Archive for January, 2007

Globalsat has announced a new Bluetooth GPS receiver that has TMC (Traffic Message Channel) capabilities, the Globalsat BTT-100. This new GPS unit will be using the SiRFStar III chipset, a Built-in ceramic patch antenna. The Traffic Message Channel (TMC) will be using uses the FM Radio Data System (RDS) to broadcast real-time information of traffic, weather, etc. The device is really small and has a eight of just 70 grams and it sounds like a really good way to add TMC functionality to a navigation system or even a PDA.

Some of it other announced features include:

• Bluetooth Version 2.0
• Supports WAAS and EGNOS
• Battery life up to 14 hours of operation time, in continuous mode.
• Power saving mode (powers down after 10 minutes of inactivity)
• Dimension: 82mm x 42mm x 22mm
• Requires external FM antenna
• Hot start: 1 sec average
• Warm start: 38 sec average
• Cold start: 42 sec average

No information on pricing and availability yet.

Product page

Globalsat is about to launch and new sports oriented GPS unit the GH-615 GPS Watch. Unlike the GH-600 series it has the looks and the size of an ordinary watch, just a bit bigger. It is equipped with the SiRF Star III high performance GPS chipset (supports WAAS and EGNOS), a built-in patch antenna and a black and white LCD screen. The size of the screen is 24.9 x 39.88mm with a resolution of 80 x 120 pixels. Obviously since this gadget is aimed for outdoors use it just makes sense to be waterproof (Waterproof standard: IPX7). Users will be able to track their routes using tracking points (60000 tracking points maximum).

No information is available yet about pricing and availability.

Holux has posted information on its website about a new GPS Unit targeting the automotive and personal navigation GPS market, the Holux GPSmile 53. Like the previous models of the GPSmile series it is equipped with the SiRFstar III and feature a 3.5″ screen while it is powered by the Samsung S3C2440A, 400 MHz processor and uses the Microsoft Windows CE. Net 4.2 Core Version as its operating system. Some of the other features and specifications include:

• Memory: 32 MB NAND flash memory and 64MB SDRAM memory for operating system and embedded applications.
• Weight: < 180 g
• Size: 95.5(L)x77(W)x22(H) mm
• Battery:Rechargeable 2400 mAh Li-ion
• Extension Slot:SD / MMC

No information about pricing and availability are available at this time.

Pocket-lint posted a review of the Mio H610. Although the H610 has been around for a while, it received quite a bit of press attention at the CES and in my opinion it deserves it. It is an elegant portable GPS Navigation unit that uses the SiRFStar III chipset, is powered by the Samsung S3C2440 (400 Mhz) CPU processor and has PMP functions as well. The verdict of pocket-lint’s review is quite positive giving it a score of 8 out of 10. You can read the entire review here

Mio H610 Images

Sysonchip presented a new model from the Looket series at the CES, the Looket G8 which features a 3.5-inch screen, a 400-MHz processor, and an SD slot for extra maps and storage runs on WinCE.NET and uses SiRF III chipset. No information on pricing and availability yet.

Via Laptopmag.com

While browsing through the companies attending the 2007 CES I came across Coolnavi that is showcasing two GPS units at the CES, the Coolnavi 700 and 430 that appear to be two at least interesting devices.

Coolnavi 700

The Coolnavi 700 has a huge 7″ Touch Screen with a resolution of 800*480, is powered by a DUAL Core ARM Processor and is equipped with the Sirf III GPS chipset.
Other features and specifications include:

• Maps : USA & Canada maps by TeleAtlas
• Video Playback (MPEG, WMV)
• Audio Player (MP3,WMV,WAV)
• Photo Album (JPG,BMP,GIF,PNG)
• Storage Slot : 1*SD & 1*CF 2GB
• Dimensions : 187(W)*127(D)*26(H) mm
• Weight : 470g
• Video Input(NTSC/PAL)

Coolnavi 430

The Coolnavi 430 (the one on the right) is the lower end model with a smaller screen (4.3″ 480×272 QVGA). However apart from that and the fact that it doesn’t have a CF slot all the other specifications and features appear to be the same.

Coolnavi

Axiotron presented the Modbook, the first ever Mac Tablet. Modbook is a modification of the powerbook and comes in three flavors the Good the Better and the Best. The two later version have Built-in WAAS enabled GPS from GlobalSat. An additional feature compared with the PowerBook is the Penabled Wacom digitizer. Some of its other features and specs are 13.3″ screen with ForceGlass™ Cover, Mac OS X 10.4, 1.83GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor for the Good and 2.0GHz Intel Core 2 Duo for the Better and the Best, Built-in iSight, 802.11g and Bluetooth, Combo DVD & CD RW for the Good and SuperDrive™ for the Better and the Best.

The Modbook is expected to start shipping sometime this spring and will cost from 2279$ to 2849$ for the higher end model. However there is currently a discount available if you preorder, plus if you preorder the Good (the non-GPS model) you will get a free GPS upgrade.

Modbook Page
Press Release

TomTom announced the launch of the FM Transmitter Mount. This new accessory will allow drivers to hear driving directions and make hands free calls from their car’s radio.

From the press release:

TomTom GO users simply dock their TomTom GO on the new FM Transmitter Mount, tune the car radio to an unused FM frequency and select the same frequency on the TomTom GO. Turn by turn navigation instructions, hands free calls and music can now be heard in HiFi through the car stereo, without any unsightly cables cluttering the interior. The seamless integration between the TomTom GO and the car stereo also ensures that music stops when navigation instructions are played or (hands free) phone calls are made.

Pricing,Availability and Compatibility

The FM Transmitter Mount is compatible with the TomTom GO range and is expected to start shipping in about a month with a price tag of €49.95

Press Release

A new GPS device from Clifford, the Scout420 Navigation System won a 2007 CES Innovations Award. Obviously the reason is not the design since it looks almost like a copy of the PSP. Design aside the Scout420 has quite a few interesting features. As far as it concerns the navigational functionality and specs it uses the SiRF Star III GPS chipset, will come preloaded with North American maps and 6 million POIs, will provide turn by turn voice instructions and is equipped with a 4.3″ TFT-LCD screen. However, it appears that it is much more than your average GPS device. The most interesting and innovative feature is that it is SIRIUS-Ready, nonetheless a SIRIOUS Satellite radio receiver is required.
In addition to the above it also offers video playback (ASF, WMV, DiVX, AVI, Xvid), music playback (MP3, WMA, WAV) and a photo viewer. There is more than adequate storage space to store all your videos music and photos since it is equipped with a 20GB hard drive and an SD Card slot to expand your storage space.

Clifford Scout420 Homepage
Image from Engadget

We have posted earlier abouT the Mio DigiWalker C520 but at the time of the post no images were available. The guys at Engadget have posted a nice picture (the one above). The design in my opinion is really nice and stylish. Let’s wait to see when more information about this GPS device will be posted.