Sony of Canada Ltd. has unveiled the nav-u NVU-70 GPS-based portable navigation device. It’s equipped with a 3.5’’ touch-screen display and two-way speaker system, and lets drivers to map a destination, re-route around traffic jams, and locate points of interest.

“The portable navigation segment is expected to grow more than 100 per cent in this year, and will continue to grow significantly through 2008, according to NPD data,” commented Neil Dutton, Product Manager, Mobile Electronics Products, Consumer Audio/Visual Information Technology Group, Sony of Canada Ltd. “We’ve leveraged our audio and video expertise to make the nav-u system a feature-rich and easy to use device for a better customer experience.”

At the core of the system is Sony’s 12-channel GPS receiver with proprietary RF technology and a built in antenna that allows the unit to receive a satellite signal within seconds after it is turned on. It’s ready for use right out of the box, with 1 GB of embedded flash memory that’s preloaded with 1.6 million points of interest, including Canada and the northern U.S. A DVD-ROM with full maps of Canada and the northern U.S. is also included; and updates to the mapping database are made by connecting the device to a PC’s USB port.

By tapping the touch-screen twice, users can access several programming features. For example, the “home” feature recognizes the unit’s location and maps the quickest route to the programmed home address; while the “block road” reroute feature allows drivers to change their course and keep driving in the case of a closed road or traffic congestion. The screen has day and night modes regulated by a light sensor that measures ambient light and gradually transitions between modes.

As a handheld device, the nav-u can be transferred between vehicles. It can be cradled in a universal, light-weight bracket that can be mounted on a car’s windshield or dashboard. Its embedded rechargeable lithium-ion battery allows for up to four hours of operation outside of the car.

The nav-u NV-U70 will be available in early April at an MSRP of $799.99. Sony notes that it is also finalizing details of an annual map upgrade program offering. The program will be announced shortly.

Source: Marketnews

Panasonic has decided to infiltrate the GPS system market with two new units from its Strada line of GPS systems. The models are codenamed the CN-DS120D and the CN-D050D. While they won’t win any awards for their names, the devices achieve the most important task of a gadget: getting the job done. As is quite often the case with a dual release, one unit is definitely better than the other. In this pair, the CN-DS120D clearly reigns supreme simply because it has expanded features that its “colleague” just can’t compete with.

Both of the systems are portable, as well as able to function when connected to a car. The 7 inch screen is a real highlight for both of the models. Unfortunately, GPS technology is where the fun stops for the CN-D050D. The device can display maps and directions, and has a DVD drive which is used to provide some of the data. The screen is sort of a waste in this model, as it can’t do anything beyond these simple features. The CN-DS120D on the other hand, takes full advantage of the crisp display. This model has a DVD drive that’s actually able to play DVD movies, and also has an SD card slot. Using an SD card, the user will be able to put map data on the unit, and use the DVD drive solely for movies. The CN-DS120D also has a built in TV Tuner which currently supports terrestrial digital TV in Japan. No exact word on pricing as of yet.

The new additions to Panasonics Strada lineup aren’t revolutionary or eye catching in any particular way. However, they are able to display everything that you could possibly want on a GPS system, while throwing out features that other GPS systems have, that you’d never use. It’s like these systems were filtered, and everything that the target consumer wouldn’t find useful isn’t implemented in the systems. Hopefully, this will lead to a lower-than-average asking price. If you’re interested in picking one of the models up, ask yourself a question. Are you looking for a system that purely spits out directions at you, or one that can also provide some quality entertainment? Personally, I’d have to go with the latter. You never know when you’ll end up on a road trip with someone who just doesn’t stay quiet. A nice movie or TV show on a 7” screen ought to do the trick.

Source: by Alex Baranovskiy - Digital Lifestyle

NovAtel

First Modernized GPS Satellite; NGA Data Drives Improved Accuracy; PNT Research Center at Stanford;
Irish Autos Aim at Tollbooth Elimination; Plenary Discusses New Era in GNSS

First Modernized GPS Satellite; NGA Data Drives Improved Accuracy; PNT Research Center at Stanford;
Irish Autos Aim at Tollbooth Elimination; Plenary Discusses New Era in GNSS

Launched on September 26, the first IIR-M satellite will broadcast new military signals (M-code on L1M
and L2M) and a second civil signal (L2C).

Launched on September 26, the first IIR-M satellite will broadcast new military signals (M-code on L1M
and L2M) and a second civil signal (L2C).

x

x

The tablet PC is offically back, with Samsung and Asus leading the charge with the first real world gadgets.

Dubbed Ultra Mobile PC (formerly ‘Origami’), the new handheld computers will be far more luggable than today’s tablets and theoretically easier to use - screen sizes are limited to 7in and Microsoft’s bundling a bunch of touchscreen software called the Touch Pack.

The first two machines to be unveiled are Asus’ R2H and Samsung’s Q1. We’ve already memorably christened Asus’ ‘the silver one’ but it’s probably more accurately known as the ‘one with GPS, a web cam and a fingerprint scanner built-in’. What we know about Samsung’s job is that it’s ‘the black one’, weighs a fairly light 779g, measures 24.5mm thick, has a 40GB hard drive and can add GPS as an optional extra.

Beyond those facts, we’re reliant on Microsoft’s Ultra Mobile PC site which reveals that the computers will run Windows XP Tablet PC Edition 2005 and have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth as standard.

Microsoft’s bloggers have also given some insight into Programme Launcher – a Media Centre-esque skin with touchscreen-friendly shortcuts for your most-used apps, files and the like – and Brilliant Black, a touchscreen skin for Windows Media Player so you don’t have to bugger about with a stylus. We’ve got snapshots below of both.

For the time being, today’s new tablets throw up more questions than answers. And, boy, are we brimming with questions: will UMPCs have instant-on modes? Will they get Vista? Will they be able to take 3G data cards? What battery life can we expect? What’s the meaning of life? And, of course, when can we have one to keep? We’ll be badgering Microsoft, Sammie and Asus, so watch this space.

Programme Launcher

Brilliant Black

Source: By Adam Vaughan - Stuff Magazine