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Cydle introduces T43 navigator with Bluetooth, HD Radio support
Lookie here -- we've got yet another new entrant into the portable navigation market, but thankfully, Cydle has decided to differentiate a bit with the inclusion of HD Radio support. The company's one and only model (for now, anyway) is the T43, which features a 4.3-inch touchscreen, the latest version of Cydle 3D Map and Cydle XE Map, HD Radio support, real-time traffic via the traditional RDS-TMC as well as the newer HD Radio-based method and Bluetooth for good measure. It'll reportedly hit Best Buy shelves in the not-too-distant future, though there's no price mentioned.
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]
JVC storms back with KV-PX701 / KV-PX501 navigators
Aw JVC, we knew you couldn't keep your feet out of the overcrowded GPS biz for too long, and while you certainly tried to assure us that you were callin' it quits earlier this year, we suppose the two new navigators you've got on the horizon act as proof to the contrary. Apparently, the outfit will soon be launching the KV-PX701 and KV-PX501, which are both slated to utilize NAVTEQ maps and a 400MHz Samsung processor. The former boasts a 4.3-inch touchscreen, a SiRFstarIII chipset and integrated RDS-TMC capability, while the latter packs a 3.5-inch touch panel, a Media Tec GPS receiver and has its RDS-TMC module built into the car mount. The duo is expected to ship later this month for €399 ($565) and €349 ($495), respectively, but we've no idea if either will be headed to America.
Medion's GoPal P4425 navigator sports fingerprint scanner
For those worried about crooks swiping their GPS while it's left alone in the vehicle, Medion is introducing a new navigator that becomes utterly useless if the owner's fingerprint isn't around to get things going. The GoPal P4425 is also equipped with the usual amenities found on a higher-end GPS including Bluetooth, RDS-TMC, voice activation, text-to-speech, and an FM transmitter. Additionally, you'll find a 4.3-inch widescreen display, a rechargeable Li-ion that's good for four to five hours before needing a boost, and full western Europe maps complete with "a preloaded safety camera database with major route speed limit warnings." Set to hit shelves in November, the GoPal P4425 carries a £299.99 ($604) pricetag, while the pared down GoPal E3410 that was simultaneously announced will run you £189.99 ($383).[Via Stuff]
Navman's S70 navigation system surfaces
Judging by a product page over at Amazon, it looks like the S70 from Navman has not only been launched, but it's ready to ship to eager European customers. The 4.3-inch widescreen GPS includes pre-installed maps of Western Europe, integrated Bluetooth, handsfree capabilities, optional traffic information, and the obligatory charging / in-car mounting hardware. Not a bad lookin' navigator for £199.99 ($406), and if you need more proof, click on for one more angle.[Via NaviGadget]
Becker readying Traffic Assist 7927 PND?
Closely following the Traffic Assist Highspeed 7934 GPS, it looks like Becker may be readying yet another PND for release at IFA. The so-called Traffic Assist 7927 will reportedly boast a 3.5-inch touchscreen display, SIRFstarIII GPS chipset, RDS-TMC support, a 400MHz processor, 128MB of RAM, European maps on a 2GB memory card, USB connectivity, and a built-in media player for good measure. Beyond that, we've simply got to wait and see what details await us at IFA, but feel free to peep a few more angles after the break.[Via NaviGadget]
Leadtek cranks out LR9750 / LR9752 GPS systems
It's been a good while since Leadtek caught our eye, and considering that just about everyone who's anyone these days has at least one GPS system with their name on it, we're not shocked by the latest developments. Yes, even Leadtek is storming back with a pair of rather capable navigation devices, each of which sport the SIRFstarIII GPS module, a built-in media player, an oh-so-shiny scroll wheel to navigate the menus, text-to-speech support, an image viewer, and RDS-TMC functionality. Those opting for the LR9752 will also be graced with handsfree calling via integrated Bluetooth, and while it'd be awfully nice to know exactly when these forgettable units would be headed for store shelves, Leadtek's not divulging any of that information just yet.[Via NaviGadget]
GlobalSat further clogs the 3.5-inch GPS market with GV-366
As if your choices weren't endless enough in the 3.5-inch GPS arena, GlobalSat is offering up yet another forgettable alternative in the GV-366. Aside from the obligatory touchscreen display, you'll find a SiRF Star III receiver, multilingual navigation interface, and software that was co-developed by Navigon. Additionally, a built-in media player looks to be included as is RDS-TMC real-time traffic support. No word just yet on price nor availability, but simply judging by the specifications, it ought to be a bargain whenever it lands.[Via NaviGadget]
Garmin nuvi 200W and 250W to pack widescreen displays?
If you thought the 3.5-inch GPS market was getting a tad way oversaturated, apparently you weren't alone. According to a blurb at GPSPassion, Garmin has just recently let loose whispers of a widescreen four-inch version of the nüvi 200 and 250, both of which will don Ws at the end of their names to signify the extra real estate. The display itself will supposedly pack a 480 x 272 resolution, and while we can only assume that the actual software and feature sets will remain essentially the same, there's no way of knowing just yet. Notably, it's not yet clear if the North American-friendly nüvi 270 will end up gaining a bit of width too, but the 200W and 250W should hit European shops in the near future for an estimated €299 ($402) and €349 ($469), respectively.[Via NaviGadget]
Hackers next target: your in-car navigation system
We hate to break it to you, but that oh-so-reliable GPS system that you simply obey each day could eventually lead you down a dark, perilous path. No, we're not referring to the blind faith drivers who throw caution common sense to the wind and drive directly into sandpiles and bodies of water, but a new discovery has found that the unencrypted data that's beamed to drivers everyday via RDS-TMC navigation systems could be undermined with relative ease. Andrea Barisani, chief security engineer with Italian consultancy Inverse Path, has claimed that the wireless signals could not only be intercepted, but incorrect directions could actually be used to lead motorists into a trap, direct traveling competitors away from a sales presentation, or create a massive gridlock by instructing the weary working crowd to all take the same "detour" home. It was noted that some firms are already looking into more secure methods of delivering such critical information, and considering the lessons we've already learned about GPS-addicted drivers, the updates can't come soon enough.[Thanks, Andrea B.]
