Following TomTom’s recent demonstration of their new navigation application for the iPhone, Navigon have confirmed that they will be releasing their very own MobileNavigator iPhone application this June.

The new navigation software will run on iPhone OS 3.0 for the iPhone 3G, and will allow the device to be used as a fully functional sat nav device. Egon Minar, CEO of NAVIGON AG commented, “With the new OS 3.0 operating system, Apple has made the use of navigation software on the iPhone possible, and NAVIGON has quickly managed to adapt the MobileNavigator software to the new firmware. The iPhone can now be transformed into a versatile, fully functional navigator.”

The standard user functions of the iPhone will integrate seamlessly in order to make navigation using the iPhone intuitive, and user-friendly. Turn the iPhone 90 degrees, for example, and the display will automatically switch from portrait to landscape view. The software also boasts intelligent address entry, as well as the option of navigating directly to an address from saved contacts. Plus, if navigation is interrupted by a telephone call then navigation is resumed automatically after the call has ended.

According to Egon Minar, integrating the iPhone’s functionality in this way “…allows iPhone users to navigate wherever they are, whenever they want – conveniently and while on the move.”

The MobileNavigator app will be available in the international AppStore this June, and will come in two different versions. The LITE Version will be available for free download, with no active route guidance, but with map material and the possibility to display POIs (points of interest) in the vicinity. The full version requires payment and will include well-known functions such as Reality View Pro, Real Roadsign Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant, Day & Night Mode, amongst others, as well as the option of displaying POIs along the route.

The current economic downturn means that more people are opting to holiday on home soil in order to tighten the purse strings. With the summer holiday season fast approaching, you may be considering investing in a low-cost sat nav to make planning your trip a little easier. If so, the Route 66 Mini might be right up your street. A compact GPS featuring maps of the UK and Republic of Ireland, safety camera alerts, super-sharp HighDef™ maps, free Lonely Planet travel guides, plus more, the Route 66 Mini offers superb functionality at a price that won’t break the budget.

Full Feature List:

• HighDef™ super-sharp maps
• 3.5 inch touchscreen
• Photo viewer
• Find all your destinations easily with QuickSearch™
• Millions of hotels, restaurants, petrol stations, etc.
• Free! Lonely Planet™ travel guides
• Based on the award winning navigation software made by ROUTE 66 for the Nokia Navigator
• Download maps, Lonely Planet travel guides, weather forecasts and more with free ROUTE 66 Sync home software
• Auto-charge and auto-switch day and night sensor
• Geographic coverage: Western Europe (Q3-2008)

The perfect companion for your next holiday, the Route 66 Mini is currently available for an outstanding £49.99, so you can benefit from high quality navigation features, whilst leaving your holiday fund intact.

More info on the Route 66 Mini >>

NAVTEQ, a global provider of digital map data for vehicle navigation and location-based solutions, recently released the results of a research study designed to assess the environmental impact of everyday consumer use of navigation devices.

The study evaluated drivers under three conditions: drivers without a navigation system, drivers with a navigation system, and drivers with a navigation system that included live traffic information. The results revealed that drivers using navigation devices: 1) drove shorter distances and 2) spent less time driving.

Conducted in Dusseldorf and Munich - two metropolitan areas of Germany – the research study also showed that drivers with navigation devices had a 12% increase in fuel efficiency, as measured by litres of fuel consumed per 100 kms. Fuel consumption among those drivers using navigation sytems fell from 8.3 to 7.3 l/100kms.

This increase in fuel economy translates to a 24% annual decrease in carbon dioxide emissions as compared to the average emissions of drivers who navigate without the use of a navigation system. Additionally, with an annual decrease in driving of nearly 2500 fewer kilometers per driver, 1.19 million tires would also be saved from disposal in Germany due to the decrease in wear and tear.

The findings follow those of a previous research study conducted by a collaborative effort between sat nav manufacturer TomTom and Dutch research agency, TNO. Conducted to evaluate the effect of navigation systems on various measures of driver competency, the study found that satellite navigation systems have a positive impact on driver behaviour and performance across a number of safety factors, namely:

• Reduction in the number of insurance claims by 12% and claim costs 5%
• Increase driver alertness, reduction of stress, and improvement of driver reaction times by 12%.
• Improvement of driving behaviour and performance when driving in an unfamiliar area to an unfamiliar destination
• Reduction in the driver’s objective workload by 20% when driving in an unfamiliar area to an unfamiliar destination
• Reduction in the number of kilometres driven by 16% and journey time by 18% when driving in an unfamiliar area to an unfamiliar destination

The growing body of research highlights the benefits of navigating via sat nav not only to the environment, but also to individual drivers. With a reduction in carbon emissions as well as positive benefits to driver safety, stress levels, and workload, using a sat nav to navigate those unfamiliar routes would seem like the obvious choice.

Satellite Navigation technology has come a long way since the 1920s. Back then satellite Navigation was seen as the invention of the future, which is definitely true in today’s modern and technically sophisticated society.

Lost in time, the 1920’s “TomTom” was a tiny machine complete with its own maps that would direct motorist in the right direction. Miniature map scrolls detailing the routes for motorist were attached onto a watch like mechanism that would be manually revolved as the driver continued on his journey.  Unfortunately this particular invention didn’t quite take off, however decades into the future came the arrival of TomTom!

1920’s “TomTom”

TomTom is the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and with devices like the latest TomTom Go 920 we can see how far we have come since the 1920s!

TomTom Go 920T

The TomTom Go 920 T combines TomTom’s acclaimed soft with their latest state of the art features including Live Traffic via RDS TMC receiver, MP3 player, iPod compatibility and preloaded maps of Western Europe, the USA and Canada, all in one easy to use GO 920 system.

Click here to order your TomTom GO 920 Traffic today!

Straight from the mouth of TomTom themselves I have a full compatibility list of devices that will work with the TomTom Navigator 6. Not a very interesting post I know, but thought some people out there would appreciate it. They haven’t given me an answer yet on whether one license key will activate your phone and PDA, but say they will get back to me. There are some incompatibilities that I can’t explain, so if anyone knows of others to add, let me know and I’ll post them here. Anyway, here we go:

continue reading "TomTom Navigator 6 - Compatible devices"

Ask yourself this question: What is so special about the European Toyota Yaris SR? The answer: This Yaris includes a fully integrated portable TomTom navigation system. The collaboration between TomTom and Toyota allows the navigation system to intergrate seamlessly with the car’s already existing audio system creating many advantageous features for their customers.

When docked it not only gives you directions but provides a touch screen interface for your car stereo, plus Bluetooth integration for hands-free phone integration, and when docked into its place the TomTom charges its battery so you never have to worry about unsightly wires and cables. And when you are ready to rough it on foot you can take the TomTom out of the car and carry it with you as a regular portable GPS unit.

continue reading "TomTom and Toyota Tag Team"

The Freedom Keychain GPS SiRF III Receiver is a nifty new addition to Proporta’s product portfolio. Featuring state of the art Bluetooth technology, you can link to your Bluetooth enabled device and benefit from the latest GPS technology! The beauty of this little unit is that it is small enough to attach to your keychain, so you can put it in your bag, pocket, purse – anywhere you would take your keys.

Currently the world’s smallest and neatest Bluetooth receiver, it will connect to up to 20 satellite’s and run on battery power for a working time of up to ten hours! Seems like a great little gadget – hopefully they will produce a piece of software to allow you to track your keys should they go missing!

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TomTom Bluetooth GPS Receiver

Sony have announced the release of a new satellite navigation add-on for the PSP,  following a collaboration between Sony and satellite navigation leaders Teleatlas and NavNGo to bring a quality in-car and pedestrian GPS solution to the PSP. Indeed, Teleatlas are the major suppliers of mapping data to all of the top brand satellite navigation sytems manufacturers, including TomTom, Garmin, Navman, plus most others you care to think of.

Under the name of Go!Explore, the package incorporates a GPS receiver and free PSP specific GPS software software along with chosen maps supplied on Sony’s proprietary UMD (Universal Media Disc) format. Including the capacity to use 3D city maps and 3D landmarks in key cities, the GPS package promises to be a unique experience for the sat nav enthusiast.
continue reading "Go!Explore GPS package released on the Sony PSP"

We’ve been raving about it for weeks now. Other websites have already showered it with praise, presenting it with top marks in their gadget reviews. The TomTom GO 720 simply has everyone in the industry foaming at the mouth in anticipation of the impact it is set to create in the GPS world.

Now T3.co.uk, one of the UK’s leading tech news and reviews websites, has nominated the GO720 for its inaugural T3 awards 2007 under the “Most Useful Gadget” category. Up against the likes of the acclaimed Nokia N95, Sky Television’s new High Definition television service, the Blackberry, and the nifty Freeloader Solar Charger, the competition is certainly a tough one. However, given the fantastic range of features boasted by the GO 720, it is sure to fend off its competitors and prevail.

If you would like to vote for the GO 720, simply head over to http://competition.futurenet.com/t3awards/ and cast your vote. Better still, register your vote and you could be in with a chance of winning a free PS3 and a free PSP Slim and Lite for your efforts!

If, like most people today, you are an upstanding and health-conscious citizen, you may be wondering what on earth you should do with your car cigarette lighter socket. GPS products and accessories manufacturer Holux may well have the answer to your quandary with their GR-239 Bluetooth GPS receiver.

Simply plug this nifty little device directly into the cigarette lighter socket, sync with your PDA, and hey presto – your own fully functioning top spec sat nav system. Not only does this unit solve the problem of where to store your GPS receiver when in use, but will make your car the envy of your friends by transforming your dashboard into something out of the ‘Starship Enterprise’.

Now, thanks to the stylish GR-239, you can find where you’re going and kick that filthy nicotine habit all at the same time!