What to Look for In GPS Devices This Year
Soon it may be easier to list the companies that don't have navigation devices in their roster of products than those who do.
If the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show proved anything about the personal navigation category, it's that finding your way from point A to point B is what manufacturer's think will get you to find your way to the store to buy a new GPS device.
Garmin and TomTom, the two leading personal navigation device (PND) makers, are certainly looking over their shoulders as major brands such as Sony, Panasonic and Pioneer introduce new devices. Rather than being simply test products for a burgeoning market, the new GPS devices by these major cross-category consumer electronics companies are serious contenders, offer a plethora of the latest features.
Nevertheless, even upstart companies such as the one below are adding innovative features into the mix. The result? There has never been a better year to take the plunge and buy yourself a GPS device.
If you're in the market for a new GPS device this year, you should take a look at our roundup. We've compiled a list of the most anticipated new navigation devices coming out in 2008, along with release dates.
Improved real-time traffic data: No new products at the show, but a continued push to get consumers to pre-order its upcoming product launch. What's special about DASH? It offers real-time traffic data based on the position of other DASH-equipped cars (plus data from a host of other sources). If the product works as promised, the extra bulk of the unit on your windshield won't matter because you'll be getting where you need to go in less time. The DASH Express will cost $599.99.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Troy @ Jan 11th 2008 6:56PM
CES looked great this year! Club TomTom shows some great pictures and detail about the week plus they won two awards for the GO 920 and Map Share, which I love on the GO 720!
MaryBethLowell-TeleNav @ Jan 11th 2008 7:01PM
In terms of what to expect in 2008, I think you should include adoption of GPS navigation services on cell phones. There wasn't a lot of news on this at CES (so I understand why it's not in the round-up) but this is one area that should be part of the mix. Connectivity was a big theme at CES this year (Dash, Garmin, etc.) which is interesting since this connectivity has been available on cell phones for years - see this post on our corporate blog for one of our co-founder's takes on CES news: http://blog.telenav.com/blog/2008/01/ces-gps-navigat.html