We had high expectations for the ClarionMind when it arrived at our offices for testing. Touting an Intel Atom processor, Web connectivity, and multimedia playback, the ClarionMind appeared to be a quantum leap in in-car navigation and computing.
There's just one problem. They seem to have forgotten the Internet connection.
The ClarionMind lacks a cellular antenna of its own, instead relying on Wi-Fi and Bluetooth-tethered phones with data plans to supply its Web connection. This is a bit like bringing a knife to a gunfight when you're entering a market populated with connected GPS devices (such as the Garmin 880 and TomTom GO 740 Live) and GPS-enabled smartphones (such as the iPhone 3GS and the Palm Pre).
The ClarionMind shows much promise. Its highly customizable interface is very easy to navigate, and the feature set is quite impressive. Hopefully, the next generation of 'Mind will bring a built-in data connection and perhaps address some of the stability issues as well.
Natali Del Conte takes a look at the Clarion Mind, a new connected GPS device that lets you search the Internet for nearby locations, and even lets you watch YouTube videos.
ClarionMind integrates the Internet and GPS.
(Credit: Clarion)
At the Intel Developer Forum, Clarion launched the production version of ClarionMind, a portable GPS device with full Internet connectivity that runs on Linux. Clarion showed off a concept of the device at last January's CES. The full product launch reveals a device that looks similar to current GPS devices, featuring a 4.8-inch 800x480-pixel touch screen. And, like some current GPS devices, the ClarionMind offers media playback and Bluetooth for hands-free calling.
What sets it apart is Wi-Fi and software for various Internet applications, including a Web browser and e-mail. It includes viewers for YouTube, Google Maps, MySpace, and weather. According to the news release, Clarion integrated Internet search and GPS functions, so that you can search for local businesses and feed the addresses into the destination entry. Along with in-vehicle navigation and Internet use, the device is also designed to work as a portable Internet appliance in the home or anywhere else.
The ClarionMind runs on an Intel Atom processor and includes 512 MB of DRAM along with 4 gigabytes of flash memory. There are two USB ports and an SD card slot. According to Clarion, a vehicle dock will also be available, and that the device has an "Automobile Mode for safe access behind the wheels." We hope this last feature isn't too restrictive, although from the devices description, it can easily be defeated.
ClarionMind will ship in the fourth quarter.
(Credit:
Akihabara News)
Even in the face of monumental change in the automotive industry, it's amazing how conservative automakers can be sometimes. While they've focused increasingly on electronics and entertainment systems to differentiate their products, built-in stereo receivers still look pretty much the same as they have for the last decade.
Not the latest line from Clarion. The car electronics veteran is in some ways breaking its own mold with boxes that look more appropriate in the kitchen than the dashboard. Not only are they departing from the standard black and silver, as is made plain by the photos on Akihabara News, but one model is actually white with peach accents (gasp and double-gasp).
Some have suggested that the system even has an '80s look to it, which might make sense coming from Clarion. This is, after all, the same manufacturer that's peddling something of a retro CD player for a scooter.
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