The world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, TomTom has recently unveiled another entry-level GPS navigation device for the European market called the TomTom Start. This portable device is equipped with a 3.5-inch 320 x 240 touchscreen display, a two-button user interface for ‘Plan route’ and ‘Browse map’, TomTom’s Map Share technology, QuickGPS Fix and the company’s own IQ Routes intelligent guidance system. The device also features a changeable cover ‘StartSkin’ which is available in six different eye-catching colors, each for just €14.95 (about $22). The TomTom Start sells for €129 (about $190) with a regional map or €149 (about $219) with a European map. More
Rockwell Collins has released its new handheld GPS receiver for soldiers called the MicroDAGR. This portable navigation device is specially designed for operating in generally extreme conditions and meets the military’s standards. It provides real-time positioning, navigation, moving maps and timing information via its full-color touchscreen display and can be easily worn on the wrist. Other interesting features include vibration alert, an MP3 player and a digital camera. The Rockwell Collins MicroDAGR will be available for delivery in January 2010, with the first deliveries going to the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (REF). [Press Release]
TomTom today launched a couple of navigation gadgets in the form of the TomTom XL 325 and the TomTom XL 325-S. The former features a 4.3-inch widescreen with maps of U.S. only and TomTom’s famous Fold & Go EasyPort mount. Meanwhile, the latter has the same specs with the addition of text-to-speech functionality. The TomTom XL 325 is priced at $130. Sadly, there is no info on pricing of the TomTom XL 325-S. Stay tuned for more updates. [Navigadget]
Have you ever forgot where you parked your car? If your answer is yes, then the Navin miniHomer will be a useful gadget for you. It is a keyring-sized GPS compass that will store up to five different locations and guide you back to them with a digital compass. The device is able to store several location categories including home, restaurant, and your car, allowing you to choose your destination accurately. What makes the miniHomer more special is that it will preserve the stored coordinates even if the battery runs out of juice. You can recharge its battery via miniUSB connection. The Navin miniHomer will be released in November 2009. Pricing info is still unavailable at this time. [Slashgear]
The XL 340S Live is the latest 4.3-inch GPS device from TomTom that comes with built-in AT&T 3G connectivity. Using the AT&T network, this portable device can provide real-time information services such as traffic, fuel prices, weather as well as local search via Google. It also features IQ Routes Technology, Advanced Lane Guidance, seven million points of interest and full maps of the US, Canada and Mexico pre-installed. The TomTom XL 340S Live GPS will go on sale in November for $299.95 with three months of AT&T service. [Product Page via SlipperyBrick]
The Viliv X70EX navigation system will be available in the US market. Available in 16GB or 32GB SSD model, the gadget comes with a host of connectivity options including WLAN 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0+EDR, GPS and WWAN 3G HSPA. The device also supports a SiRFStar III GPS receiver, an SDHC memory card slot, a USB port, and a battery that provides enough juice for up to 5.5-hours of operation time. The price ranges from $600 to $880, depending on the specs. [Viliv]
Alpine has recently released its latest 2-DIN receiver, the iXA-W407 Digital Media Station, which sports iPod/iPhone playback with a large 7-inch QVGA touchscreen display, a built-in Bluetooth connectivity, an AM/FM tuner and a high-speed USB input for optimal iPod/iPhone connection. The iXA-W407’s navigation functions are provided by the Alpine NVE-M300, which is a compact external drive installed in a hide-away location, such as behind the dash. Its OnPoint Advanced GPS Positioning simultaneously uses three technologies (satellite-linked GPS data, solid-state gyro sensor technology and accelerometer technology) to provide more accurate navigation. Driving maps and maneuvers are displayed on the iXA-W407’s 7-inch display, while voice-guided directions are played through the car’s sound system. Priced at $1,100, the iXA-W407 is available as an all-in-one audio/video/navigation system package that includes the NVE-M300 GPS navigation drive. [Navigadget]
Korea based Woongjin today rolled out the Go&Joy PND for the Korean market. The gadget is able to display both 2D and 3D maps as well as 3D GUI. The Go&Joy can also be used as a PMP with the support of different video and audio format and thanks to its 900MHz processor. There is no info on pricing or availability at this time. We will keep you posted. [Akihabara]
iRiver has announced the successor to its NV Mini portable navigation device by releasing the NV Mini Bike Edition. Unlike its predecessor, the bike edition comes with a sturdy bike mount kit, a scaled-up touchscreen UI designed to accommodate gloved fingers, no integrated DMB TV tuner and a new firmware that measures stats like ride time, speed, distance and calories burnt. Apart from that, it also sports a 3.5-inch 320 x 240 touchscreen, GPS with POI (points of interests) functionality, a media player, integrated speakers, an SDHC card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack and runs on Windows CE 5.0 OS. The NV Mini Bike Edition is now available in Korea for 188,000 KRW (about $156). More
The Mio M300 and M400 GPS navigation systems are now available in the States. Both gadgets provides the maps for all 50 US States and Puerto Rico. The Mio Moov M300 and M400 also support text-to-speech, lane guidance, and 4 million POIs. The M300 has a 3.5-inch screen with 320 x 240 resolutions, while the M400 features a bigger 4.3-inch LCD display with 480 x 272 resolutions. The Mio M300 and M400 are priced at $139 and $210, respectively. More
