M&Soft’s Mappy navigation software seems well established in Korea, and now the company has decided to offer its own hardware for it in the shape of a 7-inch SiRF-based touchscreen device. Of course, it wouldn’t be a South Korean PND if it didn’t include a DMB digital TV tuner, video and audio playback, and a photo / text viewer, but the company’s gone one better by offering the elaborate, gimmicky GUI you see above. Pricing is pretty decent too, set at 349,000 KRW ($283) with a 4GB SDHC card, or 399,000 KRW ($323) for an 8GB unit. The AP in the model name stands for “Absolute Pride” — sure, make your jokes, but maybe it’s that wise-guy sense of humor keeping this sort of tech away from Western shores.

[Via Slashgear]

Filed under: GPS, Handhelds

M&Soft launches 7-inch Mappy AP1 PND in South Korea originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 31 Jul 2009 10:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nary half a year after snapping up SiRF, CSR is already tooting its horn about an all new SiRFstar architecture. The predictably titled SiRFstarIV technology takes quite the leap over its three-pronged predecessor, all but promising to nix those annoyingly long location fixes that are all too common on existing PNDs. The new location-aware, self-assisted, micro-power tech enables devices to be continually aware of location without requiring network aide; furthermore, there’s hardly any power drain to speak of, which ought to please smartphone owners who can literally watch their battery meter drop with GPS enabled. CSR’s first SiRFstarIV product is the GSD4t receiver, which is optimized for mobile phones and “other space and power-sensitive consumer devices.” We’re told that samples of the chip are shipping out now, with mass production slated for October and device integration happening shortly thereafter.

Filed under: GPS

CSR debuts SiRFstarIV location-aware architecture, kisses slow fixes goodbye originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well, it’s not the Android-based Walkman / PND that Sony supposedly has in the works for next year, but we’re guessing the company’s new NV-U3DV navigation will still turn a few heads nonetheless, and not just because of its large 6.1-inch screen. Launched today in Japan, this PND packs a 480×272 resolution on that big new screen for bigger buttons and more map space, along with a number of fairly unique features like Position+ G, which makes use of an accelerometer, gyro-sensor, and pressure sensors to detect the direction of the vehicle even in touchy environments like a tunnel or high incline. Otherwise, you can expect all the usual media player features (including mobile TV in Japan), live traffic information, and a full range of points of interest and various guides courtesy of PetaMap. No word on a release ’round here just yet, unfortunately, but folks in Japan will be able to pick this one up in August for ¥65,000, or just under $700.

[Via Sony Insider]

Filed under: GPS

Sony debuts 6.1-inch NV-U3DV navigation unit originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 17:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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While the world waits with bated breath for TomTom to make good on its promise of providing a bona fide GPS application for iPhone OS 3.0, Navigon is stepping in with every intention of stealing the aforementioned firm’s thunder. Sure, AT&T has issued its own subscription app that dings you $9.95 per month, and we’ve also seen a few dedicated GPS apps surface from both Sygic and XRoad, but this is definitely the first on-board iPhone nav solution from what we’d call a “major” GPS company. Available starting today in the App Store, the 1.29GB MobileNavigator program contains comprehensive NAVTEQ maps of North America, and if you’re interested in Europe, Navigon’s app for that side of the pond was released around a month ago. Click on for a few of our thoughts.

Continue reading Navigon brings MobileNavigator to iPhone’s App Store, we go hands-on

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Software

Navigon brings MobileNavigator to iPhone’s App Store, we go hands-on originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Globalstar’s SPOT personal GPS tracker made waves amongst outdoorsmen and argonauts the world over when it was introduced back in 2007, and now the outfit is finally gearing up to ship the second iteration. The newly revamped SPOT is some 30 percent smaller than the previous model, and it also boasts an enhanced antenna for picking up signal whilst deep in the brush, a GPS acquisition light, “Message Sending” indicator light, illuminated buttons and a dedicated pre-programmable Custom Message button. There’s also a protective cover over the all-important S.O.S. button to prevent inadvertent message transmissions (wouldn’t want that, now would we?), and in a move to give fashionistas a choice, this one will be available in both silver and orange. It’s expected to be available in select retailers this fall, but you’ll have to wait until then to get a handle on pricing.

Filed under: GPS, Handhelds

SPOT intros refreshed, smaller Satellite GPS Messenger originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Jul 2009 12:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s been a few months since Navigon ceased doing business Stateside, and already the company’s back on our radar with a device that made us wish they’d stuck around these parts a while longer. The Navigon 8410 features a 5-inch touchscreen, a polished steel frame, and a righteous assortment of features, including: DVB-T digital television tuner, City3D’s photo-realistic 3D mapping software (only for select cities on the continent), and a media player for all your fave tunes, flicks, and pics. Available only in Europe, we don’t have a ship date for you yet, but we do know it’ll cost €449 ($630). Now, if you excuse us, we were due in Bonn hours ago.

[Via Engadget Spanish]

Filed under: GPS

Navigon 8410 GPS debuts, packed full of features for the trendy Euro jet-set originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 18 Jul 2009 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If you’ve been putting off that GPS purchase in hopes that Alpine would deliver a sleek, fully compatible solution for the head unit that you already splurged on, your lucky day has finally arrived. The altogether simplistic NVE-M300 GPS Navigation Drive is a simple black box that measures just barely more than 4- x 4- x 1-inches and is designed to interface with the company’s top two selling in-dash AV head units: the iXA-W404 (4.3-inch display) and the IVA-W505 (7-inch touchscreen). The device features the outfit’s own OnPoint Advanced GPS Positioning, turn-by-turn guidance, a solid-state gyro sensor and accelerometer, text-to-speech and pre-loaded NAVTEQ maps of the US and Canada. Unfortunately, all this beautiful harmony will cost you, and by “cost you,” we mean “450 bones.”

Filed under: GPS

Alpine’s NVE-M300 black box brings navigation to top head units originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Trimble may make plenty of GPS-equipped devices of its own aimed at adventure-minded folks, but its Trimble Outdoors software has also made quite a few cellphones a bit more outdoors-friendly, and it’s now finally found its way to the T-Mobile G1. As with on some other phones, the app will let you plan your trip online and sync it up with your G1, and give you the ability to geotag pictures, log your trip and share it with others, take text and audio notes and, of course, simply use it as a full-fledged GPS navigator. That won’t come free, of course, but the $19.99 app price sure is a good deal cheaper than a separate outdoors GPS device, and you can grab it right now from Android Market.

Filed under: Cellphones, GPS, Software

Trimble Outdoors app will make an adventurer out of your T-Mobile G1 originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It’s no secret that some of our US editors have been feeling a bit of tech-envy toward our cousins from the far East, who consider 7-inch PNDs commonplace. Doing nothing to allay those emotions, Hyundai has announced the Provia A7+, which is — you guessed it — a 7-inch GPS-slash-PMP soon to be available in South Korea. The device comes with an integrated TV tuner (DMB), 800 x 480 resolution, video and audio playback, Navi-in-Picture functionality, and USB and SD connectivity to expand its abilities to match your imagination. If this thing’s routing abilities are even half decent, it should sell like hot cakes in the middle of a particularly cold winter.

[Via Navigadget]

Filed under: GPS

Hyundai Provia A7+ GPS unit adds multimedia playback, looks irresistible originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 08:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We know you all have been eagerly awaiting the good word on that new Magellan GPS ever since it came to our attention (via some cat’s diligent FCC carousing) at the end of May. According to an announcement dropped this morning, the Maestro 4700 should be making the scene on July 15 for an MSRP of $299. Among the features sure to thrill and titillate one who is lucky enough to purchase this guy: OneTouch favorites, hands-free Bluetooth calling (with your compatible cellphone), a predictive traffic mode that analyzes past traffic patterns and suggests alternate routes, both standard POI and AAA TourBook databases, “Find Your Car” with pedestrian mode, 3D Landmarks while driving, and our personal favorite — QuickSpell with Smart City Search. Including a windshield mount and cradle, power adapter, USB cable, and a carrying case, this guy is available for pre-order now. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Magellan Maestro 4700 available for pre-order, hits the street July 15

Filed under: GPS

Magellan Maestro 4700 available for pre-order, hits the street July 15 originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 06 Jul 2009 11:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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