NaviGadget

Dell Mini 10 now has GPS option. There aren’t that many netbooks out there that offer integrated GPS functionality (Mio Litepad N890 is one) so it is good to see more companies focusing on making GPS available at least as an option.

Anyhow, the GPS hardware they have on the Mini is called Dell Wireless 700 and it is not only a vanilla GPS receiver. It actually has built-in WiFi positioning too which makes it suitable to use indoors as well. The chip is provided by Broadcom.

The Dell Wireless 700 uses Wi-Fi access points and Long Term Orbit (LTO)-based Assisted-GPS (A-GPS) technology to determine location information. It provides a fast, accurate and reliable location source to applications and services by leveraging the strength of each underlying position technology.

Wi-Fi Positioning System (WPS) can determine the location of Wi-Fi enabled devices. All Wi-Fi Access Points broadcast a signal beacon known as a MAC address, notifying nearby devices of their presence. WPS refers to the mapped locations of millions of Wi-Fi MAC addresses to pinpoint the device location. WPS is complementary to GPS. It works best indoors and in urban areas, while GPS is limited by physical obstructions of ceilings and tall buildings.

Another nice thing about the Dell Mini 10 with GPS option is that it comes with CoPilot navigation software which can provide turn by turn directions.

The extra GPS option will cost you $70, however the version this will be available on will also have the HD display at 1366×768 resolution which is a nice plus… read »

If you’ve been following Navigadget you should have an idea what Viliv X70 is. In case you don’t; Viliv X70 is a communication MID, or a UMPC if you prefer to call it that. The device has a built in GPS, suction cup window mount, and cigarette lighter adapter that makes a suitable to use in your car – as a GPS navigation system.

Well someone at StreetDeck got their hands on a pre-release version of the X70 and posted a short review video – here is that:

GPS navigation part starting at 7′30″.

Mio has jumped into to the netbook market with two great looking netbooks. The N890 and the N1210. Mio Litepad N890 is of more interest to us because that’s the one with GPS.

Mio Litepad N890 has an 8.9″ display and offers 3.5G broadband and WiFi, comes with GPS receiver and MioMaps, and even rotation sensor to help you read stuff in portrait mode.

Here is the thing, we’re glad to see a company specializing GPS navigation systems to include a GPS receiver in their first netbook attempt. Can’t wait to see the price when it comes out. $400 maybe?

Remember the Nokia N810? Well it seems like Nokia is not giving up on this internet tablet series since we have found some leaked images and specs of the all new Nokia N900. Good news is that they’ve kept the GPS on-board and even added an accelerometer to the mix.

Here are the leaked specs of the new Nokia N900 still not announced by the company:

• GPS and accelerometer
• 3.5″ 800×480 (WVGA) touchscreen
• OMAP3430 500/600 Mhz processor
• Quad band GSM; WCDMA 900, 1700/2100, 2100
• 5MP Carl Zeiss camera with dual-LED flash, autofocus, and sliding cover
• proximity sensor and a front-facing camera.
• 1GB total virtual memory (256MB actual RAM, 768MB virtual)
• Wi-Fi, HSPA
• 1320 mAh battery
• 32GB internal storage, expandable up to 48GB via external memory
• Dimensions: 59.7mmx111mmx18.2mm
• Weight: 180g

read »

Yet another GPS enabled mobile internet device we have here. It is called Chuwi W3000 and it comes from China. It looks pretty cool with its dark brushed aluminum look but the specs aren’t really that out of the ordinary.

• 4.1″ WVGA touchscreen display
• 802.11a/b/g/n connectivity
• GPS support
• 1.3-megapixel camera
• Extensive codec support

We like the GPS support and Wi-Fi. We doubt this would ever make it to the U.S. though … read »

This is not quite news but we thought we’d mention the new Sony VAIO P which was just made official at CES 2009 couple of months ago.

Sony VAIO P is kinda special because it is the only 8″ netbook out there that includes a GPS receiver. Another amazing feature you’ll like on this device is the Gobi mobile broadband technology and the instant-mode option that will get you online faster than anything else.

But you still get those older technologies such as WiFi, Bluetooh, MMC, SD card slots, and a G sensor :)

3G broadband connectivity is offered by Verizon.

Pick up Sony VAIO VGN-P530H/R on Amazon for $900.

Samsung is getting ready to release an UMPC here at the States – as we discovered going thru FCC docs. Possibly called Samsung NP-Q1EX, the device will feature a 7″ WSVGA touch screen with 1024×600px resolution and run on an VIA Isaiah CPU. On the back of the device there’s also a digital camera, but as of now we’re not sure what the specs for this are (maybe 1.3MP). For connection Samsung NP-Q1EX offers Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth.

Even though not mentioned in the semi-complete user manual, a few test setup photos also revealed an SiRF Star embedded GPS receiver which made us very happy here at Navigadget.

Other specs we could dig up were the 4000mAh battery, SD card slot, 3.5mm audio jack, and HDD for storage.

People at StreetDeck took the Windows XP based Viliv S5 and installed their user interface on it. S5 has built-in GPS, Wi-Fi, USB port, mini USB, monitor port, resistive touch screen.

It comes with a suction cup window mount which you can see in the video below, and of course a car charger as well. The video demos the GPS navigation, XM radio, and other general features of their StreetDeck II user interface.

Streetdeck swears this is the best UMPC as far as delivering GPS navigation features be it the really fast resume time, or the sensitive touch screen. Speakers are also very good which can let you listen to music while getting driving directions. It is an XP based PC after all.

Viliv S5 w/ GPS, car kit, and StreetDeck II costs about $700. It will be ready soon after March.

MIU HDPC (Hybrid Dual Portable Computer) is currently in prototype phase but provided they find some investors they can get those production lines going again.

There will supposedly be two version of the new MIU HDPC. A $500 netbook model covering the basics, and a more advanced one for $900 that also includes a GPS receiver, some sort of phone module, and can dual boot to either Windows XP or CE.

But like we mentioned, do not get your hopes up for Miu’s HDPC – for all we know they may have to wait for the economy to recover. read »

Viliv was showcasing their X70 Atom Communcation MID at CES 2009 – which was quite different than other Viliv X70’s we’ve talked about before.

This device runs on an Intel Atom Silverthorne 1.33Ghz processor, 7″ WSVGA touch LCD screen, 8/16GB SSD or 30/60GB HDD, and uses Windows XP or Linux.

It comes with 1GB of RAM, and for connectivity you’ve got WiMAX, HSDPA, WiFi, and Bluetooh.

Viliv X70 Communication MID does come with GPS hardware; SiRF Star III GPS receiver to be more precise. But for software we know very little. All we know is that it offers location based services and navigation out of the box… read »