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The Harman Kardon Guide + Play GPS-500 is a GPS navigation system that incorporates high-fidelity audio and full-motion video—but is no larger than the average model. Harman Kardon’s GPS-500 provides functionality and hi-fi sound by incorporating the following:

• An integrated navigation and multimedia applications for simultaneous use


• The ability to set volume priority between the two functions


• A touchscreen interface that toggles between device menus as well as points of interest


• A 4-inch widescreen WQVGA LCD display (480 x 272 pixels) for the video


• PlaysForSure, MP3, MP4, WMA, ASF, WAV and OGG audio support


• Five hours of battery life


• 2GB of internal flash memory


• Up to a 4GB miniSD card

The GPS-500 can be charged via a wall-mounted AC adapter, a USB port that is compatible with both PCs and Macs , or in-car with a cigarette-lighter. The Harman Kardon Guide + Play GPS-500 will be available beginning March 2007 for $499.95 with a carrying case.

Read [Harmon Kardon]

Eclipse and TomTom showed off their new AVN2210p in-dash, portable navigation system at tonight’s CES Unveiled. The AVN has a 3.5-inch touch-control display, thanks to TomTom, that displays all the GPS you could want and goes one step further. The system then integrates your iPod, CD player, MP3 and WMA files (utilizing the USB memory port), radio, and Bluetooth in the main system. When the TomTom is docked, it acts as the system’s touch screen, showing the radio tuner, navigation, CD controls, MP3 browsing and more. When the navigation system module is undocked from the main unit, all audio functions can still be used with separate controls on the front panel. This will list for around $1,000 when released.

Read [Eclipse]

­ViaMichelin, the portable GPS navigation and technology firm and a subsidiary of the Michelin Group (yup the tire guys), has announced its ViaMichelin X-930 entry-level portable GPS navigation system for North America. Combining ease of use and portability, the X-930 is the lightest weight product in its class, and features the latest GPS receiver technology (SiRFstarIII).  Loaded with comprehensive NAVTEQ digital map data for the United States and Canada, the X-930 can seamlessly navigate users to destinations throughout North America.

The X-930 features a slim, lightweight design (4.7 ounces) and size (4.8 x 2.8 x 0.7), while providing a full-size touch screen (3.5). The unit also features voice and text turn-by-turn guidance with street-level maps for all 50 United States and Canada. It showcases a directory of more than 1.5 million Points of Interest that allow users to easily find restaurants, lodging, gas stations, banks/ATMs and other businesses and services.

The X-930 has been one of the top-selling entry-level GPS portable products in Europe for the past year, and we expect it to do very well here.

The X-930 is now available in select outlets and will be available at other major retail stores and websites throughout December 2006. The suggested retail price is $299 in the U.S.

Main features of the ViaMichelin X-930:

• Integrated SiRFstarIII GPS receiver


• Size: 4.8¹¹ (L) x 2.8¹¹ (W) x .07¹¹ (D)


• Weight: 4.7 ounces


• 3.5¹¹ screen (320 x 240)


• 312 MHz processor


• 32 MB RAM


• Lithium-polymer battery


• SD card slot


• Loudspeaker

Retail package includes:

• ViaMichelin Portable GPS Navigation X-930


• Stylus


• Car mounting systems
• Lighter cable
• Power adapter


• USB cable for PC connection


• SD card with pre-loaded U.S. maps (all 50 states)


• ViaMichelin Navigation DVD-ROM with documentation, utility software, and maps of Canada with Points of Interest


• Installation poster and QuickStart manual

Read [ViaMichelin]

Clear Channel Radio’s Total Traffic Network has signed a multi-year agreement with automaker BMW to provide traffic data to navigation systems offered in select 2007 BMW models, including the X5, M5, M6 and the 3, 5 and 6 Series models. BMW’s navigation system, equipped with Clear Channel’s traffic service, will become available as early as mid-September, and Total Traffic Network’s data will be included with no monthly fees. This makes BMW of North America the first U.S. auto manufacturer to offer real-time traffic as a standard service on navigation-equipped vehicles.

“This is a significant milestone for Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network as BMW is the first to supply its automotive customers with lifetime traffic information, potentially setting a new standard for terms of service with other auto manufacturers down the road,” said Jeff Littlejohn, EVP of Distribution Development for Clear Channel Radio. “We consider this agreement with BMW, the leader in automotive quality and innovation, to be the biggest endorsement of our traffic network to date.”

Clear Channel’s Total Traffic Network uses its own network of reporters, traffic cameras, helicopters and airplanes to provide traffic updates to more than 125 metropolitan areas in three countries, including the U.S., Mexico and New Zealand.

Read [FMQB]

Traffic.com will serve as the real-time traffic provider in the United States for the Garmin Mobile 20—a GPS automotive navigation system that delivers voice-prompted, turn-by-turn directions via Bluetooth on smartphones.

Traffic.com will provide Garmin Mobile 20 users in 50 major metropolitan areas across the U.S. with real-time, location-based traffic information, improving the navigation service by enabling users to detect and avoid traffic problems. Garmin Mobile 20 supports Nokia, Windows Mobile, and Treo smartphones. Users can navigate to a specific street address or search millions of points of interest (POI’s) - hotels, restaurants, shopping, and tourist attractions.

Advertisers also win by communicating highly-targeted messages to Garmin Mobile 20 users every time they calculate a route or request traffic information via the mobile device in a friendly, non-intrusive style.

Product Page [Garmin]