Hello there...This is Mavilonus.
I'm going to NY for a few days....Vacations...
Please, stay tuned. I will return on July 12th.
Then, I will upload more and more news, reviews, pictures, rumors more news, etc...
Bye....See you!
Mavilonus
What you see above is a portable media player integrated with a GPS navigation system from the Chinese company CDT.
Nothing out of the ordinary here except the external plastics which is made to look a little more rugged. The details are still unknown and will probably remain that way until a Western distributor decides to pick this unnamed device up.
All we can say at this point is that it features a 3″ LCD touch screen, and a 2 GB built-in flash memory…
(Via NaviGadget.)
Talk about a radically different GPS navigation system with portable media player capabilities - the CDT GPS PMP (so many Three Letter Acronyms!) amazingly retails for just $102. It features a 3' touch screen display and does the whole gamut of audio and video formats. Interesting to note the hand grips located at the side though, does this mean you're getting this for a fast driver since you'll be holding onto the CDT GPS PMP for dear life while giving directions to your destination?
DeLorme just announced Earthmate PN-40, their latest handheld GPS device which boasts a speedy dual core processor, a new GPS receiver chipset, and spacious 500MB internal flash memory which can be extended upto 32GB thanks to the SDHC card support.
Expected to hit the market as early as fall of this year Eartmate PN-40 really focused on delivering high speed map redraws…
As an example, I’ve been driving with high resolution color aerial imagery displayed on my device and have been tracking at a scale of 80 ft (very high detail) and haven’t noticed any lag time in map redraws… and that was traveling over 40 mph. While the color aerial imagery was impressive on the PN-20, I was never satisfied with the redraw time for imagery when traveling much faster than an average bike ride.
Here are the rest of the features:
- Super high-sensitivity 32-channel Cartesio chipset by STMicroelectronics delivers near-instantaneous signal acquisition and ConstantLock™ satellite retention
- Dual-core processor for rapid screen re-draws, even with large aerial imagery files
- 500 MB of onboard Flash memory (1 GB total hard drive)
- 3-axis electronic compass with included accelerometer performs when held in any position—while in motion or standing still
- Sensitive barometric altimeter for reliably accurate altitude readings
- Supports SDHC high-capacity SD cards—32 GB or higher
- USB 2.0 data transfer to internal memory or SD card in device
- More detailed onboard base map data for the U.S., now with secondary and connector roads (along with major highways and thoroughfares for the entire world)
- 2.2″ 65K-color daylight-readable TFT screen for clarity in any light conditions
- Topo USA 7.0 software with complete U.S topo and street maps included—no extra purchase required. Also displays USGS 7.5-min quads, aerial imagery, and NOAA nautical charts via online download from DeLorme
(Via NaviGadget.)
Digitalcube i-station U7 GPS is wise to the art of ECO driving
Given today’s gas prices (and the likelihood that tomorrow’s gas prices won’t be any happier), many drivers are considering replacing their cars with more economical models. Of course, there are other ways to save gas, perhaps the simplest being to change your driving style. A leaden right foot will see you burning money as well as rubber. Digitalcube have just announced their latest GPS device, the i-station U7, which aims to instruct you in the finer arts of frugal driving while taking you the shortest route to your destination.
The U7 uses its knowledge of the most economical roads to drive on - including using a tilt-sensitive GPS receiver to track hills, which obviously require more grunt to get up - as well as a built-in knowledge of the ideal driving style to instruct the driver on how best to proceed. There’s a 7-inch 800 x 480 touchscreen to tell you, as well as a blue/red LED that changes according to whether you’re going sensibly or not.
Since this is a Digitalcube product, there’s plenty to do en-route. Media playback - both audio and video - is obviously there, together with DMB digital TV. The D7 uses the ‘MAPPY UNITED’ sat-nav software, which I have to say isn’t something I’ve come across before, but it does include traffic information.
Packed wit 4GB of onboard memory, and with a very slim chassis indeed, the Digitalcube i-station U7 will go on sale in Korea in a little less than a month, priced at 398,000KRW ($382).
(Via SlashGear.)
Motorola annouces the GPS enabled MING A1600, A1800
The MING A1600 phone has been circulating in rumors previously, and a little over a month ago, it was approved by the FCC. Also, Motorola has announced the MING A1800, which is set to accompany the A1600. The A1800 is pretty much the same as the A1600, however the main difference is that it comes with a one key difference - it can connect to both GSM and CDMA networks simultaneously.
To recap, the Motorola MING A1600 comes with a 2.4-inch TFT touchscreen display, comes with a stylus, runs on Linux, has quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support, a 3-megapixel camera with auto focus, Bluetooth, microSD expansion up to 4GB, microUSB connectivity, an integrated FM radio and of course one of the more notable features, integrated GPS.
As previously mentioned, the MING A1800 offers the same features as the A1600, and also allows for GSM and CDMA to be used at the same time. No word on exact pricing or availability, but the A1800 shouldn’t cost too much more than the A1600, and both of these phones are set to first hit the Chinese market.
(Via Gadgetell.)
Mio Moov 380 which we announced beginning of this month apparently just cleared FCC regulations meaning it will be hitting the store shelves in the U.S. pretty soon.
The main feature of Moov 380 is that it provides two way connectivity (just like Dash) with its integrated SIM card. However unlike Dash we don’t how Mio plans on providing GPS vitals such as real time traffic information or connect to the internet for that matter. Other unknowns include price, carrier, monthly fee, etc, etc.
But here are some hardware specs:
- Display: 4.3″ TFT with touchscreen Flat Panel
- Resolution: 480 x 242 Pixels (WQVGA)
- GPS Chipset: SiRFstarIII
- Battery Capacity: 720 mAh
- CPU:Samsung 2443—400Mhz
- Built-in Speaker
- GPS Receiver: SiRFInstantFixII
- Operating System: Win CE .Net 5
- Network:GSM 900/1800/1900 SIM Card Slot
- USB V2.0
- Memory Slot:MicroSD
- Microphone
- Earphone Jack: 2.5 mm
- Navigation Software: MioMap 2008
(Via NaviGadget.)
Mio Knight Rider GPS, with the voice of KITT
That’s one feature that other GPS will have a hard time to mimic: Mio has the license to use KITT’s voice. As you can see, the GPS body itself is designed with the Knight Rider theme, thanks to the LED on each side of the screen. Other than that, it is technically very similar to the more recent Mio GPS (read review). For $270, it'll bring you as close to being ‘Michael’ as you can be. Stay tuned and come back on this site for an update.
GTV-580 sat nav with digital TV
GTV-580 is the latest GPS navigation system from GlobalSat. It has all the usual stuff such as the SD memory expansion slot, basic multimedia features (WMA and JPG support), and the 4 hour battery life.
In addition to the basic stuff GTV-580 also has higher end features such as the spacious 5″ screen with 480x272 (WQVGA) resolution, bluetooth hands free connectivity to pair up with compatible phones, which includes services such as auto-reply mode, phonebook download, and music playback.
The other biggest features that sets this GPS navigation system different from the rest is its digital TV receiver so you can watch various TV shows on your device (hopefully when you’re not driving).
Some of the digital TV specs are as follows:
- Build-in EPG Functions
- Supports MTS and Subtitle (Based on Region)
- Supports Auto Scan/ Manual Scan mode
- AV-OUT function
We don’t when or from where you can pick up the GTV-580 yet but we’ll be sure to let you know once we find out.
(Via NaviGadget.)
Knight Rider GPS With KITT's Voice!
I already have a GPS unit but I'll be dammed if I'm not throwing it out because the guys at Mio have come up with a Knight Rider branded GPS unit with voice prompts by the one and only Mr Feeny KITT William Daniels. Apparently, you will recognize his familiar voice as soon as you fire it up and hear 'Hello Michael, where do you want to go today?' As an added touch, the display is flanked by a series of red LEDs that mimic KITTs hood-mounted lights. Further details are scarce, but we do know the Mio Knight Rider GPS will retail for $299 when it is finally released.
(Via Gizmodo: GPS.)
ETRI GPS System Knows Your Voice
ETRI (Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute) just introduced a new voice-recognizing navigation system which will be available at the end of this month in Korea. What makes this differernt from the rest of the GPS systems in the market is the ability to recognize your voice using 'FineDrive Bio' technology courtesy of FineDigital. This new technology has a working vocabulary of 450,000 words - pretty much more than what I know, I reckon. There is the problem of the accuracy though - hopefully it won't be as messed up as Brain Age's 'Blue' and 'Yellow' speech segments.
QStarz just informed us of their new product; the GPS nano series. There’ll be two new models in the nano series: BT-Q1300 Travel Recorder nano, and BT-Q890 GPS Receiver nano.
The nano series will be available starting July 5th. BT-Q1300 will cost $99 and BT-Q890 will cost $69.
Here are some more features:
- super sensitive -165dBm MTK chipset (MTK3329) with 66 channels.
- supports 1-5 Hz update rate for higher accuracy
- can be connected to laptop as USB GPS mouse
- auto on-off function for smart power control
- battery can last upto 12 hours
- Ultra Thin - 38mm x 62mm x 7mm
- Ultra portable - Only 21g
- POI button to record your favorite places
- 4MB memory capacity; enough to record up to 200,000 waypoints
Neither device has bluetooth; so we don’t know why the model name starts with BT… but oh well.
(Via NaviGadget.)
The 3.5-inch (QVGA) PMP is available in the U.S. in mainstream retailers like Wal-Mart. The weird part is that for the $100 price tag it only comes with token video support. That’s right, a built-in converter can play AVI videos on this device. It has 4GB built-in memory, FM tuner and play most music files. Hm, I dunno. there are a number of 50-dollar or 999-yuan PMPs with way better file support and a lot of high-end features too. Looks like the Nextar need to do a little more research in the MP4 market.
>
(Via PMP Today.)
Sat-Nag GPS Takes You on a Long Annoying Trip to Nowhere
Every once in a while, a product comes along that is so utterly baffling that you begin to question whether or not society has stopped evolving. The Sat-Nag GPS unit is one of those products. I say 'GPS,' but in reality, the Sat-Nag is completely non-functional as a navigation system. What it does manage to do is annoy everyone in the vehicle with phrases like: 'I know you’re a man, but it’s been 35 minutes now, so can you please admit you’re lost and ask someone the way?'; and 'In 100 metres turn left. No right, err, no left. Sorry, I never can tell my left from my right.'
Apparently, there are a ton of phrases loaded up into this thing and all of them are intended to annoy men with a whiny female voice. As for the screen, it features a holographic image that highlights roads like 'Whiny Lane, Backseat Drive and Earache Avenue.' Why anyone would purchase this thing is beyond me, but I do know this much—if you happen to be transporting a backseat driver who is laughing and pushing the buttons on a Sat-Nag, it is time to leave that asshole on the side of the street to see if it can lead him/her back to civilization. Available for around $14.
(Via Gizmodo: GPS.)
inforad K1 GPS powered radar detector
After their older model v4e, Inforad now came out with even a smaller version of their GPS powered radar detector. Called Inforad K1, this radar detector is completely redesigned. First off they finally added an rechargeable battery. Can’t fit much into this USB stick sized device so it is only 220mAh; good enough for about five hours. However it is charges via USB, which means you can charge it pretty much anywhere these days.
As far as features, K1 offers audible and visual alarms using the two LED which can light up different colors. There is also the integrated trip recorder and of course and the updates of radar databases are free for the life of the product.
Measuring only 2x7.4x1.5cm and weighing only 25 grams the Inforad K1 is very small and light. It can be fixed behind the rear view mirror on your windshield if you want it out of your sight.
Inforad K1 will be available starting mid July, with 2 years guarantee for only 50 €…
(Via NaviGadget.)
Talk about timing. No sooner did I post my Garmin nuvi 880 review than it shows up in stock at GPSNow, which received a shipment today. The price is $999.99 including FREE FedEx Priority Overnight shipping. Order by 5 p.m. Central time and it ships today.
As with the 850, don't expect a big price break on Garmin's first voice recognition models anytime soon, as Garmin has invoked the dreaded minimum resale price on dealers.
Get the Garmin nuvi 880 from GPSNow.
(Via GPS Tracklog.)
Nextar K4 GPS
Nextar is letting another GPS fly - this time it's the K4 with some media extras like a video and MP3 player. The K4 comes with a 4.0' screen and has the ability to play MPEG4 & AVI files while supporting JPG/BMP/GIF formatted pictures. The unit has the entire US for maps and comes with voice prompts in English/Spanish/French. The Maps and 1.6 Million POI fit onto the 2GB built in memory.
No word on price, available this summer.
(Via GPS Lodge.)
Mio Moov 301 seems to be the Korean version of the Moov series. This one features a 4.3″ touch screen, has a music and a video player, and a photo viewer. It uses the GiNi navigation software.
Moov 301 is the entry level product in this series, so do not expect bluetooth or real time traffic updates. More pics after the jump…
(Via NaviGadget.)
new HP iPAQ 914 shots and specs
HP iPAQ 914, the 3G, GPS enabled, QWERTY keyboard PDAphone was recently delayed but it looks like the consumer will benefit from this delay as the specs have slightly changed.
We have a few real life shots of the device which will be marketed in Europe in July for about 500 €.
The US version of iPAQ 914 will now come with Windows Mobile 6.1 and a more powerful battery (1940 mAh instead of the 1590 mAh). The design was also enhanced, a little thinner body, and the chrome contoured joystick.
Let’s review the specs:
- A-GPS compatible GPS receiver
- 2.5″ touchscreen with 320x240 pixels resolution QVGA
- Marvell PXA270 processor at 520 MHz
- Quadband GSM (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), EDGE, 3G and triband HSDPA at 7.2 Mbps
- 3MP camera with autofocus on the back of the device - so no video conferincing
- Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR
- Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
- USB 2.0
- 256 MB ROM
- 128 MB RAM
- microSD port
- 1940 mAh replaceable lithiuom-ion battery
- Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
- Google Maps Mobile
(Via NaviGadget.)
You've probably heard by now that Apple unveiled their next-generation iPhone yesterday and that it has GPS. So here's a little roundup of what this may mean in terms of navigation and competition with personal navigation devices (PNDs) and the forthcoming Garmin nuvifone.
First of all, it appears that the iPhone will not have built-in
turn-by-turn navigation. I say 'appears' because, while it wasn't
mentioned in yesterday's announcements or shown in the demo, Gizmodo has a video that shows' rudimentary navigation.
Meanwhile, TomTom says they will have navigation software for the iPhone (image above via Gizmodo), and Telenav is expected to also put forth an offering. GPS Lodge cites rumors of a Dash app.
All of which leaves us with a number of questions:
- Will these maps be delivered over the air or will they eat up the limited memory on the iPhone?
- How is visibility in full sun?
- Is the speaker loud enough for voice navigation?
- How well will traffic be integrated?
- How well will navigation be integrated with phone calls, music, etc.?
Though the 3G iPhone has a nice $199 price point, you have to factor in the cost of mapping software; TomTom Navigator 6 is $149.95. Or if Dash provides their service, I would assume yet another ongoing monthly fee.
Is this the death of the PND? No, there are a lot of people out there not willing to pay $30 per month on top of a voice plan. And we've yet to see how good of a navigator the iPhone will be.
As far as the nuvifone goes, Garmin and AT&T better come up with a competitive discounted price, but the iPhone 3G isn't necessarily a nuvifone killer. Voice quality and integration of navigation will also be important factors determining whether the nuvifone can compete and survive.
(Via GPS Tracklog.)
Samsung announced Samsung i900 Omnia yesterday officially and here are some specs on this amazing phone.
- Windows 6.1 Pro
- Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE
- 7.2Mbps HSDPA
- accelerometer
- bluetooth
- Wi-Fi
- A-GPS
- microSD memory card slot
- FM tuner
- 3.2″ WQVGA touch screen, 400x240
- 5MP camera with
- auto zoom,face and smile recognition, geotagging and auto-panorama shot
There will be a 8GB and a 16GB version and will reach Europe in July and will cost somewhere around $580 to $680.
No news on when this hit the U.S…
(Via NaviGadget.)
Mio C728 which we first announced last year made an appearance at Computex - showing off its huge 7″ split capable touch screen. The details are also more specific now:
- prelaoded life-like 3D maps with junction views
- split-screen interface for simultaneous viewing of nearby POIs and more
- complete multimedia functions including video, audio, photo, and karaoke
- AV-in support for DVD players or digital TV receivers
- FM transmitter for outputting GPS audio to car audio systems
- real time traffic information with built-in receiver
(Via NaviGadget.)
AvMap adds Breathalyzer to GPS
Previously, NDrive’s G400 was the only GPS to have an integrated breathalyzer, but now, the Italian company AvMap, has followed and added a breathalyzer into their own GPS. With a GPS unit dubbed the Geosat 6 Drive Safe, it only seems appropriate that it includes a safety feature such as a breathalyzer.
The Geosat 6 Drive Safe comes with a built-in breathalyzer that can tell you your blood alcohol level and let you know if it is advisable to drive, or if you should call up a friend.
‘Thanks to Geosat 6 Drive Safe, drivers can now check their blood alcohol level before driving.
The new Geosat 6 Drive Safe comes with built-in sensor for alcohol test: this will allow the driver to decide whether they are sober enough to drive. Taking the test is very easy: select the alcohol tests button on the touch screen, get close to the sensor and blow to get the results immediately to see whether it is wise for you to be behind the wheel.’
Furthermore, it is set to come with a 4.8-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth capabilities for hands free calling as well as text-to-speech functionality. It looks like the only safety feature is the breathalyzer, however, if they want to make it safer, they should add some feature to not allow the car start up in case the driver had one too many drinks. Because even a safety feature like this cannot stop stupidity. Otherwise, it is expected to be available in Italy sometime this month for 450 Euros.
(Via Gadgetell.)
Clarion to introduce GPS-equipped MiND, acronym guidebook lands another
Really, Clarion? You couldn't find it in your heart to just settle on UMPC or MID? Instead, what we've got is yet another combination of letters that really means nothing at all -- the MiND (Mobile internet and Navigation Device) is little more than a rather awkwardly-shaped UMPC with built-in GPS, which by our estimation, doesn't deem it worthy of its own moniker. All angst aside, the Linux-based machine will reportedly roll out in America later this year (and Europe the next), and while the standard version will come equipped with Bluetooth and WiFi, a premium iteration should be available with WWAN. Word from the Computex floor pegs the starting price at around $700.
(Via Engadget.)
Sony Ericsson HGE-100 GPS Enabler live picsThe HGE-100 is the first personal GPS navigator that is built-in to a Stereo Portable Handsfree. This gives you the flexibility to decide when you want GPS on your phone. Plug it into your phone when you wish, use it as a handsfree to control calls and music or switch to GPS mode when you want to find your way.
Find yourself anywhere
However you are travelling, the HGE-100 will navigate you anywhere thanks to the navigation solution which is included with the product. You can choose between voice or text commands, and it’s simple to navigate the graphical, icon-based display. It can save destinations so that you don’t have to repeat your commands if you go somewhere more than once, and you can search your destination by address, person, company and even local points of interest.
New Mio Leap K1 GPS Phone Featuring Dual-Face Design
At Computex 2008, Mio launches a new phone Leap K1 featuring built in GPS and dual-face design. Just like the Samsung F300, one side of the Leap K1 has a smaller screen with the usual mobile phone function. The other side of the phone is a big screen for GPS navigation and multimedia uses.
The Mio Leap K1 support GSM Triband Network (900/1800/1900MHz), it has a built-in 20 channel GPS receiver with pre-installed MioMap 2008 software. While it has a 2.6-inch touch screen at one side, the other side featuring a 1.69-inch OLED display screen. The MioMap 2008 can be activated with the 2.6-inch touch screen, it support car or pedestrian navigation mode for different needs. The maps data can be stored in the microSD card storage.
Different from the Samsung F300, you can take out the battery from the slot at the bottom. Other features include a 2 megapixel camera, bluetooth, 2.5mm audio jack and miniUSB connector.
(Via SlashPhone.)
PC Mag has a review up on the VERY Large screen Magellan Maestro 5310 - a 5-inch larger screened unit that is targeted at the RV and 'bifocal' set who want or need that large point of view on their navigator. The Maestro 5310 5-inch screen offers 35% more viewable space than regular 'widescreen' units are 4.3-inches measured diagonally. Craig Ellison liked the unit and thought the routes generated were reasonable. The unit does not have Bluetooth hands free, but does come pre-loaded with maps of North America and the AAA club data that allows you to search for POI entries and get informational write-ups on the location. I liked this feature when I used and reviewed the Maestro 3140, but wished it was better integrated with the rest of the system. PC Mag also mentioned that the larger unit and speaker made for plenty loud turn directions; not bad and maybe another nod to the aging demographic.
(Via GPS Lodge.)
The MSI GPS navigator we mentioned earlier this week made its official appearance in Taiwan at the Computex IT show. Even though it doesn’t tell us more than what we already know, at least it is a better shot of the device compared to the picture from FCC…
(Via NaviGadget.)
Mio Leap K1 is now official. We had talked about this dual sided device which features GPS navigation on one side and phone on the other here, here and here before. Still the details are not clear but we know it’ll be displayed at the 2008 Computex show in Taiwan - June 3rd to June 7th.
Some of the specs we know so far:
- Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
- supports both GPS and A-GPS
- quad band GSM/GPRS, EDGE
- 400Mhz Samsung 2443 processor
- 64MB RAM
- 2GB ROM
- 5 hours of talk time
- 320×240 pixel resolution
(Via NaviGadget.)
Koreans must have thousands gadgets that would allow them to navigate southern part of their peninsula by now. The latest is another in-dash car entertainment system that comes with GPS navigation capabilities. Called RunZ CI-7100, this 7″ tilt display device features a touch screen, allows you to watch T-DMB channels as well as DVD’s, can read dual SD cards, and even has a rear view camera options for those tight parallel parking spots.
Other features include bluetooth connectivity, USB host 2.0, iPod interface, and of course an FM tuner.
If you’re looking for something similar in the U.S. check out Pioneer AVIC D3 or the Kenwood DNX 7120.
(Via NaviGadget.)
We thought we’d also mention Mio Leap G50. This is one of the latest GPS enabled PDA phones from Mio. Leap G50 will also be displayed at Computex 2008 starting today just like the Mio Leap K1 we just talked about. Come back for details soon.
(Via NaviGadget.)
The Flaik Armband Tracks Your Airtime on the Ski Slopes [GPS]
The Flaik armband promises to maximize your bragging rights on the ski slopes by recording jump airtime using a GPS system embedded in an armband. It can also keep tabs on measuring speed, distance, and altitude—data that is automatically uploaded to Flaik servers and can be accessed anytime via a web-enabled device. There is even a social and safety component included in the system that will allow you to track friends and their stats and receive SMS messages when you wander beyond the resorts boundaries. The Flaik armband managed to nab this year's Australian International Design Award, but there is no word yet on when we might see it in production.
(Via Gizmodo.)
Moov 380 is the latest addition to Mio’s Moov line up. Just like the other Moov’s, Moov 380 has a stylish minimalist design. The difference is that Mio 380 (also called Mio Explora) has SIM card support. With GPRS connectivity you’ll be able make phone calls directly and make local searches for the most up-to-date points of interest on the internet. Kind of like Dash Express.
(Via NaviGadget.)
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