| News and Tips & Techniques |  |
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| Garmin's new aera series gets you there by air or by land |
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Pilots looking for the hardest-core portable nav unit available tend to flock to Garmin's GPSMAP 696 these days, but there's a problem: the big, bulky tablet doesn't do much good once you're wheels-down and you've got to find your way to the hotel. Enter the new aera series, which you can sorta think of as "nuvi for pilots" with 4.3-inch touchscreens, user-friendly prompts, and dedicated car modes across the board that'll keep casual observers from realizing that your little buddy doubles as a $2,000 beast capable of safely guiding you cross-country at flight level 250. The 696 is still being regarded as Garmin's premier aviation portable, while the four aera models -- the 500, 510, 550, and 560 -- are called "entry or mid-level" with prices ranging from $799 to $1,999 and should finally sunset the aging lower-end GPSMAP models that look like they're straight out of Garmin's GPS III days. The 510 and 560 throw in XM WX weather support while the 550 and 560 feature Garmin's SafeTaxi interactive airport diagrams, integrated AOPA Airport Directory, and high-end car features pulled from the nuvi line like lane assist and speed limit data. All four models are technically launching on the 5th, but appear to be in stock with online retailers now if you're in a rush.Filed under: GPSGarmin's new aera series gets you there by air or by land originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 11/02/2009 10:55 PM (137d 22h 48m ago) |
| Garmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple |
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What's that, you're still holding your breath waiting for the G60 release? Breathe, child, breathe, it's still going to be a little while before you can get your nav on with this celly. Obviously it didn't make the first half of the year as initially planned, but the Garmin-Asus partnership is now saying that the phone will still arrive at its retail destination before 2010, with some places seeing it in just two months time. Why the delays? Apparently its custom flavor of Linux is at least part of the problem, leading the corporate couple's marriage counselors to suggest a move to Android for all future, non-WinMo handsets -- devices that, contrary to earlier reports, will also launch before the end of the year. So, G60 in August, or potentially even hotter Android nav phone a few months later? Decisions, decisions.Filed under: Cellphones, GPSGarmin-Asus G60 slated for August launch, will be last non-Android Linux phone for the couple originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/17/2009 4:21 PM (276d 5h 22m ago) |
| TomTom's Homer Simpson voice skin is just like the real thing, without the Duff's |
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Well, let's be frank. The Knight Rider GPS, while brilliant, is a bit of a stretch. Isn't it a little sad to be living out your boyhood fantasies of excitement and danger vicariously, behind the wheel of your '92 Buick Roadmaster station wagon? On the other hand, perhaps you're ready to put away your childhood dreams and hit the road in a manner more befitting your average schlub. The official Homer Simpson voice skin for the TomTom GPS features the voice of the iconic cartoon dad, including such gems as "Take the third right. We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm...ice cream." Psyched? We bet you are. Priced at $12.95 -- check out an audio sample after the break, and then hit the read link to pick it up it for yourself.
[Via Pocket-lint]Continue reading TomTom's Homer Simpson voice skin is just like the real thing, without the Duff's Filed under: GPSTomTom's Homer Simpson voice skin is just like the real thing, without the Duff's originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/17/2009 4:21 PM (276d 5h 22m ago) |
| Pioneer explodes your dashboard with new AVIC U, X and Z-series in-dash navigation systems |
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Pioneer isn't going for subtle here: the company just unleashed a flurry of in-dash navigators, with a considerable amount of accoutrements on display. The units range through the flagship AVIC-Z110BT (pictured), "midrange" AVIC-X710BT and X910BT, and the AVIC-U310BT for rich people on a budget. Seriously, with a starting price of $599, none of this is suited for the cheap-and-simple set, but at least Pioneer backs up those pricetags with serious functionality. In the high end, the Z110BT includes an tilt-out XGA 7-inch touchscreen, MSN Direct tuner (for traffic and other live info), 4GB of internal storage, CD and DVD playback, and Bluetooth. Comforts include both voice recognition ("Find the nearest Starbucks") and text-to-speech ("I wouldn't do that, Dave"), along with iPod control and support for optional rear seat monitors and wireless headphones. Of course, all those perks aren't cheap: the device retails for $1,600. The other units include smaller screens and subsets of the specs, on down to the 4.3-inch U310BT.Gallery: Pioneer explodes your dashboard with new AVIC U, X and Z-series in-dash navigation systemsRead - AVIC-Z110BTRead - AVIC-X710BT and AVIC-X910BTRead - AVIC-U310BTFiled under: GPSPioneer explodes your dashboard with new AVIC U, X and Z-series in-dash navigation systems originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 14 Jun 2009 10:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/15/2009 3:25 PM (278d 6h 18m ago) |
| TomTom announces special edition "White Pearl" nav system |
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Navigation systems don't often get the same special edition treatment given to cellphones and other gadgets, but TomTom looks to be doing its small part to change that, and it's now announced its new "White Pearl" edition nav unit. As you might expect, however, apart from that eye-catching exterior, this one is basically just a re-purposed version of one of TomTom's existing devices -- a TomTom ONE IQ Routes edition, in this case. While the specs no doubt remain the same, TomTom has at least gone so far as to add a new start-up screen that fills out the design, not to mention a few new, totally not obvious special points of interest like "Places to be seen" and "Shop 'til you drop." No word on a release 'round here, but it looks like folks in the UK will be able to pick one up this month for £179.99, or just about $300 even.
Filed under: GPSTomTom announces special edition "White Pearl" nav system originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 06:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 6/03/2009 4:24 PM (290d 5h 20m ago) |
| Air Force says that GPS situation is 'under control,' urges you to 'chill out' |
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Responding to a Government Accounting Office report that warns of major GPS failures as early as next year, U.S. Air Force Col. Dave Buckman has responded, saying: "No way! As if! The issue is under control." If anything, he said, "there's only a small risk we will not continue to exceed our performance standard." Whew, that's a relief... we don't know what we'd do without our Knight Rider GPS to keep us company on those long, lonely car rides.[Via Pocket-lint]
Filed under: GPSAir Force says that GPS situation is 'under control,' urges you to 'chill out' originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/21/2009 10:35 PM (302d 23h 8m ago) |
| TomTom brings costly connected services to mid-range XL LIVE |
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In theory, we've no qualms with TomTom's LIVE services. Sure, they're over-hyped, overpriced and generally slow to react, but they're definitely nice extras on an otherwise vanilla PND. That said, we simply can't (and won't, ever) justify the crazy monthly rates for having access to basic information that even a dumb smartphone could find. Nevertheless, TomTom's doing its darnedest to push those very services to the masses by trickling 'em down from the GO 740 LIVE to its popular XL model. Folks across the pond can pick one up next month for €219 ($301) or €249 ($342) depending on whether you need a regional model or one with 42 European nations, but you'll still be asked to shell out €9.95 ($14) per month if you want those LIVE services.Gallery: TomTom brings costly connected services to mid-range XL LIVEFiled under: GPSTomTom brings costly connected services to mid-range XL LIVE originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 21 May 2009 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/21/2009 4:05 PM (303d 5h 38m ago) |
| Mio's Moov S501 and S401 finally go legit |
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After Mio basically non-confirmed / confirmed these to us in April, letting us know the pricing was off, but saying nothing else about the leak, it was really just a matter of time until the two navigators broke into the realm of officialdom. The Moov S401 and S501 bring 4.3-inch and 4.7-inch displays, respectively, along with a new "Spirit" interface and some new functionality like Google Send-to-GPS, NavPix for pulling location from geo-tagged photos, text-to-speech for spoken street names and MioMore 2 PC software for calculating mileage and fuel economy. The S501 is Mio's thinnest PND ever at 0.64-inches, and includes 12 million POIs, while the S401 is inexplicably thicker at 0.71-inches, with 4 million POIs. They go for $200 and $180, respectively, and will go on sale in June.Gallery: Mio's Moov S501 and S401 finally go legitFiled under: GPSMio's Moov S501 and S401 finally go legit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 13 May 2009 09:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/13/2009 3:18 PM (311d 6h 26m ago) |
| TomTom GO 740 LIVE impressions |
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Way back at CES, TomTom proudly announced that its GO 740 LIVE personal navigation device would be its very first "connected GPS" to hit the United States of America. Just last month, the company announced that said unit was finally shipping to anxious consumers. Hardware wise, there's nothing here outside of the ordinary, but it's the little extras that make all the difference in the world here -- or, at least that's what TomTom wants you to think. Is this $400 navigator worth the up front costs, let alone the monthly fee to keep it connected? Head on past the break for our take.Gallery: TomTom GO 740 LIVEContinue reading TomTom GO 740 LIVE impressionsFiled under: GPSTomTom GO 740 LIVE impressions originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 12 May 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/12/2009 4:39 PM (312d 5h 4m ago) |
| Garmin launches Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t outdoor navigators |
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Did you seriously shell out to have ARGONAUT plastered on your license plate? Oh, yeah? Listen up. Garmin has just pushed out a new duo of navigators aimed squarely at you, the Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t. Both of the touchscreen-based devices boast a 3.2 megapixel camera, a 3-axis compass, waterproof chassis, 850MB of internal storage and USB connectivity. Each unit packs a 3-inch, sunlight-readable display, two precharged AA NiMH batteries, loads of waypoint storage and the ability to route you while on the road, on the trail or in the wild. The standard 550 is set to arrive with a worldwide basemap in shaded relief for $499.99, while the 550t comes with preloaded topography maps for the entire US for $599.99. The full release is after the break.Gallery: Garmin launches Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t outdoor navigatorsContinue reading Garmin launches Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t outdoor navigatorsFiled under: GPSGarmin launches Oregon 550 and Oregon 550t outdoor navigators originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 May 2009 07:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/07/2009 3:56 PM (317d 5h 47m ago) |
| Navigon withdraws from GPS business in North America |
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Man, talk about coming straight out of left field. After blowing it out at CeBIT just two months ago, Navigon has just announced its intentions to pull out of the navigation business here in North America. According to CEO Egon Minar: "Due to the difficult economic environment and the aggressive pricing we have decided to withdraw from the PND business in North America for the time being. We are however not closing down our Chicago office which will continue to serve our automotive and mobile phone businesses in North America." He did assert that the company would "continue to fulfill all obligations to its existing PND customers in terms of map updates, etc.," but nothing else on the subject was said. So long, Navigon -- we'll miss your "uber-premium" wares.[Via SlashGear]Filed under: GPSNavigon withdraws from GPS business in North America originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 May 2009 11:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/04/2009 4:44 PM (320d 4h 59m ago) |
| Get a 4.3-inch GPS with lifetime traffic for $90 |
| | The Navigon 2100 Max features a 4.3-inch screen and free traffic updates for life.(Credit: Navigon)
It's no longer news to find a GPS navigation system selling for less than $100. But to find one with some killer bells and whistles? That's my kind of news.
And ... Originally posted at The Cheapskate |
| | 4/18/2009 1:13 AM (336d 20h 30m ago) |
| Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 to rock LiMo, launch in 1H 2009 |
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We've been waiting on pins and needles for confirmation, but it looks like an all-too-vague Reuters report actually is referring to the Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60. After a senior company official noted that a "Linux-based operating system" would be used in one of its two smartphones, we pinged Garmin directly to cut through the mystery and get down to the meat. What we were told was this: "The Garmin-Asus nüvifone G60 has a proprietary Linux-based OS, and we're still working towards delivering the nüvifone G60 in the first half of 2009 in limited markets, which haven't been named yet." Of course, the tandem is quickly running out in months in that window, so we're pretty jazzed to be all up on top of an imminent release. Now, if only we knew where those patience pills made off to...[Via Boy Genius Report]Gallery: Garmin-Asus nuvifone G60 to rock LiMo, launch in 1H 2009Filed under: CellphonesGarmin-Asus nüvifone G60 to rock LiMo, launch in 1H 2009 originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/18/2009 1:02 AM (336d 20h 41m ago) |
| Camera-packin' Garmin Oregon 500 navigator on sale in UK |
| | Wouldn't you know it? That leaked Garmin Oregon 500 is indeed a real, bona fide product, and it's on sale now for argonauts over in the UK. The outdoorsy navigator officially boasts a rugged 3-inch sunlight-readable touch panel (400 x 240 resolution), a tough, waterproof casing, a built-in electronic compass, barometric altimeter (seriously!), AA battery support, USB connectivity, a microSD card slot and a bundled carabiner clip to really set it apart. Oh, and there's also an integrated camera for automatic picture geotagging, which seems to be a pretty rare commodity in GPS units these days. We're not quite sure it's rare enough to justify the lofty £353.97 ($519) price tag, but thankfully that's not our call to make.[Thanks, Jordan]Filed under: Digital Cameras, GPSCamera-packin' Garmin Oregon 500 navigator on sale in UK originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 12 Apr 2009 12:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 4/13/2009 4:33 PM (341d 5h 10m ago) |
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| | 4/06/2009 3:49 PM (348d 5h 54m ago) |
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| | 4/02/2009 3:32 PM (352d 6h 11m ago) |
| Spark Nano: GPS tracking device gets tiny |
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Spark Nano: A tiny GPS device
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| | 3/22/2009 2:11 AM (363d 19h 32m ago) |
| Garmin Oregon 500 series with built-in camera leaks out |
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Looks like the latest Garmin Oregon nav unit is following in family footsteps by leaking out a little early -- listings for an Oregon 500 and Oregon 500t appear in the latest REI catalog. The pair are basically the same as the Oregon 400 / 400t, with the addition of a built-in digital camera that'll enable you to take instantly-geotagged features. Definitely a neat idea, but convenience won't come cheap: the 500 lists for $549, and the 500t is $599. No hints at a release date, but we'd guess it's coming soon.Filed under: GPSGarmin Oregon 500 series with built-in camera leaks out originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Mar 2009 23:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 3/16/2009 3:47 PM (369d 5h 57m ago) |
| Navigon debuts 3 GPS devices, MyRoutes feature |
| | Navigon 7300T(Credit: Navigon)
Navigon on Monday introduced three portable navigation devices: the Navigon 3300 Max, the Navigon 4300T, and the Navigon 7300T. The trio also includes a new feature called Navigon MyRoutes, which aims to provide personalized route recommendations based on your driving habits.
MyRoutes works by recording and ... Originally posted at Miss Direction |
| | 3/02/2009 4:57 PM (383d 4h 46m ago) |
| Add GPS functionality to Wi-Fi devices with G-Fi |
| | The G-Fi GPS router is about the size of an iPhone.(Credit: PosiMotion)
It's the last day of CES, and I ran into an unusual networking device called G-Fi from PosiMotion. It's the first router I've known that doesn't have the ability to share access to ... Originally posted at CES 2009 |
| | 2/26/2009 6:40 AM (387d 15h 3m ago) |
| Price Watch: Refurbished Magellan GPS, $59.99 |
| | This surprisingly well-equipped navigation system can be yours for just 60 bucks.(Credit: CNET)
Ladies and gents, we have a new low! Buy.com has the Magellan RoadMate 2200T GPS for $59.99 shipped (after a $30 mail-in rebate). It's a refurbished unit, but it's also the least-expensive ... Originally posted at The Cheapskate |
| | 2/26/2009 6:40 AM (387d 15h 4m ago) |
| Trimble rolls out rugged Yuma UMPC |
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It's been quite a while since Trimble last popped up on our radar, but the company looks to be making a respectable showing for itself with its new Yuma UMPC, which packs all the ruggedness you'd expect from the company (MIL-STD-810F and IP67 ratings) plus some decent enough specs. That includes a sunlight-readable 7-inch WVGA touchscreen, the requisite 1.6GHz Atom N270 processor, a 32GB SSD drive, built-in WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS, ExpressCard and SDIO slots for expansion, and not one but two geotag-enabled cameras. No word on a price just yet, but Trimble says it should be shipping by April.[Via OutdoorRugged, thanks Matthew]
Filed under: Handhelds, Tablet PCsTrimble rolls out rugged Yuma UMPC originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Feb 2009 15:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 2/21/2009 9:22 PM (392d 21m ago) |
| Medion launches 5-inch GoPal P5430 GPS in Europe |
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It's been a nice little while since we've seen any new navigators from Medion, but the outfit's hitting back with its relatively forgettable GoPal P5430. The European PND sports a 5-inch touchscreen display, integrated TMC antenna, fingerprint sensor, text-to-speech functionality, an inbuilt FM transmitter and pre-installed NAVTEQ maps of Western and Eastern Europe. Like we said, forgettable -- but you should know it's priced at £175 ($269) just in case you're tempted.[Via NaviGadget]Filed under: GPSMedion launches 5-inch GoPal P5430 GPS in Europe originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 29 Nov 2008 04:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 11/29/2008 5:17 PM (476d 4h 26m ago) |
| TechForward - future proof your gadget’s value |
| | As we all know, every high-tech piece of equipment you buy will decrease in value as it gets further out of date. Well TechForward reckon that one person’s used gadget is another person’s treasure and they’re doing something about it. When you purchase your new gadget (MP3 player, notebook, TV, GPS etc) you can sign [...]
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| | 9/03/2008 9:16 PM (563d 28m ago) |
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| Ask Engadget: Best 4.3-inch GPS unit? |
| | We know, it's a little late here on the east coast to be "thinking clearly," but we (and David) are pleading with you to pull it together in order to contribute. Afterwards, you and your freshened mind can shoot us a question to ask at engadget dawt com. "I know, it's a really boring question, but the last time this was asked was 2 years ago. I'm looking for a 4.3-inch GPS unit with decent battery life (so I can walk around with it as well as use it in my car), Bluetooth for making wireless calls, and good voice-recognition. Traffic updates would be a plus, too. I don't care too much about multimedia functions. Is there anything out there that fits the bill? I hope to hear some advice from the community!" As do we David, as do we. So, what's the verdict here, folks? Are connected units worth the monthly surcharge? Sound off below!Filed under: Ask Engadget, GPSAsk Engadget: Best 4.3-inch GPS unit? originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 01 May 2009 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Permalink | Email this | Comments
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| | 5/01/2009 4:19 PM (323d 5h 24m ago) |
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