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Navigon has recently shown off their new GPS, the 7200T. In efforts to make this their best GPS thus far, they have added a few new features including a revamped OS.

Within the new OS comes real time traffic updates, Reality View Pro, and Landmark View 3D. The traffic updates are free using the FM tuner tuned to Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network. Usually, real time traffic updates cost monthly subscriptions. The other cool feature is the Landmark View 3D, which shows a 3D view of landmarks in the area. In addition, the 7200T sports the aforementioned 4.3-inch touchscreen, with a 16:9 display, 2GB of internal storage, SiRF GRF3i+GPS chip, microSD expansion, 64MB of RAM, and running on a Centrality Titan I 600MHz processor.

The Navigon 7200T is set to be available in October, retailing for $449.

Read [Navigon]

In efforts to showcase the best looking portable media player’s and digital audio player’s at IFA, iriver has announced a new PMP and a GPS with media capabilities.

The first device announced is the iriver P20, which was originally shown off at the past CES in January 2008. It sports a 4.1-inch AMOLED touch screen, which is a bigger screen than most PMP’s these days. In addition, the battery life is pretty good, 12 hours for music, 9 hours for video, and up to 8 hours with DMB TV. Although, I do think the battery life when just playing music should be a bit higher, but for video and DMB TV, it’s good. It is expected to come with either an 80GB or 120GB hard drive. 

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The citizens of the UK are in for a nice treat with this new TomTom GPS they are getting soon. The TomTom GO 940 LIVE is an upgraded model to the TomTom GO 930 (pictured above).

The main differences between the 940 and 930 are IQ routes, Lane Assist, and Enhanced Positioning Technology. The LIVE in the name of the GPS stands for live HD traffic updates that comes from a subscription to HD Traffic. Another feature that the 940 comes with is Google Search. By using an available GSM connection the owner can access Google Search from the GPS. Unfortunately, the TomTom GO 940 is set to be pretty expensive costing 468 Euros, or around $871 US. In addition, the LIVE subscription comes with a complimentary 3 month trial, but after that it will cost $10-$15 a month.

TomTom GO 940 LIVE is ready to be pre-orded on Handtec, no word on actual shipping date.

Read [Handtec] Via [GPSLodge]

The GPS watch market just received a big boost today with the release of the Suunto X10.  As the successor to the X9i, this new model includes upgraded performance, as well as new functions of an altimeter, barometer, digital compass, and thermometer. 

The increased performance means that the GPS can track better under irregular conditions, like heavy foliage and the like.  The X10 can record waypoints and routes, which allow you to analyze and catalog trips on a PC.

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Recently, TomTom announced the availability of a new “PRO” series with two new GPS units called the TomTom PRO 4000 and TomTom PRO 8000.

The PRO series and the non-PRO series doesn’t have too many differences other than the fact that the PRO series comes with better software and customer service. Otherwise, it includes a two year warranty, menu lock functionality to stop the driver from using the GPS while driving, a protective case, a free mapping update in the first year of purchase, a dedicated customer service line, and PIN lock to keep data private. Additionally, the main difference between the 4000 and the 8000 is that the 8000 comes with something called IQ Routes, meaning the system chooses the best available route based on driving times and other driving data, Advanced Lane Guidance, Voice Address Input, and Bluetooth connectivity.

No word on when these two GPS units will be available, however, the PRO 4000 will cost $330, and the PRO 8000 will cost $460.

Via [NaviGadget]

Pioneer’s new AVIC-N5 GPS is one of the top GPS’ currently available, as it comes with many notable features. One of the notable features includes something called TeleAtlasFind the Perfect Route. There are two DVD’s that store Tele Atlas’s giant database of maps, which allows the driver to let the system calculate the optimal route for your destination. These DVD’s also contain information of 12 million POI’s in the U.S. and Canada.

One of the reasons why this GPS is one of the top GPS’ currently available, is it’s screen size as it comes with a big 7 inch TFT touch screen. The AVIC-N5 even comes with something called multi-color illumination, allowing the driver to match the screen color with the dashboard of the car, only in the colors of red and blue, however. Another cool feature is the ability of the GPS to connect with an iPod. There is an optional cable called CD-I200 iPod Direct Control, which is easy way to control all of your songs/videos on your iPod. 

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Take a good look at this GPS.  That’s right, that is a GPS, not a remote control or an MP3 Player.  Introducing the Kapsys Kapten, a GPS that has a display of 0 x 0 resolution. 

Apparently, any and all instruction given to this Kapsys Kapten is done via vocal commands.  This means that you had better speak clearly when you’re telling the address you want directions to, and hopefully you will hear the computer clearly when it tells you where to go. 

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Easycar has recently announced a very cheap GPS that comes with a lot of nice features. This Korean based company calls their GPS the Easycar U7. The ‘7’ in U7 could possibly stand for its screen size, which is 7 inches.

In addition to its 7 inch TFT LCD touch screen, the Easycar U7 also comes with a DMB receiver, meaning you can watch TV on the device. It also comes with Picture-In-Picture, video playback, music playback, and image and text viewers. It is only 19mm thick, and should start selling soon in the Korean market for 199,000 KRW, or $191 US. Overall, it sports a pretty cheap price tag for a low end GPS.

Via [AVING]

There is a new GPS company called Enzym (what a weird name), that recently came out with a new GPS called the SG-350. The SG-350 is set to retail in both the U.S. and our northern neighbor, Canada.

This GPS sports a 3.5 inch touch screen, boasts Navteq maps from Q2 of ‘08, which come with full maps of the States and Canada. Additionally, it comes with 11 million POI’s, a 533 MHz processor, and it also plays music in MP3 format, video in MP4 format, and displays pictures. All in all, it is a pretty good GPS and is going to sell for the inexpensive price of $200.

Enzym doesn’t stop there, however, as they have 2 more GPS’ planned called the SG-250 and SG-430. The SG-250 is going to be a more basic model than the SG-350 as it loses the MP3/MP4 support. However, it will still come with maps of Canada and U.S. It will also be retailing for $50 less, so it will cost $150. The other GPS, the SG-430, is a more advanced GPS compared to the SG-350, as it comes with a 4.3 inch touch screen, MP3/MP4 format support, and same Canada and U.S. maps. The main difference is that it comes with Bluetooth and an FM transmitter. It is set to sell at $300.

The SG-250 and SG-430 are slated to be on sale in early September. The SG-350 should be available relatively soon.

Via [NaviGadget]

The onslaught of new smartphones equipped with satellite-navigation features is becoming a big threat to the dwindling behemoth in the personal navigation, Garmin.

While the beleaguered company blames the weak economy and that consumers seem to be more cost-conscious these days, you can’t dispel the blow created by the wireless industry. Today, personal navigation is no longer a special feature but a must-have for new mobile phones. Combine this with the power of mobile Internet and you will have a potent weapon to grab sizeable market share away from Garmin and other GPS players.

As the WSJ pointed out, this is reminiscent of the downfall of the Palm PDA with the entry of smartphones from companies like Nokia and BlackBerry.

Of course, Garmin is quite determined to put up a fight by release its very own iPhone-clone codenamed the Nuvifone. Unfortunately, we informed you a few days ago that its launch is delayed to first half of 2009 from the original timeline of of Q4 2008. Terrible news, indeed.

Again, this is a constant reminder for electronics companies to monitor the shifting market trends and continue its relentless efforts to improve its products.

Read [WSJ]