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NEWS IN NAVS; Devices continue loading more features.(NEWS)(briefs)(MSN Direct)(Magellan GPS)
Byline: MARK VAUGHN
Folding paper maps are so last century. Aftermarket nav devices continue to gain features. At CES and two other shows held in Vegas before and after CES's opening day, we got an idea of what's new in navs. These days, if you don't get flight-arrival times, Doppler weather and some degree of voice recognition on your unit, don't bother showing up. Having Bluetooth phone connectivity and free real-time traffic is almost assumed. Manufacturers have to keep cramming more stuff onto their devices to stay ahead of, or at least even with, the competition. Here are a few of the devices we saw.
MSN Direct
This is not a device but a service, available for a fee in some navigation devices, both aftermarket and from the OEMs. Until now, MSN Direct beamed wireless data on weather, gasoline prices, news headlines, stock quotes, local events, movie times and a feature called Smart Traffic with speeds for selected cities. The service now adds flight-status information for local airports, as well as weather maps with live Doppler radar views. The number of metro areas covered has grown to 134 in the United States and Canada, and traffic info now covers 94 cities, up from 31. Some devices come with a free three-month trial, but then you'll have to shell out $50 a year or $130 for a lifetime (lifetime of the device) subscription. The improved service should be available in the first quarter of this year. Visit www.msndirect.com.
Navigon
The top-end 7200T and 8100T models get faster, more user-friendly voice recognition but for destination entry only. The 8100T offers "panorama view 3-D for the ultimate navigation view. More upgrades will be available in the spring, all at a cost, including a feature common in Europe that alerts you to red-light cameras for $30, one that allows you to add views of 600 U.S. buildings in 3-D for $40 and a full set of maps for 38 countries in Europe for $130. Travel isn't cheap, but these models now come with free real-time traffic for life. Learn more at www.navigon.com.
Magellan 4350
- MSN Direct Expands Navigation Offering With Leading Partners.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire January 7, 2008 700+ words
New MSN Direct service provides customers with relevant...availability of the newest version of the MSN Direct service, an update of its location...service for personal navigation devices. MSN Direct will now provide increased functionality...
- MSN Direct Scores Home Run With 2004 Professional Baseball Season Content for...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire May 13, 2004 700+ words
...Microsoft also added three new channels to MSN Direct that will allow subscribers to track...special free offer of three bonus months of MSN Direct service.* "Smart Watches are all about...The new channels complement existing MSN Direct channels, which offer news, stocks...
- MSN Direct Enables Web Sites to Deliver Location Information to GPS Navigation...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire July 29, 2008 700+ words
MSN Direct closes the loop between the PC and the...programming interface (API) for the MSN Direct Send to GPS feature for navigation devices...MSFTLOGO) The API is an extension of the MSN Direct feature initially launched at International...
- MSN Direct Introduces Sports Content, First New Channel for Smart Watches;...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire March 22, 2004 700+ words
...Direct. Sports fans who subscribe to the MSN Direct service can now sign up to receive the...and players, and now Smart Watches for MSN Direct allow them to do that and even more on...channels of information available from MSN Direct." MSN Direct currently offers ...
- MSN Direct Now Available for Windows Mobile Devices.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire February 11, 2008 700+ words
Glanceable MSN Direct content, including news, weather...a technology preview for accessing MSN Direct content on Windows Mobile-based devices...to them. "This is the first time MSN Direct content has been made available to...
- MSN Direct Expands GPS Navigation Services and Partner Ecosystem.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire January 8, 2009 700+ words
...unveiled the latest enhancements to MSN Direct, an advanced location-based service...consumers reduce commute time and gas costs. MSN Direct now provides three times more traffic...and Suzuki Motor Corp., are offering MSN Direct-enabled navigation devices and solutions...
- MSN Direct Expands GPS Navigation Services And Partner Ecosystem.
- Magazine article from: Space Daily January 26, 2009 700+ words
...has unveiled the latest enhancements to MSN Direct, an advanced location-based service...consumers reduce commute time and gas costs. MSN Direct now provides three times more traffic...and Suzuki Motor Corp., are offering MSN Direct-enabled navigation devices and solutions...
- MSN Direct Kicks Off Football Content for Smart Watches.
- Press release article from: PR Newswire September 1, 2004 700+ words
...Smart Watches with this new release of MSN Direct," said Eric Lang, general manager...what the weather is like." Touchdown! MSN Direct Scores With Football Content Sports fans...with game updates and standings from MSN Direct. Sports fans can choose to receive updates...
- Smart Watches for MSN Direct Ship to Retail; Microsoft Announces Key Business...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire January 8, 2004 700+ words
...20000822/MSFTLOGO ) Smart Watches and MSN Direct service, part of Microsoft's Smart...by Fossil Inc. and Suunto, utilize MSN Direct to receive personalized content including...and services they want to receive. The MSN Direct service is now available in more than...
- Microsoft Announces Plans for New MSN Direct-Enabled Devices, Additional Smart...
- Press release article from: PR Newswire January 6, 2005 700+ words
...Styles and Functionality on the Heels of MSN Direct's One-Year Anniversary Microsoft...addition, the SPOT Group plans to develop MSN Direct-enabled devices with Oregon Scientific...partners and providing additional rich MSN Direct content, and we will continue to expand...
Source: HighBeam Research, NEWS IN NAVS; Devices continue loading more...