Miss Direction

Mio Explora K70

(Credit: Mio)

Back at GSMA 2009, I spotted a mysterious Mio GPS Phone (pictured below) at the Microsoft booth but couldn't find much information on the device other than what was printed on the spec card. Well, it looks the mystery smartphone had its official coming-out party on the opening day of the CeBIT 2009.

On Tuesday, Mio Technology took the wraps off its Mio Explora K70 GPS Phone, a Windows Mobile 6.1 smartphone with an integrated Qualcomm gpsOne chipset. The handset offers turn-by-turn navigation and quad-band connectivity (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) with 3.5G support (HSDPA/HSUPDA 850/1900/2100). The Explora K70 also has Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.

The slim device (4.5 inches high by 2.4 inches wide by 0.5 inch thick; 4 ounces) features a 3.5-inch touch screen with a 400x240 pixel resolution and a customizable Mio Menu for quick access to contacts, applications, and more. The K70 also has a 3-megapixel camera with photo geo-tagging abilities.

Pricing and availability date were not released at this time. I talked to my contact at Mio, and he said there are no set plans to bring the Mio Explora K70 to the States in the near future, though it may be a possibility down the road since the company is trying to expand its portfolio beyond in-car GPS.

Mio GPS Phone at GSMA

(Credit: Bonnie Cha/CNET)

Of course, just because the smartphone won't be offered by a U.S. carrier doesn't mean you're completely out of luck. You can always buy the Mio Explora K70 unlocked whenever it becomes available. We'll keep you updated on the release details and hopefully, we can get our hands on one to test out.

(Source: GSMArena via Engadget Mobile)

TeleNav GPS Navigator on the T-Mobile G1

(Credit: TeleNav)

On Thursday, TeleNav announced that starting February 24, it will make its location-based service, TeleNav GPS Navigator, available to T-Mobile G1 owners, bringing real-time turn-by-turn navigation to the Google Android smartphone.

In addition to turn-by-turn driving directions, TeleNav GPS Navigator offers traffic alerts with one-click rerouting, business searches (with more than 10 million listings), gas prices, weather updates, and restaurant reviews.

Speech recognition is also supported, meaning that you'll be able to press a button on the G1, dictate an address or business, and TeleNav will then route to the destination. Alternatively, you can preplan trips through TeleNav's Web site and send it to your phone.

TeleNav is no stranger to the business, providing its navigation services to a number of GPS-enabled smartphones and carriers, including Sprint and AT&T. Developing an application for Android and G1 owners was an important step for the company, according to TeleNav co-founder and Senior Director of Marketing Sal Dhanani.

The service will initially be available only through TeleNav but will then make its way to Android Market later this year. G1 users can go to TeleNav's Web site to sign up for a 30-day free trial of the service; afterward, it will cost $9.99 per month for unlimited use.

Q: What's the difference between portable navigation devices (PNDs) and smartphones with built-in GPS? Why do we have to pay for GPS service on smartphones, even they have built-in GPS antennas, whereas for in-car GPS, we don't need to pay a monthly subscription? Is there a smartphone which will also function as a PND that will avoid paying monthly subscription to mobile companies? --Wize Chap via e-mail

A: Wize Chap, I completely understand your confusion. On the surface, PNDs and GPS-enabled smartphones seem to offer the same services and navigation tools--maps, points of interest, turn-by-turn directions--so why in the world would you pay an extra subscription fee just to get GPS capabilities on a mobile phone when you can get it all for one price on a PND? Well, there are several reasons.

(Credit: AT&T)

With GPS-enabled smartphones and cell phones, you're not paying for the use of the GPS antenna. You're paying for the connectivity and dynamic content provided by location-based service (LBS) providers like TeleNav and Network in Motion. This content includes real-time traffic, local business listings, and current gas prices, and the information provided on your smartphone will always be current since you have that constant connectivity. On the other hand, with an in-car GPS, you get whatever is preloaded on the device at the time of purchase. The map data and points-of-interest database may be current at the time of purchase, but eventually, they will become outdated and you will have to pay for any map updates. Also, if you want any real-time traffic information on a PND, there usually is a monthly or yearly subscription fee.

To get more clarification, I talked to MaryBeth Lowell, communications manager for TeleNav, who explained it this way, "With a PND, you pay for the device and what resides on the device when you buy it. If you want any upgrades, you have to pay for it, otherwise you have a device with a shelf life since you won't get map or business-listing upgrades--not to mention content like traffic. With phone-based nav, you get the benefit of the wireless connection, because it's inherent in the phone. But just like a connected PND, you need to pay a subscription to get the real-time content." Lowell also added that the reason for subscription fees is to pay the partners who provide and update the real-time data, noting that carriers are also part of the revenue chain.

Hope that helps, Wize Chap!

Of all the new capabilities being introduced on portable navigation devices (PNDs) and GPS-enabled cell phones, real-time traffic is probably one of the most-wanted and hottest features today. It makes sense. After all, traffic plays a huge role during your travels, whether you're just making your everyday commute to work or heading off on a holiday.

All that said, just how useful are the traffic capabilities on GPS devices? Are there limitations? Where does the data come from? To help you (and me) better understand the technology and types of services, I talked with Nick Kiernan, Vice President of Business Development for TrafficCast, a traffic service provider. Check out our conversation below to learn more about the company, traffic data in PNDs and cell phones, and the future of GPS.

... Read More

Will the iPhone 3G hurt PNDs?

(Credit: Apple)

OK, maybe I was wrong. I'm a big enough person to admit it. You see, a couple of months ago, I wrote that there was no way that smartphones and cell phones with integrated GPS would take over the portable navigation device (PND) space, but now I'm having second thoughts. I'm not saying that PNDs will go the way of the dodo, but it could go the way of the PDA when smartphones really came on the scene. They'll still exist, but the demand will be less and their reach will be limited. They'll be an afterthought. Why the change of heart? Does this have anything to do with today's announcement of the Apple iPhone 3G with integrated GPS? Yes (more on this in a bit), but I also started having these thoughts over the weekend.

You see, I had to venture out to Oakland for a housewarming party on Saturday and if you're familiar with the Bay Area, you know that Oakland is just a hop, skip, and a jump from San Francisco, but it's unfamiliar territory to me as I rarely venture outside my SF bubble. So there I am sitting in my apartment, looking up directions on my laptop and feeling pretty foolish for not having an in-car GPS (hey, I didn't have anything to review at the time!). I also couldn't print out directions (hard to do without a printer) nor did I feel like scribbling down instructions on a piece of paper. Then it dawned on me that I could use my RIM BlackBerry Curve 8310 and the AT&T Navigation app to get the full shebang--color maps, text- and voice-guided directions, real-time tracking, and more.

It wasn't my ideal choice, since I was worried about viewing maps on the smaller screen, but it's all I had at the time. I entered my destination onto the Curve, hit the road, and got to the party without a hitch and with a new appreciation and perspective on this type of GPS convergence. I was able to plot multiple stops along my route, and the voice directions were loud enough that I could get away without looking at the screen much. In short, I pretty much got the same experience of a GPS on my smartphone that I would with a standalone device.

So going back to today's iPhone 3G announcement. Even before today's official unveiling, there was a report from Popular Mechanics that GPS manufacturers were "shaking in their boots" about the prospect of a GPS-enabled iPhone and now I'm thinking rightfully so. It's not that the iPhone is the first smartphone to offer this feature. Far from it; there's the Nokia N95, various BlackBerry models, AT&T Tilt, Samsung BlackJack II, and the list goes on. And granted, we obviously haven't had a chance to check out the GPS capabilities on the new iPhone but I think that if there's any mobile that's going to threaten the PND industry, it would be the iPhone and here's why.

Like the smartphone's other features--Web browsing, multimedia--it's not that the iPhone offers anything revolutionary but what it offers is a better user experience. Panning in and out of maps, the redraw rate--it's all smoother on the iPhone. Plus, you benefit from a 3.5-inch touch screen, which is right in line with the entry- to midlevel PNDs on the market today. Add to that the $199 price tag, the fact that you're getting about three gadgets in one and you're looking at a very attractive package. So with all this functionality, what's to attract a consumer to a standalone product? Garmin seems to have acknowledged the changing landscape, as it has already announced Nuvifone, and TomTom reportedly has navigation software for the iPhone ready to go.

Of course, there will always be purists and again, I'm not saying that portable navigation systems will be disappear for good, but as these converged devices become more sophisticated, more affordable, and easier to use, you have to wonder about the state of PNDs. Do you think I'm totally off base here? How do you think the iPhone 3G, or any GPS-enabled phone, will affect the GPS industry?

Nokia N95

(Credit: Nokia)

I've had this question on my mind for quite some time now. Covering both GPS and smartphones for CNET, it's been interesting to watch these two areas of technology converge. More and more smartphones (such as RIM BlackBerry Pearl 8130, Nokia N95, and Samsung BlackJack II) offer integrated GPS, and it seems people want this functionality in their phone...or so I thought.

You see, back in early April, I attended CTIA 2008, and I participated in a panel discussion where we discussed the "next big thing" in the wireless industry. One of the topics we covered was convergence, specifically cell phone/GPS convergence, and we had several industry experts from Nokia, TeleAtlas, and Garmin on stage to share their thoughts. Now, with all three companies having invested quite some time and money into the melding of the two technologies, it wasn't surprising that they were all for it. However, we also conducted an audience poll where we asked the question: What will consumers most want converged into their cell phones? They were given multiple-choice answers--TV, GPS navigation, media player, or full Web browser--and could text in their vote. When we got the results, I was simultaneously surprised and not surprised.

Only 4 percent of the audience thought GPS was the next big thing for cell phones, while a full Web browser won overwhelmingly with 80 percent of the vote. I was a little shocked at the low number, but I've said it before; I don't think a majority of consumers are ready for the GPS-cell phone convergence yet--not when they're still trying to wrap their heads around standalone portable navigation devices. This isn't to say it won't change in the future, and I certainly see the benefits of having GPS on your cell phone. Just the other day I used my RIM BlackBerry Curve 8310 to find the location a restaurant to meet a friend, but will it take over the GPS industry? I say no way. I'm not just picking on GPS and cellular technology. I'm also weary, though a little less so, of integrating navigation into portable video players and conversely, I think adding multimedia capabilities to PNDs is a complete waste of time. (You can hear my rant about this topic on last week's MP3 Insider podcast.)

So all that said, back to the original question I had in mind. Are you for GPS convergence? Or maybe the better question is what will make the marriage of all these technologies a success and make you want to buy a converged device? I would absolutely love to hear your thoughts on this and want it to be an open discussion, so please share your comments below.

Dash Express

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

It's been almost two years since Dash Navigation first announced its Dash Express portable navigation system, and we're happy to say that you can now finally get your hands on this device. The Dash Express is unlike any other portable navigation system on the market today because it offers two-way connectivity (cellular and Wi-Fi), giving drivers access to a whole new world of information via the Internet and the network of other Dash-connected users. You can conduct live (and more relevant) Web searches via Yahoo Local search; get real-time traffic data; wirelessly send addresses to the system; and much more. It really adds value to portable navigation devices, and it's the type of innovation that we think will take GPS to the next level--so much so that we even gave it a Best of CES 2007 award. So did it deliver? Was it worth the wait? Well now, you'll just have to read our full review to find out, won't ya?

TomTom

(Credit: TomTom)

As you may recall, TomTom introduced two new models to its line of in-car GPS--the TomTom GO 930 and GO 730--the other week. During the prebriefing for these products, I spoke with TomTom USA President Jocelyn Vigreux via phone to get the lowdown on all the latest features, talk about TomTom's place in the market, and all things GPS. I learned little nuggets like:

• The portable navigation device (PND) market has grown 333 percent in 2007 versus 2006.
• There's still less than 6 percent market penetration: 14 million PNDs sold compared with the 240 million cars on the road.
• TomTom is the No. 2 GPS brand in North America and saw a 579 percent growth in 2007.

Now, this is all well and good (and frankly, a lot of marketing speak), but let's get to the juicy stuff, right? Without mentioning the Garmin Nuvifone by name, I asked Vigreux whether TomTom would make a move toward the GPS/cell phone space to which he jokingly said, "Why do you bring this up?" "Just out of curiosity," I sheepishly replied. But being the good sport that he is, Vigreux answered my question. He said TomTom's main focus is and will continue to be in-car GPS--for the near future, anyway. He didn't completely rule out getting into that converged market (and let's not forget that TomTom's navigation software is available on a number of smartphones and car kit solutions, including the Palm GPS Navigator Kit and HTC P3470), but TomTom's main focus is providing drivers with the best and most useful tools for getting to their destination. Forget all the extra stuff like multimedia. And I, for one, applaud that notion.

I've repeatedly noted in my GPS reviews that multimedia capabilities on a PND seem like superfluous fluff to me--a way for manufacturers to say, "Hey, look what else our product can do!" The features are often half-baked or so severely restricted that it makes real-life usability pretty slim. So I really commend TomTom for concentrating on just navigation functions.

As for a GPS phone, I say TomTom is OK staying out of it for now. This area of convergence is certainly a burgeoning one and early adopters and tech lovers love it. Plus, you've got device manufacturers like Nokia, HTC, and Research in Motion committed to the technology. And I'll give props to Garmin for making the leap into the smartphone market, but I'm just a tad worried the company jumped the gun and the Nuvifone will be a flop. Still, the bigger question remains: Is the majority of consumers ready for it when they're still weary of standalone PNDs? I have my doubts. But hey, why don't you tell me? Are you more willing to buy a standalone GPS or a cell phone with integrated GPS and why? Do you think the Garmin Nuvifone will be a hit? Should TomTom follow suit? Holler at me in the Comment section below.

You heart Garmin

(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)

When you think of GPS, what brand name comes to mind? Would it happen to be Garmin? Because according to a new study by marketing research firm BrandIntel, Garmin is the most discussed portable navigation system and holds the best overall sentiment score with consumers. But it shouldn't get too comfortable or complacent, because TomTom, Magellan, Mio, and Lowrance are hot on its heels.

Based on an analysis of search results from "online consumer communities" (i.e., blogs, forums, and so forth) across the Web during July 2006 to August 2007, BrandIntel's GPS Navigation Systems Report found that Garmin made up 42 percent of the 7,000 consumer mentions, while TomTom was a distant second with 15 percent. Magellan garnered 13 percent of the results; Mio had 10 percent; Lowrance scored 5 percent; and 12 percent went to other vendors. However, the competition gets fierce when it comes to customer sentiment scores. Once again, Garmin took top honors with a 3.9, while Magellan, Mio, Lowrance, and TomTom were all close with scores of 3.7, 3.6, 3.6, and 3.5, respectively.

Garmin lead the pack for its functionality, features, ease of use, and appeal, but price seemed to be a sticking point, which I can understand. I find that even its entry-level models, such as the Garmin Nuvi 200, are overpriced for what they offer, especially when you compare them to the competition like the Mio DigiWalker C230. Speaking of which, Mio as well as Lowrance got kudos for their displays and touchscreen functionality. Other findings of the study reveal that map software, Bluetooth, and MP3 compatibility are all key features consumers consider when buying portable navigation systems.

I found several points of this report interesting. First, it really doesn't surprise me that Garmin and TomTom are the two most discussed GPS companies. They have the brand recognition, offer some of the broadest range of in-car GPS, and are the most aggressive in terms of advertising. Meanwhile, Magellan and Lowrance have a loyal following of customers but seem to rely more on word of mouth for advertising and discussion. And I've said this before, but in my opinion, Mio is an up-and-comer that could give the big boys a run for their money. Yes, Mio's presence and reputation for customer service in the States isn't the strongest, but it's ramping up those efforts. More than anything, though, the company offers solid products with a good set of features at an affordable price--yeah, it's that simple.

TomTom

(Credit: TomTom)

What I found particularly surprising is that TomTom was at the bottom of the list for consumer sentiment. I've always found TomTom's GPS easy to use, sleek, fairly priced, and capable navigators. Plus, I like that the company concentrates on bettering the navigation functions, rather than adding superfluous features. And while we're on the topic, MP3 compatibility? Really? You want this on your GPS device? I just don't see the need.

So with all that said, I'd love to hear from you. Who is your favorite GPS manufacturer and why? Which features are on your ultimate wish list? Why is TomTom not feeling the love? Let me know!