adnav GPS

adnav GPS

Get ready for subsidized GPS devices from a company called adNav. Their new device is called Boomerang and apparently it’ll pack in more features then your standard GPS navigation system on your dashboard. Boomerang, which is expected to be showcased at CTIA Wireless I.T. and Entertainment in San Francisco, will have Wi-Fi as well as cellular network connectivity to bring you the latest weather, travel information, restaurant guides, and of course ads.

When a traveler arrives at one of AdNav’s partner hotel or car rental location, they will be offered the Boomerang for a few dollars a day. In addition to full functioning voice guided GPS navigation, the Boomerang will include unlimited access to the web through WiFi and cellular networks. As part of the city and restaurant guides, users will have access to hundreds of pages of geo coded information to allow them simply to touch the desired destination in the city guide and be seamlessly guided via GPS. Users will have unlimited access to live flight information, weather, language translator, currency exchange calculator, tip calculator and, of course, games.

It is expected to be available in November first at hotels and car rental places, and maybe eventually be available for general consumers for a small monthly fee…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Becker Drops Two New GPS Modules For U.S. Customers

Becker Drops Two New GPS Modules For U.S. Customers: "

GPS maker Becker announced the Traffic Assist 7927 and 7928 today, offering a free lifetime subscription to its real-time traffic update service. The traffic service not only displays the current traffic conditions, but will reroute you for the quickest possible trip. The devices come with a mood light, built-in speakers, speed limit notifications and MP3 playback. The 7927 comes with a 3.5-inch touchscreen and will sell for $449, while the 7929 comes with a 4.8-inch touchscreen and will sell for $500. No word on a release date yet other than early 2008.

(Via Gizmodo: GPS.)

Dash Express Hits the FCC

Dash Express Hits the FCC: "

Yet more proof that the elusive Dash Express connected GPS device is really happening, the device recently hit the FCC's leak-prone website for approval. Dash must be darn close to a final product for it to be already sent to the FCC. Let’s just hope it passes muster with the fine folks at the FCC, otherwise that could spell delays for the estimated Q1 2008 launch.

Looking at the FCC's site shows nothing unexpected in terms of specs: 4.3-inch screen, cellular antenna (for two-way communication), WiFi, GPS radios, two-way traffic. Also, a slightly redesigned casing with a 400MHz Samsung processor running a Linux build, 128MB RAM with 3GB of flash for map storage.

My only question on this is what's up with the USB cable in the picture above? I thought the cellular capabilities of it were suppose to do all updating and such, I still hope this is true...Here’s a link to the FCC exhibits list, including a bunch of external and internal close up and personal pictures.

(Via GPS Magazine.)

GPS for skiers

GPS for skiers: "

GPS devices seems to be customizing themselves for various different outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, fishing and/or golfing. Today we can add another one to the list: skiing. A company called Satski (satellite + ski?) came up with a GPS navigation system specifically designed for skiers.

The main feature of the Satski system is to give you an interactive map of the mountain that will guide, assist and record your movements throughout the day while you hit the slopes.

The system, which can easily fit in your fat ski jacket, will constantly update the your current position on the map, give you some statistics, and record your coordinates, altitude, speed, and distance to be analyzed later on.

Other features of the system include a basic MP3 Player, a few games, list of emergency contacts for your area such as mountain rescue, and some photos and information on restaurants in the vicinity.

The system currently has detailed information on Tignes, Val d’Isère, Courchevel, Méribel, Val Thorens, La Plagne, Les Arcs, St Anton and Verbier resorts. You can rent it for about $60/day…

(Via NaviGadget.)

GPS navigation for trucks

GPS navigation for trucks: "

PTV Loxane of France is preparing a new version of GPS navigation system for trucks. The current version of Truck Navigator software is available for PC’s as well as for Windows Mobile PDAs.

The hardware they now offer will come in two different sizes, one with a 4″ screen - TNP4 - for smaller vehicles and light trucks and a 7″ version - TNP7 - that is specially designed for larger vehicles.

The Map&Guide Truck Navigator is a navigation solution intended for professionals working in ground transportation industry. The device uses maps of France coming from Navteq that is specific to the trucks including weight and height limitations for bridges and tunnels, as well as roads that are not open to truck traffic such as city centers.

The new version of their software will include more recent maps from Navteq, probably dated back to 2nd or 3rd quarter 2007 which will be available from early 2008.

TNP4 will be available for 549 € and and TNP7 for 649 €. Navigation software for PCs or PDAs is sold separately for 249 € and the DVD with maps of Europe sells for 99 €…

(Via NaviGadget.)

Hitachi W53H

Hitachi W53H: "

Hitachi just announced W53H, a really sleek phone also known as Wooo. It’ll come in three colors; namely Japan Black, Nordic White, and Euro Purple. The main attraction with W53H is of course the slim body measuring only 14.2mm’s, metallic accents around the edge and the hinges, and super smooth surface. And of course there’s the 2.8″ OLED TV like screen that covers a big section of the inside without losing space near the edges. It has a 10000:1 contrast ratio for bringing the best image quality from any angle.

W53H can accept microSD cards, on which it can record videos almost up to 2 hours with a 2GB card. It also has a 2MP camera, an infra red port, and even a TV receiver which can you watch up to 4.5 hours after a full charge. And finally of course it has GPS, or why else would it be on Navigadget? The navigation software on Wooo can guide to destination both with sound and vibration and in addition you can search for a place via voice input.

It is for pre-order in Japan currently…

(Via NaviGadget.)

navigation system on Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

navigation system on Ferrari 612 Scaglietti: "

The Bose Media System we featured earlier this year was fitted on a Ferrari 612 Scaglietti at a motor show in Tokyo recently.

Both Ferrari 612 and the Bose Media System are great engineering marvels. We don’t know much about the car here at Navigadget but here are the specs and features for the Bose Media system:

• Customized 5.1-channel surround sound Bose audio system


• FM / AM broadcast radio


• XM satellite radio


• Multi-format disc player


• uMusic intelligent playback system


• 200 hours hard-drive capacity


• Navigation system


• Bluetooth device scanning and pairing


• iPod connectivity, with access via system display


• USB 2.0 input for portable media

Ferrari 612 will cost you a little over a quarter of a million dollars. The Bose Media System however is cheaper but we don’t exactly by how much…

(Via NaviGadget.)