CeBIT 2008 - What Do We Want To See Announced?

Darren

CeBIT 2008 opens tomorrow and we will be there reporting live from the show. TomTom have already surprised us by calling a press conference so they clearly have something to announce. But what do we expect to hear or see?

Connected navigation devices are the new buzz word, devices that harness the power of the internet coupled to a navigation platform. CoPilot have already demonstrated how useful this facility can be with their Microsoft Live integration that allows you to search for just about anything and be directed to it on your device. The big issue for users of course is the cost of such a data connection, if one of the major manufacturers could persuade the operators to offer a fixed fee package at reasonable cost, say £50p.a. for unlimited searches etc then it could prove to be a winning system and could also offer live tracking as a by product.

3D mapping is till being touted as the next best thing but impressive as some designs are, do they really add anything to the navigation experience? I don't think so. I'd be far happier if the map data companies spent more time and investment to improve the currency of their mapping, make data such as road widths, weights, bridge heighst etc available on consumer devices etc.

On the 'out there' list would be a satnav that offered HUD (Heads Up Display) functionality in a consumer device. It is already available as factory fit from some vehicle manufacturers but imagine a device that projected next turn arrow information and even safety camera warnings onto your windscreen. It's possible using current technology but the vast range of vehicles it would have to accommodate make it a difficult product to design.

Got any great ideas? Or perhaps some insights into what may be announced?
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Darren Griffin

TheBrit · Regular Visitor Joined: Jul 18, 2006 Posts: 111

What would I like to see? TT7 for the PDA - that's what. And while TT are at it, to be able to optimise an itinery. Delivery drivers would find that a real boon.
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Paul

HTC Desire HD - Sygic

PaulB2005 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:00 pm Post subject:

alix776 · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:04 pm Post subject:

as is copilot 7 and iGO and also directions navigator infact directions navigator has a more postcodes in its database than tomtom according to the press info though when i tested it the postcode data wes more arrurate
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currently using aponia truck navigation on windows phone. Good bye IOS don't let the door hit you on the way out .

Oh the joys of being a courier.
device Lumia 950 xl

a4ace · Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 11:11 pm Post subject:

where's my tt7 for pda Crying

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tomtom 940 live/tt active dock holder/tt rds-tmc traffic receiver usb

G1LIW · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 3:37 am Post subject:

MaFt · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 8:41 am Post subject:

when navigator was mentioned at the press conference tomtom's response was basically "we've never left people int he cold for too long but there are no announcements regarding the navigator software today"

in other words, STOP WORRYING Wink

Darren · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:24 am Post subject:

That's an odd statement for them to make, they HAVE left PocketPC/Smartphone/Symbian users guessing for a very long time and have already lost customers to their competition as a result.

I understand that they will not announce or leak a new product until it is ready to launch but given that PND's have now jumped to v8 it's understandable that their PocketPC user-base is annoyed at being stuck with v6 and still no word.
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Darren Griffin

G1LIW · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:35 am Post subject:

Frankly, I've had enough of TomTom's complete and utter disregard for their PPC customers, and I'm sure I'm not alone.

For my part, TT have until the end of CBIT to announce one way or the other that they will continue to provide PPC/PDA software on general release - not just specific pre-loaded PPC/PDAs and phones - or I for one will be voting with my wallet, and looking to support a different satnav software provider when it comes time to renew my kit.

Sorry if this sounds silly to some, but I have really had enough of companies and their scatlogical levels, and attitudes of, and to, customer support.

Roger

G1LIW · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:45 am Post subject:

G1LIW · Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 9:46 am Post subject:

sorry for the double posting - I realised that I'd not completed my rant above, and couldn't find an 'edit' button!

topgearuk · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:38 am Post subject:

Yep me too... Just TomTom v7 or v8 that will work on my N95 8gb using the internal gps!!

But guess I'm asking too much, since the the N95 has been out for almost 1yr now with no updates or anything

Darren · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 8:43 am Post subject:

Hmm I wonder if the fact that Nokia have purchased Navteq and TomTom use TeleAtlas has anything to do with this?
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Darren Griffin

Johnny_D · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:11 am Post subject:

Highly likely darren ;)

Vodafone offer a highspeed datacard on a fixed rate up to 1Gb per month. So Integration with something like that could work fantastically well.

Not sure what else a satnav could do... Integration or 'convergence' is the current buzzword in the cellphone industry. However surfing the Internet from a TTG is highly viable as you have a much bigger screen than your average cellphone.

But it will be with interest seeing what comes out of CeBIT

JD
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TTG 300 Died the death of a cracked screen
Navman F20 USB Fell off
TTG 520 Third time lucky?
Bloody Superb PGPSW Camera Database.
Not much else!

Darren · Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 9:14 am Post subject:

As is often the case at trade shows, the interesting stuff is always announced first so I fear we've heard the best already.
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Darren Griffin

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