Archive for GPS
Posted on Mar 13, 2009 by Sam Costello at 2:48 am
Given the production cycles of cars, adding new in-dash components like GPSes means planning years in advance. And, as a result, the devices most manufacturers can offer are rarely cutting edge.
That may change, though, thanks to a modular GPS system being developed by Harman International and Mercedes.
The system would come in pieces – one piece displaying the content in the dash, the other a “processing box” buried in the car that supplies that actual processing power and data connection. The system will make its debut on eight Mercedes vehicles in the second half of 2010.
What I find interesting about this is that it portends an easy upgrade path to adding new in-car computing features to these boxes. Right now, changing the capabilities of in-car electronics is more complex than an equivalent PC software upgrade. With this system, perhaps it will become easier, leading to new partnerships to deliver content to the dashboard besides just directions.
Posted on Feb 26, 2009 by Sam Costello at 2:26 am
For a while now I’ve been touting GPSes as potentially great information appliances in cars. After all, they’ve got network connections and screens – what else do you need?
Well, for one thing, if you’re doing to do anything data intensive with them, you need a fast network connection. Most GPSes don’t really have that. Some offer pokey EDGE connections, other have sporty 3G connections, while a few even have WiFi, when there’s an available network.
The new G5W GPS from dmedia does all of those options one better by adding a WiMax connection. WiMax is a wireless broadband standard that offers up to 75 MBit/second connectivity, much faster than 3G’s 14.4 MBit/second rating. The G5W also offers a 5-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth connectivity.
No word on pricing or stateside availability (dmedia seems to be based in Hong Kong), and of course you only get the WiMax benefit where a network is available, but the possibilities for in-car computing using GPSes would truly expand with fatter network pipes serving them.
Posted on Jan 19, 2009 by Sam Costello at 2:16 am
The Telenav Shotgun is a new GPS device that delivers all kinds of content to the dashboard over the Internet: everything from real-time traffic alerts, web search, gas price locator, restaurant reviews, and more.
The device, which run $300 with a $12/month subscription for updates, sports a 4.3-inch touchscreen, 2.5-hour battery life and built-in speaker.
Updates are delivered to the Telenav GPS via GPRS – a somewhat slow cell phone standard. It would be great to see WiFi or 3G added in a later revision to speed up the delivery of content over the web.
Posted on Dec 12, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:59 am
As covered here extensively in the past, GPS devices are adding network-connected screens to thousands, maybe millions, of cars and are building a platform for in-car computing.
Few of these GPSes offer screens as big as the Holux GPSmile 62’s 5-inch WQVGA screen. The device also sports an SD card slot, speakers, a built-in multimedia player, and Bluetooth.
A screen this big is just begging to be used for more than driving directions, I think. The multimedia player is a good start. Imagine using that screen to show other web-delivered content, though – photos, cartoons, jokes. That could catch on.
Posted on Oct 23, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:20 am
GPS devices all seems essentially the same: they’re boxes that are mounted on the dash or windshield, but the Azentek SmartMirror puts a new twist on the GPS by integrating it into a rearview mirror.
The US$799 SmartMirror, which sports Navigon Mobile Navigator 6.6 GPs software, splits space between a standard rearview mirror and a GPS device that offers 64MG of internal memory, a slot for a 2GB SD card, Windows CE .Net 4.2, a 4-inch touchscreen, and support for Bluetooth handsfree calling.
While I might be a little concerned about putting a screen in a car mirror – it seems like it could run the risk of driver confusion – this shows another innovative method of putting a GPS into the car. And since GPS device may eventually become in car computing platforms, not just navigation tools, it’s interesting to see how this platform may enter the car.
Posted on Oct 13, 2008 by Sam Costello at 2:27 am
Well, maybe not NES (it’s hard to say for sure), but at least classic 8-bit video games. Kinwei Technologies, a Chinese company, has trotted out its KW-GM4306TG GPS device which not only takes you door to door, but also lets you play video games while you drive.
The system features a 4.3-inch LCD, Windows CE.Net, 64MB SDRAM and 256MB Flash memory, and support for hands-free communication. No word yet on price or availability.
Like the Google Maps/BMW Assist integration I noted earlier, this is another example of viewing the GPS is a platform, rather than a single-purpose information appliance. When the GPS is a platform for all kinds of computing in your car, the applications it can be put to expand greatly.
