NaviGadget

Sony NV-U75 GPS navigation system

Sep 19, 2009 gps navigation, sony 2 Comments

Sony just revealed a new GPS navigation system in Japan called the NV-U75.

Sony NV-U75 comes with a 1Seg TV tuner – something we don’t have on the States side. Sony went with a 4.5″ touch screen on the device, just 0.2″ larger than most others out there – which gets them to the WQVGA size. As far as storage, Sony NV-U75 comes with 8GB of internal storage which is definitely enough for maps with room to spare. For hands free calls from the comfort of your vehicle they’ve also included a bluetooth receiver in there. If you have a KDDI Phone you can even send your friends your location.

Sony likes to put gyro sensors in their devices and the NV-U75 is no exception. This is the technology that guesses your location when GPS signals gets weak. Very useful when tall buildings, tunnels, and heavy foliage gets in the way… Read More …

Sony NV-U3DV – Japan only

Jul 23, 2009 gps navigation, sony 5 Comments

Sony introduced a behemoth of a GPS navigation system in Japan called NV-U3DV. This monster has a 6.1 touchscreen, 480×272 resolution, and even support for digital TV channels. Since lots of tall building maybe blocking your GPS signal (in Tokyo at least) the device integrates various sensors to figure where the heck you’re going in case of such weak signals. These include a gyro sensor, accelerometer, and even a pressure sensor. Don’t ask how exactly all these sensor but do trust in Japanese innovation.

When Sony NV-U3DV comes out in Japan you’ll be able to pick it up for ¥65,000, about $700… Read More …

six GPS navigation systems no longer with us

Apr 11, 2009 gps navigation 6 Comments

GPS navigation system market is very dynamic and fast moving. New features come out monthly, prices keep going down. Small brand names can’t just compete or the big ones (HP, Sony) just take a quick stab at the market and realize people just won’t give up their Garmin’s :)

Here are a few names that are either out of the GPS navigation market or about to be gone.

• Magellan


Magellan was one of the big shots here in the U.S. but recently was bought by Mitac Mio. Even though Mio said they’d keep the brand going we think it is a matter of time until the Magellan name completely disappears.

• HP


HP had a decent looking device called iPAQ 310 for a while but it turns out they’ll be discontinuing their stand alone GPS navigation systems and a few others such as iPAQ 312, 314, 316, and 318.

• Dash


These were the guys to first come out with a decent two way connected system. We really loved it. But they didn’t last long. When they quit they promised they’d keep their awesome user collected traffic information platform alive.

• Harman/Kardon


Harman did come out with a few models that really looked promising such as the GPS-810. But due to continued price cutting they’re out as well.

• Sony


Sony never really got traction in the PND market. They officially quit the European market. Even though SonyStyle for U.S. still offers the NVU series the fact that they haven’t offered anything new makes us wonder…

• Panasonic


Panasonic is also out but only for standalone GPS navigation systems like the Strada CN-GP50N, and CN-GP50U. They’re keeping their in-dash systems.

UPDATE (May 6th):

• Navigon


We’re sorry to now add Navigon to this list. They really had some decent devices but the aggressive pricing was too aggressive for them. They’ll continue business in Europe.

Sony Ericsson T707

Mar 27, 2009 gps navigation, phones, sony 4 Comments

Sony Ericsson just unveiled a new really good looking phone called Sony Ericsson T707 with 3G goodness and GPS capabilities.

Before we move on to important things such as photos of Mario Sharapova holding the Sony Ericsson T707 let’s go over a few boring details:

• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Media player
• Light effects
• Pulsating light notification
• Gesture control
• Day and Night changing theme
• FM radio with RDS
• Geo tagging of photos
• Google Maps

Depending on where you live you’ll either get T707 with GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS/HSDPA 2100 or the T707a with same GSM but UMTS/HSDPA 850/1900/2100.

Now onto some Maria Sharapova photos to make your Friday more pleasant: Read More …

Sony NV-U3C GPS navigation system

Mar 19, 2009 gps navigation, sony Leave a comment

Sony’s really not wanting to leave the GPS market I guess. They just introduced a new model for the Japanese market called Sony NV-U3C. Very similar to the other models in Sony NV series this one also does split screen view. However different than their US counterparts the Japanese model does realistic street sign view, lane assistance, and something called PetaMap data which provides updates and sales info from restaurants and stores around you.

It has a 3.5″ screen QVGA screen with 4:3 ratio, 4GB of internal memory. It is available in three colors: obnoxious pink, boring gray, and snow white… Read More …

sony puts GPS (and maps) in camcorders! whoa!!!

Jan 8, 2009 CES 2009, gps navigation, sony 6 Comments

Yes, you heard it right. Sony just released a bunch of new camcorders (HDR-XR520V, HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR200V) and integrated a GPS receiver in them. Not only that but also the maps to go with it. We have so many questions!!!!

Here is what the press release says about the GPS feature:

Making it easy to retrace your steps by shooting location, the HDR-XR520V, HDR-XR500V and HDR-XR200V camcorders feature a built-in GPS antenna and NAVTEQ® digital maps for video and photo geo-tagging. Geo-tagged content is marked by a push pin at each shot location and can be played back on the camcorder map index display or enjoyed on the PC using the included Picture Motion Browser software. The feature also highlights your current map location and automatically adjusts the camcorder clock to the proper time zone.

The GPS receiver and maps loaded Sony camcorders will start to ship in March and cost $1500, $1300, $1000 respectively for HDR-XR520V, HDR-XR500V, HDR-XR200V.

We’ll have to investigate deeper what you can do with the on board GPS receiver and the maps in these camcorders; but we’re now completely convinced that anything mobile will come with GPS capabilities in the very near future.

Sony NV-U3V

Sep 8, 2008 gps navigation, software, sony 2 Comments

Sony of Japan released a couple of new GPS navigation systems again – limited to Japan of course. The two new models are called Sony NV-U3V and Sony NV-U3, both of which feature a 4.8″ touch screen LCD display with 480×272 resolution.

Sony NV-U3V features a 1 Seg TV tuner support to watch digitally broadcast channels where as Sony NV-U3 don’t. However both sat nav systems come with an embedded 4GB flash memory, USB port, and support for various media files.

Sony NV-U3V and Sony NV-U3 will be available in Japan on October 23rd and will cost 400 € and 350 € respectively. For U.S. models check out NV-U44, NV-U74T, NV-U84, and NV-U94T… Read More …

NV-U44

Aug 28, 2008 gps navigation, sony 2 Comments

Sony’s new entry level GPS navigation system is called NV-U44 which features a 3.5″ touch screen and comes with pre-loaded maps of United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Gesture Command is on board just like other Sony sat nav systems and it lets you take control via simple, on-screen finger movements.

NV-U44 also has dual view which displays dynamic route information and a clearer view of what’s ahead at the next turn. The NV-U44 is available in black, red and silver. It will start to ship on September 10th and will cost $250.

NV-U74T

Aug 28, 2008 gps navigation, sony Leave a comment

Another new GPS navigation system from Sony is NV-U74T which offers a slightly smaller touch screen that measures 4.3″ , blutooth wireless, and real-time traffic reports.

In addition you’ve got the dual view feature to help you out at intersections, TTS (text-to-speech), and the 2GB internal flash memory which has maps of U.S. preloaded. Also from the image above we can tell Sony is also trying to perfect their ‘reality view’ just like Garmin and Navigon.

Sony NV-U74T will cost about $350 and will be available as early September 10th.

Sony NV-U84

Aug 28, 2008 gps navigation, sony 1 Comment

Also just released like NV-U94T, the new NV-U84 model offers the best value in the large-screen segment. Priced at $350, drivers get a large 4.8 inch 16:9 aspect ratio display plus, dual view, text to speech, photo viewer and gesture command. Different from 94T, NV-U84 lacks RDS-TMC traffic receiver and bluetooth features.

Other features and specs include:

• text-to-speech
• SiRF Star III receiver
• position plus
• 2GB internal memory
• memory stick pro duo slot
• USB 2.0