sirf
Latest
Polar offers up RS800G3 multisport training system
Polar's RS800, which was originally introduced last September, is getting one-upped this fall by the RS800G3 multisport training system. Essentially, this acts as a GPS upgrade to the wristwatch, which "enables athletes to measure speed and distance for a variety of outdoor sports." The entire system now consists of the RS800 wrist unit, Wearlink W.I.N.D. heart rate transmitter, ProTrainer 5 software and the G3 GPS Sensor, and those who already plunked down for the watch last year can purchase the G3 GPS sensor separately. The sensor itself packs a SiRFstarIII chipset, is water resistant and can last around 15-hours on just a single AA battery. Price wise, athletes (or athletes to-be) can pick up the entire RS800G3 bundle for $499.95, while the standalone G3 will run you $139.95.[Thanks, SK]
Latest Motorola MC70 blessed with GPS
It's been a tick since Motorola / Symbol's MC70 saw a notable refresh, but today Moto is announcing that the newest version of its rugged Enterprise Digital Assistant (EDA) will boast GPS capability. The firm claims that this addition will allow organizations with field-based employees to "track and manage dynamic, real-time tasking, as well as verify specific locations of activities and provide mobile workers with pinpoint navigation support to improve location-based productivity." Additionally, the device will still include barcode data and signature capture, WWAN, 802.11a/b/g and Bluetooth, and should be available for sale worldwide in Q1 of 2008.
Prestigio unveils GeoVision 350 navigator for Europe
Those looking to ditch the u-turn blues in Europe now have yet another option in the oh-so-crowded 3.5-inch GPS market, as Prestigio has just unveiled its GeoVision 350. Specs wise, you'll find a SiRFstarIII chipset, a 320 x 240 resolution touchscreen, 300MHz Intel CPU, 1GB of built-in storage, Windows CE 4.2, and a rechargeable Li-ion that promises three hours of life on a full charge. The device ships with maps of "Western / Eastern Europe and Russia," provides voice guidance in 26 languages, touts USB connectivity, and comes bundled with all the necessary mounting hardware, too. Unfortunately, there's no word yet on pricing or availability.
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]
SiRF and Intel sign license and development agreement
SiRF Technology Inc. (makers of the SiRFstar chip line, amongst others) and Intel (makers of everything else) have just signed a license and joint development agreement to collaborate on products which the companies hope will "help location and wireless connectivity become more mainstream in next generation mobile devices." As part of the agreement, SiRF will license some of its technologies to Intel, but the company will also co-develop new products which will be destined for Intel-powered gear like mobile phones and "mobile internet devices." So what does this mean for us? Well, we're probably about to see a lot of "you got chocolate in my peanut butter" scenarios, like GPS operability hardwired into Intel chipsets -- which will pretty much guarantee the mainstreaming of GPS, and open a lot of very interesting doors.
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]
Altina's A680 GPS navigator features AV input, digital camera
Those looking for a few more extras on their next navigation system have a growing number of choices, but Altina is upping the ante by cramming even more gadgetry than usual inside its A680. Specs wise, you'll find a 400MHz Samsung processor, a four-inch 480 x 272 resolution LCD, 64MB of NAND RAM, 128MB of SDRAM, a SIRFstarIII module, integrated stereo speakers, headphone out, and an SD expansion slot for any excess media. Additionally, there's USB connectivity, an FM transmitter, two-megapixel digital camera, AV input jack for flicks (or gaming) on the go, and a rechargeable Li-ion that should prove handy if you make your way into the wilderness. Sadly, there's no pricing information available on this do-it-all device, but we've got a hunch it won't make it outside of China anyway.[Via NaviGadget]
Asus R600 GPS sports auto light sensor
Asus is wondering back into the wilderness that is the portable GPS market with the R600, but we'll admit, it certainly did a fair job differentiating this one from all of the middle-of-the-road alternatives. For starters, you'll find a 4.3-inch WQVGA touchscreen, Samsung 400MHz processor, 128MB of Flash ROM, 64MB of SDRAM, a SIRFstarIII chipset, SD expansion slot for up to 4GB of additional media, a rechargeable battery good for six hours or so, optional TMC module, a multimedia player, and handsfree calling via Bluetooth 2.0 for good measure. Additionally, it features an auto light sensor which automatically adjusts the LCD backlight when the time comes to make viewing the screen a bit more pleasurable. Unfortunately, mum's the word on pricing and availability at the moment.[Via FarEastGizmos]
i-Station N7tu navigation system does DMB on the side
i-Station's latest GPS / DMB / PMP conglomerate isn't too terribly differentiated from its do-it-all siblings, but the stylish design, expansive seven-inch LCD, and built-in hard drive make it hard to shun. This navigation device includes integrated stereo speakers, a SiRF Star III receiver, DMB TV tuner, SD expansion slot, USB connectivity, rechargeable battery, and your choice of a 30GB or 60GB internal HDD. Of course, you'll also find the usual photo viewer and media player functions within, and while pricing information seems to be absent, we Americans won't be ponying up for this Korean-based gizmo anyway.[Via NaviGadget]
Falcom's MAMBO II worldphone brings the GPS, Bluetooth
Feeling paranoid and require the use of a personal GPS tracker? If so, dig this: Germany's Falcom Mambo II is a quad-band GSM worldphone with GPRS that sports a 20-channel GPS receiver for those detailed tracking needs you may be looking for. That bulge you see contains a helix GPS antenna and some features inside the unit include a SiRF Star III GPS chip (with GPS tracking using up to four satellites), a 3D motion detector, a decently large 1,200 mAH Li-ion battery and a standard mini-USB connection for charging and connection purposes. No pricing or availability is known yet.
SiRFDiRect promises in-dash GPS accuracy for PNDs
Continuing in its tradition of improving the accuracy of portable navigation devices while completely butchering the capitalization rules that we all hold so dear, San Jose-based SiRF Technology Holdings Inc. has announced a new, um, technology called SiRFDiRect that promises to offer the same low-signal prowess in your nuvi or ONE that's normally found in those overpriced in-dash units pushed by car salesmen. Using a combination of fancy-schmancy algorithms and so-called "dead reckoning" hardware sensors (Dead Reckoning, DiRect, get it?), properly-equipped products will be able to maintain a course even in the complete absence of a signal by using heading and acceleration data to fill in the blanks -- perfect for traveling under dense forest canopies or through the dreaded urban canyon (pictured). Engadget-regular Mio will be the first manufacturer to incorporate this new tech -- branded "Navisteadi" -- in its wares, with other models that use the GSC3e/LP and GSC3f/LP chip sets set to get their reckonin' on in the third quarter.[Via Navigadget]
NAViBLUE NBC3500 3.5-inch GPS rings up at $155
Don't be alarmed if you've never heard of NAViBLUE, but the company's NBC3500 navigation system is nevertheless aiming for the budget-conscience set with its remarkably inexpensive 3.5-inch GPS. The device reportedly packs a 300MHz Atlas II processor, 32MB of NAND Flash ROM, 64MB of RAM, USB 2.0 connectivity, an SD flash card slot, rechargeable Li-ion, and a Samsung touchscreen as well. Moreover, you'll find a SiRF Star III receiver, headphone jack, built-in speakers, and a multimedia player and image viewer that handles MP3, WMA, OGG, JPG, BMP, and GIF formats. The unit measures in at 4.5- x 3.1- x 0.9-inches in size and weighs 7.1-ounces, holds a map of the USA on an included SD card, sports turn-by-turn guidance, and best of all, rings up at just under $155. Of course, this thing isn't the sleekest navigator on the market, but for $154.99, we'll give it a pass on aesthetics.[Via NaviGadget]
Satmap's Active 10 handheld GPS / mapping system
If you're planning on roughing it out in the woods anytime soon, there's already a plethora of rugged GPS options to keep you (somewhat) on track, but Satmap Systems' Active 10 handheld puts a new spin on trekking. The device is being dubbed the "world's first to offer fully integrated digital maps and GPS hardware," meaning that users can purchase additional map cards that include detailed imagery of counties, regions, national trails, and national parks. Additionally, the unit sports a 3.5-inch backlit color display, integrated patch antenna, Windows CE operating system, a multitude of power options, USB 2.0 connectivity, an SD card reader, ARM 9 processor, 128MB of RAM, SiRF Star III receiver, integrated media player, and an impact resistant waterproof enclosure to boot. Initially, the company will be offering maps of popular UK locales, but additional maps (including "international" zones) will purportedly be available in SD cards or potentially as internet downloads in the not too distant future. Satmap is currently accepting pre-orders for the Active 10, and while the unit is set to ship sometime this month, you can get on the waiting list now for £299.99 ($594).[Thanks, Simon]
Freedom Input's Bluetooth GPS receiver hangs on your keychain
It's not like the Bluetooth GPS receiver market really needed another combatant, but for those who prefer carrying as much as of their life as possible on a key ring, this one's for you. Coming in at a minuscule 1.54- x 1.3- x 0.79-inches in size, this SiRF Star III-equipped device can connect simultaneously to up to 20 satellite channels, operate for ten hours on a single charge, sports a tracking sensitivity of 159 dBm, supports an external antenna, and purportedly plays nice with your BT-enabled device from up to ten meters away thanks to Bluetooth 2.0. Charging is handled by the included cigarette adapter or USB charger, and while we wouldn't be keen on losing a $99.99 receiver right along with our keys, this should prove quite convenient if you're the organized type.[Via NaviGadget]
GoPass AVL-900 monitors action in your car, lets you listen in
GoPass' sneaky new device isn't a foreign concept, but the AVL-900 definitely ups the ante by not only allowing the installer to track the vehicle's every turn via GPS / GPRS, but it sports an integrated microphone to let the uber-curious listen in. Although parents may gleam and teens may fume, this portable tracking system packs a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, supports quad-band GSM communications, and can report positions on a timed interval or send an alert to your cellphone if the vehicle is moved (read: stolen) while you're away. The company claims that you won't be charged any monthly fees for the voyeuristic luxuries, and if seeing a moving dot wasn't close enough to being in the backseat, you can simply text the device or ring it up to enable a listen-only conversation to what's happening within. Moreover, the AVL-900 will even let you monitor the movements from your smartphone, and while we know the suspicious parents in the crowd have their credit cards ready, there's sadly (or fortunately, depending on perspective) no pricing or availability deets to hand out just yet.[Via NaviGadget]
Cheetah's GPSMirror detects red-light / speed cameras
Giving you yet another venue to throw down your hard-earned dollars instead of just taking it easy and obeying traffic laws while motoring, Cheetah has introduced a GPSMirror that can detect just about anything you'd need to know about whilst cruising down the highway. Sporting a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, anti-glare coating, and the ability to divulge alerts via voice, visuals, or frighteningly loud sounds, this rear view mirror replacement purportedly keeps you informed of upcoming speed cameras of all varieties, radar / laser detectors, and accident zones. Additionally, the device can even display your speed from behind the mirrored glass in case the speedometer in your '72 Beetle has been pleasantly perched on zero for the past decade. The unit supposedly plays nice with your current radar / laser detector, and can relay data via its aural abilities to slow you down. Speedsters can pick up the GPSMirror now for £199.99 ($395), and thanks to the PC-based interface and internet database downloads, there are no monthly fees for its handy services.[Via NaviGadget]
Mustek's GPS 200 falls out of the ugly tree
Although it probably didn't hit every branch while plummeting, Mustek's GPS 200 doesn't do itself any favors in the attractivity department, and sadly, the specs themselves don't exactly come to the rescue. What we've got is a 4.2-inch touchscreen LCD with a paltry 320 x 240 resolution, a 200MHz Centrality processor, USB connectivity, a Li-ion rechargeable, SD / MMC port, and Desinator 6 navigation software that includes NAVTEQ maps of 30 countries in Europe. Additionally, you'll find text-to-speech abilities, an MP3 / video player, image viewer, and Windows CE.net 4.2 runnin' the show. Unfortunately, the fold-out GPS antenna leaves much to be desired, but considering the modest €249 ($335) pricetag, we'll give it somewhat of a pass.[Via NaviGadget]
TTool navigation system handles DMB TV, GPS
To be honest, there's not much about the TTool all-in-one navigation system that differs from the hordes of other conglomerates hailing from South Korea, but it's hard to deny the dashing good looks if nothing else. Running about par for the (overseas) course, this device sports a 400MHz Samsung S3C2440A processor, 64MB of NAND Flash ROM, 64MB of SDRAM, a seven-inch 480 x 324 resolution touchscreen, USB, a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, audio in / out, DMB TV tuner, an SD / MMC flash card slot, and a media player that handles MP3s, movies, and still photos. There's Windows CE .net 5.0 runnin' the show, and while we're not entirely sure if the webcam-type device flanking the top records video, recognizes faces, or just amplifies the antenna, it's not likely to matter to the Americans in the crowd who will never have the joy of handling this. No word just yet on price or a release date, but click on through for a few more glamor shots.[Via NaviGadget]
Magellan launches Maestro 3000 lineup of GPS handhelds
There always seemed to be an inexplicable void between the Maestro 2000 and 4000 series, but now Magellan has finally filled that gap with the launch of the first two units in the 3000 lineup. Holding down the low-end, the 3100 navigation device sports a 3.5-inch QVGA touchscreen, SiRF Star III chipset, QuickSpell, turn-by-turn guidance, SmartDetour technology, over 750,000 POIs, and a three-hour battery life as well. Upping the ante a bit is the 3140, which mimics the aforementioned unit in most areas, but adds a few more niceties such as Bluetooth, text-to-speech, AAA TourBook information, handsfree calling, and an expanded map selection. Of course, there's nothing here to get overly excited about, but if something does manage to catch your fancy, you can snap up the 3100 later this month for $299.99, while the higher-end 3140 will hit in May for an extra Benjamin.[Thanks, Alloy]
Clifford's Scout 355B personal navigator
Following the oh-so-soft steps of its highly elusive Scout 420 brethren, the forthcoming Scout 355B is taking the quiet approach to bursting on the (admittedly crowded) 3.5-inch GPS scene. According to NaviGadget, the newfangled navigator has just been spotted in FCC filings, and looks to be a fairly respectable run-of-the-mill GPS with its built-in MP3 player, 266MHz Samsung S3C2410 processor, SiRF Star III receiver, and removable Li-ion battery. Additionally, the unit will boast NAVTEQ maps, a QVGA touchscreen, photo viewer, SD card slot, handsfree calling via Bluetooth, and will be powered by Windows CE .NET 4.2. As expected, there's no hints as to when the 355B will be headed to store shelves, but it will reportedly cost around three Benjamins whenever it does.[Via MobileWhack]