The Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas is probably one of the largest showcases of new and emerging technologies from the world’s leading manufacturers. Over 20,000 products feature annually, and of these showcased products, many appear in the consumer domain, on store shelves and in our living rooms.

At this year’s CES, Mio technology - one of the major producers of satellite navigation devices - demonstrated the new SiRF InstantFixII technology. An update to the original InstantFix technology featuring in many of the latest Sat Nav devices, InstantFixII promises to considerably shorten the startup time of GPS units to a mere 5 seconds.
continue reading "Mio Announce New SiRF InstantFixII at CES"

PDA and GPS manufacturer Mio have a brand new addition to their range of low cost PDA/GPS/Phone solutions. The Mitac Mio A501 featrues a mobile phone, GPS handset and Windows Mobile® 5.0 PDA – all in a handy, pocket sized device.

The A501 features the latest SiRFstar III GPS receiver, providing coverage from up to 20 satellites, with intuitive mapping and route planning. Currently shipping without software however, users are required to function GPS navigation software, such as TomTom Navigator 6 before it can be used as a GPS device.
continue reading "Mio A501 enters the GPS PDA Phone Arena"

Mio Technology’s latest portable GPS system has been awarded an International Design prize by the iF Design Committee, China. It received merit for both industrial and functional design, but since it is also available in a floral pattern, i guess they had consumers in mind as well. While at first glance it bears a distinct resemblance to a particular MP3 playing system which we shall not name (cough iPod cough), it has interchangable covers to “reflect the owner’s outfit or mood” according to the press release.

So is this just another GPS system or is it as different as it looks?
continue reading "Mio’s latest GPS system wins beauty pageant"

I know that I’ve complained before about GPS systems that focus too heavily on gimmicks and not enough on mapping and reception - but now I thought it was about time to see what is actually being offered attached to your GPS device on the market today.

Digital media for your GPS ranges from Bluetooth for handsfree calls to the ability to watch full movies when you’re not navigating. Both Garmin and TomTom have integrated Bluetooth connectivity into their latest models, and they are both offering real-time traffic data either included or as an optional extra. They are not alone in this function, with Mio, Navman, Destinator and others all offering a version of TMC modules, online traffic databases, and speed camera detectors, making this “addition” probably the most common features on the GPS market right now. Less common is the MP3 player.

continue reading "GPS now gets you from A to B in style"

This GPS system from Polaroid (the MGX-0550 Portable GPS) is currently only available in the US and you have to wonder if it’ll ever be legal in the UK. The average in-car GPS device is combined with a DVD player, audio CD player, FM radio and Picture viewer to make one wholly distractable system. The GPS spec is nothing to write home about
continue reading "GPS that plays DVDs"

After years of major growth, the PDA industry has started to even out, with some of the biggest names even shipping less products than this time last year. Mio, on the other hand has shown an increase in the number of units shipped compared to the same time in 2005. Despite being a relatively “new” brand, Mio claims a 10% share of the GPS industry, and with so many new products being launched in both Europe and the US in the next few months - there’s no doubt they will continue to grow.

Their latest products, the C210 and the P350 are a dedicated in car GPS system, and a PDA with GPS functions respectively. Now on sale in the UK market I’ve had a look at them and can tell you what the score is…

continue reading "Mio’s high sales and shiny new products"

Mio showcased their C510E GPS along with several other new devices at CeBit last weekend. Styled as light, compact and powerful, it looks like Mio are aiming for a new, more fashionable breed of GPS. It features a 400MHz processor, and a SiRFstarIII receiver, so allows faster acquisition times, improved reception and greater accuracy. It also includes Bluetooth and a microphone, so the C510E can be used for handsfree calling with a compatible phone.

continue reading "Glimpse of Mio’s new GPS systems"

While before the most I have to go on was a translated foreign page, the Mio A701 has landed - this time with a full spec for you to drool over (if you’re that way inclined). The device was the highlight of Mio’s appearance at CeBit last weekend. Among the company’s other Sat Nav systems, this high end device combines phone, mobile office and GPS navigation in one handheld.
continue reading "The Mio A701 has landed"

Now all the information I have managed to gleen about this new product has been via google translated pages…so don’t blame me if there’s some nonsense in amongst this information! The Mitac Mio A701 is a Pocket PC with integrated Phone and GPS receiver, so a big upgrade from the Mio A201. It should serve every mobile office need you could possibly think of, alongside the ability to navigate your way around the globe single-handed.
continue reading "Mio A701 coming to show us the way"

Just thought I’d reassure you…and my boss…that my little blog isn’t all that I do in a day. I’ve also been building up a Press Section for TotalPDA. I put all of the press releases and news articles from the big names in PDAs, GPS systems and Mobiles up there and update it a few times a day. So if you don’t find the information you’re looking for in Jill’s Corner, try the Newsroom.

Also, if you’re a budding reviewer and would like to see your work on the web, there is contact details and details of how you can get your work published for the world to see. If you’ve any questions, post here and ask or contact me through one of the emails on the site.