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Panasonic unveils Strada CN-NVD905U in-car GPS / head unit
With Sharp throwing down a svelte in-car LCD ready to display nearly any automotive statistic (or roadtrip route) you'd ever need, and Chrysler planning to offer the MyGIG do-it-all device on upcoming vehicles, Panasonic is tossing in its own rendition to keep the competition on their heels. The Strada CN-NVD905U is an in-car navigation / head unit that boasts a 7-inch touchscreen, 30GB hard drive, built-in DVD / CD player, NAVTEQ mapping software, and support for Bluetooth handsfree operations. The trilingual GUI also touts automatic rerouting, and if you're not already tuned into XM Radio, you can access Sirius' real-time traffic data to avoid those crowded freeways on your commute back home. Additionally, it sports "iPod video connectivity" for rear seat and front passenger entertainment, but we're sure all those snazzy movie functions are kept under wraps until you throw it in park. While there's no telling how much dealers will end up charging for this in-dash machine, the Strada CN-NVD905U should start making noise (and keeping us on track) next Spring.[Via Slashphone]
Motorola launches Bluetooth-enabled T605 handsfree system
With the popularity of handsfree systems on the rise (not to mention the "dangers" of driving with one hand), Motorola is jumping on the bandwagon with its T605 Automotive Music and Handsfree System. After a presumably tricky DIY install in your whip, the T605 automatically syncs with your Bluetooth 2.0-enabled cellphone and utilizes A2DP in order to channel both phone calls and audio from your mobile to your stereo. For cellphones without Bluetooth audio functionality, the T605 module boasts a standard 3.5-millimeter input jack, so tunes from your iPod or DAP-of-choice can stream through your car without the need for a questionably functional FM transmitter. Similar to OEM units, Motorola's device actually pauses the music when it detects an incoming call, and picks up where it left off when your conversation is complete. Although no pricing information is currently available, you'll be hearing more about the T605 system in "the first half of 2007."[Via PhoneScoop]
Dotel's Navi Box brings GPS to your in-car A / V system
Although a lot of in-car entertainment systems come equipped with navigation these days, you were unlucky enough to have to pimped out your fleet of luxury vehicles before the bubble burst, and now that all your loot's all gone, you're one of the only people rolling around in a GPS-free Lambo. Well, friend, all is not lost, as we've just stumbled upon an external GPS receiver from Korean manufacturer Dotel that eschews the fancy Bluetooth radio for a good old-fashioned wired connection; this means that you can hook the Navi Box DOTN120 to any in-dash unit with a screen via RGB or composite A / V cables. On the specs tip, this device runs Windows CE.Net 4.2 powered by a 300MHz Samsung processor, sports 64MB of RAM / 32MB of ROM (expandable to 1GB), pumps out QVGA resolution, and features an IR receiver and GPS port for use with an optional remote control and external antenna, respectively. You also get an SD slot to store your maps and multimedia content, so you can load up some MP3s and videos to complement your collection of CDs and DVDs. Unfortunately there's no word on pricing or availability here, but we imagine that you won't have to pawn too many more possessions in order to get your hands on one.[Via Navigadget]
RoadMax, TeleType intro new GPS units
RoadMax and TeleType both look to be trying to lower the barrier of entry to in-car GPS navigation, each company recently announcing units that'll retail for less than $400 US. RoadMax's VMax 361 is the cheaper of the two, running just $349 and offering up a pretty no-frills approach, with a 3.5-inch touch screen, voice prompt navigation, 2D or 3D viewing options, and an SD card pre-loaded with maps of the US and Canada, and should be available in August or September. TeleType's Windows CE-based WorldNav 3100 GPS comes in a little higher at $399, also packing a 3.5-inch screen but offering a bit more in the way of extras, including support for most audio and video formats you could ask for (including DivX and Xvid) along with 2D or 3D navigation and pre-loaded maps of the US and Puerto Rico. A premium version is available for $459 that adds a choice of male or female voice guidance (the basic version is female only) and more than 12 million pre-loaded POIs as opposed to just 3 million on the standard model.[Via MobileWhack]Read - RoadMax VMax 361Read - TeleType WorldNav 3100
Logitec announces line of colorful in-car DAPs
Japanese manufacturer Logitec -- who, as we found out the hard way, is in no way related to the American Swiss firm Logitech -- has just announced a colorful set of in-car DAPs that plug directly into your vehicle's lighter socket. What's more, the MP3- and WMA-capable LAT-FM300U includes both a built-in FM transmitter and line-in jack, so you can broadcast directly to your head unit from either the device itself or from an external player like an iPod. And judging by the $68 price tag and lack of storage information, it sounds like you'll probably need to bring along a more capacious device on trips lasting longer than an hour or so, as we doubt you'll be getting more than 512MB of flash memory when these drop in early August.[Via Digital World Tokyo]
Pioneer ejects DVD recorder business
The invisible hand of capitalism has pushed yet another major electronics manufacturer from one of its traditional businesses, as declining profits and product commodification have convinced Pioneer Corp. to drop out of the DVD recorder game. Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun is reporting that its recording division's recent cash hemorrhaging has convinced the company which "pioneered" the commercial burner to cut its losses and form a strategic partnership with Panasonic-parent Matsushita, whose next-gen optical disc technology may help Pioneer succeed in the decidedly less-crowded Blu-ray recorder market. Pioneer will now begin to shift its focus to its more profitable in-vehicle electronics division, which is responsible for many of the popular navigation and in-dash entertainment products on the worldwide market.
Shinco's UK-bound Voyager GPS 400
Brits looking for an in-car GPS solution that they can also throw in a sack and take along on a constitution will soon have a new option from Chinese manufacturer Shinco. The Voyager GPS 400 is a PDA-size receiver in white with a 4-inch, 480 x 272 color touchscreen, birds-eye view mapping, SD slot for MP3 playback, and preloaded maps covering the two million hottest destinations on the British Isles. You seem to get a pretty solid accessory pack in the box as well, with a windshield mount, extension antenna, decent carrying case, and both car and wall chargers standard. E-tailer Firebox is currently taking pre-orders for the Voyager, which is supposed to arrive on the 11th, for a very reasonable $420.[Via Tech Digest]
CES: In-car GBA on the cards
If portable isn't good enough for you, this new product from Visteon in partnership with Nintendo (being announced at CES today) may help with your in-car entertainment needs.Boasting a fold-down DVD player that can be used on your lap or roof-mounted, the Dockable Entertainment was developed in conjunction with Nintendo and can play GBA games too. All that Game Boy goodness on 10.2 inches of screen? Oh my.[via Engadget, Nintendo Insider]
