TomTom owns Tele Atlas, who drives the roads of the world in order to make maps, and until recently was a major map provider for Google. Nokia owns the only major competitor, Navteq, who has also provided maps for Google. Look at Google Maps now, though, and you'll see that the entire US bears just one single copyright: Google's.

Street View wasn't just a neat way to get imagery to accompany the data already found in Google Maps. As it happens, it was a way to drive the same roads that were already in Google Maps, tracing them with Google's own road teams, and—through efficiency and brute force—do away with those costly map licenses. Google has mapped the US, and will surely map the rest of the world soon enough.

This is just a timely example of Google's monstrous growth, and the destruction it causes. Any business that trades in data or packages it for public consumption may one day face the same issues. It's not just whether or not to compete with the behemoth, but even whether or not to go into business with it. In either case, there is a chance of being destroyed.

Garmin might have a long-standing relationship with Navteq, but they don't own any maps. How can they compete with a free Google app when they still have to pay? (Worse, Garmin is still stuck in the hardware business, where profits are extra thin.) TomTom owns the maps, but charges $100 for their own app because they also make money licensing maps to car makers, competing GPS makers and web services—like Google. Before, Google was a fat revenue source for TomTom; now Google is a sprightly competitor.

If a unique supply of data was the only thing keeping TomTom and others on the Google chuck wagon, who will be next to fall off?

I was always afraid of spiders growing up, not because of the eight legs or the umpteen eyes, but because of the way they kill their prey. They get them in a nice convenient position, then they use their venom to hollow out their victim's insides, until they're just dead-eyed shells. To be killed in such a manner is my worst nightmare; perhaps I should ask TomTom how it feels.

I am a fan of Google products, and a daily user of them. This is not an attack of Google's business practices, but an explanation of the sort of destructive innovation that has made them so huge so fast. (It's also a warning to consider carefully any entities that gets this strong, especially if you plan on going into business with one.) Though predecessors like Microsoft experienced similar explosive growth, and grew a similar sudden global dependence, we've never seen the likes of Google. The GPS business isn't the only one that will be consumed by its mighty maw before it's had its run.

We've already seen the devaluation of the office apps that make Microsoft rich; we've already seen how Google's experiences with Apple and others helped it create telecommunications platforms (both mobile with Android and completely virtual with Google Voice) that threaten its former partners' existence; we've already seen how Google converts photos, videos, news wire stories and other former commodities into freebies by smashing the false notion of scarcity that "service" providers had literally banked on.

So who is next? What other hallowed brands will go the way of Garmin and TomTom? Corbis and Getty? Reuters and AP? Warner and Disney?

This is a tale already told, bound to be told again, but the fundamentals are worth studying—even if we use Google Docs spreadsheets to do it. I have never spoken with a spider, but I am certain they're not evil, despite what fantasy lore tells us. They're just doing what comes naturally, and doing a hell of a job.

The study—conducted in Dusseldorf and Munich, in Germany—had three groups: One with GPS without real-time traffic, another with GPS units with real-time traffic information, and a third one—the control group—without any GPS.

The results were clear, according to them: Drivers with real time-traffic information will spend 18% less time going to places. That's four days a year, which—if you ask me—is quite a lot. The study also found that these drives traveled shorter distances and times, which decreased yearly CO2 emissions an average of .79 metric tons. This resulted in 21% less carbon dioxide.

So what's the catch: Those percentages are compared to drivers "without navigation." Their press release fail to provide information on GPS without real-time traffic information systems. Highly suspicious, if you ask me. [Autoblog]

Magellan, Garmin and plenty of other companies have outdoor GPS, but Lowrance's focus here was building one set of devices that could be used in all kinds of activities including hiking, hunting, off-roading, skiing, and of course boating. The key is map openness: On land, it can use maps from Accuterra, Navionics and others. On the water, it takes Navionics, Fishing Hotspots and more. And for in-car use, you can load up a Navteq database. Needless to say, the openness is extended to community maps and trail guides in the Open GPX format.

The tech specs of the Endura line are similar (or better) than most of the competition: All three are waterproof to the IPX7 standard. They have rubber "armoring," take AAs (so you don't have to charge up in the jungle) and MicroSD cards up to 32GB, and have "attach points" so you can clip it to your jacket. Most important, the touchscreen is capable of use with gloves on or off, so you don't have to freeze your fingers off trying to get back to base camp.

The top of the line Sierra ($550) comes not only "fully loaded" with a lot of map content, but it has a barometric altimeter and a 3D compass, plus 4GB built-in memory for your maps or even music, pics and video—not that you'd waste your storage on that stuff. The step-down Safari ($385) can play MP3s and, like the Sierra, has headphone jack and a speaker. The basic Outback ($230) has none of those frills, but similar software for doing most of the basic navi stuff. These guys are due out in May, just in time for the weather to get nice. [Lowrance]

The Price: Garmin says $800, but you can find it online for $690.

The Verdict: It's the best all-around GPS on the market, but there are too many halfway decent Garmin models for less than half the price.

The 880 isn't the first GPS with voice command, but it's definitely the best. The remote button that you strap to your steering wheel makes activating it easy, and being able to dictate addresses including obscure street names is only part of the fun. When you're in POI search, you can name popular locations ("Starbucks") or categories (it actually understands synonyms like "Fuel" and "Gas"). Most importantly, you can tap the button and say things like "Cancel Route" or "Volume Up," commands most likely to be issued while driving, ensuring you stay safer than if you were to try to do these things with your fingers while keeping your wheels on the road. The only problem with voice command is that, to function, it requires the remote (pictured above). If somehow you break off the remote or lose it, you will forever lose the ability to talk to your 880, so be careful.

As you can see in the video, with the exception of its inability to understand "Cancel" or "Exit" while performing certain functions, it responds extremely well to natural speech:

We've said repeatedly that Garmin is the best bet for anyone shopping for GPS, and the 880 demonstrates this to be the case. It doesn't mean it's perfect, it's just by far the least infuriating navigator on the road today. Garmin often adds features later than others, but this only strengthens its predominance, since those like TomTom and Magellan—not to mention the innovative but ailing Dash—rush revolutionary features without spending time on core interface issues, and fail because of it.

Some of the 880's perks do not get me excited: I have yet to meet a Bluetooth speakerphone that doesn't result in people yelling that they can't hear me, a problem having as much to do with every different phone's cheap-o Bluetooth chip, no doubt. I also am very underwhelmed by the MSN Direct service that the 880 offers ("free" for 3 months). Its main feature is the traffic reporting but that information, even in massive metro areas, has proven to me to be absolutely useless. The 880 is as dumb as the lowliest GPS when it comes to awareness, and my hope is that historic traffic trends will soon be better integrated at the map database level—i.e. with Navteq and Tele Atlas—in order to make routing more smart even without the need for connectivity or any kind of realtime guesswork.

Some of you may realize that this review is long overdue. One reason is that, when I first got the 880, it had some bugginess that I'm glad to say has been fixed with a firmware update. Another reason for the delay is that I wanted to see how long it would take to stop using the voice commands. Sadly, it didn't take very long, but in prepping for this review, I started using the voice commands more, and realized that it's an asset I shouldn't so readily overlook. Just don't lose the remote, or you lose the feature. [Product Page]

The nuvi 765T adds Bluetooth(R) wireless technology for hands-free calling and supports a powerful advanced audio amplifier for a stereo Bluetooth connection. For transatlantic travel, nuvi 775T adds mapping of North America and Europe. The nuvi 785T features an MSN Direct receiver with trial subscription that includes updated information about traffic conditions, fuel prices, weather reports, movie listings, headline news, stock quotes and local events.

The nuvi 265T and 265WT will be available with preloaded comprehensive coverage of North America. For transatlantic travel, the nuvi 275T comes standard with mapping for North America and Europe. These nuvis are available in vibrant 4.3" or 3.5" screens that display shaded digital elevation mapping. All models will announce street names in their voice prompts, advising drivers to "Turn right on Elm Street," rather than "Turn right in 500 feet."

All seven units are expected to be released in October at prices ranging between $300 and $700 for specific models.

Aug 27, 2008 07:00

Garmin(R) Expands Affordable nuvi(R) 2x5 Series, Offering Hands-Free Calling and Lifetime Traffic Alerts
OLATHE, Kan. —(Business Wire)— Aug. 27, 2008 Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the next evolution of the popular nuvi 2x5 series, adding top-of-the-line features to this family of affordable navigators. The nuvi 265T, 265WT and 275T enhance upon their 2x5-series predecessors with Bluetooth wireless technology for hands-free calling and provide free traffic alerts.

"Many customers want a simple-to-use, low-cost personal navigator, but find themselves in need of premium add-ons along the way," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "These devices add two of the most popular premium features - traffic alerts and hands-free calling - to an affordable, yet powerful navigator."

In addition to features offered by other members of the nuvi 2x5 family, these new navigators boast lifetime traffic alerts from NAVTEQ Traffic that allow drivers to steer clear of traffic accidents, road closures and construction. These devices come standard with a traffic receiver that will provide alerts in the coverage areas, and no subscription fee is required. Thanks to Bluetooth hands-free connectivity, these nuvis make it possible for drivers to make and receive calls using the unit's built-in microphone and speaker. For states which prohibit the use of handheld cell phones while driving, the Bluetooth hands-free option is ideal. With the patented auto time zone feature, these nuvis will automatically adjust your time zone while navigating. All nuvis in the 2x5 series include Garmin's new HotFix(TM) feature which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information for fast satellite reception. For the ultimate in awareness, these compact nuvis will also display the speed limit for major roadways.

The nuvi 265T and 265WT will be available with preloaded comprehensive coverage of North America. For transatlantic travel, the nuvi 275T comes standard with mapping for North America and Europe. These nuvis are available in vibrant 4.3" or 3.5" screens that display shaded digital elevation mapping. All models will announce street names in their voice prompts, advising drivers to "Turn right on Elm Street," rather than "Turn right in 500 feet."

Using Garmin's unique Web site - Garmin Connect Photos - users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google's Panoramio photo sharing community and download them to the nuvi, for a photo-rich navigation guide. With Garmin's "Where Am I?" feature, nuvi is always aware of a driver's surroundings. At any time, drivers can look up their exact location including nearest hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, nearest address and intersection.

Aug 27, 2008 07:00

Garmin(R) Introduces nuvi(R) 7x5 Series with Lane Assist, Giving Drivers a Clear Picture of the Road Ahead
OLATHE, Kan. —(Business Wire)— Aug. 27, 2008 Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced the next evolution of the nuvi 700 series, adding state-of-the-art technology to this popular line of advanced navigators. With lane assist, the nuvi 7x5 series provides drivers with a clear illustration of what lies ahead on their route.

"Garmin's nuvi 7x5 series uses lane assist to make navigation clearer and easier than ever before," said Dan Bartel, Garmin's vice president of worldwide sales. "The lane assist view takes the guesswork out of driving through a busy intersection or an unfamiliar city. Drivers will no longer have to speculate which turn lane to be in, or what lane leads to which exit - that's nuvi's job."

This new and improved series gives clear guidance on a 4.3" touchscreen that details upcoming maneuvers and specific driving directions, including road sign detail and arrows indicating the proper lane for navigation. In some areas, a 3-D transparent view of buildings appears, giving drivers a more realistic depiction of their location. The nuvi 7x5 series also features accelerated map-drawing and routing capabilities, and makes screen zooming even smoother than before. For faster satellite prediction, nuvi 7x5 has Garmin's HotFix(TM) feature which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information.

The nuvi 755T, 765T and 775T will come standard with a traffic receiver that provides lifetime traffic alerts in coverage areas from NAVTEQ Traffic. The cost of the traffic receiver is included with the purchase of these devices - no subscription fee is required. The nuvi 765T adds Bluetooth(R) wireless technology for hands-free calling and supports a powerful advanced audio amplifier for a stereo Bluetooth connection. For transatlantic travel, nuvi 775T adds mapping of North America and Europe. The nuvi 785T features an MSN Direct receiver with trial subscription that includes updated information about traffic conditions, fuel prices, weather reports, movie listings, headline news, stock quotes and local events. For more information on MSN Direct services and coverage areas, visit http://garmin.msndirect.com. To give motorists the highest degree of awareness, this series of advanced navigators also displays speed limits for major roadways.

In addition, each nuvi 7x5 also comes standard with the popular "Where Am I?" feature, enabling drivers to look up their exact location including nearest address and intersection, and the closest hospitals, police stations and gas stations at any time. Drivers can also associate their favorite images with saved locations using Garmin's own unique Web site - Garmin Connect Photos - where users can choose from millions of geo-located photos provided by Google's Panoramio photo sharing community.

[Garmin]

PANASONIC LAUNCHES STRADA PORTABLE NAVIGATION DEVICE First Portable GPS Follows Successful Launch of In-Dash System Earlier This Year

SECAUCUS, NJ (October 30, 2007) - Panasonic today announced the launch of its first portable navigation device (PND) for the U.S. market. The Panasonic Strada CN-GP50U sports a sleek, slim design and boasts a 5-inch touch panel display for vivid viewing and optimum ease of use.

"On the heels of a successful debut of our in-dash navigation system in Spring 2007, we are proud to bring to market our first portable device," said Rob Lopez, national marketing manager for Panasonic's Mobile Electronics Division. "The Strada CN-GP50U PND delivers everything consumers are looking for in a cutting-edge portable device - one of the widest screens on the market, sleek styling for added portability, an SD Memory Card port for swift downloading and a highly friendly user interface. "

"Strada is already a best-seller in Japan," added Lopez. "Based upon its overseas success, we are looking to the U.S. debut of our portable device to further solidify Panasonic's place as a major force in the mobile navigation industry."

The power of Panasonic's technological expertise in the automotive and display categories has brought a wealth of benefits to the Strada PND, including ease of use, high performance, digital networking, voice command and GPS Assist - an electronic compass to compensate when GPS reception is interrupted, as in a tunnel.

The Strada CN-GP50U is the ultimate travel companion, providing quick and easy access to maps and 1.8 million searchable Points of Interest in 51 categories, such as gas stations, airports, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, ATMs and historic landmarks. Its generously large 5-inch (diagonal) touch panel LCD screen is easy to read but compact, slim and easy to carry. It features an easy-to-use Graphic User Interface (GUI) with contrasting icon colors and textures for extra clarity. The pre-loaded NAVTEQ® mapping software provides map data for the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, plus detailed maps of 86 U.S. cities. Users can easily upgrade their software using an SD Memory Card or USB port. There's even a voice guidance feature, which can be activated in several languages.

The state-of-the-art display also serves as a handy digital camera photo viewer or slide show viewer. The Picture Viewer function can also be used to customize the opening screen image to a favorite snapshot (jpg or bmp) stored on an SD Memory Card. The display automatically adjusts for day or night viewing.

The Strada CN-GP50U also offers important safety and convenience features, such as Bluetooth* capability for hands-free cell phone conversation. The Voice Command function allows drivers to set a destination verbally while keeping both hands on the wheel. Automatic dialing can be easily achieved by simply downloading one's cell phone address book. When driving a route for the first time, Lane Assist helps avoid last-minute lane changes using voice guidance and by highlighting the correct lane in orange. There's even an icon and warning tone to alert the driver when the speed limit is exceeded. The solid mounting bracket features a sturdy ratchet to assure a secure hold on dashboard or windshield.

The Panasonic Strada CN-GP50U Portable Navigation Device will be available in December 2007 with an SRP of $499.95. For more information on Strada go to:

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalogId=13251&itemId=116542&modelNo=Content05042007104801893&surfModel=Content05042007104801893.

Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
122 grams
58 x 108 x 16.8 mm
2.8-inch screen
Touchscreen GPS
Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 OS includes Pocket Outlook, MSN, Word, Excel and the new Power Point Mobile.
SirfStarIII LP GPS receiver
Navteq pre-installed maps (latest 2006 issues)

The peeps at Acer haven't put a pricetag on it, but expect it to be too 'spenny for what it is. [Acer via MobileWhack]