to display current thumps per second and heart rate-based calorie computation, both of which can be logged once you sync it to your PC via USB. The inbuilt battery will last up to eight hours in GPS / training mode or three weeks in power-save mode, and while there's no mention of a price, we are told that it'll be available in black / gray, charcoal / red and gray / pink color combinations. Good luck choosing the most badical one. Update: Looks like it's on sale now directly through Garmin for $250. Thanks, Dara!
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]
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]
CSR debuts SiRFstarIV location-aware architecture, kisses slow fixes goodbye
Nary half a year after snapping up SiRF, CSR is already tooting its horn about an all new SiRFstar architecture. The predictably titled SiRFstarIV technology takes quite the leap over its three-pronged predecessor, all but promising to nix those annoyingly long location fixes that are all too common on existing PNDs. The new location-aware, self-assisted, micro-power tech enables devices to be continually aware of location without requiring network aide; furthermore, there's hardly any power drain to speak of, which ought to please smartphone owners who can literally watch their battery meter drop with GPS enabled. CSR's first SiRFstarIV product is the GSD4t receiver, which is optimized for mobile phones and "other space and power-sensitive consumer devices." We're told that samples of the chip are shipping out now, with mass production slated for October and device integration happening shortly thereafter.
iriver's M7 NV Classic navigates the road and your media
Mmm mm m, iriver, you sure know a thing or two about industrial design. Meet the M7 or NV Classic if you prefer, an update to the original iRiver NV only without the massive jogwheel wart. As a navigator, this 181 x 120 x 21.5 device features SiRF GRF3i+ GPS, an SDHC slot for maps, a pair of 1.5-watt speakers for turn-by-turn audio, and a biggie 7-inch 800x480 touchscreen TFT LCD to show you the way. As a media device we're looking at DMB digital television, support for MPEG1, MPEG4, WMV9, and XVID video, MP3, WMA, OGG, and WAV audio, JPEG and BMP images, and a bundled 4GB SDHC card for storage. Priced for Korea at KRW329,000 which would be right around $248 if it ever came to the US, which it won't, at least not in this configuration.[Via Slashgear and Generation MP3]
Bluepeaker weds GPS, speakerphone and Bluetooth into one ugly puck
Right, we know -- it's probably the hideous FCC photograph that's turning us off on the design, but there's still something here that just screams 1997. Nitpicking aside, the so-called Bluepeaker is a multifaceted device that provides GPS data to Bluetooth-equipped phones, PDAs and laptops, all while doubling as a BT speaker (audio streaming is obviously supported) or a BT speakerphone (handsfree is a lock). The unit itself can get juice via any powered USB port or AC wall charger, and we're told it should last for around 200 hours in standby mode. Sadly, the FCC isn't really much for handing out pricing details, but we'll be sure to keep an ear to the ground.[Via Slashgear]
CSR fits WiFi, Bluetooth, FM, and GPS into CSR9000 wireless chip
We don't know if CSR's latest all-in-one chip benefits from the recent acquisition of GPS chipmaker SiRF, but the CSR9000 does manage to bundle the location-based technology with WiFi, Bluetooth, and FM. It's also boasting low energy output and small form factor. The company says it's already sampled it for key, unnamed customers. Those canoodling in Barcelona can check out a live demonstration of the chip running on Android at the company's booth.
Symbian Foundation keeps on rolling with 14 new members
Support for the Symbian Foundation's upcoming open platform has officially reached a rolling boil with the addition of 14 members to its already-impressive roster, bringing the grand total to 78 companies spanning the range from device manufacturers to carriers, developers, banks, and beyond. Definitely falling into that "and beyond" category would be MySpace, which pledged its support presumably to get its tentacles deep inside the Symbian codebase -- a wise move considering the obvious trend toward mobile social networking. Also notable are the additions of HP, Qualcomm, GPS chipset maker SiRF, and SanDisk. About the only thing left for the group to do now is deliver on its platform promises by pumping out some phones through its partners -- and can you just imagine an S60-based HP phone?
CSR gobbles up GPS chipmaker SiRF
Well, it looks like a few pesky patent issues weren't enough to keep CSR, mostly known for its Bluetooth chips, from snapping up omnipresent GPS chipmaker SiRF, with the two companies today announcing that they're set to fully combine their companies into one giant chipmaking operation. Under the all-share transaction valued at some $132.7 million, SiRF shareholders will get 27 percent of the newly formed company, to be known as CSR, while two SiRF directors will also get seats on the CSR board. Any further details are a bit hard to come by but, as CNET's Business Tech points out, CSR has increasingly been focusing on all-in-one solutions combining Bluetooth, WiFi, and whatnot, so it would stand to reason that SiRF's GPS know-how could be added to the mix.
dmedia G400 with WiMAX: MID or PND?
Apparently the dmedia G400 MID was announced at the WiMAX Expo in Taipei back in June, but this is the first we've seen of it, and solid information is still a little hard to come by. The device will boast a 800 x 400 touchscreen, WiMAX, HSDPA / WCDMA, and GPS radios, a microSD slot, and will come in both 3.8-inch and 4.3-inch configurations. From what we could glean, the system with run atop a SiRFprima CPU, though we haven't seen a lot (say, any) of MIDs using those chips. So, is this actually just a glorified PND? It's hard to say, but we hear the units will hit retail sometime in the beginning of 2009, though we don't know how much they'll cost or where they'll be available. [Via Pocketables]
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.
ITC Judge says SiRF GPS chips violate patents, recommends import ban
It looks like U.S. International Trade Commission judge Carl Charneski has managed to cause quite a stir in the GPS industry this month, with him first ruling earlier this month that chipmaker SiRF infringed on six of Broadcom's GPS patents, and him now recommending that the ITC issue an all out product import ban on products using the offending chips. Given that one of the supposedly infringing chips is the ever-present SiRF Star III, that would obviously shake things up in a pretty big way. A final decision on a ban won't come until December, however, and SiRF looks to be exploring all of its options in the meantime, including asking the U.S. Patent Office for reexamination of the contested patents. As Reuters reports though, that hasn't stopped SiRF's shares from falling 24 percent to an all time low on Tuesday, and at least one GPS device manufacturer doesn't look to be waiting around to see how things shake out either, with DigiTimes now reporting that Mitac is set to stop using SiRF chips in its GPS devices in the fourth quarter of this year. Then again, that is DigiTimes, but we doubt that'll be much consolation for SiRF right about now.Read - Reuters, "SiRF hit after ITC judge urges product import ban"Read - DigiTimes, "Mitac to give up SiRF GPS solutions due to patent dispute"[Via Linux Devices]
Marbella 8800 PND is cheap, versatile
Multifunction PNDs are starting to hit the low end of the price spectrum, which is always welcome -- check out G-Sol's Marbella 8800 nav unit, which sports PMP functions, AV-in, and a 2 megapixel digital camera for a wholesale price of $160. That means the retail price will probably be around $200, but you're actually getting a decent piece of kit -- there's a SiRF Star III GPS chip in there, which is pretty respectable. Of course, some eager wholesaler's got to be willing to bring this bad boy to the States first, but hey -- that could be you, if you're ready to fence a couple thousand of these a month.[Via Navigadget]
SiRFprima GPS receiver platform boosts sensitivity, adds 3D acceleration
If you've bought a GPS unit in the past year or two there are decent odds it's based on the SiRFstar III chipset, which has been about as good as it gets since it arrived on the scene a few years ago. Now there's a new chip on the block, SiRFprima, which could have GPS aficionados kicking those SiRFstar III units to the curb. The unit boasts "industry leading" GPS performance, and is the first of its ilk to be able to work with GPS and Galileo signals simultaneously. InstantFixII -- which promises 5 second start times -- is built in as well, along with 3D acceleration for the fancy new maps hitting the scenes, and the capability to work with external devices like touch screens, DVD players, video cameras and so forth. While no one feature is revolutionary, the fact that SiRFprima will be wrapping up all these features into a cute little package for GPS manufacturers to slap into their units without a worry -- which should start happening in the second quarter of this year -- is surely cause for celebration.
Mainnav readies MG-950D data logger
There's not a whole lot out there on this one just yet, but apparently, Mainnav is getting set to unveil the MG-910D's successor -- at least, that's what we gather from the "available soon" icon beside it on the firm's website. Nevertheless, we do know that it will sport a SiRFstarIII GPS chipset, a display that shows speed, altitude and latitude, bike mounting hardware and a weatherproof enclosure. Additionally, we're told that it can store up to 120,000 waypoints at once and can interface with Windows-based software (presumably for Google Earth viewing). We're not quite sure if this one sports Bluetooth, but considering the current MG-910D does, we'll be banking on the feature carrying over. Look for more info early next month once CES rolls around.[Via NaviGadget]
SiRF toots its own horn, readies location-enabling features for Android
It's not like we weren't already aware of SiRF's participation in the Open Handset Alliance, but nevertheless, the company is sounding pretty ecstatic about the software developer kit it "just received." Reportedly, the outfit is already hard at work on "end-to-end location-enabling features" for Android, and in case you couldn't guess, it's also providing Android platform support for a plethora of products based on its famed SiRFstarIII architecture. Essentially, the firm is hoping to take advantage of having location as a "native feature" within Android, and it makes the obvious sound a whole lot more intriguing by teasing us with visions of "out-of-the-box locative experiences" involving geo-tagging, geo-searching and social networking. Still, we'll tip our hat to any form of tight integration, but this here's probably nothing to get riled up over.
Holux GPSmile 53CLife is the most minor of upgrades
This is a very minor update as far as things go, with Holux's $499 GPSmile 53CLife GPS unit kicking out the SiRF Star chip in the GPSmile 53 in favor of a Mediatek MT3318. That's it: no design changes, nor any alterations of the specifications (which are: 170g weight, 400MHz CPU, 240x320 3.5-inch screen, SD/MMC slot, MP3 / JPEG playback, and optional add-ons including Bluetooth and Traffic Message Channel.)[Via NaviGadget]
Mio's seven-inch C728 navigator surfaces
Mio has quietly introduced a snazzy new navigator on its site, dubbed the C728. This unit boasts an expansive seven-inch 800 x 480 resolution touchscreen, 400MHz Samsung 2443 processor, SiRFstar III GPS chipset, AV input, internal speaker, SD / MMC expansion slots, a headphone jack, USB connectivity, 2GB of memory, 64MB of RAM and a rechargeable Li-ion good for nearly 2.5-hours on a full charge. Furthermore, you'll find Windows CE.net 5.0 runnin' the show, and there's even a multimedia player / image viewer built in. Sadly, mum's the word in regard to pricing and availability.[Via NaviGadget]