GPS Tracklog http://gpstracklog.com GPS reviews, news, tips and tricks Wed, 23 May 2012 17:18:55 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= The future of auto GPS, part two – embracing the smartphone http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/the-future-of-auto-gps-part-two-embracing-the-smartphone.html http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/the-future-of-auto-gps-part-two-embracing-the-smartphone.html#comments Wed, 23 May 2012 17:18:55 +0000 Rich Owings http://gpstracklog.com/?p=16434 read more]]> Yesteday we looked at safety technologies that might be integrated into auto GPS. Today, we’ll look at another option for GPS manufacturers that is somewhat safety related – how we interact with smartphones while driving.

I love my smartphone, I really do. But I don’t tend to leave it on my dash. Sure, it’s convenient to have a navigator with me wherever I go, especially one that can query Google’s points of interest (POI) database. But the damned thing does too much. I’m listening to music, taking a phone call, navigating, and then a notification of a text from my wife comes in – sheesh, I’m one glance away from becoming a distracted driving statistic. Which is why I prefer an old fashioned personal navigation device (PND) anytime I’m planning ahead, going out of town or having to find multiple addresses.

Of course the holy grail is to be able to do all those tasks I mentioned by voice. Smartphone manufacturers have the opposite problem of the GPS industry; they are having to do it all. Which brings us to an opportunity for the GPS/PND industry to pivot.

Clarion recently announced the Next GATE (pictured above), which they are hawking as “a smartphone controller for iPhone,” and I think they are onto something. MirrorLink is an industry standard that may speed this concept to market. Garmin is, to a certain extent, going the opposite direction with their Smartphone Link app, which is more about using the phone’s data connection to enhance PND usage, though they are showing signs of moving to app integration in their OEM division.

Wish list

So what would be the ideal here? I’ll propose some key features for a PND/smartphone controller hybrid:

  • 5-6″ screen
  • Built in navigation
  • Voice command with minimal screen interaction required
  • Ability to control/play MP3s and key audio apps such as Pandora
  • Auxiliary output and/or Bluetooth to send audio to car stereo
  • Excellent Bluetooth sound quality with voice dialing
  • SMS text to speech and speech to text

So what do you think? Is there any other functionality that really needs to be integrated? Would you be interested in a product like this, and would it make you more willing to buy an auto PND?

]]> http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/the-future-of-auto-gps-part-two-embracing-the-smartphone.html/feed 0 The future of auto GPS, part one – Safety http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/the-future-of-auto-gps-part-one-safety.html http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/the-future-of-auto-gps-part-one-safety.html#comments Tue, 22 May 2012 13:05:53 +0000 Rich Owings http://gpstracklog.com/?p=16509 read more]]> Today and tomorrow, we’ll take a look at a couple of different directions personal navigation device (PND) manufacturers might take in the near future. One possibility is to add some safety-oriented technology.

We’re starting to see more and more collision-avoidance systems show up in new cars, and while some may be difficult to implement via PNDs, others aren’t. And when such systems are limited to high-end car models/option packages, a more affordable PND/safety device for your dash may be enticing. So let’s look at some of the technologies involved:

Following distance

In this case, a camera would need to be added to the PND, to estimate the time needed to stop a vehicle, and warn when that margin for error disappears. iOnRoad is a smartphone app (pictured above) that already does this. With significant interest in driving recorders, adding a camera and this capability doesn’t seem far-fetched.

Blind spot, lane drift, pedestrian detection and more

Car stereo manufacturers are already looking at these driver assistance features, so it’s hard to believe that GPS makers aren’t doing the same. And clearly, some of these technologies are already available for dashboard devices.

So how about it? Would you like to see more safety features integrated into your favorite after-market dashboard device?

]]> http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/the-future-of-auto-gps-part-one-safety.html/feed 2 REI spring GPS sale includes Garmin 62s, eTrex 30, Forerunner 610, MOTOACTV and more http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/rei-spring-gps-sale-includes-garmin-62s-etrex-30-forerunner-610-motoactv-and-more.html http://gpstracklog.com/2012/05/rei-spring-gps-sale-includes-garmin-62s-etrex-30-forerunner-610-motoactv-and-more.html#comments Fri, 18 May 2012 13:04:36 +0000 Rich Owings http://gpstracklog.com/?p=16539 read more]]>

Okay folks, if you missed the EMS deals last week, here comes the other big handheld sale of the spring. We look forward to REI’s anniversary sale every year; this time they have two of the newest Garmin handhelds on sale through May 28. And while they didn’t show up in the sales flyer, and we can’t guarantee the end date, they’ve got some other great deals as well. Here are all the details:

Garmin GPSMAP 62s GPS Bundle (pictured above; REI exclusive) - $349.99 Reg. $469.95

Garmin eTrex 30 GPS - $219.99 Reg. $279.95

Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Heart Rate Monitor – $299.99

Garmin Forerunner 610 GPS Fitness Monitor – $259.99

Motorola MOTOACTV GPS Fitness Monitor and Smart Music Player – 8GB – $184.99

Motorola MOTOACTV GPS Fitness Monitor and Smart Music Player – 16GB – $219.99

DeLorme inReach 2-Way Satellite Communicator for DeLorme Earthmate PN-60w GPS – $199.99 – $50 rebate = $149.99

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