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Hundreds of miles from the nearest tree, the Tree of Ténéré was a vital navigational waypoint in the heart of the Sahara. It marked the route between Niger and Algeria until it was knocked down by a Libyan trucker in 1973. More »
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Normally the travails of two lawyers with a minor defect in their BMW 1-Series wouldn't be enough to even lift our fingers from the Xbox controlers, but when you're threatening lawsuits because your navigation system doesn't show your house, it's time to press pause. More »
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Just minutes ago, on a nav screen nearby, a runty little guy who talks in inverse construction, and a big dude with a voice like the "This Is CNN" guy became the voices of your turn-by-turn directions. Thanks to Garmin. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5827786&view=rss&microfeed=true Survey says: Most car arguments are over directions. (Shut up, honey! We're not lost!) [NYT] More »
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The 2011 Audi A8 continues to set the full-size sedan gadget bar higher with the integration of Google Earth and terrain-mapping into its 8-inch LCD screen. Now you can find a Starbucks... in 3D! More »
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The new TomTom Go x40 LIVE series of GPS navigation units allows users to update maps on the fly with the positions of police speed traps and traffic cameras, thus alerting other TomTom users in the area of their presence. Also stored within the system is historical travel time data for every road by day of the week, in five-minute intervals. To calculate a traffic-free route, the TomTom compares these figures to real-time anonymous cell phone movements. More »
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If you're squinting at a poorly-rendered map on your Blackberry, turns out you're not alone. According to an industry report released today, up to 8% of Americans are now downloading driving directions and online maps via mobile devices, which equates to a whopping 82% increase over last year. Ironic that mobile map use is increasing just as in-car navigation systems are becoming more common: Are we getting hooked on nav? Full release after the jump. More »
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I've had the chance to spend a couple of weeks with the Dash Express GPS unit that most notably features two-way communication via Wi-Fi and GPRS for live active traffic data, Yahoo Local search instead of the standard list of points of interest and a robust customizable applications system. It was built to be the "commuter's navigation unit." More »
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We apologize for getting your hopes up about the iPhone's GPS capabilities, because with the release just days away, the first reviews of the device are pouring in and there's some bad news about the GPS functionality. Or lack thereof. David Pogue of The New York Times points out that the iPhone 2.0, while it still has real GPS and not the location-based-shenanigans of its predecessor, is not ready to compete with the big boys of the navigation world. More »
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Recently passing through the ringer at the Federal Communications Commission was the Mio Moov 380. When Mio isn't putting tons of research and development funding into "vintage" GPS devices, the company is following Garmin, Magellan and Dash by integrating cellular abilities into GPS navigation devices. But the included SIM slot in the Moov 380 is what makes it stand apart from other GPS navigation/cellular units: The Mio can utilize the cell line you already pay for. More »
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Garmin's ever-expanding line of GPS navigation units is getting an expensive new addition. The Garmin Nuvi 880 is now available for pre-order at Amazon for a ridiculous, ball-busting $1,000. You're probably telling yourself that a GPS system had better be able to read your mind and make coffee to be worth $1,000, right? Well, it can't quite do either, but it does have an extensive list of features and abilities. Full list after the jump. More »
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So all of that talk of TomTom secretly developing iPhone GPS software followed by the revelation of Apple restrictions on such development, has apparently been blown a bit out of proportion. An anonymous TomTom source explained everything to BoingBoing Gadgets. More »
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The unofficial happiness between TomTom and the iPhone has taken a turn for the worse, as Apple has more or less forbidden applications from doing what the TomTom application is designed to do. Hidden deep in the iPhone's Software Developer's Kit agreement is a bit of legalese explaining...well, you can read it for yourself. More »
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Well, we'll be damned, it seems all of the talk about GPS on the iPhone has been upstaged by, uh, GPS on the iPhone. TomTom has announced that its navigation software for the iPhone is ready to roll. More »
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All signs (and nightmares) have been leading to this as Apple has unveiled the first big revision to the iPhone, which will now include legitimate and true GPS utilizing Google Maps as the graphical user interface. The first iPhone included quasi-GPS, which is officially known as location based services that uses cell towers, and not satellites, to approximate your location. It also requires you to... More »
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We're not sure if this is a testament to French drivers or just Peugeot owners in general, but AvMap has announced a partnership with Peugeot for a breathalyzer-equipped GPS navigation unit called the Geosat 6 Drive Safety. The unit will be an available option for the Peugeot 107 Sweet Years. The driver simply blows into the upper right side of the device to receive a blood alcohol level, and is then allowed to determine if he or she is fit for the road. No potential for abuse there, no siree. More »
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iXs Research Corporation has unveiled a truly creepy GPS navigation system. Rather than having a standard LCD display screen/audio output that shows and tells directions, the system consists of a one-foot-tall teddy bear that not only speaks directions, but also points in the general vicinity in which you need to go. The fun doesn't stop there, either: Little Master Ruxpin also includes an alcohol detection sensor. If the teddy catches a whiff of your three-martini lunch, that's grounds for incessant nagging, plush-toy style. Finally, expect a loud "Watch out!" upon quickly braking or accelerating. More »
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The next-generation iPhone is coming soon and one of the big rumors is that the phone will include legitimate GPS and not the half-assed location-based GPS like the current generation. That has some other GPS manufacturers shaking in their boots. One unnamed president of a GPS manufacturer said the prospect of the iPhone with real GPS has him "scared shitless." We're not too surprised by this notion, either. With windshield suction mounts available, there wouldn't be a reason to drop a few hundred on a top-of-the-line GPS navigation unit when your mobile phone can accomplish the same job. More »
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California is really going balls to the wall with laws regarding driver distractions. The hands-free requirement is inching closer to being implemented and that animal petting law is still going through the ringer. But in an odd move, California is now proposing a law that would allow drivers to have windshield-mounted GPS units. Oh, you didn't know? Yeah, having a windshield-mounted GPS is illegal in California and punishable with "obstructed view" citations. The specifications behind this new law isn't being accepted well among the GPS faithful. More »
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With GPS trackers becoming all the rage with overprotective parents, stalkers and jealous exes, it's only appropriate that a company has began manufacturing devices to counteract those GPS tracking devices. A spy-gadget company now has this Anti GPS Tracker available. It plugs into the 12V DC outlet of your vehicle and is capable of blocking GPS signals in a two to five meter radius. More »
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Pioneer has announced a few new additions to its line of car navigation systems. The AVIC-F700BT, AVIC-F900BT and AVIC-F90BT come with features like iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, MSN Direct, HD Radio, XM, Sirius, CD, DVD, USB, SD and more. Although, the real specialness comes from their voice recognition abilities. More »
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We may be inching towards the future of autonomous vehicles, but we're not quite there yet and a bus driver in Seattle has yet to figure that out. This is just another instance of individuals putting too much faith into GPS navigation devices. Following the directions from a Garmin GPS navigation unit, the Seattle bus driver attempted to go under a low footbridge that was a bit too low as it managed to scalp the bus and injure five. The driver was carrying home the Garfield High School girl's softball team. This unfortunate accident does bring up an interesting conundrum. The driver had put the Garmin device on the "bus" setting and failed to notice the signs prior to the bridge. Obviously the driver is to blame, but how much consideration should Garmin and other GPS manufacturers take when including a "bus" setting? More »
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OnStar isn't the only company to work with mapping software companies. Garmin recently announced the ability to directly send maps and directions to a Garmin GPS navigation system. Rather than taking the painstaking process of looking up an address, writing it down and inputting it into your Garmin GPS navigation unit, you can just plug your Garmin into the computer and use a simple command now integrated into Google Maps and soon to be integrated in MapQuest on April 15 to shoot the directions directly to the Garmin GPS unit. More »
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The DS-400GB is a new solution to the problem of dash clutter—you know—when you have Bluetooth modules, navigation units, backup camera displays and more all over the dash. This device takes all of those goods and integrates it into the rear-view mirror. The right side of the rear-view mirror is sectioned off as the GPS navigation unit and display for a back-up camera. More »
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Mio is relatively new and unknown to the GPS scene with its Moov line of navigation units, but it is certainly coming in on a high note. Mio recently unveiled the Moov 200, 210, 300 and 310 navigation units. Most importantly to be noted is that Mio is dropping everything not relating to navigation from the units. So yes, these units will not include an MP3 player, photo viewer, e-book reader, games, or any of that other garbage that other GPS navigation manufacturers use to clog up their devices and give an excuse to release new units. More »
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It was just like old times! On the eve of the New York Auto Show, several Jalopnik staffers hopped into a cab, called out an address—and immediately felt the familiar sensation of a Ford Crown Vic having its pedal jammed to the metal. Gotta love NYC cab drivers. As we were being tossed hither and yon in the back seat, we noticed that...NYC cabs now have nav/entertainment systems for he benefit of passengers. More »
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A Korean company called Thinkware has debuted a navigation device that is taking GPS to another level with extensive 3D environments. This is the appropriately named iNAVI 3D. Not a lot of details are available from the Korean company, but it appears to have accurate 3D environments that can help those visual-minded people navigate through urban areas. More »
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See, Garmin, now this is a reason to release new GPS navigation units and not because you are increasing the screen size by half an inch. The WorldNav 3300 GPS navigation systems from TeleType cater specifically to drivers of hazardous materials and truckers. You know how some roads don't want your uranium or toxic sludge traveling down the road? This is here to help you out. More »
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I know, I know, you were jealous of Europe and especially its Toyota Yaris with dockable TomTom GPS navigation head unit. You can breath a sigh of relief because Eclipse has taken that idea and made it available for anybody! Hooray! More »
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And here Garmin goes again releasing a relentless amount of GPS navigation units onto the poor, confused public that doesn't understand the difference between the Nuvi 350 and 360 (hell, I don't even know the difference). Now Garmin has used the currywurst consumer electronics festival known as CeBIT to do the launching. The 205, 205W, 255 and 255W are the four new models to grace Garmin's vast arsenal of GPS navigation units. More »
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Okay, we know Boston is a tough place for GPS navigation units, but we didn't know it was this tough. This morning, the Today Show pitted three drivers against each other using three different GPS navigation units from TomTom, Garmin and Magellan navigating in Boston. It seemed like a simple test, but Greg John, the driver using the TomTom needed to make it apparent he won by flipping the bird to WHDH anchor, Adam Williams after his victory. Greg John must have a lot of pent-up anger from having two first names. It's okay, buddy, it's just GPS, no need to be so hateful. More »
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TomTom has dropped four new GPS units on us and despite my regular GPS gripes, I'm pumped. The TomTom 730, 730T, 930 and 930T include what the company is calling "IQ Routes" and lane separation. IQ Routes is a method to determine the true speed data. From there it will recalculate routes for timing purposes based upon the true speed data from other users to compensate for situations like rush hour. More »
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What's so special about the European Toyota Yaris SR? It's quite simple, really: This Yaris includes a factory-installed dockable TomTom GPS navigation unit. The press release (see it below the jump) is pretty skimpy on the details, but it seems that the TomTom not only functions as the GPS navigation unit, but also as the overall in-dash infotainment and media center. While it sounds like an amazing feature, I'm not too sold on the functionality. Would anyone really want to undock a GPS navigation unit? Maybe for walking, hiking or traveling with the unit, but how many customers are really gonna go there? More »
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GPS Navigation has been around for quite a few years and it's a damn shame that it has taken this long for a NUDAR to come around. NUDAR is a company compiling a GPS point-of-interest file capable of directing an individual to any establishment that would provide nudity, such as (and most popularly) strip clubs, but also including nude beaches, resorts, festivals, dragons, events and more. More »
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Hey Jeffrey Krasner of the Boston Globe, I have some beef with you. In your recent column, you decided to give a TomTom GPS navigation unit the most obscure addresses in the city of Boston and blast the device when it is unable correctly direct you to your destinations. Do you not realize your TomTom GPS unit isn't a magical device capable of transporting you to exact locations? More »
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I'm still having a bit of a hard time wrapping my brain around this concept. The G400 is a GPS navigation unit from NDrive that includes a breathalyzer. I guess it is a good way to judge whether or not you should be driving, but my usual rule of thumb is that if I've had enough drinks to warrant the use of a breathalyzer, I should probably hand off the keys regardless. And GPS navigation units are hard enough to figure out as is, just try to do it while slightly inebriated. More »
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Integrating a GPS navigation system in the rear-view mirror is an idea that will make any neat-freak happy. The MirrorPilot is the device that will eliminate unnecessary devices sitting on the dashboard or suctioned to the windshield. As a GPS receiver, it's pretty mediocre: limited traffic control, 2D and 3D maps, and audible instructions. A big downside has to be the size. By displaying the navigation information on a 2.2-inch screen, you need to squint if you want to reach your destination without getting lost or having an accident. More »
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If you know me, you know that I preach the gospel of good design quite a bit, especially in regards to an entertainment and infotainment center. The design and functionality of a interface is just as—if not more—important than the features and options included. CNET took a look at 17 interfaces of some of the bigger name manufacturers. Something to note, manufacturers: tabbing systems work, period. Regardless of the experience with high-end electronic equipment, anyone and everyone can figure out tabbing systems. It just makes it easier to navigate. More »
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I'm (obviously) a bit of a gadget hound, and as a result I have some strong opinions on market trends. For example, I get sick of seeing companies release a relentless number of navigation systems that are all more or less the same. Nextar has stepped into the picture and made me smile by releasing what at first seems like a pretty ho-hum navigation system, until you get to one special feature: a backup camera! And it's an advanced backup camera, to boot! More »
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Hey Garmin, everyone knows all women like to do is shop, eat at bistros, spend their man's money and forget where they parked, but you don't have to make it so obvious with this commercial for the Nuviphone. Check out the first part of the ad above, where a woman's inability to do anything productive with her life is pointed out. Oh, and Suzie, since you are obviously a sugar mama gold digger, get that man of yours to buy you a better vehicle—that sheet of drywall with a steering wheel isn't cutting it. More »
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