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General Dynamics' GD300 is the Pip-Boy that runs Android
Yes, we totally stole this headline from our Spanish colleagues, but they summed it up perfectly -- the General Dynamics Itronix GD300 is right out of Fallout 3, well ahead of HP's model. It's a full-on wrist- or chest-mounted GPS unit with an unspecified version of Android at the helm, designed to deliver both real-time global positioning (with a SiRFstarIII chip and stubby quad-helix antenna) and connect to tactical radios. The eight-ounce ruggedized plastic package is MIL-STD 810G tested for durability and holds a 600MHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 256MB of memory, 8GB flash storage and a 3.5-inch, 800 x 480 "glove-friendly" and "sunlight readable" touchscreen display. That's only about as powerful as your average consumer smartphone, but you're not going to be painting targets on your Nexus One, we suppose. No word on whether it will pick up post-apocalyptic radio stations as your mission unfolds. We've got a close-up photo and press release after the break, and you can find the full brochure at our source link.
The iriver NV Life: as stirring and confusing as life itself
Reincomm just announced the new iriver NV Life, the official name of its M20 prototype. New in that they've done away with the big, navigation pad of the original NV in favor of a more sleek, easily portable SatNav device with PMP functionality. Still, it's a near spec-for-spec clone of the bigger, bulkier NV. Available in either 2GB ???328,000 (about $367) or 4GB ???358,000 (about $400) capacities, the SiRF Star III GPS device dedicates an SD slot to maps and second to augment the onboard flash. Inside, the WinCE 5.0-based device packs an FM-transmitter, DMB TV (with GPS PiP support), and a wide selection of codecs synonymous with the iriver name. The only downside is the display: 800 x 480 pixels spread across 7-inches of glass. On par with the industry but pretty poor when compared to cellphones which offer the same resolution on 2.8-inch displays.%Gallery-19199% [Via Akihabara News]
Proporta's Freedom key ring GPS receiver stays out of sight, keeps you located
Sure, your phone has GPS capabilities, but who wants to carry around a receiver everywhere you go? Well, what if the receiver were tiny... and your key ring? That's exactly what Proporta is proposing (ha ha) with its latest "world's smallest" (the company's claim, certainly not ours) GPS receiver, the Freedom. The ultra-compact device does in fact function as a key fob, in addition to being a SiRF Star III-equipped receiver which can interface with whatever friendly device you happen to have nearby. The Freedom will last you nine hours on a single charge, connects with up to 20 satellites, and plays nice with Bluetooth devices, making your navigational world slightly more enjoyable. The little guy is available right now for €99.95, or $129.99.[Via theunwired]
GlobalSat's BT-359C Bluetooth GPS receiver
GlobalSat, purveyors of fine GPS-related products such as a stylish GPS watch and the child-tracking, parent-worrying GPS "phone", has launched a new Bluetooth receiver sure to make your teeth chatter with excitement. The BT-359C is the latest and greatest the California-based company has on offer, featuring a SiRF Star III low-power chipset, Bluetooth 2.0, and a built-in ceramic patch antenna. The receiver can be coupled to PDAs, or laptops via its "Serial Port Profile", and provides faster acquisition times and improved accuracy in "urban canyons" (which we're pretty sure is fancy GPS-speak for "cities"). The BT-359C will be sold at AT&T retail locations, and is available now online for $159.99.
Iriver's M10 busts loose as the NV PMP navigator
The iriver NV -- as in NaVigation, initially outed as the M10 -- is now up and official. Chances are, if you're in the market for a PMP, the NV's got your needs covered. The 7-inch, 840 x 480 LED backlit LCD packs T-DMB television; SiRF III GPS; 2 SD slots (1 reserved for navigation maps presumably); a USB 2.0 host jack; FM transmitter; a "GPS Camera" which presumably GPS tags its 1.3 megapixel photos; and plenty of media support including OGG audio and DivX video among the usuals. All that in a sleek slab of kit which will more than likely never leave the S.Korean market in its current form.[Via Akihabara News]
Hands-on with ASUS' GPS-enabled P526
ASUS launched a new PDA / cellphone / GPS combo monster yesterday, so say "hello" to the non-3G ASUS P526 "Pegasus." We feel like we keep missing the holy grail of smartphones by a hair -- we can only hope the next arrival in the family will fill that 3G shortfall. The new kid on the block from ASUS does pack quite a kick otherwise, with quad-band EDGE connectivity, WiFi, 2 megapixel camera, and all of that loaded into a 115 gram package. The P526 sports a scroll wheel on the left side for easy one-handed control, and we are lovin' the GPS in the form of the SiRFStar III chipset, but saldly no word on bundled software in the deal. Since this is a new handset, we expected Windows Mobile 6 Professional and ASUS didn't disappoint on that front. Check the gallery for more shots of this little wonder. ASUS P526 hands-on
Pioneer's AVIC-S2 GPS navigator leaked
Looks like Pioneer is on the verge of announcing a followup to their AVIC-S1 GPS receiver smartly dubbed, the AVIC-S2. In fact, it would appear that they went so far as to inadvertently publish the specs on their web site before pulling the page. No prob, that's what Google's cache is for. From what we can tell, the S2 builds upon the S1's 3.5-inch touchscreen, SiRF Star III GPS, Bluetooth, SD slot, and 2GB of on-board memory by introducing an MP3 player and optional TMC traffic receiver. Click the read link to check the cached data, while you can. Otherwise, we'll likely be checking this out up-close and hands-on at a CeBIT launch. [Via GPSreview]
The Trabbit TM-7000: Korea's latest PMP with GPS
Trabbit's making a first appearance 'round here with this, their new TM-7000 all singing, all dancing PMP with GPS. With WinCE 5.0 at its core and a biggie 7-inch, 480 x 234 touch-screen display, the device brings all the media goodness you'd expect from a South Korean PMP: a T-DMB TV tuner, SiRF Star III GPS, support for DivX, XviD, MPEG-4, AVI, and WMV video, and BSAC, MUSICAM (MPEG-1 layer II), MP3, OGG, AAC, ASF, WAV audio. Hell, the device even features picture-in-picture support for watching TV or video while using GPS... and you know, driving. All in a relatively slim 19.8-mm slab. Unfortunately, there's only 64MB RAM / 64MB ROM with additional memory supplied by SD card support. No word on pricing or availability but like most of these PMPs, it'll likely remain tethered to Korea.[Via Akihabara News]
LG enters US GPS market with LG LN790, LN740, LN735, and LN730 navigators
Step aside Garmin and TomTom. While you two have been slugging it out in court, LG has prepped four GPS units hell-bent on muscling their way into the burgeoning North American navigation market. The LG LN790, LN740, LN735, and LN730 will all see their formal debut next week at CES. All four feature a 450cd/m2 bright touch-screen display, SiFR Star III chipset, turn-by-turn voice guidance, and pre-loaded maps of the US and Canada including millions of POIs. The top-o-the-line Bluetooth-enabled LN790 features a 4.3-inch LCD and an RDS-TMC (Radio Data System - Traffic Message Channel) antenna for updated traffic information along your route. And like most of their GPS devices long available in Korea, LG delivers plenty of personal media playback options with support for music, photos, and videos. When you arrive at your destination you'll get an additional 4-hours or so of playback off the integrated battery. From there, the features begin to tail off with the LN740 dropping-in a 4-inch display while the LN735 and LN730 are both 3.5 inchers. All are expected to ship in Q2 2007 ranging in price from $800 to $350. The unit to the right is their latest model for Korea but should give you an idea of what to expect. We'll drop in a real pic once they're released.
Gold Kiwi's toy car GPS receiver with Bluetooth
Sure, a GPS receiver designed for in-car use is far from unique, but an actual geo-locator disguised as a car is an entirely different animal. AVing was able to sneak a peek at a new SiRF Star III GPS receiver that throws a unique twist on your more vanilla alternatives. Apparently manufactured under a "Gold Kiwi" moniker, the tiny vehicle also sports Bluetooth capability, but a built-in sound system and handsfree support couldn't be verified. While we have our doubts about these undercover receivers wheeling their way to American shores, you might want to double-check the undercarriage of the next Hot Wheels toy you buy -- unless, of course, you don't mind the far-fetched possibility of bringing an unsolicited tracking device into your home.[Via NaviGadget]
Magellan pops out RoadMate 2000 series
Magellan is taking things to the low-end with their new RoadMate 2000 series, but the new portable GPS units aren't without frills. The base-model RoadMate 2000 brings the SiRF Star III action for a mere $400. At 7.9 ounces and 1.1-inches thick, the device sports a 3.5-inch display and includes SmartDetour re-routing, along with battery power for use when traveling on foot. Another hundie will get you the RoadMate 2200T, which can handle extra info via SD memory, along with real-time traffic, points of interest, text-to-speech directions, MP3 playback and photo viewing. The unit purports to have an eight hour batter life, and can wear an optional "Sports Guard" jacket for impact and water resistance. At $550 the RoadMate 2500T features the "CrossoverGPS" capabilities available to the 2200T via SD card expansion, allowing for all sorts of off-road and backpacking exploration fun. The unit also comes with the Sports Guard sleeve for extra rough-and-tumble action. The three GPS units should be available in North America this September, October and December respectively.[Via gps tracklog]
LG intros LN710 in-car nav system for Europe
It looks like LG is poised to muscle its way into yet another product category -- in Europe, at least -- with the new LN710 in-car navigation system. Running on Windows Mobile CE.Net 5.0, the SiRF Star III-powered model features a 300MHz processor, 4-inch, 320 x 240 pixel display, 64MB RAM / 32MB ROM, and an SD slot for loading up maps from the included CDs -- not too bad, but nothing that Garmin, TomTom, and friends will lose any sleep over. It's not exactly clear who's getting this model or when they'll be getting it, but we did see it on a German website for about $467 (including a 1GB card; packages with 256MB, 512MB, or 2GB cards will also be available), so that should give you some idea of the pricing structure.
GlobalSat TR-101 GPS phone for easily misplaced children
Thanks GlobalSat, we we're starting to think the worrying-parent market was drying up a bit. After that first wave of GPS kiddie phones hit, the feature set has been slowly sinking into the everyphone, which doesn't allow for that special self-importance that comes to a child owner of a stripped-down tracking phone. The TR-101 allows for calls to 3 preset numbers, and sends location data via SMS or over the Internet. It uses a full-on SiRF Star III chipset, and can be remote controlled via other phones or through Online software. There's also an SOS button for emergencies, Google Earth integration for visualisation, and quad-band GSM support to keep track of the little bugger all over the globe. No word on price or availability.
Polaroid's MGX-0550: GPS and DVD combo
You know, it's still hard to get used to a new Polaroid product doing anything other than snapping pics. Well those are days long gone, so blot your eyes old timers and check the new MGX-0550 -- Polaroid's new SiRFstar III, WAAS-enabled, 12-channel GPS and DVD / CD playin' combo device. That 5.6-inch touchscreen delivers your choice of kid squelching vids or the most relevant of the pre-loaded maps covering the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico. And yeah, the MGX-0550 will interrupt your media fix to provide the latest navigation instructions over its built-in FM transmitter through your car stereo system. When you arrive, be sure to drag the MGX-0550 along since DVDs will play for another 3 hours off rechargeable battery. No pricing or availably yet, but then again, how much do you care?
