Nowadays, Mini SD Card is not merely for flash memory, as Spectec squeezed GPS and Bluetooth into its latest memory card. Not many people will have expected the combination of GPS and Bluetooth in a flash memory card way back a few years. This mini SD card, which has an adapter, allows your device to communicate with the GPS. When plug into your handheld device, this little adapter will use a certain set of drivers to communicate with the GPS. Its Bluetooth connection is for those users who do not happen to have the GPS drivers.
The developers did not reveal any information on pricing or availability since the product is still under development process.
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Not wanting to be left out of announcing some upcoming models for the CES 2008 next week, Garmin is lining up four new entries in its nüvi GPS line, including the nüvi 800 series, the nüvi 5000 series, the nüvi 780, and the nüvi 260W. This traditional portable GPS devices have integrated screens, integrated maps, and route-finding capabilities. You might also wanna drop by the Garmin booth next week to check out the Forerunner 405 GPU, Colorado 400t and 400i handheld GPS devices.
The nüvi 800 features a 4.3-inch touchscreen display and speech recognition technology for managing the GPS in-vehicle while keeping both hands on the wheel; the technology also take into MSN Direct content, so drivers can speak queries like “Find nearest grocery store” and see a list of places to stock up on munchies for the road. The
Continue reading ‘Garmin unveils GPS models for CES 2008 rollout’
Here’s news on some new Alpine PND-K3 and PND-K3msn GPS models. They have similar features except the K3msn which bundles in with MSN Direct, which offers up-to-date traffic, weather, gas price information and movie showtimes. The GPS units are also said to boast voice guidance, fast automatic map zooming, and Bluetooth support for hands-free calling. Make sure to visit their booth at CES 2008 to get some more information this coming 7 to 10 Jan 2008.
Alpine PND-K3 and PND-K3msn GPS models specs:
* 4.3-inch wide high resolution touchscreen
* Pre-loaded maps of USA & Canada (including Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico & Virgin Islands)
* Fast routing and map zooming
* 6 million POIs with selectable map icons
* Auto map zoom
* Multi-language menus and voice guide
* Customizable map and menu colors
* Animated menus
* Easy to use windshield and dashboard mount
* Built-in SD card slot and speaker for use with music player
* Announces street names during guidance
* Built-in Bluetooth for convenient hands-free calling
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If you need something to find your way across the country, or get instant traffic report in the city so you could get out of the jam, Garmin StreetPilot c340 3.5-Inch Portable GPS is the navigator for you.
With a 3.5 inch display, the navigator is equipped with a touch screen to make navigation a piece of cake. Dual integrated speakers were installed at the sides for high quality voice prompt. Other than that, you choose between a three-dimensional mapping perspective and 2D overhead view while navigating. This GPS comes with Garmin City Select NT Version 8 street data of the entire United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also has an optional real time traffic information capability.
iBT-GPS is the new solar Bluetooth GPS Data Logger that is also equipped with the function of recording your trip information. This dual function device has been produced by Taiwanese Transystem Inc and will be soon introduced into the market.
The speciality of this Bluetooth enabled GPS receiver is its tiny solar panel that is capable of lasting more than 35 hours on a single charge and can record as much as 50,000 waypoints in its internal memory, which is of 8MB. iBT-GPS is capable of recording your travel data on 3 different modes, by speed, time or distance. It is also equipped with smart auto sleep and wake up mode for better power efficiency.
iBT-GPS comes with a software along with the purchase that enables tracking down your travel data on to your PC and can easily be displayed on Google Earth. Your data can easily be transferred with this software and can be translated to various standard formats for your convenience such as GLL, VTG, GSA, GSV, NMEA-0183, RMG.
A new entry level GPS device has just been launched by Mio. It serves well since there is a large consumer market for affordable portable navigation system. The C220 is more or less an improved version of C250 which costs 170 pounds.
The new C220 is marketed at a competitive price tag of 129.99 pounds. This device will be looking at a market for the second GPS device for the family. The popularity of C250 makes them realize the blossoming market for low cost GPS products.
As with all GPS navigation products, it comes installed with maps and turn to turn voice navigation. The screen is a 3.5 inch touch screen LCD with anti glare. SiRFStar III GPS receiver is very common among GPS navigation systems and this device is no different. The sale of this device is expected to be good, judging from sales of its previous model.
Plenio VXA 5000 GPS/PMP has just recently passed the FCC approval and this unit is now making waves in the stateside. It does not really stand out among all the GPS/PMP combo devices out there but it is good enough to be on its own.
It has a 4.3 inch widescreen display, built in BlueTooth, FM transmitter, SiRF Star III GPS chipset, DivX support, SD slot expansion and an unspecified puzzle game.
When it comes down to pricing, it is priced about similar with other devices. This device has a price tag of $430. VXA 4300 is priced at $300 but you will get less features. It does not come with Bluetooth, FM transmitter and come with a black casing to save on cost.
Although GPS devices have gotten really cheap in the last times, making them affordable by almost everyone, there are still some of them which are out of reach for most us. This is a recopilation of the top 5 most expensive GPS gadgets. Well, I tried to get only one from each manufacturer, so maybe they are not the top 5, but rest assured they are not cheap.
Northstar 8000i ($5369.05)
Designed for use in boats, it has a touch screen from where to control all the functions. The GPS data is shown with a 3D bathymetricepr sentation and overlays of satellite photos. It has a radar and it can read data from sources like other GPS or NMEA. Not only this, but can also show cameras and instrumentation.
Of course, it has an entertainment system with DVD, video, CD and digital music player.
Continue reading ‘Top 5 most expensive GPS gadgets’
Let’s talk about a mobile phone with GPS wonder instead of boring GPS portables for a change.
The Chinese division of Giga-byte has just announced that users of the Gsmart i300 have the option to download a new OS – the long awaited Windows Mobile 6 Professional (WM6).
There are quite a number of differences compared to its predecessor – WM5. It features an improved email, full graphics and HTML formatting. The OS has Windows Live and search functions all integrated into the phone. It supports 802.11 b/g Wi Fi as well as GPS tracking and Bluetooth. It features Intel chip running at 520 Mhz. The memory onboard is 64 MB RAM and with 256 Mb internal storage. The storage capacity can be further expanded by using mini SD cards.
This device is unlikely to enter US market as the company wants more focus on its Asian market. Overall nothing much has change other than the sounds and the interface being slightly different.
GPS market is getting wider and wider with more and more device coming up featuring more sophisticated design and feature. As usual the Jensen NVX227 features SiRF star III chipset and has a 3.5 inch display. It runs a customized version of iGo software which is better known from Mio line where is named Mio Map interface.
This device ships in North America preloaded with an SD card. The only thing lacking is the media capabilities. It is not something too big that it will be a turn off but for some it might just be the case. More or less, this device functions just like any other GPS system in the market. Another disappointment will be the maps. The maps is not the latest from TeleAtlas which is quite a problem.
In bright condition the screen maybe hard to read as well. This device can be mounted on the windshield with internal speaker and mini USB power connection.
