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Sony expands Nav-U GPS line with four new models
Sony's Nav-U line of PNDs hasn't made big waves in the States yet, but the company's keeping at it, releasing four new touchscreen navs today. The new $400 NV-U94T (pictured) takes over from the NV-U83T at the high end, featuring a 4.8-inch touch screen in a 30 percent thinner case, gesture commands, POSITION plus accelerometer and barometer (wild)-based dead reckoning in case of signal loss, Quick Links POI icons, and an RDS-TMC traffic receiver built into the cradle, as well as basic PMP functions, Bluetooth with A2DP output and Memory Stick Duo expansion; the $300 NV-U74T is basically the same package minus the PMP features and with a 4.3-inch screen and the $350 NV-U84 keeps the 4.8-inch panel but doesn't have Bluetooth, dead reckonings, or traffic. There's also a totally new 3.5-inch unit, the $250 NV-U44, which is pretty basic but seems like a fine deal: text-to-speech nav, maps of the US and Canada, and split-screen 3D views with lane guidance. All four should be out in September.[Via CNET]
Sony updates nav-u GPS line with NV-U73T and NV-U83T
The two new Sony nav-u GPS units we knew were on the way Stateside are officially announced today. As expected, the NV-U73T is sporting a 4.3-inch screen with the higher end NV-U83T sizing up at 4.8-inches. The latter also features Bluetooth, gesture command, split-screen dual view, and an accelerometer for more accurate navigation when signal is low. Both units feature text-to-speech and a new "super suction cup" that reportedly really sucks (...in a good way) to achieve maximum adhesion to your location of choice. Both will be available this February for $350 and $500, respectively. [Via press release]
Sony's NV-U73T and NV-U83T GPS units hit the FCC
We'd already seen Sony's newest nav-u GPS units pop up in Europe, but from the looks of the FCC's all-knowing database, the NV-U73T and 83T are coming Stateside soon. New specs in the filing are hard to come by, but everything we already knew is there -- baby-brother U73T sports a 4.3-inch display, while the U83T gets a 4.8-inch screen, Bluetooth, and an accelerometer to allow the unit to keep the guidance going even when the GPS signal fades. No word on pricing or availability, but you know we just love the pretty pictures anyways.
Hands-on with Sony's nav-u NV-U93T
Sony's new 4.8-inch Bluetooth-capable NV-U93T isn't just about the exterior looks, we're really digging the interface: call us suckers for anti-aliasing. The unit's also reasonably thin, something most GPS manufacturers have seemed loathe to catch on to. We're not saying go out and buy seven of them or anything, it's just a nice little unit is all.%Gallery-6751%
Sony adds Bluetooth to fresh line of nav-u GPS units
GPS without hands-free calling is hardly worth its weight in silicon these days, and Sony is getting in on the game in Europe with its new nav-u personal navigation devices. The 4.8-inch NV-U93T (pictured) and NV-U83 in particular are getting the new Bluetooth functionality. The U93T bests its peer with a broad selection of Europe maps, and live traffic info, the latter of which is optional with the U83. You can control either device with "Gesture Command," which allows you to scribble symbols on the screen and be presented with directions home or to the nearest gas station. If you're not quite ready to take the Bluetooth plunge, Sony also has the 4.3-inch NV-U73T and NV-U53, which both do Gesture Command, and hold the same traffic info and Europe map differentiations of big brother 4.8-inchers. All four models will be out in Europe this November, ranging from 249 to 379 Euro ($340 to $517 US).
Sony previews NV-U80 and NV-U81T
Those Euros sure love their GPS units, and so do we. LaptopLogic reports that today at IFA, Sony said it will update its Nav-U navigation system by November, calling it the NV-U80 and NV-U81T. Sony is touting its newest innovation, called "Position Plus", a set of backup sensors that will provide additional data when the GPS cuts out, for example, when you're driving under a bridge. The NV-U80 also has Bluetooth support and 512MB of storage and what appears to be a Memory Stick slot on the side. The NV-U81T has a 4GB drive, a full European map and it supports Traffic Message Channel information. Sony says both units will be available in November 2006, but the company hasn't released prices yet. The 4.3-inch units will also have gesture control -- we're not quite sure how that works yet, but we wonder if you can give it the finger.