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Mio gets official with Knight Rider GPS unit

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 8th 2008 at 1:26PM


Mio has understandably not been very shy about showing off its new Knight Rider-themed GPS unit, but the company has now finally gotten its official business out of the way and provided all the details on the device's US launch. In case you somehow managed to miss it, the device itself is basically a mid-range Moov in disguise, with some red LEDs and, most importantly, William Daniels' instantly recognizable voice helping to make you feel just a little bit more like Michael Knight as you traverse the U.S. and Canada with the aid of the pre-loaded maps. As we had heard, however, you'll still have to wait until a bit later in this quarter to get your hands on one, when it'll set you back a reasonable $270.

iPhone Jonny: world's first iPhone 3G owner (in waiting)

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 8th 2008 at 8:22AM


See that guy? That's Jonny Gladwell from Auckland New Zealand. He's special no matter how you define the word. He's camped outside of Vodafone NZ right now which puts him on a path to be the world's first iPhone 3G owner. Of course, there's still time for other Kiwi's to get in line at the Wellington and Christchurch shops which will open simultaneously. A red hot trinity of buffoonery to be sure.

[image credit and thanks to Darryl Carey]

Garmin Oregon PNDs make an early appearance

by Nilay Patel, posted Jul 7th 2008 at 1:13PM


It's been a while since Garmin dropped any new gear on us, but it looks like we're about to get a whole new series of nav units soon -- Buy.com and Amazon just put up listings for the Garmin Oregon 200, 300, and 400. The new boxes are a little smaller and lighter than the Colorado series, with a rugged, waterproof casing, 3-inch 240 X 400 sunlight readable touchscreens, customizable user profiles, and the ability to transfer waypoints, tracks, routes, and geocaches between units. We're assuming pricing will change when these things get real, but for now the 200 is listed at $420 and the 400C is listed at $558. It's not exactly clear what the specific differences between the line is, except that the 400 will come in several flavors, with the 400C variant sporting BlueChart g2 marine maps for the coastal US and Bahamas. Hopefully we'll get some more details soon, as these bad boys seem ready to go.

[Via GPS Tracklog]

Read - Oregon 200 listing
Read - Oregon 400C listing

iPhone 3G launching 00:01 NZ time, home delivered in the UK

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 7th 2008 at 5:29AM


Vodafone just went public with the information you already knew, New Zealand will see the world's first iPhone launch at 00:01 local time on the 11th. That's almost a full day before any New York, propaganda farmer gets his. In the UK, O2 is now taking pre-orders (one per customer) on a first come, first serve basis. Better yet, your new slab of 3G will be delivered to your home on the 11th of July by courier where you can activate it from the digital comforts of iTunes. So civilized.

Update: According to a handful of tipsters, O2 sold out of the 16GB version of the iPhone in about three hours. Here's hoping you made the cut.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Read -- O2 UK
Read -- Vodafone NZ

Sanyo rolls out 1Seg-packing "Gorilla" NV-SD585DT GPS unit

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 4th 2008 at 1:34PM


Sanyo's Gorilla GPS devices are certainly never lacking when it comes to non-GPS-related features, and it looks like its new NV-SD585DT model is no exception. This one shrinks things down slightly from the last model we saw with a 5.8-inch touchscreen, although you'll still get a 1Seg mobile TV tuner, 4GB of solid state storage, an FM transmitter, an SD card slot, and that same ECO driving mode seen on previous Gorilla models -- not to mention all the usual GPS-related features like weather and traffic information. No word on a price just yet, but those in Japan will be able to get their hands on one starting July 18th.

[Via Slash Gear]

EU approves Nokia's acquisition of NAVTEQ, Google signs with Tele Atlas

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jul 2nd 2008 at 6:09AM

In the brave new world of GPS, Nokia and NAVTEQ are one as are TomTom and Tele Atlas. At least that will be the picture within 5 business days. With the European Commission's "unconditional approval" granted, Nokia can now close the deal on its planned, $8.1 billion acquisition of NAVTEQ.

What makes the whole thing a bit more interesting is that Google signed a long term agreement with Tele Atlas on Monday which gives it access to Tele Atlas maps for use in any of Google's mobile, desktop, and on-line offerings. A move likely to put Android in even greater competition with Nokia which opted out of the Open Handset Alliance. Good times.

Read -- EU approves acquisition
Read -- Google's deal with Tele Atlas

FineDigital gets official with speech-recognizing Bio GPS

by Donald Melanson, posted Jul 1st 2008 at 11:24AM


FineDigital was showing off one iteration of a speech-recognizing GPS unit only last month, but it looks like it's already turned out a more refined version, complete with a spiffy new name. Now dubbed the FineDrive Bio, this one packs the usual 7-inch touchscreen, along with DMB mobile TV support, dual SD card slots for some added storage, and FineDigital's FineSR speech-recognition technology, which will supposedly recognize up to 450,000 words. Look for this one to hit Korea on July 7th in both 2GB and 4GB versions for 499,000 won and 549,000 won, respectively (or about $475 and $520).

[Via Tech Digest]

Dash Express gets big v2.1 June08 software update

by Ryan Block, posted Jun 30th 2008 at 11:00AM


That first traffic update was only the beginning -- Dash is announcing today its first proper software update to the Dash Express. Dubbed June08 (or v2.1), users now get three new trademarked names (among other things):
  • FasterFind - uses SiRFInstantFix for acquiring GPS during startup, so your Dash Express is aware of its location much faster than before.
  • MyRoute - your Dash Express learns your routes to common destinations and offers them up in comparison to its recommended routes (so you can see if your usual way really is faster).
  • Search Along Route - pretty much what it says. Allows you to find points of interest en route without gumming up your destinations. This seems like the most useful new feature, behind the faster acquisition time.
  • Road closure support - another self explanatory addition. If the Dash finds out a road is closed through Inrix or another means, it will completely black it out of your routes.
  • Performance and UI enhancements - We gave it a short test, and things really did seem a bit snappier and cleaner looking. Icons are better polished, arranged, and rendered, and simple stuff like navigating menus or switching between 2D and 3D views is quicker.
Still no way to quickly bypass the route selection screen (which is one of our bigger pet peeves), but as it's populating you can now make your choice, which will save you a bit of extra time. It's available for download via your Dash's WiFi this morning, and is free for all users. Videos of MyRoute and Search Along Route after the break.

Gallery: Dash Express June08 screens

Continue reading Dash Express gets big v2.1 June08 software update

GLaDOS GPS voice pack just wants to help you find your way. To the morgue.

by Ryan Block, posted Jun 29th 2008 at 10:18PM


An enterprising nerd by the name of Ryan VanMiddlesworth is clearly a bigger Portal fan than you, since he's cobbled together a GLaDOS-simulating voice pack for Garmin Nüvis. Just don't try to prevent "GLaGPS" from constantly trying to divert you to cake-related points of interest, else you may find yourself tossing your Garmin into an incinerator. Video after the break.

Continue reading GLaDOS GPS voice pack just wants to help you find your way. To the morgue.

Rogers announces iPhone 3G plans, unlimited data isn't one of them

by Thomas Ricker, posted Jun 27th 2008 at 9:05AM

Here we have it, iPhone 3G pricing for our better mannered, gun-toting friends up north. All the plans from Rogers Wireless require that lovely, three-year contract and include visual voicemail, free evenings and weekends, and unlimited WiFi at all Rogers and Fido hotspots. The plans start at $60/month for 150 minutes of voice and just 400MB of data before topping out at $115/month for 800 minutes voice and up to 2GB of data. None of these plans offer unlimited data as previously rumored. See the details after the break.

Continue reading Rogers announces iPhone 3G plans, unlimited data isn't one of them

Mio Moov 380 SIM card-equipped GPS unit clears the FCC

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 26th 2008 at 3:01PM


It may not speak with the voice of KITT, but Mio's new Moov 380 GPS unit looks like it'll pack some pretty desirable features nonetheless, not the least of which is a built-in SIM card for some Dash-like two-way communication. That'll of course also let you make and receive calls and text messages straight from the device without having to jump through the usual Bluetooth hoops, although there's no word as to what carrier Mio might be teaming up with or what the rates will be. Otherwise, it seems you can expect the usual array of GPS and non-GPS-related functions, along with the requisite microSD card slot and Mio's trademark MioMore Desktop software for some PC connectivity. No word on a price or release date just yet, but its recent trip through the FCC would seem to indicate that those details should be cropping up sooner rather than later.

Garmin DC 30 GPS dog collar turns hunting into a videogame

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 26th 2008 at 11:20AM

Garmin DC 30
Here's one for the hunters. Strap the Garmin DC 30 collar onto your hunting dog, fire up your Astro 220 receiver, and you'll not only know where your dog is, but you'll also know if he is running, pointing, or treeing, even in dense cover. Range is good for up to seven miles, and the tracking even covers the dog's direction so you can figure out where that delicious nubbin of turkey is hiding. The receiver can track up to 10 dogs at once, and the collar is good for 17-36 hours on one charge. The DC 30 is sold separately for $199.99 or for $649.99 as part of an Astro 220 combo, and should be available third-quarter 2008.

UPDATE: Garmin was nice enough to send us proper shots of the actual DC 30. Thanks!

Getting dirty with Mio's Knight Rider GPS

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 26th 2008 at 9:48AM

Mio Knight Rider GPS

We may be a little overexcited about Mio's Knight Rider GPS unit, but we're not about to apologize for that. This is one beautiful union of KITT and navigation that was meant to happen since the day LCDs and GPS chips first hung out. With that out of the way, we have some hands-on impressions.

The unit feels solid and small enough to be portable while the screen remains just big enough to be of use. A nice anti-glare coating looks to keep things visible during daylight hours. Yes, standard fare.

Peep the gallery below and don't miss the video after the break.

Gallery: Mio's Knight Rider GPS hands-on

Continue reading Getting dirty with Mio's Knight Rider GPS

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS unit for those of you who go outside

by Joshua Fruhlinger, posted Jun 25th 2008 at 10:42PM

DeLorme Earthmate PN-40 GPS
We don't normally get very excited about things that involve scary things like nature, bugs, and sunlight. In this case, though, DeLorme's Earthmate PN-40 GPS device sports some seriously interesting features that we couldn't pass up. It uses a high-sensitivity 32-channel Cartesio chipset that speeds up signal acquisition, a dual-core processor for insane redraw speeds, 3-axis compass with accelerometer to allow use in any position, 500MB of internal Flash memory, and supports SDHC cards. Phew. So there you have it, one of the most intense GPS units of doom you can possibly get. Good luck out there, nature people!

Motorola gets official with GPS-packing MING A1600, A1800

by Donald Melanson, posted Jun 24th 2008 at 12:31PM


Motorola hasn't exactly been doing the best job keeping these two handsets under wraps, but it now looks like it can now rest a bit easier and let the details fly, as it's finally gotten official with both the MING A1600 and MING A1800. As we've seen, the two handsets are nearly identical, with each packing a 2.4-inch QVGA touchscreen, a 3-megapixel camera, integrated Bluetooth, a microSD card slot, an FM radio and, of particular note, built-in GPS (but no WiFi, as previously rumored). The MING A1800, however, adds two SIM card slots, which will let you hop between GSM and CDMA networks with relative ease. Still no official word on pricing or availability, unfortunately, but we'd expect those details to be making themselves known soon enough.

[Via Navigadget]
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