Audi A8 To Offer EDGE And Google Earth

Audi A8 To Offer EDGE And Google Earth

GPS navigators are fairly common in luxury cars nowadays, but about Google Earth? Well, Audi will be offering the option of a built-in navigation system for their 2011 model that comes complete with Google Earth and a GPRS/EDGE modem. 3G would have been a lot nicer, but considering that you don’t see Google Earth on cars everyday, it’s certainly not the end of the world. There isn’t any mention how this unit will affect the price of your new A8, but you’ll probably want to take note that it might not be available the moment the car is launched, as Audi is saying to expect it mid 2010 or so. Word on the street is that there will also be a UMTS modem available in mid 2010, so you’ll want to keep that in mind when you check it out.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Vexia EcoNav 380 and Vexia EcoNav 380

Vexia EcoNav 380 and Vexia EcoNav 380

Vexia has unveiled its new range of GPS navigators, the Vexia Econav Series 80 which we noticed became sleeker but luckily kept all the features that you’d expect from other higher end models in the GPS navigation market.

Vexia Econav x80 series brings new features at the hardware and the software level, and is comprised of top two models, the Econav Vexia 480 and 380.

Although the design is almost like the early versions, the Vexia Econav Series 80 can claim to be more stylish. Lighter (154 grams) and slimmer are the developments in the external appearance.

Model 480 comes with 2GB internal memory, microSD expansion slot and 500-MHz processor dual core for handling data received from the Sirf Atlas IV GPS receiver chip. The screen on this model is 4.3 inches with 480x272 pixels resolution, which includes a light sensor as a method for energy saving. Therefore you can expect a battery life of four hours with the EcoNav 480.

The base model of the series is the Vexia 380, which only differs from 480 in screen size, which in this case is 3.5 inches and has a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Memory, processor and GPS chip are identical, and the battery as well.

In addition to the typical functions of GPS navigators, such as the useful lane assistance, realistic road signs, text-to-speech, etc, the Vexia Econav series also incorporates fuel saving features.

These two navigators from the 80 series utilize a Penalty Point system that gives the driver real-time information on the amount of points lost by exceeding the speed limit, even where there is no radar.

Another interesting feature is the eco-front passenger, which is responsible for helping to drive more efficiently depending on the type of car you have and we run the roads. It will even indicate when is the ideal time to change gear.

And when you’re ready Econav Report allows the user to analyze the evolution of fuel savings you get by day, week, fortnight and year.

New GPS navigators Vexia Econav Series 80 are priced at EUR 160 and 190 EcoNav 380 (depending on the type of maps; only Spain or Western Europe) and 200 and 230 euro for Econav 480…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Pikavu GPS child tracker

Pikavu GPS child tracker

Possibly made by the same people who brought you GPS tracking for Alzheimer patients - Pikavu is a GPS child tracking system which consists of a base station and a quite stylish wrist watch.

The GPS wrist watch is water resistant and impact resistant and comes with a safety lock so it can’t be removed by the child. It has an alert button which when pressed for 5 seconds sets off an alarm in the base station.

To get a GPS lock faster Pikavu uses four systems. SBAS-GPS, indoorVision, VisionCellid, and T-GSM. Apparently it can even work where no GPS signals are available by using an alternate tracking system.

The wrist watch of the Pikavu child GPS tracking system weighs only 36 grams, and comes in two colors. The battery can last up to 3.5 days but with the power saving mode you can squeeze maybe 4.5 days out of it.

The base station has a 4.2″ touch screen, and have an easy to use graphical user interface. It comes with maps of the world, that are downloaded automatically when the child is located. It works with rechargeable lithium-ion battery, and charger is included in the pack.

How much? 990 freaking Euros…

(Via Xataka.)

Garmin GPSMAP 4208

Garmin GPSMAP 4208

There’s the Garmin GPSMAP 5012, the portable and dual function GPSMAP 640, and the brand new GPSMAP 6000 and GPSMAP 7000 series. But maybe you need something else - not so expensive - but still more functional than the portable GPSMAP 640. In that case you’ll find the Garmin GPSMAP 4208 quite useful. Garmin GPSMAP 4208 is a WAAS enabled chartplotter with 12 channel GPS receiver and a 8.4″ VGA display.

The device is preloaded BlueChart g2 maps of the U.S. coast, and supports connecting to the Garmin Marine Network, where you can add sonar, radar and weather updates. If the onboard maps are not enough you can always bring your own on an SD card, or use the video-in port to get live pictures from other places on your boat.

Costs $1740 on Amazon which is $260 cheaper than the price posted on Garmin.

(Via NaviGadget.)

NX707 Onkyo tablet with integrated GPS

NX707 Onkyo tablet with integrated GPS

Japanese Onkyo just announced 7″ tablet PC with integrated GPS receiver called NX707. It will come with Windows 7 and will sell for about $680 when it comes out before the end of the year in Japan.

Other than being tiny in every way some of the features of the Onkyo tablet are somewhat comparable to some laptops. It comes with an Atom Z520 processor, 1GB RAM, and 80GB of hard disk space.

As far as I/O, you’ve got two USB ports, ExpressCard/34, SD/SDHC/MMC slots, Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR, 802.11n Wifi, and two webcams.

NX707 weighs 720g and the battery should last you about 3 hours…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Koreans invent Turbo GPS

Koreans invent Turbo GPS

Korean Fine Digital just introduced a new GPS navigation system called FineDrive Style 3D. Yeah - they’re not very creative with naming their sat nav systems but their realistic 3D rendering have no match. Also they have a new technology called ‘Turbo GPS’ - which can get a GPS fix even around an overpass where GPS signals might not be optimal. Just a fancy name for dead reckoning if you ask us.

Some other features of the FineDrive Style 3D include the Atlan 3D navigation software, DMB for digital TV channels, real time traffic updates, latest gas prices.

For the basic 8G you’re going to need about 400K KRW which equals to about USD 345… via

(Via NaviGadget.)

Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition

Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition

Nokia just unveiled Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition - their cheapest phone with GPS navigation. Of course it is pre-loaded with Nokia Maps which is the GPS navigation software from the company that lets you get turn-by-turn driving directions with voice guidance included. Not only that but the hardware even supports an integrated digital compass.

Another neat feature is that the maps are locally stored on the Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition. Nokia is smart - because the markets they’re targeting with this low end phone may not always have data coverage - and even if they do the customers may not be able to afford it.

Wait until the second quarter of 2010 for Nokia 2710 Navigation Edition and then you can spend about EUR 110 on it.

(Via NaviGadget.)

ridiculous anti theft device for GPS navigation systems

ridiculous anti theft device for GPS navigation systems

As if we didn’t have enough clutter on our dashboards in our cars, now comes ‘maplock’, an anti-theft device for GPS navigation systems. No thank you. I’d rather take my GPS navigation system down and wipe suction cup mount marks off of my windshield rather than dealing with this GPS system lock with a flimsy steel cable. On top of all that I’d have to add a new key to my key chain.

Other alternatives would be to just use my phone as a GPS navigation system, or switch to paper maps - anything but this.

What do you guys think?…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Humminbird 997c SI

Humminbird 997c SI

A while ago we had talked about Humminbird 997c. That was 2007. Today we have a more advanced version of it called Humminbird 997c SI. Humminbird 997c SI - to be exact - is actually a Combo NVB Color Fish Finder and GPS Chartplotter, pre-loaded with Navionics Gold and Hotmaps.

What you do is put this marine GPS chartplotter in your boat (you’ve got one right?) and with its side-imaging sonar it will give you a clear image of your whereabouts and the surrounding fish with 180 degree coverage to 360 feet on either side, and 150 feet down. In addition it has DualBeam PLUS sonar which can reach 1500 feet and even provide wider coverage. Of course Humminbird 997c SI has an external GPS receiver and comes with built-in UniMap of USA lakes, rivers, and shores.

Some hardware specs of 997c SI are the 8″ TFT LCD screen with 800x480 resolution, SD card slot for chart recording, adjustable backlight, dual CPU and a separate graphics co-processor, and more.

(Via NaviGadget.)

Nissan GPS navigation system

Nissan GPS navigation system

Nissan is going to offer factory installed GPS navigation systems in their vehicles for a reasonable price. As you know GPS navigation is an add-on for most other car makers that usually tag about $2000 to the price of the vehicle. Since you can get a more capable portable GPS navigation system for less than $300 the navigation package always looked like a rip-off.

The GPS navigation system from Nissan on the other hand will only add an extra $400 to the price of the vehicle. The system is co-developed with Bosch and has a ‘more than enough’ 5″ touch screen, bluetooth connectivity, USB compatibility for your external music players, iPod support, and XM satellite and XM Traffic support. Not high end enough for you? How about if we said Nissan’s GPS navigation system also support hook up to a back up camera? Oh yeah. This is a good deal and you know it.

You’ll have to wait until January of next year to see this in your Nissan…

(Via NaviGadget.)

TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition

TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition

Remember the TomTom XXL 540S we mentioned back in September? Well they just came out with a new version of that called TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition. As you may have guessed the only thing that’s going to different with this World Traveler Edition is the maps. The new XXL 540S will come with maps of U.S., Canada and Europe which requires a bigger 4GB internal memory.

Other features are pretty much the same, including text-to-speech, advanced lane guidance, seven million points of interests, TomTom Help Me, and Map Share technologies.

TomTom XXL 540S World Traveler Edition will cost $350 when it comes out in early December.

(Via NaviGadget.)

new Lowrance Elite Fishfinder and Chartplotters

new Lowrance Elite Fishfinder and Chartplotters

Lowrance just recently announced a new line of fishfinders and chartplotters called the Elite.

The new Lowrance Elite series currently has 3 models all of which are going to be available as soon as March 2010. The new models Elite-5x fishfinder, Elite-5m chartplotter and Elite-5 fishfinder/chartplotter. However only Elite-5 and Elite-5m chartplotter models feature a built-in 16-channel GPS+WAAS precision antenna. There’s basemap included in these models which covers more than 3000 lakes with information on shorelines, depth, and more. Of course you can also buy more maps and load them onto a microSD card which is supported.

Some other features of these marine GPS devices include 5″ sunlight readable display with 480x480 resolution, built-in memory, waypoint storage, and NMEA 0183 output.

Here is the pricing:

• Lowrance Elite-5x fishfinder: $449


• Lowrance Elite-5m chartplotter: $499


• Lowrance Elite-5 Combo chartplotter/fishfinder: $549

(Via NaviGadget.)

JVC and Kenwood unveil MDV-313

JVC and Kenwood unveil MDV-313

JVC and Kenwood have teamed up to release their maiden car navigation system known as the MDV-313, where this device is touted to bring the best of both worlds in a solitary device. You get a built-in DVD player (no Blu-ray yet), an integrated 1Seg TV tuner, a USB port and virtual 3D maps among others, where the highlight of the MDV-313 would be its high speed response time that is touted to improve the user experience by leaps and bounds. No idea on pricing or availability elsewhere, but this is set to hit Japan first.

(Via UberGizmo, the Gadgets News Blog.)

Coyote Mini v2 GPS radar detector

Coyote Mini v2 GPS radar detector

As you know there a lot of GPS radar detectors out there. And if you live in Europe we really advise you getting a radar detector since that continent is filled with speed cameras, red light cameras, and the usual cop with a radar gun.

Coyote is a big name in France for GPS radar detectors and they just came out with a new model called the Coyote Mini v2. This new version from the Coyote Mini series offer a screen that is twice as big as its predecessor. It has audible and visual alerts, can be configured without a PC or the internet, displays speed limits, and even real time traffic updates.

Coyote also has a community based web site where users can mark police hideout areas and participant has a confidence score based on their history.

Coyote Mini v2 promises no false alerts, highly configurable distances for highway and city, and reliable speed limits.

(Via NaviGadget.)