CES – Dash Express demo

UPDATE: Read our full, hands on, Dash Express review.

I caught a CES demo of the Dash Express and was really impressed. It almost made me regret living in an area without traffic. How sick is that?!

The cellular connection was very fast. Searches came up quickly and data sent to the unit from a PC arrived nearly instantaneously.

I have to say, I’m probably drooling over the Dash Express more than any upcoming release. While I don’t have a nightmare commute, the Internet search access would be great for travel, if only the device weren’t so bulky. Maybe we’ll get a flatter second generation unit.

Another tidbit — Dash is planning on being able to do incremental map updates; all map updates will be included in the monthly or annual access fee. They described how they are able to push massive amounts of data over a wifi connection, which most users have available at home and/or work (a lot of data can be moved, even in the minute it takes to start your car and get it out of the garage).

I liked the alternative routing feature. Two routes came up with only one minute of difference, even though one was five miles longer. Guess which one didn’t involve the frustration and stress of sitting in traffic?

All the user generated content looked cool too. Hmm, can I really justify getting a Dash if I don’t live in a Dante’s innermost concentric circle of traffic hell? I want it so bad!