Hi all,
I know there's been some interest in GPS add-ons for the iPod Touch .
I'm forwarding this notice about the Dual Electronics XGPS300 that was
demoed at this year's Consumer Electronics Show earlier this month.
There are links to the Dual electronics web site. They're marketing
this as a separate cradle/charger which can be attached to a car mount
as part of the kit. The total estimated planned price that I heard
mentioned in articles covering CES was high -- about $179. However,
the cradle is supposed to act as a separate case and battery/charger
combined. They also released a navigation software app called
NavAtlas when the product demoed at CES. This is up at the iTunes
Store, and like Navigon's product is a hefty download. However, it's
not possible to test for accessibility with VoiceOver because the app
is meant to be used only with the GPS add-on for the iPod Touch, so
when you launch the app there is a question about whether you have
connected the GPS remote, and you can't get any further. The
navigation app is free, but is only usable with the XGPS300 attached.
It's also possible to use the iPod Touch with GPS using the Magellan
and TomTom car kits for the iPod Touch (not iPhone). These are less
expensive, but come with the windshield mounting attachment for the
car kit as part of the mount, so are much bulkier to carry around.
They are also not separately designed to provide additional charge for
the iPod Touch when hand carried. Other add-on GPS solutions exist,
but require jail-broken devices (e.g., the instructions on the web
page start with "download Cydia").
HTH
Cheers,
Esther
On Jan 29, 2010, at 11:20, Esther wrote:
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updates from Dual Electronics on GPSCradle.dualav.com
Thank you to everyone who has e-mailed and called us. We appreciate
your questions and comments, and we certainly share your enthusiasm
about the GPS Cradle. Here is a quick update on the product:
First things first: the Cradle will be available in late February
starting in the US, and our next communication will tell you exactly
when and where you will be able to get yours.
You already know that the XGPS300 turns your iPod touch into a
dashboard GPS device, but you may not know that the Cradle has many
more cool uses besides car navigation. We're constantly testing the
Cradle with new apps, and have yet to find one that is incompatible.
This means that the world of GPS-enabled apps will be open to your
iPod touch. You will be able to use your iPod touch:
for boat navigation
as a rangefinder on a golf course
for hiking with topo maps
as a locator for geocaching
as an aid for general aviation
to find your car in a crowded parking lot
to guide you in a theme park
to find a restaurant for dinner
and even for car navigation in other countries!
We keep discovering new uses every day and will continue to post
them on our blog.
Lastly, we'd like to share with you the most commonly asked
questions about the Cradle. More information can be found on
GPSCradle.dualav.com as well as on our blog.
Q: What is the difference between the GPS Cradle and other products
on the market, including dashboard navigation devices?
A: In short, the Cradle gives you a whole lot more than just GPS
navigation functionality, in an elegant, portable, all-inclusive
solution:
· The Cradle is completely portable
Use it for in-car navigation, and when done, simply snap the Cradle
out of the windshield mount and take it with you. Because the GPS
receiver is built into the Cradle, and not into the windshield mount
that stays in the car, the GPS and navigation capabilities stay with
you wherever you go.
· The Cradle has a built in rechargeable battery
The battery powers the GPS, so you won't drain your iPod battery,
and you can also use it to recharge your iPod.
· The Cradle includes navigation software
You don't have to spend extra money for a navigation app - the
NavAtlas® app comes with the Cradle and you can download it from
iTunes at no extra charge.
· The Cradle turns any iPod touch into a dashboard GPS navigator
You don't need another device for car navigation. The Cradle comes
with a fully-featured turn-by-turn NavAtlas navigation app,
windshield mount and a rechargeable battery.
· The Cradle turns your iPod touch into a global navigation device
When traveling in different countries, use the Cradle with local
navigation apps containing local maps.
Q: Does the iPod touch have to be jail broken in order to work with
the Cradle?
A: No, the Cradle has been certified by Apple. The Cradle provides
power and GPS data through the 30 pin connector on the iPod touch.
Q: Do I have to be in a WiFi hotspot in order to be able to use the
Cradle for turn-by-turn navigation?
A: No, the Cradle does not require a WiFi or cellular connection.
The Cradle determines GPS location itself, and the included NavAtlas
app contains all of the map data.
Thank you!
The Dual Electronics Team
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