TomTom iPhone Car Kit Price Announced
September 28, 2009
TomTom has released the pricing details of its car kit that has been designed to complement an iPhone using the TomTom iPhone app. The car kit is priced at £99.99 and it is said to include a mount, an enhanced GPS receiver for better performance, an integrated speaker for clear spoken instructions, an in-built microphone for hands-free communication, a charger and a music adapter.
The car kit is capable of being rotated to view in landscape and portrait modes. The iPhone app costs about £59.99 and when couple with the car kit the total cost of the satnav app and the car kit works out to be £158.98.
This kit is supposed to be compatible with iPhone 3G and iPhone 3GS versions of the gadget. It is expected to hit the stores shortly.
KPN Network for Connected Garmin PND
September 26, 2009
Dutch operator, KPN and PND manufacturer, Garmin have signed a multi-year agreement, wherein the operator is to supply wireless connectivity to Garmin Connected PNDs in Europe. Currently KPN has agreed to supply SIM cards that are to be used in Garmin’s new portable navigation device Nuvi 1690. With the KPN SIM cards in their Garmin 1690, consumers will be able to get direct links to the online weather, fuel prices and traffic information on a real-time basis.
At the time of purchase an activated SIM card is to be installed in the Nuvi 1690 by Garmin so that consumers can use the satnav unit right out of the box. KPN is providing Garmin with global access. Further in collaboration with Jasper Wireless, KPN is providing access to an online management tool.
In US, Garmin uses AT&T’s network for providing wireless connectivity on the Nuvi 1690.
Australian State to Ban Use of Phone Based GPS
September 25, 2009
If you are living in Australia and own an iPhone, then you need to think twice before downloading the navigation apps presented by the major GPS players like TomTom, Navigon and recently Pioneer.
As per sources, use of iPhone or any other smart-phone for navigational purposes is to be banned. The Victorian Government road authority, VicRoads are all set to introduce a new amendment to the existing road rules beginning from 9th of November this year. From then it will be illegal for drivers to navigate using your phone’s GPS application software.
As per the VicRoads spokesperson, the phone is to be allowed only for its primary purpose that is making and receiving calls along with other enterprise functionalities; all except navigation. In fact the spokesperson has quoted in The Age newspaper that “If its a phone, its a phone.”
Apparently, there seems to have been increasing cases of drivers being nabbed by police for using their mobile devices, the common excuse given by them was that the unit was being used in navigational mode. This is what triggered the Government to lay down strict ground rules with regards to the use of nav-apps in mobile phones. Drivers not abiding by the new road rule are likely to risk a $234 fine and three demerit points.
Using a mounted device in your vehicle for placing the GPS-enabled phone of yours, where it will not interfere with the person’s driving ability might be the solution. Basically, it is probably regarding the correct way of using the device.
So if you have already shelled out a couple of dollars for the navigation application, then you may need to fish out a handful and get a proper cradle for your iPhone or smart-phone.
Pioneer Announces iPhone App
September 23, 2009
On Tuesday, Pioneer released an iPhone application that is meant to be used with two of its latest in-dash navigation systems, the AVIC-U310BT and the AVIC-Z110BT. This application lets the consumers link the iPhone with the navigation systems via Bluetooth technology.
With this application users are provided an option to search for points of interests, locate the destinations on the phone as well as access them from the system using Bluetooth. The head unit is claimed to be able to provide turn-by-turn voice directions along with the visual routing details. Additionally, a user has also provided with the facility to snap a picture with the help of iPhone camera, geotag the image to be used as a POI later.
The AVIC-U310BT costs about $599 and the AVIC-Z110BT costs $1,599; the app is however free for now and is available from t5he app store.
Sony Announces NV-U75 GPS Navigation System
September 22, 2009
Sony has introduced yet another navigation system and called it the NV-U75 that is expected to help consumers get to their destination safely and quickly. It is said to sport a 4.5-inch touch screen display, an improved Maps system, around 8GB of internal memory and Bluetooth connectivity for hands-free calling.
Additionally, users are provided the option of buying the optional 1Seg TV tuner for tuning and watching their favourite entertainment channels. Furthermore, Sony is providing the users to forward the GPS data and friends information to the NV-U75 from their KDDI phone directly.
The unit is said to be capable of being used in driving, cycling as well as pedestrian modes. This NV-U75 is reportedly priced at 55,000 Yen without the 1Seg TV tuner, with the 1Seg TV tuner it carries a price tag of 65,000 Yen and is expected to start shipping in October in Japan. Availability for the European markets is still under wraps.
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