#5 -When will we see connected PNDs and are they relevant ?

It's just now ! The world’s first portable navigation devices with integrated GPRS modem and SIM cards was the TomTom Go 715, a product targeting companies with fleets of cars. Dash is launching an upgraded version of its solution in the US. Now, with the new XL HD, TomTom is targeting the mass market, with live traffic information. And be sure that connectivity is on the horizon for other brands of PNDs as well.

A connected device will allow users not only to receive updated and personalised information, but also to transmit data back to the server and share them.

This functionnality opens an avenue of services: 

• Live traffic information and floating car data
• Map updates (such as TomTom's Mapshare)
  
• Internet browsing and local search
• Peer-to-Peer/ Community interactions
• Dynamic content push & pull (such as gas prices, speedcams, parking availability, etc)
  
• Buddy location
• Live location-based services
• etc

In october 2006, NAVX tested a service on a TomTom 910 which provided live information on parking spots. We had to connect the 910 to a GPRS phone through a bluetooth connection. Imagine what we can do now that a TomTom XL HD provides a seamless connectivity :-) !

Comments

[laé nicolas]

je souhaite me désinscrire de votre site internet. merci de prendre note.