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Dual Electronics iPod touch GPS cradle review
The notion of an iPod touch GPS cradle has two big factors working against it from the start. For one, dedicated navigation units are readily available for as little as $100 (or less) and, in general, get the job done quite well. Secondly, more and more cellphones are becoming more and more capable as navigation devices and, again, are relatively inexpensive (phone contracts aside). On the other hand, a lot of people have iPod touches, and most of them really like their iPod touches. So, in that respect, there is a potentially big market for something like Dual Electronics new iPod touch GPS cradle. Will it actually help carve out a new niche in the crowded navigation market? Read on to find out.%Gallery-88736%
Dual Electronics iPod touch GPS dock ships at long last
It took a little longer than expected, but the first major docking solution to transform ones iPod touch into a full fledged navigating machine is now shipping directly from Apple. Dual Electronics' XGPS300 was originally announced way back in November of last year, and after a minor hiccup in January, we're finally able to plop down $199.95 to snag a window-sucking cradle with an inbuilt GPS receiver, rechargeable battery, amplified speaker and NavAtlas US / Canada map app. So, what'll it be? This, or one of those perfectly acceptable $99 PNDs? If you're smart, you'll tune in next week for our review before making any rash decisions. [Thanks, Bridget]
Dual Electronics' iPod touch GPS cradle now shipping in late February
Well, it's quite a ways off the November 2009 launch date the company initially promised, but Dual Electronics is now saying that its XGPS300 navigation cradle for the iPod touch will really, honestly be available sometime in "late February." The price presumably remains at the same $179.99 as before, which also includes a bundled NavAtlas navigation app and, of course, an adjustable windshield mount. Not exactly the easiest sell, to be sure, especially considering how much the GPS market has changed in just those few short months.
Dual Electronics XML8110 in-dash iPhone dock announced
It always seemed to us that plugging in your iPod with a cable (or worse yet, an FM tuner or cassette adapter) was an inelegant solution to listening to your Namesakes Series MP3 audiobooks on the road (the shorter works of Washington Irving as read by Dr. J, for example). Lucky for us, the motor heads from Dual Electronics have devised the XML8110. This 200 watt AM/FM docking station sits in your dash under the guise of a mild-mannered car stereo, featuring a solid state "mechless" design, optional steering control input, remote control, Bluetooth for hands-free operation with caller ID, and more. Coming soon for a reported $99, with an iPhone app in the works. Now all you need is some wheels! get a closer look after the break.
Dual Electronics announces XGPS300 navigation cradle for iPod touch
Well, it looks like iPod touch users pondering the somewhat pricey (and still unfulfilled) proposition offered by TomTom's Car Kit now finally have another option to consider, as Dual Electronics has announced a navigation cradle of its own that's aimed solely at Apple's GPS-less handheld. While it's not quite as sleek as TomTom's unit, Dual's new XGPS300 rig does boast a few decided advantages, including a cradle that also doubles as a rechargeable battery for some added juice when you're out and about and, most importantly, a free NavAtlas navigation app, which will apparently only work with Dual's cradle (sorry, no mix-and-matching here). You'll also get a built-in speaker, a mini USB port for charging and, of course, an adjustable windshield mount for in-car use. Still no firm word on a release date just yet, but it looks like this one should be available sometime this month for $179.99. Head on past the break for a video. [Thanks, Ryan]
Dual Electronics' XNAV43HD PND: first with real-time traffic via HD Radio
You may have never heard of Dual Electronics, but the firm is getting talked up today courtesy of Clear Channel Radio. You see, said outfit has launched the world's first personal navigation device to support real-time traffic via HD Radio. The XNAV43HD can pull down up to 500 messages per minute in over 50 markets in which the new service is live, and all of the information will be continuously monitored and updated by Clear Channel's staff. Specs on the PND itself are as follows: 4.3-inch touchscreen, text-to-speech and a multimedia player. The $279.99 price tag ain't half bad, but our interest lies in how quickly this service will get rolled out to other navigators, factory-supplied and otherwise.[Image courtesy of MP3Car]
