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| PocketGPSWorld.com Event Article |
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Destinator 6 was announced in Munich
Destinator 6 was announced in Munich yesterday. The Destinator Press release follows:
Destinator 6 for PDAs:
Fast navigational assistance for everyone
· Faster and easier to get to your destination: New user guidance and new “Map-Engine”
· Real-time traffic congestion avoidance: The new feature based on TMC-Pay-Services
· Trip-Planner optimises the route / Third Party POIs can be easily imported
Munich, 10th March 2006
Destinator Technologies has created a feature rich, flexible navigation product with mass market appeal with the introduction of Destinator 6, its latest mobile navigation solution for PDAs. The software is now even easier to use thanks to the revised user interface and “Routing-Engine” that shows the way quickly and reliably. Destinator 6 is one of the first mobile solutions to interpret the freely available traffic information which is transmitted by radio signal as well as the much more up-to-date and comprehensive encrypted data transmitted by TMC-Pay-Service providers. This means that traffic congestion can be avoided more or less in real time. Users can optimise their routing when having to reach multiple destinations during the same trip.
Fast and simple operation
Destinator 6’s new “Map-Engine” ensures a crystal clear and extremely fast map display both in 2D and especially in 3D mode. The layout clarity of this mode has been increased by displaying the town and street names. The user interface is intuitive and completely finger operable – styluses have been made redundant. A full keyboard is now used to enter street names instead of using a mobile phone type keyboard. The search is supported by a fast search algorithm which automatically completes the names as they are entered and shows the results in a list. When entering only a town’s name you will automatically be guided to the town centre. Support for high end devices with VGA resolution of 640 x 480 pixels has been enhanced to deliver the best visual experience.
Avoid traffic congestions, even overseas with high quality live-traffic data
Destinator 6 is one of the first mobile navigation solutions that displays TMC-Pay-Service information on PDAs with no monthly or annual fees. Currently it supports the TMC pro Service from T-Systems in Germany and the Trafficmaster pay service in the UK. This system uses traffic information which is gathered, for example, by vehicles equipped with transmitters (floating cars), by sensors built into streets or by data cameras installed on bridges. This data is transmitted in “real-time” to the navigation device by specialist providers as a premium service. It is of a high quality and extremely up-to-date. As with this freely available traffic information, this data is transmitted via radio signal but it is encrypted and can only be used if the appropriate licence has been purchased.
Destinator Technologies offers this service for a once-only licence fee which is already included in the purchase price of the product – no further costs are incurred. TMC services of other countries can be used thanks to the new “TrafficSam” technology; TrafficSam allows the use of TMC services with Destinator 6 for PDAs across borders without additional costs in accordance with the “once purchased – use everywhere” principle. A pre-requisite for this function is, as with the use of free TMC services, an RDS capable TMC receiver. Destinator 6 with TrafficSam will be offered as a separate Destinator Technologies product.
Reach multiple destinations by the shortest route
Destinator 6’s unique “Trip-Planner” allows commercial users such as delivery drivers or sales representatives to reach multiple destinations by the shortest route. Routes can be entered randomly and are then sorted using the “optimise route” function.
Import function for Points of Interest (“POIs”)
POIs from third parties can be easily imported into Destinator 6 using the new interface. Drivers can have their attention drawn to points of interest, like hotels, petrol stations, restaurants or pharmacies by verbal or visual prompts.
Destinator 6 for PDAs will be available for purchase by the end of April 2006. The map data will cover the whole of Europe including Eastern Europe and will be based on the latest Q1/2006 (NAVTEQ) map edition. The retail price of Destinator 6 will be around £99.99 inc. VAT, Destinator 6 with TrafficSam will be available at approximately £139.99 inc. VAT.
Article by Mike Barrett on Saturday, March 11 @ 09:53:58 UTC
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Garmin make 10 new Product Announcements
We have just finished the Garmin Press Conference at CeBIT. The presentation was given by Ralf Hug, the Automotive Marketing Director for Garmin.
Garmin announced 10 new products today, both upgrades to existing SatNav products and some new ranges. Most of the new additions are in the StreetPilot range. These are: Nuvi 310, 310 Deluxe, and 360 a new range called the StreetPilot c510, c510 Deluxe and c550 and finally the top of the range StreetPilots the 7200 and 7500.
Additional features and functionality on some of these devices includes:
- Integrated TMC Traffic data
- Bluetooth Hands free phone functionality
- Text to Speech
- MP3 Player
- Audio Books
- Travel Guides
- Customisable Vehicle Icons
- Garmin Lock (security)
There was also a new Fleet Management system announced featuring a partnership between Garmin, GPS Buddy, and Beacon Wireless.
The new 7000 series feature 7” screens and have a composite video input for reversing cameras etc. The top of the range 7500 also features dead reckoning to allow navigation in the absence of GPS signals.
Garmin Mobile was also announced. This is a SiRFStarIII based GPS Cradle for a mobile phone with integrated speaker allowing hands free dialling and full turn by turn navigation. This is compatible with a wide range of phones including: Windows Mobile, Symbian, and PalmOS.
The last product to be announced was the GVN52. This is an OEM “Black Box” solution to integrate into a vehicle’s A/V system. The first implementation of this will be the Kenwood system.
I am just about to see Garmin to get my hands on this new gear. More details will follow shortly…
Article by Mike Barrett on Thursday, March 09 @ 17:06:39 UTC
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Mike's view of the new TomTom GOs...
As a lot of you are aware last week we attended a TomTom media and partner event in London where we were sworn to secrecy. We were allowed to issue the press release but we had to keep most of the details quiet until today.
Well TomTom had two announcements the New GO range and a Fleet Management System TomTom Work. This article covers the new GO a separate one will follow regarding the TomTom Work system.
The New TomTom GO Range.
Since the March 2004 launch of the GO TomTom introduced a new concept: the "Automotive Navigation Alternative". A real mass market alternative to the expensive in-car systems. This has generated over 2,000,000 sales of TT Go but still has only 10% coverage of the European car users. This leaves a massive market still available to capture.
Way back in 2004 we were all surprised by the GO Classic. Last year the GO 300,500, and 700 were a surprise, we knew they were coming but were not sure exactly what they would offer.
So what is instore for 2006?
We have been part of the TomTom beta test team for some time so we had some inkling of what was coming from clues in the functionality of the new software. But once again they totally knocked us for 6 going beyond our dreams and forging yet another new standard in PND. Some o the features added are not unique, but there has been a lot of thought put into the implementation.
Main Features.
3 New Models 510, 710, and 910
New Wide screen design
Integrated text to speech engine giving natural voice commands
hands free functionality improved dramatically.
Audio/Video functionality including iPOD control
speed cams installed
Ambient light sensor to adjust screen brightness
Maps of EU, US and Canada preinstalled (910)
New Design
There is a new design. It retains the style of the older GOs. It is immediately identifiable as a GO, but the design is slicker, and more modern, but still retaining the GO brand look and feel.
The new GO has a 16:9 aspect Wide screen 4". Despite the additional size of the screen the over all size of the new GO is actually not much bigger than the existing range. This enables users to see more data whilst still being able to slip the PND into your pocket...
To complement the new GO design there is a new mounting system. This sits behind device to make it look like a rear view mirror with the mount completely hidden. The mount comes with connectivity in mind. Apart from Power there is an Audio Out, RDS TMC (for FM traffic reports), an external Microphone, and an iPOD connector. The Audio out allows you to route the output from the GO directly through the Aux-In of your car stereo. This means that not only do your navigation instructions get output to the car speakers, so does any music from the Multimedia player.
As with the recent TomTom one the new GOs all benefit from a SiRFStarIII chipset which is currently the most sensitive chipset on the market. To assist with faster satellite fixing TomTom have introduced TomTom Quick Fix. This is part of the TomTom home package which downloads the satellite data from the internet and stores it on the GO. This means that when you switch the GO on in the car it already has the satellite positions. All it needs to do is to read the signals.
New Software
Along with the new hardware comes new software. Yes you have guessed it this will be version 6.0. The emphasis on the new version 6 software has been on improved navigation. This focuses on increased situational awareness and minimising of user input. The new map data will contain enhanced data such as low bridges and road signs. It will also contain information on which lane you need to be in for your next turn. This lane awareness allows the software to provide early warnings when you have to switch lanes to exit or remain on the current road. Whilst we are talking about maps. Another neat feature that TomTom have added is the satellite image. No not a picture of a GPS satellite, but actual pictures of the Earth taken by NASA satellites. These are only used at the lower magnifications of the map view with the normal map being displayed at higher resolutions.
There is a built in light sensor. This allows the automatic adjustment of the brightness of the screen, including switching to day/night schemes as appropriate.
Ever parked your car in a car park in a strange town and cant remember where you left it? With the new GO you don't need to worry. As soon as you remove it from the mount it remembers the location automatically. All you need to do is hit the "find my car" function and the GO will route you directly to where the car is parked.
The audio output of the GO is another area that has seen a lot of attention. Firstly there is text to speech, then the entire Multimedia system, the iPOD connectivity, not forgetting the hands free mobile integration. All of these features have been integrated with a lot of thought. If you are listening to music and the navigation system need to alert you to a turn instruction then the music is paused whilst the instruction is given. If you are in a phone call then you will hear a beep and that is all. If you receive a text message then the text to speech audio will read the text out to you (could be interesting if your girlfriend texts when driving with your wife). If the traffic situation ahead changes then this will be read out to you. You can also get the system to alert you to nearby POIs on the route (including of course speed cameras). Of course the text to speech is also able to provide dynamic instructions including road names etc. And to cap it all there is an automatic voice level feature which adjusts the output levels to the ambient background noise. This ensures that you will always hear your instructions.
Multimedia
The other new feature that we keep mentioning is the Multimedia system. This is only available on the GO910 which has a large hard disk drive with 16Gb available for music and video. A lot of other PNDs support the playing of music, or video. This is not a first for TomTom. What is though is the thoughtful way it has been implemented. The Multimedia has been designed for safe driving, and is fully integrated with the navigation and hands free phone functionality. You can download your music collection and listen to it playing through your car speakers but have it paused for announcements and phone calls. A truly integrated system. Of course it is not just music that is played the system also supports Audio Books, a new feature of TomTom Plus.
Connectivity.
The original GO was limited in its expansion through the mount. You had external power only. This is not the case with the new GOs. There is a connector for just about everything. In fact the only connector not mentioned is the external antenna. I am sure it must have one... The connectivity options are:
- Handsfree integration via BT
- iPOD integration via cable Go now controls the ipod
- output goes through the built in speaker or car speakers.
- direct connection from mount
- speaker selection for various outputs
- supports BT hi-fi streaming
- TomTom Home dock PDAs have cradles to sync with a PC. Now the GO does to.
Management Software
One of the nightmare support issues is the management of the Add-ins and maps and voices on the GO. This has always been a headache since day one of the GO Classic. With the introduction of the Home Mount TomTom have released a PC application to manage the content of the GO. This uses an explorer like interface to transfer data between the desktop and the GO.
Security
TomTom have answered peoples pleas to implement security. They have done this by using a theft protection pin code. I don't know the full details of the mechanisms, but it will lock the GO if you don't enter the correct PIN code.
TomTom Plus
The Plus services have also seen an overhaul with new and updated services
TomTom Audiobooks
TomTom has partnered with Audible Inc., to provide a range of about twenty three thousand books in audio format. from comedy to politics (no they are not the same) fiction and non-fiction you can even download audio versions of newspapers or maybe you want to learn a new skill whilst driving...
TomTom Buddies
TomTom Buddies is the killer application for me. This allows you to create your own community of friends (or workmates) enabling you to locate and navigate to any of your Buddies. If you are just off to see your lady friend then there is a privacy option so your partner cant see where you are. Just make sure you enable it...
TomTom Safety Cameras
Quote from TomTom
"Adding to TomTom’s comprehensive database of safety camera sites that have been checked and verified by TomTom field surveyors, the TomTom safety camera alerts now include Mobile Safety Cameras, and the option to report any new safety cameras at a touch of a button from TomTom devices. Completely integrated into the new TomTom GO range, TomTom Safety Cameras encourage safe driving, whilst ensuring that users can report changes in locations of speed cameras and mobile speed traps. These are then automatically updated in a large database, meaning users will continue to receive the latest information from their device."
TomTom Quick GPS Fix™
With the TomTom HOME software the details normally received from the GPS satellites can be downloaded into the GO from the internet. This allows the GO to get a lock on the Satellites quickly.
Pricing
TomTom GO 910 has a recommended retail price of €699
TomTom GO 710 has a recommended retail price of €599
TomTom GO 510 has a recommended retail price of €499
Article by Mike Barrett on Thursday, March 09 @ 11:34:04 UTC
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TomTom 510, 710, 910 - More Details
TomTom this morning officially announced their new GO lineup, the 510, 710 and 910. Launching the devices at the worlds largest electronics show, CeBIT in Hannover, Germany.
The new widescreen devices have features such as iPod Control, contiguous US and EU mapping on the same device, RDS/TMC, 20GB HDD, MP3 Player and Photo Viewer.
For the business owner, a new service called TomTom WORK which allows tracking and fleet management of your salesmen, service engineers, drivers etc all through the familiar TomTom Interface.
Click here to read the overview...
Article by Darren Griffin on Thursday, March 09 @ 09:05:17 UTC
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WayFinder announce the latest version of Navigator
Press Release from WayFinder
The new Wayfinder Navigator brings the world to your hand
Wayfinder takes mobile phone GPS-navigation to the next level with the latest version of the flagship product Navigator, introduced to the market at the CeBIT exhibition in Hanover on March 9-15. The Navigator is loaded with a number of useful functions, designed to please the traveller. The new features include a unique zoom-in world map, currency converter, guidebook and a weather-service. The new Wayfinder Navigator reaches the market in April. The era of paper maps and paper guidebooks is now at an end.
In addition to GPS-navigation in Europe and North America with more than three million Points of Interest, it's possible to zoom in any chosen location on the planet with the new Wayfinder Navigator.
With the breakthrough world map coverage in your hand it's possible to find your way throughout the entire world. This makes Wayfinder Navigator uncontested the most complete mobile navigation service on the market, says Magnus Nilsson, CEO Wayfinder Systems.
The interface of Wayfinder Navigator has gone through a sweeping update and is now even more user-friendly, attractive and distinct. The Service Window, an additional new feature, provides the user with information on weather, currency rates and currency converting. Future add-ons will be presented to the user in the Service Window.
The goal of our product line is being the ultimate travel companion, and we reach that goal by constantly solving the traveller's problems. Whether it's regarding finding the right way or work out foreign price tags, says Magnus Nilsson, CEO Wayfinder Systems.
The new version of Wayfinder Navigator is introduced to the market on CeBIT in Hanover and will reach the consumer market in April 2006.
Article by Mike Barrett on Monday, March 06 @ 21:58:02 UTC
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