Just what do you want in a GPS system? You want it to help you get to your destination, right? Well, what if you could buy a GPS Navigation system that would not only get you there, but would get you there in style, without getting you lost? The Pharos Drive GPS 150 may not be a high end GPS system, but it does come in some nice colors. It’s available in Blue, Pink, and Black. “Feature wise the Pharos utilizes text to speech technology, it sports a 3.5 Color LCD, and provides instructions throughout the United States.” The pink one would be perfect for a girl named Barbie!

Via Source

There are a whole bunch of GPS systems out there, but the DASH GPS is a bit different. It is suppose to be the first GPS device that is more than a GPS. It also tells you about traffic spots, and connects with your PC through the internet for quick address updates and searches. Click on the link below for a review of the product.

via Gadget News

GPS maker Garmin and Sound System Maker Kenwood have teamed up to market GPS enabled car stereos. The Garmin-powered Excelon DNX-8120 has a touchscreen with flash-based Garmin Navigation internals, as well as the Kenwood Features such as Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, HD radio, and iPod hookups. Pricing has not yet been announced.

via blast

The Zoombak is a location-based service that is about the size of a Zippo lighter, and integrates a GPS receiver and cellular radio that reports back on it’s location when queried. The company has two versions of the device. One for use in vehicles, and the other for use with dogs.

“Using Zoombak is straightforward. First, one places the charged receiver in their vehicle. Zoombak’s integrated and non-user replaceable battery lasts about five days, but the company provides accessories in the box for charging from a 12-volt lighter connection or for having the product installed professionally.”

When locating your vehicle, it shows up as a circle on a simple map. And the device can send emails or SMS messages when its battery is about three hours from running out of juice. The device also allows you to create safety zones that trigger notification when the devices carrier extends past them. It seems these type of GPS devices are becoming more and more popular.

via engadget

A group of student researchers are taking GPS one step further with an interesting idea. They are installing GPS systems on some nursing home patients walkers to help guide these elderly people around. The exact details of this study remains unclear, but the system apparently uses the GPS when the patients are out and about, and a WI-FI based system when they are inside. The system has been designed very simple to operate with five buttons and large arrows point the way to the patients destination. It is reported that one Nursing Home has been testing it for several months now.

via engadget.com

A company in Germany has released a new GPS product called the MirrorPilot. The device is integrated into your rear view mirror. It comes with a touch interface, and a remote control. Included are complete maps of Europe, an SD Card Slot, Internal Speaker, over 800,000 Points Of Interest in the Database, and integrated TMC.

via gpsdoc

Pioneer is getting into the GPS and Auto Multimedia market with the AVIC-F500BT. The device operates as a GPS system with mapping functions that can be viewed in both overhead and moveable 3D with a 5.8 inch touch screen. The directions are text-to-speech, enabled by street. And the system also operates as a Media Center with an auxiliary audio input for personal audio and communication devices. It will also operate portable devices that need a USB connection and SD Memory cards. Voice control is also a feature. With it, you will be able to control your iPod and Bluetooth enabled cell phones. It will be available in Spring of 2008.

via coolest-gadgets.com

GPS systems are great. You start your car, plug in your destination, and the device tells you the shortest and fastest way to get from point A to point B. Here is a GPS with a little added feature. It will tell you if you have had too much to drink to drive safely. I am not sure how accurate this could be; everyone’s body chemistry handles alcohol differently. And different states have different “legal” limits when it comes to alcohol in the blood. But it is a good idea, I guess. “When you first start the application it calibrates; accounting for the already present amount in the environment and the sensor, and then it asks you to blow.”

via navigadget.com

More and more portable GPS systems are coming on to the market these days. And the prices are getting cheaper and cheaper. Here is a GPS system from Garmin that integrates several features. It is appropriately called a Personal Travel Assistant.

“The Nüvi 660 Personal Travel Assistant features a new super-bright wide screen display for media player and picture viewer applications and an FM modulator so you can wirelessly transmit audio, including MP3s and audio books, through your vehicle stereo. The nüvi 660 is also compatible with Garmin’s new GTM 20 FM TMC traffic receiver, which allows users to avoid traffic tie-ups by simply pushing a button to calculate a new route. The Nüvi’s Bluetooth wireless technology capability with integrated microphone and speaker enables users to make hands-free mobile phone calls.”

Around $400.00

via secretstep

Nokia has announced an updated version of its Nokia Maps appropriately called Nokia Maps 2.0. It has a pedestrian mode which gives you additional information about certain buildings, in addition to the in car navigation called Drive. There is also a feature that shows routes through parks and small alleys, where cars can’t go. Also, multimedia guides that contain photos video and audio tours are available to download just in case you are on vacation.

via nokia