TomTom GO Live 740
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)CES 2009 didn't dish up any major surprises in the GPS department, but that doesn't mean it was a complete snoozer. A handful of new portable navigation devices were introduced at the show, as well as a number of services for both standalone PNDs and GPS-enabled smartphones.
As expected, we saw a new connected GPS debut, this time from TomTom. While not the first PND to offer an Internet connection, we feel the TomTom GO 740 Live promises the best combination of features and design (compared to the current Dash Express and TeleNav Shotgun offerings) and might just be the one to get people onboard with connected GPS. As a result, we picked it as our Best of CES winner for the GPS category.
Another Best of CES GPS finalist was the Dual XNAV43HD, which is the first PND in the U.S. market to have built-in HD Radio technology. The benefit of HD Radio is that it offers more bandwidth, allowing you to receive more information about traffic and beyond, such as gas prices and weather information. The technology has been available in European GPS units, but we suspect we'll be seeing more of it in the United States this year.
Mio Technology started the year fresh with four new Moov models and revamped navigation software. Meanwhile, Garmin introduced the Garmin Nuvi 885T and the bike-specific Garmin Zumo 660. The company also announced its nuMaps Lifetime Map Update Program, and a new routing option called Garmin EcoRoute to help drivers save money and fuel. Unfortunately, there was no sign of the Garmin Nuvifone, but Pharos revealed its latest GPS-enabled smartphone, the Pharos Traveler 137.
So what does 2009 have in store for GPS? More content-driven services, such as real-time traffic, weather information, gas prices, and so forth. And while we believe standalone PNDs will continue to have their place in the market, the increasing availability and adoption of GPS-enabled cell phones, smartphones, and location-based services should not be underestimated.
(Credit:
Mio Technology)
Mio Technology unveiled four new models to its Moov line of portable navigation devices at CES 2009, along with an improved software platform called Mio Spirit.
Calling 2009 a "watershed year for Mio," the GPS manufacturer debuted the Mio Moov S300, Mio Moov S500, Mio Moov S556, and Mio Moov S700, which will all come preloaded with the Mio Spirit navigation software. The revamped interface was designed to simplify map views and searches, including those for points of interest and other key navigation tools. Responding to customer feedback, the new search capabilities make it easier to search for POI close to your current location, destination, or along your route. Mio has also increased the POI database to include 12 million entries.
As far as the individual products, here's a breakdown of what each has to offer. All models are expected to ship during the first half of 2009.
Mio Moov S300: The entry-level Moov S300 features a 3.5-inch touch screen and comes preloaded with maps of the United States and Canada. Text-to-speech functionality is also available in English, Spanish, and French. The S300 will cost $199.99.
Mio Moov S500 has a 4.7-inch touch screen.
(Credit: Mio)Mio Moov S500: The $249.99 Moov S500 offers all the same features as the S300 but bumps up the screen size to 4.7 inches.
Mio Moov S556: A bit more on the high end, the Moov S556 sports a sleeker design and a flat 4.7-inch touch screen. The core features are the same as the previously mentioned models, but you also get integrated Bluetooth, lane guidance, and 3D junction view, which will present realistic 3D views of major roads and signs. Suggested retail price is $299.99.
Mio Moov S700: Last but not least, the Moov S700 is designed for campers and RVs and comes equipped with an extra-large 7-inch touch screen and MAD Maps, which offer scenic routes. It also comes preloaded with maps of North America and 12 million points of interest. The Moov S700 is priced at $299.99.
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TomTom GO 740 Live is TomTom's first GPS unit with a GPRS modem.
(Credit: TomTom)On the first day of CES 2009, GPS manufacturer TomTom introduced its newest portable navigation device, the TomTom GO 740 Live. Like the Dash Express and TeleNav Shotgun, the GO 740 Live is a connected GPS using a built-in SIM card and GPRS modem, so you'll get more up-to-date information delivered to your PND right over the air.
What kind of information? Well, I'm glad you asked. With the purchase of the TomTom GO 740 Live, you'll get a complimentary year subscription to TomTom's Live services, which include Google Local Search, fuel-price information, weather data, and TomTom QuickGPSfix for faster satellite acquisition. The Google search capabilities allow you to look up local businesses and get such information as phone number and user reviews, if available.
Along with the Live services, you also get real-time traffic information, which is updated every two to five minutes. You'll be alerted to any delays via audio prompts, and if there are any incidents along your course, you can choose to continue on the same path with an updated time of arrival or reroute around the problem.To further aid with routing, the GO 740 Live employs TomTom's IQ Routes technology, which calculates directions based on historical traffic data.
The TomTom GO 740 Live comes preloaded with TeleAtlas maps of the United States and Canada and includes text-to-speech functionality, voice recognition and commands, and integrated Bluetooth. The unit features a 4.3-inch touch screen (supports 64,000 colors with a 480x272 pixel resolution) and measures 3.4 inches tall by 5 inches wide by 0.9 inch deep and weighs 7.9 ounces.
The TomTom GO 740 Live is expected to ship in Q2 2009 for $499 and will be available at major retailers.
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Garmin's EcoRoute might save you money and help the planet.
(Credit: Garmin)Garmin's been quite busy at CES 2009, and the show hasn't even officially started yet. In addition to introducing the Garmin Nuvi 885T, Garmin Zumo 660, and the nuMaps Lifetime Map Update Program, the GPS manufacturer announced something called EcoRoute.
EcoRoute brings a new routing option to Garmin Nuvi devices (in addition to faster time and shorter distance) and creates itineraries based on the most fuel-efficient course. You can even select your vehicle type under the "Vehicle profile" option in the Tools menu and enter your car's fuel economy.
Other features include a Fuel Report and a Mileage Report that tracks and monitors your mileage and fuel usage on a per-trip basis. Plus, you get fuel-saving tips and the ability to enter current gas prices so the Nuvi can calculate your savings when using the EcoRoute option.
Garmin's EcoRoute is available as a free software download from the company's Web site, where you can also check for device compatibility.
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Garmin)
Updating your GPS with the latest map updates can get quite expensive, but Garmin is hoping to offer its customers a better deal with its new nuMaps Lifetime Map Update Program.
For a one-time fee, you'll be able to download new points of interest, streets, and addresses to your Garmin unit for life. Subscribers will be alerted to new updates (up to four times a year) via e-mail and maps will be downloaded directly to your computer to be transferred to the GPS via USB cable. There are some restrictions in that you can't transfer the subscription to another Garmin GPS or if you eventually sell your unit.
There are three different versions of the nuMaps Lifetime Map Update Program: City Navigator NT North America updates ($119.99);City Navigator Europe NT ($139.99); and City Navigator Transatlantic ($149.99). Not a bad deal when you consider a single map update (called nuMaps Onetime) costs $69.99. The program will be available starting January 21.
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Garmin Nuvi 885T
(Credit: Garmin)On Wednesday, Garmin expanded its Nuvi line of GPS devices at CES 2009 with the introduction of the Garmin Nuvi 885T. The high-end Nuvi 885T adds lane assistance with junction view and enhanced MSN Direct services.
The new MSN Direct capabilities include the ability to check the status of your flight (departures and arrivals), more advanced weather information, enhanced movie listing information and continued support for real-time traffic data, fuel prices, and more. Meanwhile, the added junction view presents you with details on upcoming turns with accompanying arrows and road sign detail.
The Garmin Nuvi 885T comes preloaded with maps of the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico and is equipped with Garmin's HotFix technology for faster satellite acquisition. Other features include a 4.3-inch touch screen; integrated Bluetooth; text-to-speech functionality; voice commands; and multimedia capabilities.
The Nuvi 885Twill be available in Q1 2009 with a suggested retail price of $799.99. With the purchase of the GPS, you get three months of free MSN Direct service; afterward, you will have to pay $49.95 per year or a one-time fee of $129.95.
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Dual)
On Tuesday, just a couple days ahead of CES 2009, Dual Electronics announced its new flagship portable navigation device (PND), the Dual XNAV43HD.
The XNAV43HD is unlike any other GPS in the U.S. market currently in that it offers built-in HD Radio technology, bringing live traffic updates right to your screen. Sure, you may be thinking, real-time traffic data on PNDs is nothing new, but the advantage of HD Radio over regular TMC receivers is that it offers more bandwidth, allowing you to receive more information about traffic and beyond, such as gas prices and weather information.
While the XNAV43HD doesn't offer the latter services yet, you do get traffic data from the Clear Channel Total Traffic Network and Inrix via Clear Channel HD radio stations. To our knowledge, the XNAV43HD is the first PND to have HD Radio technology in the United States.
Other highlights of the GPS include a 4.3-inch touch screen; text-to-speech functionality; multimedia support; and a reasonable price tag of $279.99. The Dual XNAV43HD is expected to be available in spring 2009.
TeleNav Shotgun
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CBS Interactive)Portable navigation devices (PNDs) continued to draw a lot of interest in 2008 as more and more consumers became aware of the advantages of in-car GPS and they became more affordable. We think prices will continue to drop in the new year since the market is oversaturated with these navigation aids and the GPS manufacturers compete to get new customers. However, it's going to take more than an alluring price tag to keep the industry going.
With most PNDs offering the same core features and with the pressure and increasing popularity of GPS-enabled cell phones and location-based services, GPS manufacturers are having to step up their game by coming up with new technologies and features. That's why we expect to see more connected devices like the Dash Express and TeleNav Shotgun in 2009, bringing the most up-to-date maps and real-time data to drivers at all times. Finally, we believe voice commands, traffic capabilities, advanced lane guidance, and 3D building/landmark renderings will continue to makes their way to more and more GPS.
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