Navx

Garmin announces the Nuvifone!

What is this ? A new iPhone-like smartphone ? This is Nuvifone, the new Garmin device featuring full browsing, phone and GPS functions.
The interesting part is the Garmin Online service with constantly-updating information of:

    * Real-time traffic
    * Fuel prices
    * Stock prices
    * Sport scores
    * News reports
    * Local events
    * Weather forecasts

...and also Google applications :

    * Gmail
    * Google local search
    * Proximity, location based search (coffee shops near me)
    * Access to millions of geo-located landmark and sightseeing photographs available through Google’s Panoramio picture sharing site

But there are also somethings that nuvifone doesn’t have over iPhone (thanks to zdnet for that list):

    * Multi-touch
    * iPhone slim, slim profile (nuvifone looks a little thicker in the press photos)
    * iPod (although it has a media player)
    * iTunes store (although they’ll undoubtedly partner with someone)

No word on price or release date, so we should maybe wait for...3GSM ? Anyway it's a challenge for dynamic content and LBS !

technorati tags: Nuviphone Garmin smartphone gps

 

Boom predicted for GPS-enabled handsets

Analysts have predicted that  the number of GPS-enabled handsets is set to more than triple during the next five years and as we discussed here (#7-How will the GPS phone market evolve in the next 3 years), they expect an abundance of new models supporting GPS from all major brands this year.

According to the latest report of Berg Insight, there would be 560 million handsets using the Global Positioning System worldwide in 2012, compared with 175 million units in 2007. The report also says that while there were roughly 5 million GPS-enabled handsets in Europe in 2007, the figure would reach 90 million in 2012.

In other words, GPS is going to be a must-have in all high-end handsets and location based services of mobile phones will soon go far beyond navigation. The availability of accurate position data in mobile devices creates exciting new opportunities for developers of local search, navigation and social networking applications and content providers like NAVX.

technorati tags: GPS-enabled handsets GPS phone market

TomTom HOME 2.2 Released with Content Sharing

Exciting News : TomTom HOME 2.2  has been released today ! After mapshare, this feature will allow users to share their own content and it will also allow :

• User content creation 
• Easy content download 
• Voting – to see what the community thinks is hot and what’s not.
• User generated content shows up under the list of TomTom content.

The specific content that can be shared are the following : POI’s and proximity warning tones,Routes/itineraries, Voices, Car icons, Start up and suspend pictures, Map overlays/imagery, Color schemes, Arrival sounds, Speed warning sounds, Ringtones, Incoming message tones.    

· T TTomTom HOME 2.2 will be available in both a Windows and Mac release throughout the day.

how to find navx without a gps @ MWC ?

See you there !

 

Navigon 8110 or TomTom Go 920 ?

According to German site Pocket Navigation, Navigon is preparing a new, 8000 series PND. This will likely be one of Navigon’s higher end models with a 4.8-inch screen, Bluetooth for hands-free calling, and an RDS/TMC receiver for traffic info. 

The device will still have the Reality View, Navigon’s user interface that is featured on models 7100, 7110, 5100, and 5110. In Reality View important traffic points are displayed in photo quality. 
See below Navigon TV ad :

technorati tags: Navigon 8110 pnd navigation

Another connected GPS: the french Dreevo from Mobile Device

The growing number of connected GPS units is shaking the navigation market, and after the announcement of  Magellan Maestro 5340, here is the Dreevo PND from Mobile Device, a french GPRS/GPS telematics and navigation devices provider.

The Dreevo is the only Open Connected Navigation device available on the market that enables fleet managers – and even consumers – to make modifications and additions to navigation and location based services over the air after installation. The PND has connected real-time speed camera positioning, parking availabilities and real-time gas prices  (provided by NAVX), also traffic information and email messaging.

You can find a roadmap of the next generation GPS devices here, on GPSLodge.

technorati tags: connected GPS dreevo mobile devices

Navigon's online platform: Fresh

Navigon has announced the future launch of its content and services platform called  Navigon Fresh. (Available in the spring in North America). The objectif is to provide users exclusive content and services, and support Navigon's user community with updated information.

We have already talked about the key strategic concerns of PND players here. Content is king for the navigation market: It's a way to keep customers and attract new customers.

technorati tags: navigon fresh content gps 

After Netherlands, TomTom HD Traffic in Germany with Vodafone Germany

As you can see in this post, we had called it a "big news" when TomTom announced its premium traffic service in Netherlands with TomTom XL HD, a connected GPS that provides more descriptive and better traffic information. And today TomTom announced an exclusive partnership with Vodafone Germany that will bring TomTom High Definition (HD) Traffic to Germany,  in the second half of 2008. With this partnership, traffic information service of TomTom will be available to 50% of their European customers by the end of 2008, we are looking forward to have it also in France !

More info on GPSBusiness !

technorati tags: TomTom XL HD Traffic Information 

CES round-up: GPS devices get smarter

GPS devices have generated a lot interest at the 2008 CES, with industry players introducing increasingly sophisticated navigation systems. Here are some characteristics of  new PNDs annonced, it gives us an idea about the futur of the navigation systems:

1. Connected GPS : With TomTom  GO 715,  Dash, TomTom HD and now Magellan, there is a strong move to the connected GPS. We have talked about it in this post.

2. Real time information: New PNDs are adding features ranging from real-time information feeds, such as gas prices (see the gas prices offer of TomTom Go 920 in the US, Navx's gas prices in Europe)

3.3D maps: Tele Atlas technology in Mio C620

4. Speech recognition for hands-free operation (Garmin's Nuvi 880) and also hands-free phone calls

5. Bigger Screens: A lot of GPS makers focus on big screens, not as big as Garmin StreetPilot 7200 with a 7 inch screen but such as Garmin Nuvi 5000 with 5-inch, larger than the widescreen units on the market today.

6. Traffic solutions with Historical Average Speeds : the idea is that the GPS gives more accurate estimations of the trip times to get from A to B when taking into account traffic’s effect on the speed you can travel. Magellan Maestro Elite 5340 + GPRS has this feature and Navteq also works on it.

What comes next?   

Bill Gates' Farewell - Microsoft at CES 2008

T.G.I.F

The keynote video of Bill Gates, CES :

Voiceover: He’s even got a personal trainer.

Bill: Am I ready to take my shirt off??

Matthew McConaughey: Um … not yet!

:-)

F2 the thinnest GPS phone

It has been two years since its design phase but finally F2 GPS phone from dMedia have been showed at CES 2008.
This is the thinnest phone with integrated GPS chip, the preinstalled server based navigation software allows users to navigate through voice instruction.

You can see here the technical specs.  (it's not 3G of course) and no info about the price.

 

technorati tags: F2 GPS Phone d-Media

What is waiting for you in the future ?

According to Wired, it will be like this :

Magellan Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS at the CES 2008

Find below details !

Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS Connected GPS with Google Local Search

We have already talked about connected PNDs here and said that after TomTom Go 715, Dash Express and TomTom XL HD, connectivity was on the horizon for other brands of PNDs as well.

And we were right :-) Magellan have announced today the release of Magellan Maestro Elite 5340, a GPRS connected auto navigation unit featuring Google Local Search for dynamic local search wherever you have GPRS reception.

The partnership with Google will enable Magellan's users to search for local events as well as local businesses and services. (Magellan has a very Dash style, Dash is partnered with Yahoo's local search). Magellan made also a partnership with Jasper, a wireless data M2M worlwide provider.

Magellan will be showcasing its new products in its booth at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show tomorrow. Keep in touch for live information.

technorati tags: Magellan Maestro Elite 5340 connected pnd