Nokia debuts N500 portable nav device at SEMA

(Credit: Nokia)

Following Nokia's high-profile acquisition of Navteq last month, it's not surprising that the world's largest phone maker is using SEMA 2007 for the debut of its N500 portable navigation device. The N500 boasts a 4.3-inch color touch-screen display and a built-in speaker for giving turn-by-turn voice guidance; the system also features text-to-speech technology for reading out the names of individual streets. An integrated FM transmitter allows drivers to stream spoken directions via their car speakers. Being a Nokia device, the N500 naturally comes with cell phone compatibility and can be used as a hands-free Bluetooth calling device. It will be available in the first quarter of 2008 with a retail price of around $500, excluding tax.