PDA GPS at GPS Gazette

We have recently mentioned the I-mate PDA-N, now CNET has published a review about it and writes.

Although I-mate is better known for its smart phones in the United States, the company calls itself “specialists in Windows Mobile device solutions,” and that includes PDAs. Hence, the I-mate PDA-N. The handheld runs the latest Windows Mobile 5 operating system and includes many of the features found on other PDAs today, but it also throws in some extra tricks, such as GPS navigation and VoIP support

Read the whole review here

Navicore, a company based in UK has released Navicore Personal 2006/1, a product that promises to turn your cell phone into a full featured GPS device. Navicore personal comes in a memory card and all you have to do to insert it in the memory card slot of your cell phone. Navicore Personal gets the location information needed in navigation from an external Bluetooth GPS-receiver. When using Navicore Personal for the first time, you need to activate the GPS-receiver and pair it with Navicore Personal. Some of the feature a Navicore personal include:

3D and 2D view.

Clear map display. Navicore Personal displays the route on a digital map in full color and detail.

Extensive map coverage. One full country or region is covered by the digital map material delivered and stored in the phone with each version of Navicore Personal.

Clear guidance with icons and voice prompts.

Send map or coordinates as an MMS/SMS-message.

Flexible search features and POI-directory.

Dial-a-POI. Most POI-directory entries have phone numbers which you can conveniently call directly from the map dispay.

i-mate has released their first GPS enabled PDA, the i-mate PDA-N. This new PDA runs on Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC and is powered by a 300MHz Samsung processor. It has a 2.83″ 240×320 pixels (64k colors) transmissive TFT-LCD screen. The i-mate PDA-N can reproduce WAV, WMA, AMR, and MP3 music files, as well as M-JPEG/WMV video files. To ensure good connectivity it has built in Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities
The specification of the GPS include

Embedded GPS antenna
Support NMEA 0183 version 3.0 or above
WAAS-enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver:
Acquisition time
Hot start: 8 seconds, typical TTFF
Warm start: 60 seconds, typical TTFF
Cold start: 120 seconds, typical TTFF
GPS Accuracy:
Position: < 15 meters, 95% typical
Velocity: 0.05 meter/sec steady state
WAAS Accuracy:
Position: < 5 meters, 95% typical
Velocity: 0.05 meter/sec steady state

Via Digital Lifestyles

BenQ-Siemens has started shipping the BenQ-Siemens SXG75 in Europe. The SXG75 is the first 3G cellphone from Siemens. The device has a wealth of features such as an integrated GPS receiver, a 2MP camera, a second camera for video conferencing, a large 2.2-inch color display, an organizer as well as an RDS radio, MP3 and video player. It has an internal memory of 128 MB but only 64 of them are usable. However, the available memory can be expanded to as much as 1 gigabyte simply by using RS (reduced-size) multimedia cards. Despite the rumors and most of the news posts about the SXG75 that report that it’s the first GPS enabled mobile phone to run on linux, this doesn’t seem to be the case.

E-TEN, has officially announced the E-TEN G500. G500 is the first Pocket PC Phone from E-TEN to have fully integrated GPS capabilities. It has an embeded RoyalTek GPS module, featuring the SiRF Star III high sensitivity chipset. It also has Bluetooth, internal antenna, built-in 1.3 megapixels digital camera and a 240 x 320, 65,536 colors transmissive TFT-LCD. Here is the complete list of features and specifications of the G500.

Operating System Windows Mobile™ 5.0
Processor Samsung S3C2440 400 MHz Processor
Memory 128 MB Flash ROM, 64 MB SDRAM
Display 2.8″, 240 x 320, 65,536 colors, transmissive TFT-LCD
Dimensions(LxWxH) 119 x 62 x 23 mm
Weight 186 g (with battery)
Communication GSM quad-band 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS Class B / Multi-slot Class10
Bluetooth v1.2, class 2
GPS Embedded SiRF Star III chipset, TMC function supported* (*subject to change by region)
Camera Built-in 1.3 mega pixels, up to 1280 x 960 resolution
Expansibility Mini-SD card slot
Interface/Audio Built-in microphone and speaker, external stereo headset jack, hands-free mode supported
Interface/Data USB Sync, headset jack, Cradle with 2nd battery charger
Ergonomic Design Touch screen for stylus or fingertip, navigation button, power button, 4 quick application buttons, send/end button, record button, volume control, left soft-key, right soft-key
Battery 1440 mAh Li-Ion, rechargeable, replaceable
Packing List E-TEN G500, stylus, USB sync cable, AC adapter, headset, leather case, Companion CD, quick start guide, standard battery, car-charger, car-mount

For more information visit E-TEN

Hewlett-Packard in association with ViaMichelin just launched the HP iPAQ rx1950 Navigator. This isn’t exactly a new product but a bundle of the HP iPAQ rx1950 PDA, a GPS car cradle and ViaMichelin navigation software. This new navigation solution bundle promises accurate turn-by-turn visual and voice guidance to any address in the UK (other maps are available from ViaMichelin’s website). Some of the features of the HP iPAQ rx1950 Navigator include, integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b), Simple 3-step installation – just plug in the power supply, insert the navigation SD card and go, compatibility with WMA, MP3 and WMV media files, exclusive POI available for download from ViaMichelin’s website.
And here are the technical specifications of the HP iPAQ rx1950 Navigator:

Processor: Samsung® SC32442 Processor 300 MHz
Operating System: Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC, Premium Edition
GPS:CarCradle with integrated SiRFstar III GPS receiver, built-in speaker, built-in windshield-mount suction cup
Screen: 3.5″ transflective TFT QVGA, 64K colours
Memory: 96 MB total memory (64 MB ROM and 32 MB SDRAM)
Battery: Removable/rechargeable 1100 mAh Lithium-lon
Pointing Device: Touch Screen and Stylus
Slots: SD Slot: supports 4-bit SDIO and 4-bit SD/MMC type memory standard

This bundle from HP and ViaMichelin costs 299 GBP (About 530$)

You can read the Press Release here

Garmin has introduced the iQue 300 PDA GPS at the 2006 CES, read the press release
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Pharos has announced the launch of a new GPS device the Pharos Traveler GPS 525. According to Pharos this new GPS device is the first ever and smallest GPS handheld with integrated WiFi and Bluetooth technology. 525 comes preloaded with top 50 U.S. metropolitan maps and Skype for Pocket PC.

The main features of this newly released device are:

* SiRFstarIII GPS receiver
* Processor: SC32442X 300 MHz processor
* Memory: 64MB ROM, 128 MB SD RAM
* Dimensions: 109.7mm (L) x 59.4mm (W) x 17.6mm (T)
* Resolution: 240 x 320 with 65,536 colors
* Expansion: SDIO expansion slot
* Bluetooth version 1.2
* 802.11b with 64-128 bit WEP standard data encryption
* 512 MB SD card with maps of 50 major U.S. metro cities preloaded
* Pharos GPS award winning Ostia 7.5 navigation software
* Integrated WiFi and Bluetooth™ technology allows for high speed map downloads, access to real-time traffic information, and wireless access to the Internet, email, and corporate networks
* Make free PC-to-PC phone calls using Skype for Pocket PC
* Sync your Outlook™ Contacts and navigate directly to them
* Millions of POI locations, such as cash, fuel, food, and hotel
* Highly accurate and sensitive SiRFstarIII GPS receiver
* Voice prompted, turn-by-turn directions
* Landscape and portrait screen orientation
* Three dimensional mapping perspective or 2-D overhead view
* Easy-to-see color screen with durable windshield bracket mount
* Compact size fits easily into pocket, purse or briefcase
* Portable for use in personal, family or rental vehicle
* Maps of the entire U.S. on CD
* Microsoft® Windows Mobile™ version 5.0 software
* Pocket versions of Microsoft software are included (Outlook, Word, Excel, Windows Media Player and Internet Explorer for Pocket PC)

I have to admit that it sounds like a very interesting device, I guess we will have to wait for the first reviews.

Read more

The Asus MyPal A636 is PDA with full GPS capabilities. One might even say that it’s a GPS unit with PDA features. The A636 runs Windows Mobile 5 and incorporates bluetooth and wifi. It has a 3,5″ 240 x 320, 65,536-colour LCD display and a fold out antenna. The processor powering the A636 is the Intel XScale 416MHz CPU. Asus has equipped this little gadget with 64MB of RAM and 128MB Flash ROM while an SD memory slot is available for expanding the memory. Where MyPal really shines is when it comes to battery life which runs just below 44 hours.

Via ubergizmo

Just in time for Christmass Mio is launching a new PDA GPS the mio A201. This new little gadget is expected to be released in a few days. It is based upon the mio 168 with a few improvements. One of the features that make it stand out is the rotating GPS antenna. This feature allows it to support both landscape and portrait display modes. When the antenna is rotated the system will auto switch to landscape/portrait screen mode.


Some of it’s main features and technical data are.

CPU: Intel PXA270 312 MH
Operating System: Microsoft Windows®5.0
Display: 3.5″ Color Transflective LCD, LED Backlight
Resolution: 320 × 240, 65K colors, QVGA resolution, portrait
Memory: 64 MB Nand (Msystem) ROM
64 MB SDRAM
GPS Module: SiRFstar III
Built in Bluetooth connectivity
MP3 player