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Clarion intros MAP680 and MAP780 navigators for Europe
Check it, Europeans -- Clarion has just dumped a new duo of PNDs on the market, and they're both geared up to route you all over your humble lands. It appears that the only major difference between the MAP680 and MAP780 are the actual maps loaded in; the former is available in four regional versions, while the latter features a full 43 European countries. Specs wise, we're lookin' at a 4.3-inch widescreen display, text-to-speech, built-in TMC tuner, 3D display of buildings / POIs, lane assistant, Bluetooth (with phone book transfer and audio streaming), a 400MHz CPU, multimedia player and 2GB (MAP780) / 1GB (MAP680) of internal memory. No word on a price or any of that good stuff just yet, but feel free to get more acquainted with the pair in the gallery below.[Via NaviGadget] %Gallery-22307%
Navigon's 81xx GPS unit lands on FCC's doorstep
Now, we're not certain whether the 81xx actually arrived in a basket wrapped in old linens, but whatever the case, the FCC was kind enough to take Navigon's forthcoming PND in and put it through the necessary paces. After doing a little 2 + 2, we're going ahead and assuming that this unit is the 3D map-lovin' 8110 that we played around with briefly at CeBIT. As you'd expect from an FCC filing, there's no mention of when this thing will be freed for selling here in the US, but we don't expect it to lag behind the 2100 Max for too awfully long.
Pioneer intros the NavGate AVIC-F900BT and AVIC-F700BT GPS units
If Pioneer's AVIC-F500BT satnav unit got you all hot and bothered, then big brothers NavGate AVIC-F900BT and AVIC-F700BT should totally wreck your lifestyle. The new units sport all kinds of funky functions, like a 5.8-inch WVGA touchscreen display, built in DVD player (CD for the F700BT), 3D mapping with text to speech, PMP functionality with playback of MPEG, DivX, MP3, and WMA files, plus Bluetooth support for cell phones and the ability to manage up to 300 contacts. The do-it-all units also feature SD card support and USB jacks. Both new models will go on sale in Europe, Russia, Australia, and the States sometime in June, no word on pricing yet. You can watch a demo of the unit in action in the video after the break. C'mon... you know you want to.[Via Engadget Spanish]
Mio showcases prototype PND with wireless connectivity
While Mio was busy propping up its Moov GPS lineup at CeBIT, it has smartly chosen CTIA to unveil a prototype PND that touts wireless connectivity. After teaming up with ATX, which is hailed as "the world's largest independent telematics services provider to the automotive industry," Mio has launched a connected navigator based on the Pinnacle platform. Unfortunately, it's still somewhat unclear what extra features will be found on this linked-in unit -- which may or may not have made an early cameo at CES (pictured) -- but thankfully, we won't be waiting long to find out. If all goes to plan, ATX-powered Mio devices will be hitting the streets in the second half of this year, but it better be mighty impressive (or just cheaper, really) if it plans on dethroning the Dash Express.Read - Mio Technology / ATX partnershipRead - Pinnacle Platform
Dash Express review
We've been waiting to get our hands on the Dash Express ever since we heard about it way back in 2006, and though we've seen a ton of photos and even toyed around with a beta version of the GPRS / WiFi-connected navigator, actually using the device for a lengthy period of time revealed some pretty interesting things. The main verdict: yeah, it's way pricey, but if you've got the scratch, this is the GPS you want -- and if the community features take off like Dash think they will, it's going to be a game-changer. Read on for the full review!
Dash Express unboxing and hands-on
Not much has changed since we got to play with a beta version of the OpenMoko-powered Dash Express GPRS / WiFi-connected GPS unit, but the packaging is quite nice and the final hardware feels top-notch -- and there are some thoughtful details like a separate cradle power connection so you can just grab and go when you get to your destination. %Gallery-19110%%Gallery-19246%
Dash Express now shipping, price dropped to $399
We've been drooling over the GPRS-enabled, OpenMoko-powered Dash Express for what seems like forever now, but it's finally shipping -- and what's even better, the price has dropped $200 to $399. Pre-order customers can expect a note from Dash alerting them to a refund of the difference sometime soon, while the rest of us can take ol' Benjamin and his three best friends over to Amazon, which is the exclusive retailer for the next 30 days. Unfortunately, the monthly services fees are still kind of high: although you can still use the device as a regular GPS unit after the initial three-month grace period, if you buy the premium service you'll be out $13 a month, or $10 if you sign a two-year deal -- but hey, that's the price you pay to be on the front lines of the revolution, right?
Blaupunkt's new TravelPilot lineup is rather blah
There's nothing wrong at all with Blaupunkt's new TravelPilot 100, 200 and 300, and given the company's missteps in the past, these new devices are actually quite the relief. That said, there's nothing too fancy going on either. The TravelPilot 100 and 200 sport 3.5-inch QVGA screens, while the 300 does 4.3-inches at 480 x 272. All three are running Windows CE 5.0, the 200 and 300 include traffic receivers, and the 300 includes Bluetooth and is the only one with maps for all of Western Europe. Prices range from €129 ($200 US) to €299 ($462 US), and they'll all be hitting Europe in March and April.[Via NaviGadget]
Garmin and Kenwood team up to market nav-enabled car stereos
Although Kenwood's been shipping nav-enabled car stereos powered by Garmin since 2006, they've mostly gone under the radar -- but now it looks like the two companies are so pleased with the arrangement that they're going to launch a combined marketing blitz and some new jointly-developed models. We've already seen a couple nifty Kenwood stereos with built-in nav (and some sweet concepts), but it looks like 2008 will bring even more units like the Garmin-powered Excelon DNX-8120 (pictured above) that launched at CES. All the new units are to have touchscreens with flash-based Garmin nav internals, as well as the usual high-end Kenwood features like Bluetooth, satellite radio, HD Radio, and iPod hookups. No new model numbers or prices have been announced yet, but the marketing partnership is apparently already underway -- get ready for the car stereo section of your local big box to be taken over.[Via Blast]
MD Sound's KO-GPS4 navigator includes e-book reader
Can't say it's likely that you'll find MD Sound products on just any ole store shelf, but for those that look hard enough, they can procure the firm's latest PND, the KO-GPS4, right now. Carefully watching his words, the outfit's head of product development notes that "as far as [it] can tell, [this unit is] the first personal navigation device to include the popular e-book capability." Beyond that, you'll find a built-in MP3 / video player, photo viewer, Li-ion battery good for three hours on a full charge and a 4.3-inch touchscreen. Yeah, the $249.99 sticker may be tempting at first glance, but we're pretty confident you can still do better for two and a half bills. Full release after the jump.
Mio's Moov GPS units hit the States
If you've been waiting on the edge of your seat for Mio's new GPS satnavs to hit the States, it's time to break out the party favors. The PND-maker has just launched its Moov 200, 210, 300, and 310 touchscreen GPS units in the US, all equipped with SiRFstar III chips (with SiRFInstantFix II technology), pre-loaded maps of the US and Puerto Rico, and real-time traffic reports (on the 310 and 210). Prices range from $179.95 for the 3.5-inch 200, up to $249.95 for the 4.3-inch 310, and all four should be available on April 1st.
Hands-on with Navigon's new 8110 and 2100 Max GPS units
We're fairly impressed with Navigon's showing at CeBIT, busting out those 4.3-inch 2100 Max PNDs at a $299 pricepoint, and raising the bar for GPS sexy with the 8110. The software for the 2100 Max couldn't be much more frill-free, but we found the 3D maps of the 8110 -- as in, actual 3D terrain -- to be quite impressive. We didn't see any 3D buildings in our demo, but apparently you can download those to flesh out the experience.%Gallery-17538%
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]
LG's new LN840 PND hits the FCC
Hot off the FCC presses, we present the LG LN840 -- ostensibly a follow up to the company's well received LN740 PND. We don't know too much about this puppy right now, save for the fact that it features what appears to be a 4-plus-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth compatibility, an SD card slot, and a mini-USB port (which incidentally also acts as the power jack). The device sports some PMP functionality like music and photo playback -- but it doesn't seem to do video. It's to be assumed that this is a significant step up from previous LG GPS units, though we won't know till we see a more robust spec list. Feel free to peruse the multitudinous FCC report pages yourself... if you dare.
NDrive's G400 PND knows when you're one sip over the line
Who do you trust more to tell you when you've had too much to drink -- your family, friends, or lovers, or a cold, emotionless piece of technology? We all know the answer -- you want the NDrive G400. We're not sure if this will actually keep idiots from driving drunk, though it will at least give a realistic impression of just how much you've knocked back -- which might be enough of a deterrent for some people. Other then the built-in breathalyzer, we assume this GPS nav does all the usual things PNDs do, but let's be honest, no one is buying it for the turn-by-turn directions. You can pick one of these puppies up for €200, and you can see the breathalyzin' in action in the video after the break.[Via Navigadget]
NDrive reveals internet-enabled G700 navigator
It's not exactly likely that we Americans will ever see NDrive's G700 on our soil, but for folks overseas who can look forward to receiving it when it launches next month, here's what you can expect. This navigator sports a 4.3-inch display along with a snazzy integrated GSM / GPRS module for connecting to the intarwebs and pulling down traffic, weather, local movie listings, etc. when cruising about. Unfortunately, that's it for the details right now, but if you've heard enough, you can round up your €480 ($704) and start counting down the days.[Via NaviGadget]
TG's Favicon PMP / navigator gets priced, even sexier
Remember that elegant looking conglomerate we peeked in December of last year? Turns out, said device finally has an appropriate name and price, but sadly, it still isn't apt to head stateside. Nevertheless, the TG Favicon reportedly features a 532MHz Freescale CPU, TPEG navigation, dual DMB / PIP functionality, 4GB of internal storage space, an SD expansion slot and a 7-inch WVGA display. So, just how much coinage will you be asked to fork over to snag this beauty next time you're in Seoul? Around 422 US dollars, that's all.
Empower debuts three new PNDs ready for re-branding
We don't often catch sight of units like these until after they've already begun the usual cycle of re-brands and ever so slight changes, but the folks at Empower apparently decided to shake things up a bit and give everyone an early peek at its latest trio of personal navigation devices, which are now available to OEM/ODM and other "private-label customers." Those devices include the P2000, P2200 and P2800, each of which boast 4.3-inch touch screens, along with built-in Bluetooth handsfree functionality and support for traffic advisory data. The P2200 ups things slightly from the base model with an integrated digital camera, while the top-end P2800 adds a wireless rear-view camera for some help backing up, as well as some added iPod connectivity. No word on any companies that have picked 'em up just yet, but Empower itself seems fairly confident in them, with it set to sell all three under its own PowerPlay brand. Look for the P2000 to be the first of those available in March for $299, with the P2200 and P2800 set to follow sometime in the second quarter of this year for $399 and $499, respectively.
Navigon's 8110 PND coming in March?
For all you PND fans (and we know you're out there) hanging around waiting for a hot new piece of navigational gear, you might want to turn your attention to Navigon's 8000 series. Specifically, focus your laser beams on the 8110, a high-end portable GPS unit that boasts a slew of nasty features like a gigantic (by nav standards) 4.8-inch WQVGA screen, a 533MHz CPU (with a graphics accelerator), 128MB RAM, 512MB ROM, Bluetooth, an RDS/TMC receiver (for traffic information), and an FM transmitter. The unit will sport the company's new MobileNavigator 7 software, which features a more realistic, enhanced 3D road view, as well as new "lane assist" functions. The 8110 is rumored to be available around March in Europe (in time for CeBIT), and will be hitting shelves with a €499 price tag.[Via Navigadget]
Michelin's ViaMichelin to exit the PND market
French paper La Tribune is reporting that Michelin subsidiary ViaMichelin will stop producing personal navigation devices, after capturing only 14% of its domestic market in the face of stiff competition from Dutch rival TomTom and others. Sixty of the firm's 170 employees will reportedly be laid off as a result of the shuttering, although warranties will apparently still be honored for products already on the market. [Warning: subscription link][Via Bikes in the Fast Lane]
