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gps posts

Telmap taps NAVTEQ for iPhone GPS solution, understands the inevitable

by Darren Murph posted Oct 30th 2009 @ 9:47AM

Man, talk about awful timing. At least TomTom and Navigon were able to sell a few rounds of their pricey iPhone GPS application before Google went and ruined everyone's day (at least in the GPS biz), and now that Google Maps Navigation is but an approval away from hitting iPhone users for free, we've got serious doubts about Telmap's ability to market its newest product. Utilizing NAVTEQ maps and familiar shells like MapQuest Navigation (in the US) and Orange Maps (in France), the company seems quite proud of its newest routing solutions. Oh sure -- there's live traffic, turn-by-turn guidance, in-car and pedestrian modes, etc., but is anyone really doling out cash for a phone-based routing system right now with Google at the wheel? Exactly.

Google developing free navigation app?

by Nilay Patel posted Oct 27th 2009 @ 4:24PM

We already know plenty of people who've eschewed traditional turn-by-turn GPS systems in favor of plotting it out for free on Google Maps, and now there's whispers that Mountain View is coming after the rest of the market with a free nav app. That's at least what nav services providers are saying to Forbes, who think El Goog is gearing up to release a free ad-supported navigation app after making moves to use its own US maps instead licensing data from Tele Atlas and putting ads on the iPhone Maps app. Obviously that would shake things up a ton -- and make Android devices a huge bargain -- but we'll see where this all leads over the next few months.

[Via Fierce Mobile Content; thanks Elad]

TomTom iPhone kit now being sold through US Apple Store

by Ross Miller posted Oct 25th 2009 @ 5:07PM

American TomTom loyalists, we know what you've been thinking: how dare those fine folks across the pond get first dibs to pick up the iPhone car kit? Well, steam to yourself no longer, it's now for sale online via Apple's US store for the previously-disclosed price of $119.95. Alas, no software's included, but you've had enough time to cope with that. Also, it's iPhone 3G and 3GS only -- iPod touch need not apply.

[Via App Advice]

California Cool Cars regs put the kibosh on radio, cellphone, and GPS reception

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Oct 13th 2009 @ 3:42AM

We've seen plenty of tech over the years meant to mitigate our destruction of the environment -- from greener autos to Grateful Dead-themed cellphones -- most of which don't really ask us to tone down our consumer impulses all that much. But how about these new "Cool Cars" regulations recently adopted by the California Air Resources Board? By the year 2016, all autos sold in the state must have windows that prevent 60 percent of the sun's energy from entering the vehicle. To achieve this, windows are given a coat of glazing that contains microscopic specs of reflective metal oxide -- which will seriously hamper reception for your GPS, cellphone, and (this is of special interest to Engadget readers) white collar criminal-style work release ankle bracelet. As you can imagine, companies like Garmin are fuming -- although we suppose that if they play this right they can make a killing in the external car antenna business. It just goes to show you -- when it comes to environmental catastrophe, everyone's a victim.

[Via AutoBlog]

TomTom's iPhone car kit gets taken for a stationary test drive

by Donald Melanson posted Oct 7th 2009 @ 6:24AM

It's been a long trip filled with hopes and confusion, but TomTom's iPhone car kit is now finally nearing an actual release (minus the bundled navigation app), and a few lucky folks are beginning to get their hands on it. While they unfortunately didn't get to take it for an actual test drive, the folks at Recombu did get to spend a bit of time with the device and deliver a few initial impressions, noting that the kit feels solid and easily accommodates your iPhone without too much effort. Interestingly, the site also says that TomTom told it that the kit will also work with "any sat-nav iPhone app," and that TomTom's own navigation app (which has apparently already sold thousands of copies) will be getting free updates. Head on past the break for a brief (and we mean brief) video.

Update: Exact sales figures removed upon TomTom's request.

Continue reading TomTom's iPhone car kit gets taken for a stationary test drive

Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 unboxing and hands-on

by Darren Murph posted Oct 1st 2009 @ 12:08PM

There she is. 20 months and 1 day after its original introduction to the world, the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 is at long last in our (admittedly sweaty) palms. The highfalutin' smartphone isn't slated to hit AT&T shelves until this Sunday, but we were able to wrangle a retail unit early in order to bring you a sneak peek at what's to come. Frankly, we've been looking forward to this day for a long (long!) time. We've got a soft spot in our hearts for the Garmin navigation UI, and we have to say, that very same look and feel has been beautifully migrated to the mobile space. Upon unwrapping the phone, we were struck by just how classy the whole thing looks. It's plenty thin for being a GPS-turned-phone, light enough to not weigh you down and sturdy enough to somewhat justify the $299 (on contract) price. We did some brief browsing around, and everything felt satisfactorily snappy. The resistive touchscreen had some expected give, but by and large screen presses did exactly what we wanted 'em to in our limited testing. We're aiming to give this bad boy a serious critiquing over the next few days, but for now, feel free to peruse the absurdly detailed gallery below.

Garmin nuvifone G60 officially coming to AT&T: October 4th for $299

by Darren Murph posted Sep 29th 2009 @ 9:41AM

Can you believe it? No, seriously -- can you believe it? Nearly two full years after its surprise introduction to the world, the nüvifone G60 is finally coming to US shores. In an official press release outed today, the Garmin nüvifone G60 has been blessed with an October 4th launch date on AT&T. Oddly enough, nary a mention of "ASUS" or "Garmin-Asus" is found, but regardless of semantics, you can bet that it'll be looking for buyers this Sunday. The internal GPS chip and 3 megapixel, auto-focusing camera will enable users to geotag photos and emails and navigate using the same heralded user interface that folks rely on today with the company's standalone PNDs. You've already pounded the specifications into your head by now, but the last figures you'll need to know are these: it'll run $299 on a two-year agreement after a $100 mail-in rebate, and if you're hoping to access Premium Connected Services -- which includes traffic updates, white pages, weather, movie, local events and fuel price content -- you'll be forking out $5.99 per month after the 30-day trial expires. So, after all of this, who's in?

TomTom car kit for iPhone will run $120

by Laura June posted Sep 28th 2009 @ 3:35PM

We've been waiting quite a while to hear pricing info for the much-anticipated TomTom car kit for the iPhone. The kit, which will be sold separately from the navigational iPhone app, will be available in October (that's almost now!!). While we still don't have full details on what the whole package will include, it's officially going to run you $119.95 (or 99.99 if you pay in Euros). Check out the teaser video after the break to tide you over until the awesome, GPS-infused release date is upon us.

[Via GPSTracklog]

New Zealand making drivers with cellphone navigation criminals, hugs ok for now (updated)

by Thomas Ricker posted Sep 28th 2009 @ 5:15AM

Starting in November, use of your cellphone's GPS navigation capabilities will be illegal for drivers on New Zealand roadways while dedicated SatNav devices without voice capability are still ok. In fact, use of your modern cellphone as an in-vehicle MP3 player, compass, etc. will all be illegal under Road User Amendment Rule 2009. Here's how it reads currently:

"A driver must not, while driving a vehicle, create, send, or read a text message on a mobile phone or make, receive, or terminate a telephone call on a mobile phone or use a mobile phone in any other way."

A law this broad would also make your car's integrated cellphone entertainment system illegal. There are exceptions of course, one of which allows drivers to use a mobile phone to make, receive, or terminate a telephone call if the phone is mounted in the vehicle and the driver "manipulates the phone infrequently and briefly," even though studies have already concluded that hands-free solutions are still distracting and thus, dangerous. Yeah, the whole thing sounds arbitrary, over-reaching, and completely unenforceable to us as well.

Update: Put down the pitchforks and torches, it looks like the law is already en route for amendment to allow cellphone "satellite navigation or music functions."

[Via Stuff, image courtesy of joannapapa5100]

Rumor: Garmin-ASUS nuvifone G60 to run $300?

by Laura June posted Sep 27th 2009 @ 3:46AM

While several shipping dates have come and gone, we're still hopeful of seeing Garmin's nuvifone in the flesh and on the street at some point in the future. If you've forgotten (and nobody would really blame you), the HSDPA, quad-band handset will boast GPS (of course), WiFi, Bluetooth, plus a full browser. The G60's been available in Asia for some time now, and while a confirmed US launch has been much anticipated, no pricing has ever been announced. Rumors now abound that the device will carry a $300 price tag on contract, running about $550 without. Of course, it is just a rumor -- and one that we hope is off base, too.

[Via Navigadget]

Motorola impresses with pre-loaded apps list for CLIQ

by Darren Murph posted Sep 24th 2009 @ 10:07AM

October 19th may be under a month away, but that's still an eternity in "waiting years." Thankfully, Motorola has posted up a handy guide that spells out exactly what kind of pre-loaded software comes with the CLIQ, and we've got to say -- the list is fairly impressive. For starters, users will get access to LastFM, an array of Google features, Yahoo! Mail (funny, real funny), Digg, Mint, Facebook, Twitter, Travel Channel, MTV and Amazon's MP3 Store. On top of all that, Moto's throwing in QuickOffice -- a piece that demands $9.99 on the iPhone -- as well as TeleNav Navigator, which has also found itself on a few other Android-based smartphones over the centuries. Hit the read link for the full list, but only if you don't mind the tease.

[Via Phandroid]

TomTom's Car Kit for iPhone will be your co-pilot in October

by Donald Melanson posted Sep 4th 2009 @ 2:31PM

Well, it just passed through the FCC last week, and it looks like TomTom itself is now finally getting a bit more specific about when its new Car Kit for iPhone will start shipping. While it's still not providing an exact date just yet, the company's newly-updated FAQ now says that the device will be available directly from TomTom sometime this October. What's more, the company also says that the kit (which also works with the iPod touch) will be initially sold without the TomTom iPhone app, contrary to what was previously rumored, although it's not clear if a bundle with the app will also be available at a later date.

[Via NaviGadget]

TomTom's iPhone car kit promo video is enticing, but still no mention of price or release date

by Ross Miller posted Aug 22nd 2009 @ 3:46AM

Not to knock cellophane tape as a method for in-car iPhone navigation, but if you want to use the new TomTom app in a more proper setting, you'll want the official TomTom car kit. In addition to enhancing the GPS signal and charging your iPhone, it's also got hands-free dialing and a speaker that's (presumably) better than the phone solo for giving directions. At a rumored price of just under $200 with software, it's not a bad deal if you were planning to shell out $100 for the US maps, anyway. We're still on the fence, but the hypnotic soundtrack of the promotion video is admittedly alluring. See for yourself after the break.

[Thanks, Arthur]

Continue reading TomTom's iPhone car kit promo video is enticing, but still no mention of price or release date

Nokia's 5800 Navigation Edition announced, finding its way to stores soon

by Tim Stevens posted Aug 21st 2009 @ 7:02AM

Nokia's 5800 Navigation Edition finding its way to stores soon

The Garmin-Asus nuvifone is finally inbound to domestic retailers, but it's taken so many wrong turns on the way that it's given the competition plenty of time to catch up and prepare their own nav-enabled mobile offerings. TomTom's iPhone kit is due any minute, and now Nokia is getting into the game, announcing the 5800 Navigation Edition. Instead of coming with music it comes with a pre-loaded copy of Ovi Maps and lifetime licenses for voice-guided driving and walking directions. It also includes a car charger and a handy-dandy auto mounting kit, all swingingly demonstrated in a video below, and is set to ship sometime in the third quarter of this year (i.e. soon) at an expected retail of €285 (about $410).

Continue reading Nokia's 5800 Navigation Edition announced, finding its way to stores soon

TomTom navigation for iPhone 3G and 3GS arrives (update: video!)

by Thomas Ricker posted Aug 17th 2009 @ 1:34AM

True, it's not the first app offering turn-by-turn driving instructions for the iPhone 3G or iPhone 3GS -- but it is from TomTom, an industry heavy-weight that is finally delivering on years of rumor and speculation. After starting with New Zealand a few hours ago, the iTunes App Store is now populated with region specific TomTom apps for NZ ($95), Australia ($80), US and Canada ($100), and Western Europe ($140). If that sounds expensive... it is; dedicated TomTom navigators start at $120. In other words, this isn't one of those knee-jerk 99 cent App Store purchases. Naturally, that price does not include the announced TomTom iPhone car kit (rumored to cost £113.85 (about $194) with bundled mapping software) that mounts and charges your iPhone 3G or 3GS while enhancing its GPS performance, speaker, and microphone. Our advice: wait for the reviews before dedicating your non multi-tasking iPhone to the dashboard for navigation duties.

Update: Recombu took the software for a spin and seem duly impressed by their ability to navigate streets with an iPhone taped to the dash (not a joke). They say that when a call comes in, the TomTom app "turns off but restarts as soon as you finish the call." See the video overview after the break.