(Credit:
Mio)
In mid-December, Magellan entered into a definitive agreement to sell its consumer products division to Taiwanese-based MiTAC International Corporation, which owns Mio Technology. The news was unexpected and at the time, there were questions about what would happen to the Magellan GPS brand. Fear not, Magellan fans, it will continue to exist along with its Maestro, RoadMate, and Triton product lines.
(Credit:
Magellan)
On Tuesday, MiTAC finalized the purchase of Magellan and the new entity will be called MiTAC Digital Corporation. However, the Mio and Magellan brands will continue to operate independently in the United States but will share technology expertise. In addition, Mio revealed that while it will still offer in-car GPS, the company will move forward to develop a number of GPS-based lifestyle products that extend beyond portable navigation devices. Hmm, does anyone else smell GPS-enabled smartphones or is that just me?
(Credit:
GPS Business News)
Mio Technology is hoping to take GPS to new places, more specifically, beyond the car. At Computex 2008 (Asia's largest technology trade show), Mio unveiled a new concept product called the "PND (portable navigation device) camera" that integrates a GPS radio into a digital camera. Details and specs are pretty light at the moment, but according to GPS Business News, the device will feature a 3.5-inch touch screen and with the two integrated technologies, the camera will be able to geotag your photos.
Now, this isn't a completely novel idea. We've seen GPS modules that you can add to cameras, such as the Pharos Trips & Pics and the Sony GPS-CS1KA, to get this functionality. However, Mio's device aims to do away with extra accessories and let you carry just one do-it-all gadget. No word on when the camera will be available and even if it will make its way to the States, but perhaps SiRF Technology founder Kanwar Chadha's prediction is coming true? Will 2008 be the year where we see major manufacturers integrate GPS into digital cameras? And do you think this is a good idea?
(Credit:
Mio Technology)
While we weren't entirely in love with the Dash Express portable navigation device (PND), it certainly set off a trend of connected GPS devices. First, Magellan announced its Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS at CES 2008 and now Mio Technology announced its plans for a connected GPS at CTIA 2008.
Partnering up with the ATX Group, an automotive telematics service provider, the two companies are developing a PND that will provide real-time content and services. With the mobile Internet connection, the GPS device will be able to provide you with weather information based on your current location or planned destination, traffic updates, and local business searches. Mio expects to ship these new connected PNDs during the second half of the year.
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