Looking for a new GPS device for you or as a gift? Consider TomTom XL 330S 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator, known for its ease of use, superior maps, and fantastic routing.
The TomTom 4.3-inch widescreen LCD for easier viewing in the car, the TomTom XL 330 and XL 330S features the plug and play ease of use, rock-solid navigation, and sleek design we’ve come to expect from TomTom. Both models come pre-loaded with highly accurate maps for the United States and Canada, with TomTom Map Share technology that enables you to instantly modify street names, street direction, and POIs on your own device.
TomTom XL 330S
Hot Deal!!!
Price: $89.99
Both models share the same navigation and user interface features. Howerver, the XL 330S adds text-to-speech, which means instead of hearing “turn right in 50 feet,” you’ll hear “turn right in 50 feet at Ohio Street.”
Key Features and Benefits
• Easy to Use right out of the box
• Clear Directions from the sensitive touchscreen display with turn-by-turn spoken directions
• TomTom Map Share lets you instantly modify street names, street direction, and POIs on your own device and benefit from others’ corrections
• “Help Me!” Emergency Menu gives one-touch access to local emergency providers, such as police, fire stations, and hospitals
• Preloaded Complete Maps of the United States and Canada with TeleAtlas data
• EasyPort mount is foldable and slim for easy portability
• POI icons easily find gas stations, restaurants, hotels, and more along your route. Customize by adding your own points of interest
• QuickGPSfix speeds up the time it takes to fix your GPS position to help you drive off more quickly.
• Traffic-Capable with optional RDS-TMC traffic receiver accessory keeps you up-to-date on traffic events to minimize potential delays
• Daily Fuel Prices, available as an optional service, finds the lowest priced gas on your route
Specifications:
• Display: 4.3-inch TFT color LCD touchscreen (480 x 272 pixels, 64,000 colors)
• Connectivity: USB port for charging and downloading maps and updates
• Power: Internal Lithium-Ion battery for up to 3 hours of operation
• Dimensions: 4.7 x 3.2 x 0.9 inches
• Weight: 6.6 ounces
Right now when you purchase this GPS navigator, you can save an additional 50% on accessories from top brands like Case Logic, Lowepro, Bracketron, and Gilsson. Just add both the qualifying GPS and accessory to your cart and the accessory will automatically be discounted an additional 50% at checkout.
Other post you may be interested in reading : Tips to Get the Best GPS System and Decide the Best Auto Navigation System for You.
]]>Source: The New York Times
By JENNA WORTHAM and MIGUEL HELFT
Published: October 28, 2009
A screenshot shows Google's new mapping navigation.
MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — GPS navigation devices were the latest must-have tech toys just two years ago, and shares of device makers like Garmin and TomTom were soaring.
That didn’t last long. In a turnabout that has been remarkably swift even for the fast-moving technology business, those companies have suffered as competition has pulled down prices — and as more people have turned to their cellphones for directions.
In the latest blow to the business, Google announced a free navigation service for mobile phones on Wednesday that will offer turn-by-turn directions, live traffic updates and the ability to recognize voice commands. The service will initially be available on only one phone, the new Motorola Droid, but will be expanded to more phones soon.
In a briefing on Tuesday in advance of its announcement, Google said that the service might be supported by advertisements in the future. That would make driving directions the latest form of information to shift from being a paid service to one that is ad-supported.
“This is consistent with a certain pattern of Google, where they are able to build volume and usage of a product and then subsidize it with advertising,” said Greg Sterling, principal of Sterling Market Intelligent, a research firm. The losers, he said, were companies like TomTom and Garmin, along with the cellphone carriers, which offer navigation services by subscription.
Eric E. Schmidt, Google’s chief executive, said that he didn’t view the new service as hurting an industry. Instead, he said, it is a boon to consumers, made possible by the increasing power of smartphones and the growing ubiquity of Internet access.
“Obviously we like the price of free, because consumers like that as well,” he said.
But analysts say that if successful, Google’s service could chip away at sales of stand-alone GPS devices and the subscription services offered by cellphone carriers.
Sales growth for those devices is already slowing. In 2007, global shipments of stand-alone navigation devices grew a hefty 131 percent from the year before, according to data from the research firm In-Stat. But the firm predicts that shipments will grow just 19 percent this year from 2008, and a price war has hurt the industry’s profits.
“With a free alternative that is just as good, I don’t see much positive growth for the likes of TomTom, Navigon or Garmin,” said Dominique Bonte, director of navigation research at ABI Research. “If it’s free and a good service, why would you pay for something you can get for free?”
Google’s announcement also reflects a broader shift toward consolidation in the gadget world.
The smartphone is already the Swiss Army knife of the digital age, able to transform into a camera, music player or game machine at the swipe of a finger. Now it is increasingly a navigation device too.
Many people still prefer dedicated GPS devices, which tend to display maps faster since the data is typically stored in the device rather than downloaded over a wireless network. But the list of smartphone shortcomings is shrinking. Smartphone users can download applications that offer spoken directions and live traffic updates. And at $100 to $300 apiece, smartphones are competitively priced with GPS units, which average about $177, according to the research firm NPD Group.
By 2013, phone-based navigation systems, which are already more popular among younger smartphone owners, will dominate the market, according to a recent report from Forrester.
The makers of navigation devices have not ignored the spread of smartphones. But Google’s move could make it harder for them to adapt.
TomTom, based in Amsterdam, introduced a $100 navigation application for the iPhone in August. The company said the program had been downloaded close to 80,000 times. Garmin recently released the Nuvifone, a hybrid of a navigational device and a cellphone that has generally received poor reviews.
“Turn-by-turn navigation on a handset is what we’re been doing with the Nuvifone,” said Ted Gartner, a spokesman for Garmin, which declined to release sales figures for the phone. “Google’s announcement reaffirms that consumers want their smartphones to double as a navigation device.”
Julien Blin, principal analyst at JBB Industry, called Garmin’s phone a “desperate move,” adding: “The Nuvifone is around $300, and you can get an iPhone for a comparable amount that can now do the same thing.”
Shares of both TomTom and Garmin plummeted Wednesday after Google’s announcement. Garmin’s shares fell 16 percent to $31.45 on Nasdaq, while TomTom’s shares closed around 21 percent lower on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange.
Google’s navigation service, which for now works only in the United States, is part of a new version of Google Maps for Mobile, software that will work on the growing number of phones that run Google’s Android operating system. Google executives said they eventually hoped to offer the service on Apple’s iPhone and other mobile devices. But they said this would be up to those device makers. Apple and Google have clashed over Apple’s reluctance to approve an application that works with the Google Voice calling service.
As mobile services that involve location have become increasingly important, the underlying mapping data has become a valuable strategic asset. Google recently began creating its own digital maps in the United States, ending a contract with the map data provider TeleAtlas, which is owned by TomTom.
A year earlier, Google had chosen TeleAtlas to replace Navteq, a map data provider that Nokia acquired for $8.1 billion in 2007. Google and Nokia are rivals in mobile phone operating systems.
]]>Source : http://www.crn.com
9:39 AM EDT Wed. Oct. 21, 2009
BlackBerry Bold 9700
Research In Motion (NSDQ:RIMM) introduced its new BlackBerry Bold 9700 smartphone Wednesday as the successor to its high-end Bold 9000 model.
The 9700 features support for 3G HSDPA networks, a 624MHz processor, 256 MB of Flash memory, built-in GPS and Wi-FI, and a 3.2-megapixel camera, according to RIM. At least initially, it’s only available on AT&T and T-Mobile networks.
“The BlackBerry Bold 9700 builds on the success of the original BlackBerry Bold with new, state-of-the-art features and a smaller, lighter and highly optimized design that looks, feels and performs great,” said Mike Lazaridis, RIM’s president and co-CEO, in a statement.
The Bold 9700, a high-end model aimed at business users, measures 4.29 x 2.36 x 0.56 inches and weighs 4.3 ounces. By comparison, the Bold 9000 measured 4.48 x 2.6 x 0.59 inches and weighed 4.8 ounces.
The new phone also features a 2.44-inch display and 480 x 360 resolution at 245 ppi, according to RIM, which is looking to fend off Apple’s iPhone among business users.
The company did not release pricing on the Bold 9700, but it’s likely to cost more than the Bold 9000, which is selling through AT&T (NYSE:T) for $199 after $100 mail-in rebate and a two-year contract.
Last week, RIM unveiled a new version of its BlackBerry Storm smartphone, more aimed at the consumer market.
]]>By Yenie Darian
Today at the market, there are many models and brands of Portable GPS Receiver available. The new portable GPS receiver offered from US$ 100 to more than US$ 500 depend on the features. Usually, build-in GPS is too bulky, not efficient and more expensive than portable GPS receiver. The portable GPS receiver is very economical and useful for daily activity, driving or outdoor activity.
TomTom GO 730T 4.3-Inch Widescreen Bluetooth Portable GPS Navigator with Traffic Receiver
The basic type portable GPS receiver is around US$ 100. Usually, they offer basic features such as the United States map in details, a small color screen, voice guidance and power adapter. This basic type have enough features to assist you during driving, although you couldn’t get additional features such as voice recognition, FM traffic receiver, add custom points of interest (POI’s), JPEG picture viewer, MP3 player, world travel clock with time zones, Multi-Destination Routing, trip calculator and so on.
Unfortunately, the portable GPS navigation system doesn’t have internal compass accelerometer or a device used to measure the car’s speed. So, it can’t navigate as accurately as a build-in GPS system. It is important to buy a portable GPS receiver that has a build-in accelerometer, if you use the GPS very frequently or live in an area where there are a lot of high rises and tunnels.
The portable GPS receiver usually compact and pocket sized. You can carry it anywhere you go and avoid stolen if you leave it in your car.
Other post you may be interested in reading : Introducing Garmin GPS 76 and GPS Navigation Systems. How to Get the Best One?
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Garmin nuvi 285W/285WT
Do you want the hot Garmin nüvi 285WT, which allows hands-free calling? Or how about the popular Garmin nüvi 260W that already has hundreds of great reviews? Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll get a great deal on the right Garmin nüvi model for you in this sale.
Discount is reflected in current price. Discount applies only to products sold by Amazon.com; does not apply to items sold by other merchants on the Amazon.com
Don’t get lost ! Use the right GPS ! Buy now
Garmin nuvi 850 with MP3 Player
With the nüvi 800 series, Garmin adds smooth speech recognition to its bestselling line of sleek portable GPS navigators. As with all nüvis, you get a slim, pocket-sized navigator with a gorgeous display, detailed NAVTEQ maps that let you search by name for more than 6 million points of interest like stores, restaurants or hospitals, and an easy, intuitive interface. All of the 800-series navigators also feature a rich array of features including spoken directions in real street names, integrated traffic receivers, MP3 player and photo viewer, and an FM transmitter that will play all the nüvi’s audio, including voice prompts, MP3s, audio books, and more, directly through your vehicle’s stereo system. The 850 also features an integrated traffic receiver and enhanced MSN Direct content with traffic data, reas-time gas prices, movie times and more.
Key Features/Benefits
- New – Voice Recognition — Just tell it what you’re looking for (Learn more)
- Easy to use interface (Learn More)
- Integrated Antenna for a slim form factor
- Pre-Loaded Maps for North America with 6 million searchable points of interest (POIs), plus add your own custom POIs (Learn more)
- Multi-Destination Routing — tells you the best way to get to a lot of different places in one trip (Learn More)
- FM Transmitter lets you hear spoken navigation prompts, MP3s or audio books through your car’s stereo system
- Add FM traffic incident data or Enhanced MSN traffic flow data and content with an optional antenna (Learn more)
- Where Am I? — instantly shows you all of the emergency services nearby (Learn More)
- Where’s My Car? — never forget where you parked again (Learn More)
- Widescreen — gives you a better idea of what’s around you (Learn More)
- microSD card slot — store extra maps, travel guides, photos or MP3s
- Photo Viewer and MP3 Player (Learn More)
- Customize Your Onscreen Vehicle Icon (Learn More)
- Garmin Lock (Learn More) — keep others from using your navigator
- New – Photo Navigation lets you upload geo-coded photos from a phone, geo-coding camera or photo site and navigate to them. (Learn more)
- New – Send addresses directly to your Garmin from Google Maps or Mapquest (Learn more)
Here the new review from Gizmodo
Garmin nuvifone G60
What’s Bad ?
• The resistive touchscreen reminds me of phones circa 2006, bad for everything but big-button tapping.
• There’s no homescreen button, to quickly take you out of a mire of menus.
• It’s crashy—screens froze twice while I was writing this, forcing a full-on hard restart.
• Sometimes the accelerometer just stops working completely.
• The camera is terrible—if the hardware button required for the shutter even works—and there’s no video of any kind.
• The web browser is all but useless, because it relies heavily on zooming in and out, and the touchscreen easily confuses swiping and tapping.
• The interface looks cool at first, but there are strange design choices throughout. Want an example? The QWERTY keyboard only appears in horizontal mode—it’s ABCDE in vertical mode. Also, no “Where To?” button, a la older Nuvi devices.
• You have to pay a $5/month premium charge to check the weather, traffic, local events and other services—all of which can be found on free apps from real smartphone platforms (not just iPhone).
• Even when using email (let alone calendar), there doesn’t seem to be any awareness of the rest of the internet: The email wizard lets you enter any address and password, but it doesn’t say whether it can actually get mail. This tenacious little phone is still trying to log onto my Hotmail account.
• The battery ran down completely during my first day of testing, after a few phone calls and some modest GPS navigation, and the battery indicator drops fast when it’s just on standby. In fairness, you shouldn’t use this phone or any other phone without a car charger, if you intend to use it for GPS navigation.
• There is no car charger. It’s missing the $7 USB-to-cig-lighter adapter. AT&T probably wanted to sell it separately, but when I asked at my local AT&T store, they didn’t even carry it.
• Since it’s an AT&T phone, it has to compete with the iPhone and other handsets that are way better. If the Nuvifone were on Verizon, it would at least have a network advantage in certain markets that it could lord over the iPhone herd. But even Apple haters would have a hard time spending an extra $100 on this—with the exact same phone reception.
]]>By: Yenie Darian
If you have PDA without GPS support, now, you never need to be lost again. Whatever you are doing and wherever you are, Tom Tom’s Bluetooth device is designed for people who already own a PDA that supports Bluetooth. This external GPS receiver gives your PDA GPS functionality, which will let you know where you are going and how best to get there exactly, when combined with Tom Tom’s Navigator software and maps.
External GPS Receiver
Wherever you might happen to go, the receiver utilizes Bluetooth technology to eliminate the need for connecting cables, and a high-performance GPS antenna to ensure the best possible reception.
TomTom Bluetooth GPS Receiver as External GPS Receiver has small size and light weight, this handy receiver can fit easily in a purse, pocket, or anywhere else off the beaten track.
The GPS antenna on this unit will stay connected to make sure you find your way whether you are driving down the road or walking down the street, and because of its Bluetooth connectivity.
This external GPS receiver is compatible with most popular brands and models of PDAs, including; O2, Palm Treo, Nokia, Acer, Imate, Dell, HP, Orange, T-Mobile, Qtek and Eten.
Unfortunately, this external GPS receiver is expensive for an older tech receiver. And once you have powered this on it works well enough. When it loses Bluetooth connection to whatever it is talking to it shuts off. When the client comes back this unit has to be manually powered on again.
Just thought you may be interested in reading this guide: A Review of Garmin Nuvi 255W 4.3-Inch Widescreen Portable GPS Navigator and Finding the Best Garmin GPS Accessories.
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Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, announced today that it was introducing the GPS 72H with new, state-of-the-art features including a high-sensitivity GPS receiver, and a fast USB interface – all in an easy-to-use handheld that floats.
“Since 2002, the GPS 72 has been the handheld of choice for the boater that wants a simple, rugged, and reliable navigator,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president for worldwide sales. “Now, with a high-sensitivity receiver, boaters can acquire a position fix quickly and easily.”
In addition to improved GPS satellite reception, the GPS 72H can quickly transfer waypoints, tracks, and routes via its fast USB interface, as well as the tried-and-true NMEA 0183. Battery life has also been improved to 18 hours (typical use). Like the legacy GPS 72, the updated 72H is fully waterproof to IPX-7 standards (submersible in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes). Best of all, the unit floats, in case of an accidental dunking.
The GPS 72H features built-in celestial data, including tide tables, sunrise/sunset times, and a fishing and hunting almanac. Like its predecessor, the GPS 72H stores up to 500 waypoints and 50 routes.
The GPS 72H includes a wrist strap, a quick start manual, and digital owner’s manual. The unit is expected to be available in the October 2009 for a suggested retail price of $149.99. Visit www.garmin.com for more information.
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