Disclaimer: These are predictions and nothing more, so keep your sense of humor and please don’t sue me.
Auto GPS predictions
- A nuvi 8×5 series will bring lane assist and voice recognition together in one unit
- Garmin discontinues the nuvi 200 series; all Garmin nuvi models will now have text-to-speech
- Crowdsourced HD traffic comes to the US with the stateside introduction of the TomTom GO LIVE series
- TomTom releases a GPS receiver that utilizes alternative positioning information for improved accuracy in urban canyons
- More manufacturers display multiple route options visually, ala Dash and Insignia
- Navigon folds, caught between Nextar on the low end and MiTAC’s aggressive promotion of the Magellan line
- Red light camera alerts will move closer to the mainstream
- More downward feature creep — expect to see Lane Assist on some mid-range Garmins, more units with lifetime traffic, larger screens, etc.
- Garmin announces a desktop application (possibly a
revamped MapSource) that allows planning routes with POIs and
transferring them to Garmin units with current City Navigator maps; it
will be set up to allow users to opt into sharing anonymized tracklogs
ala TomTom HOME - Said application will support wireless transfer of data via ANT or Bluetooth
is Navigon’s current entry-level model with lifetime traffic. This 3.5″ touch screen unit features text-to-speech, so you’ll hear “in one mile, turn right onto Maple Street” instead of just “in one mile, turn right.” Other features include Reality View
is one of Garmin’s newest trans-Atlantic navigator, and their top of the line one as well. Pre-loaded with maps of the U.S., Canada and Europe, the 775T also offers lane assist, lifetime traffic and 3-D buildings.
