Autoblog

Click above to view high-res gallery of the Toyota Yaris SR

The Euro-spec Toyota Yaris is a well-equipped little car. But things like the nine airbags, chrome exhaust finisher, and remote central double locking are merely gravy for the real show on this new SR model: a fully-integrated portable TomTom navigation system that doubles as a touchscreen interface for the car stereo.

It's a neat little trick, and the unit also offers Bluetooth connectivity and a USB connection for MP3 players. We wonder, though, if this is about simply making life easier and aesthetically cleaner for GPS users, or if people are really clamoring for a portable GPS. This blogger has never seen anyone walking down the street taking direction from a TomTom -- but this blogger also lives in LA where nobody walks anywhere, so maybe I'm not the best judge. If nothing else, certain Euro Yaris takers can finally kiss the suction cups goodbye. Uh, Toyota, how 'bout some of that love over this way, please?


[Source: Toyota]

Those of you rolling in any new BMW model equipped with sat nav and Bluetooth connectability, save the Z4 and X3, can now integrate Google's useful, albeit sometimes erroneous, route plotting into your Bimmer. The joint effort between ze Germans and the search overlords allow users to log onto Google Maps UK, plan their route and then send the information to the vehicle's sat nav.

While that might seem like a redundancy, the truly sweet feature of the system is the ability to import ten RSS feeds into the BMW's computer, allowing you to check up on the happenings of the automotive world from your go-to obessives at Autoblog. Just try to avoid gawking at galleries while in route to pick up the kiddies.

BMW's full press release is posted post jump.

Satnav manufacturer TomTom will be emulating a practice that's been going on for years on the internet where data resources are kept up-to-date by information submitted by a user community. Probably the best example of this is Wikipedia, a free online-based encyclopedia filled with information submitted and edited by users like you and I.

In the case of TomTom's GPS devices, users would be able to submit information about traffic flows and highlight any errors in the maps. You may recall stories of several motorists in Europe being directed to drive onto railway tracks and some being instructed to cross a river via a bridge that never existed. The new system is likely to prevent that from happening in the future.

TomTom's new set-up will be called 'Navigation 2.0' and is designed to work with digital maps from another company, Tele Atlas, which TomTom is currently in the process of acquiring. Users from around the world are already sending up to 16,000 tips per month, but, since TomTom doesn't make the maps, the feedback is falling on deaf for now

[Source: Reuters]

Having reviewed many vehicles in my day, I can tell you unequivocally that not all satellite navigation systems are created equal. Just checking the sat nav box on the options sheet doesn't guarantee you'll be getting a system that's easy to use and will get you where you want to go. Those who know me will tell you that I've often sung the praises of Ford's sat nav systems, specifically the ones found in Lincoln models. My first experience with these factory-installed Pioneer units came from a review of the Lincoln LS I did back in the day, and I was happy to find an equally agreeable sat nav in the Lincoln Zephyr we tested back in March. So permit me to feel vindicated when I inform you that J.D. Power and Associates has just released its 2006 Navigation Usage and Satisfaction Study in which the Lincoln Zephyr's navigation system received the highest rankign. J.D. rates these factory installed nav systems in six areas that include (in order of importance) ease of use, routing, system appearance, speed of system, voice directions and navigation display screen. The Zephyr's Pioneer unit did particularly well in the those first three areas that are weighted the most. One feature of the system with which I became particularly infatuated was its ability to leave a trail of electronic breadcrumbs on the screen's map showing you where you've driven. And in case you're wondering, the same unit is also available in the 2007 MKZ.

[Source: J.D. Power and Associates]

We're kicking ourselves because we didn't get a chance to play with the DashDaq onboard computer at SEMA last week where it won a Best New International Product Award. Actually, to call it an onboard computer is generalizing its capabilities a bit too much. The small handhelt unit plugs into your vehicle's OBD-II port and can be used for data acquisition, diagnostics, as an extra set of gauges and as a good old fashioned handheld computer. The secret to this little guy's high must-have quotient is the fact it runs on Linux and comes with tools to help you write custom software for it. So besides what it can do out of the box, a clever programmer can have it be a GPS sat nav unit, multimedia player, or even an actual onboard computer. The fact that its maker, Drew Technologies, is keeping the DashDaq open source gives it a huge advantage over other devices, most notably high-end sat nav systems, that come with similar features but can never be modified to do more.

Aside from the flexible software, the actual hardware is impressive too, particularly the 4-inch TFT LCD screen that displays 16.7 million colors (that's all of 'em) and features 480 x 272 resolution. Follow the jump for shots of how good the screen images look, as they are completely unaltered from what you would see on the actual unit. You can also check out this movie of the unit in action and DT's webpage where computer nerds who are smarter than us will appreciate all the things this little grey box can do. Drew Technologies is hoping to have the DashDaq on the market by early 2007 at an MSRP of $595, which, with a little help from a thriving open source programming community creating killer applications, could have the big boys in the satellite navigation and data acquisition markets asking for directions.

[Source: Drew Technologies]

Garmin has scored a major coup by buddying up with Hyundai to sell its nüvi 360 personal navigation device at all of the automaker's 725 dealerships across the U.S. The nüvi 360 not only navigates, but also features hands-free Bluetooth calling and other travel specific features like a database of over 6 million points of interest, a currency converter and an MP3 player with picture viewer. The small pocket-sized device mounts on your vehicle's windshield, though it can be detached and used while traveling on foot, as well. At $857.00, however, the cost of the device is anything but diminutive.

This could be a very smart move by Hyundai as well, which knows that redesigning and engineering a dash to accept a nav system and Bluetooth compatibility wouldn't be cost effective for many of its models like the lower priced Accent and Elantra. The South Korean automaker doesn't actually offer a satellite navigation system on any of its vehicles, so this could also be a stopgap measure to satisfy customers interested in such technology while Hyundai works on rolling out a factory version for its vehicles in the North American market.

[Source: Garmin]

In a gesture of unwavering generosity, Cadillac announced yesterday that select 2007 models would come equipped with free satellite navigation. The offer will end on January 2nd 2007 and is only available on "specially-equipped" models.

What directional joys await those of you willing to drop the coin on a new Caddy? It's pretty much the standard navigation fare, with a dash-mounted LCD displaying turn-by-turn directions, with the option of a sultry vixen barking orders at you if you make a wrong move (some don't need a sat-nav for that). Other standard features include an address finder, a business search and, for those of you willing to upgrade to XM, NavTraffic, that provides real-time traffic reporting.

The free navi will be only available on 2007 models and we haven't found out the meaning of "specially-equipped" yet, but we'll call our local dealer today.

[Source: Cadillac via GM Inside News]

Aftermarket navigation systems are not cheap, though neither are the nav units that come bundled in your car. Aftermarket units can start in the $500 range but easily skyrocket up to $2,000 depending on how many features you demand. Delphi's consumer electronics division has just announced a new hand held nav system called the NAV200 that packs most of those popular features in a small form factor at an easily digestible price of $349.

The NAV200 is about the size of a PDA (who uses those anymore?) and can be controlled via a stylus or your own grubby fingers via a 3.5" touchscreen. Unlike many aftermarket nav systems, you aren't forced to load maps into it via a CD through your computer. Rather, Delphi includes complete maps of the US and Canada from NAVTEQ on a 1.5gb SD card that slots right in. You can also insert an SD card with MP3 files, photos and videos and use the NAV200 as a portable media player, however the battery only lasts 3 hours when not plugged into the cigarette lighter. Still, it could replace an iPod for some.

Other features that the modern nav user demands are also present, like the option for real-time traffic info that the unit can use to reroute your path (available with an adapter antenna and subscription fee). Bluetooth, however, is one missing feature we feel the NAV200 is missing, as pumping cell phone calls through such devices is becoming quite popular, especially in states where you're not allowed to hold a cell phone while driving anymore. But the NAV200 makes a compelling case for itself at $349.

[Source: Delphi]

Martha McKay of the Wichita Eagle recently tested the VZ Navigator, a GPS navigation system offered by Verizon for its Motorola V325 cell phone. The service became available in January.

In a similar manner to TechnoRide’s testing of OnStar’s Turn-By-Turn service, McKay entered her destination address into the cellphone, which downloaded directions to the unit. McKay then followed “Michelle’s” voice prompts and found herself driving a half-mile past her destination to the Bergen County Jail. A Verizon representative later explained that the VZ Navigator’s mapping directions are provided by Navteq Corp., and such inaccurate information was probably an aberration.

Uh-huh. McKay at least can take some comfort that VZ Navigator didn’t guide her over a cliff. Share your sat-nav experiences (good and bad) with your fellow reader in 'comments.'

[Source: The Record via The Wichita Eagle]

Garmin, the well-known maker of portable GPS systems and other devices, has announced it will start offering a version of its popular StreetPilot c330 (pictured) that will provide directions in five different Asian languages. The 'StreetPilot c330 Asian Americas', which goes on sale in May, is the first in the North American market to offer such capability. Garmin had developed it in response to census data showing that over six million Asians live in Canada and the U.S.

Languages offered include Japanese, Korean, Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese and Thai. Garmin will use NBA star Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets as the c330's spokesperson.

[Source: Kansas City Star]