Autoblog

J.D. Power releases sat-nav study findings, crowns Ford tops

Jonny Lieberman — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:59:00 EST

Not only does Ford rank number one on J.D. Power and Associate's 2009 navigation system survey, it ranks number two as well. The top ranking system, according to Power's study, is the one found in the Lincoln MKS, followed by a nearly identical system (if not 100% identical) in the Ford Flex. And get this, Ford took down five of the top ten spots with the F-150 coming in fourth and the Escape and Edge taking seventh and eighth place, respectively.

To anyone that's driven a modern Sync-equipped Ford with navigation, these survey results probably won't come as any sort of shock, as FoMoCo has been making some of the best systems in the business ever since they released Sync with Sirius Travel Link. Here's what Ford user interface design engineer Jason Johnson had to tell us about why Ford got ranked tops:

"I think what really makes our system stand out is the fact it's designed with the user in mind. Yes, it has all the features you'd expect from a high-level navigation system -- the 3-D maps, the digital jukebox, the customizable home screens, and of course we pride ourselves on SYNC and SIRIUS Travel Link -- but it's more than that. This system is easy to use. It's intuitive. The buttons are where you'd expect them to be, the grouping is logical and the graphics are bright and easy to read. Everything is integrated, so it all works together, simply and easily."

Non-Ford top ten nav-system finishers include the Acura TL (third), Porsche 911 (fifth), Cadillac CTS (sixth), Hyundai Genesis (ninth) and Infiniti FX-series (tenth). Interestingly, Ford is the only non-luxury/premium brand to make it into the top ten. If you were wondering, seven of the bottom ten nav-systems were made by Toyota, with the Avalon finishing dead last. Complete results list and official press release available after the jump.
[Source: J.D. Power]

Continue reading J.D. Power releases sat-nav study findings, crowns Ford tops

J.D. Power releases sat-nav study findings, crowns Ford tops originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Which iPhone navigation app should you buy? This'll help

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

The season of hitting the roads to places you don't really want to go, so that you can give gifts you didn't really want to buy and eat food you don't really like has begun. Naturally, a lot more people on the road means a lot more folks getting lost. Fear not, you invincible iPhone-equipped holiday travelers: Appcast has ranked the created a list of navigation apps taking into account 31 different features and metrics.

With all the measuring they've done, they leave the decision of which one is best up to you. But with factors such as coverage area, traffic and speed camera notifications, demo routes, and even text-to-speech (including how the application handles voice instructions when the phone is playing music), you should have plenty of tools to make the best choice for your tastes.

There are seven apps tested, starting at $29.99. One of them could help make your holiday treks that much more manageable -- but they still won't eat fruitcake.

[Source: Appcast]

Which iPhone navigation app should you buy? This'll help originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 27 Nov 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Google bringing free turn-by-turn navigation to mobile Maps [w/ VIDEO]

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Technology

Click above to view the video after the jump

If you've been following today's news in the mobile gadget world, you've already heard about the Motorola Droid smartphone powered by the latest version of Google's open-source Android operating system. It's a pretty slick setup, particularly with the new 2.0 OS, but the bigger news (to us) is Google's announcement that it's offering a free, turn-by-turn navigation system built around its popular mobile Maps program.

Available on the Droid (and future Android 2.0 devices), the system features all the functionality of Google Maps -- integrated search by location or business, traffic data, etc. -- but now includes voice-guided directions, satellite and street views (yay!), layers and the ability to search for points-of-interest along the chose route. A dock will be available to mount the device on your windshield and in addition to typing your destination, it also accepts voice searches. Yes, Garmin and TomTom have something to worry about.

Make the jump for a video covering all the features of the new system, and be prepared to pony up $199 for the Motorola Droid (on contract) when it goes on sale November 6th through Verizon. If you're looking for all the latest news on the device and Android 2.0, there's a site for that.

UPDATE: Hands-on video of the system in action added.

[Source: Google]

Continue reading Google bringing free turn-by-turn navigation to mobile Maps [w/ VIDEO]

Google bringing free turn-by-turn navigation to mobile Maps [w/ VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Microsoft may one-up Google Street View with virtual video drives

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Technology, Videos

Click above to view the video after the jump

Until cars drive themselves and we absolutely can't get lost, automakers and sat nav companies are steadily enhancing the graphics of navigation systems to make it easier to find the next right turn. Navigation systems in Renaults, for instance, provide a graphic representation of buildings that you'll see as you drive along, and now Microsoft, working with researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany, have added video to navigational maps.

The project took the snapshots of cities collected by mapping companies (like Google Streetview does) and 'plays' them like video at important sections of the route. The text route and route overview are still provided, the video simply aids in noting or remembering where you need to remember a crucial direction.

You can watch the video before you actually get in your car so that, like cheating for an exam, you'll visually recognize the turn or a landmark when the time comes. The photographs are also skewed as necessary to create the right perspective, and when you get to a turn, the video will look in the proper direction beforehand so that you can note specific features. It's currently still in trial phase, but during the first study it improved people's ability to follow direction by 20 percent. Follow the jump to watch the video, and here's to no more getting lost. Soon.

[Source: Microsoft and MIT]

Continue reading VIDEO: Microsoft may one-up Google Street View with virtual video drives

VIDEO: Microsoft may one-up Google Street View with virtual video drives originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Oct 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Road Trip Review: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with Navigation [w/VIDEO]

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Hyundai, Reviews

2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe w/Nav - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's been less than a year since the Hyundai Genesis Coupe hit the streets, but the Korean automaker isn't sitting on its hands. Just as it's done in the past, Hyundai is launching a steady stream of refreshed and redesigned models, and even new models - like the Genesis - are benefiting from the updates. At the top of Hyundai's list of early cycle improvements is fitting the Genesis Coupe with a satellite navigation system, something that's been missing since it's launch earlier this year. So after getting an exclusive glimpse of a prototype system in May, Hyundai invited us back to sample the production version in a few Coupes and one Sedan. How's it work? We hit the road to find out.

Gallery: Road Trip Review: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with Navigation

Continue reading Road Trip Review: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with Navigation [w/VIDEO]

Road Trip Review: 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe with Navigation [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Oct 2009 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Semi-Dangerous? Truckers group says texting while driving is safe, necessary

Chris Shunk — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Safety

Research shows that a driver can be as much as 23 times more likely to get into an accident if he or she is texting while driving. New legislation in Washington aims to ban texting while driving by forcing states to adopt the federal mandate or risk losing federal highway greenbacks. One group is fighting the legislation, and it's not teen drivers or multimedia addicts, it's our nation's truck drivers. Truckers, the guys who drive around in 18 wheelers which take 2-3 times as much road to stop when compared to the typical car, often have touch screen computers on the dashboard and keyboards on their laps. They use the multimedia tech to map routes and converse with dispatch, saving minutes (and money) in the hyper-competitive shipping business.

Drivers told The New York Times that they're all but forced to communicate with such computers, as pulling off the road to send a message can cost their companies $1.50 per minute, and the driver risks having his or her pay docked. Clayton Boyce, spokesman for the American Trucking Associations, called the bill "overkill," going so far as to say that banning such devices "won't improve safety." But safety advocates counter that the measure would effectively be underkill, and they have some stats to back up their argument: Heavy trucking deaths in the U.S. have steadily climbed over the past decade, as big rigs now account for 12% of all highway fatalities (4,808 deaths in 2007) versus 11% (4,777) in 1997 - in spite of the fact that passenger cars and trucks are now far safer than they have ever been.

Americans like low prices, and fast, efficient shipping helps keep costs in check. And at the same time, we like to be safe and sound as well, and truckers looking down at a keyboard while driving a 40-ton truck 60 mph just a few feet from strikes us as hazardous to our nation's health. Should truckers be able to text and use computers while driving? Weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section after the jump.

[Source: The New York Times | Image: Joe Raedle/Getty]

Semi-Dangerous? Truckers group says texting while driving is safe, necessary originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

TomTom iPhone app officially costs a Benjamin [w/VIDEO]

Chris Shunk — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Videos

TomTom iPhone navigation application - Click above for video

With the unveiling of Apple's latest iPhone, the 3GS, the gates were finally thrown open for third-party navigation software companies to develop navigation apps for the world's most popular smart phone. A TomTom app was announced at the same time, but we've been waiting a long time and a number of less well known companies have released navigation apps for the iPhone in the mean time. The wait for TomTom's attempt at navi bliss on the iPhone, however, is over with the introduction of the TomTom U.S. and Canada turn-by-turn navigation program.

The $99.99 app promises all the same nav functionality as a normal single-purpose handheld nav system right on your iPhone. Among its many features are the ability to tap the screen for start points and destinations in either landscape or portrait mode, depending on which way the unit is oriented. The mobile TomTom can also find restaurants and call for reservations, and it features IQRoutes, which calculates the best-possible route based on actual road speed data and accident and construction data. Pretty standard nav stuff, but in this case effectively bundled with a phone and built-in iPod.

TomTom app buyers can also purchase a kit that includes enhanced GPS features and a mount to secure the iPhone to the windshield of a car. The 1.2 gigabyte download is available now on the iPhone app store, though the large file size means you have to download it first to your PC or Mac and then sync it up your iPhone.

Now, $100 is a lot of money for an app when you've already paid $199 to $299 for the iPhone itself. The cheapest dedicated TomTom we could find on Amazon was also $100, so buyers will have to decide if it's better to have two separate devices or an all-in-one option.

If you haven't seen the program in action, there's an official video embedded after the jump.

UPDATE: Click here to view the app in the iTunes App Store.

[Source: Daily Tech]

Continue reading TomTom iPhone app officially costs a Benjamin [w/VIDEO]

TomTom iPhone app officially costs a Benjamin [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Chris Shunk — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Volvo, Reviews

2010 Volvo XC60 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volvo has seen better days. Just a few short years ago, the Swedish automaker was the lone bright spot in Ford's European luxury operation, boasting impressive sales and actual profits. Fast-forward to 2009, and the situation couldn't be more different. Sales are downright depressing, revenues are worse, and the automaker has a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn, yet nobody has bothered to show up for the open house. For Volvo to have a legitimate chance of survival, all future products have to be home runs, beginning with the XC60 crossover.

The XC60 slots below the XC70 wagon and the XC90 crossover, finally giving Volvo a player in the lucrative entry-level luxury crossover realm. The stalwarts of the segment - the Lexus RX and Acura MDX - play to consumer's needs and desires, offering superior reliability, inoffensive looks, maxed out interiors, and top-notch tech options. Looking at the XC60 from afar, the newest Volvo passes the appearance and interior test, but does it have enough to get customers back into Volvo showrooms? Make the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Volvo XC60

Continue reading Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much.

Review: 2010 Volvo XC60 delivers on looks and lux - handling, too. Nav? Not so much. originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 04 Aug 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

New Nissan driver-assist tech helps the James May in you find his inner Stig

Sam Abuelsamid — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:41:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Nissan

For the last century, automotive engineers have worked diligently to send Charles Darwin's concept of natural selection into obsolescence. It appears that we're inching closer to the time when any fool with a pulse may be able to climb behind the wheel of car and traverse a series of curves looking much more like the white-helmeted mystery driver from Top Gear than Captain Slow. The new Nissan Fuga (known here as the Infiniti M), debuting this fall at the Tokyo Motor Show, will feature fresh technology including new driver assistance systems.

In this case, Infiniti has integrated the GPS navigation system (hope those satellites hang in there) with the M's electronic stability control. As always, ESC uses inertial sensors to detect what the car is actually doing and compares that information to the actual driver inputs to see if they match. If not (i.e. understeer or oversteer) the brakes are individually applied at each wheel and engine torque may be reduced to help make the car go where the driver intended.

The GPS integration allows the system to detect where the road is going ahead and further manipulate the car, while alerting the driver to slow down by pushing the throttle back against his or her footn. Maybe it's all just a part of Nissan's master plan to save trees by preventing cars from being wrapped around them. Or perhaps we're just seeing the evolution of the Idiocracy. You can read the official PR from Nissan after the jump.

[Source: Nissan]

Continue reading New Nissan driver-assist tech helps the James May in you find his inner Stig

New Nissan driver-assist tech helps the James May in you find his inner Stig originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Woohoo! Homer Simpson's guidance comes to TomTom

Chris Shunk — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Celebrities

Homer Simpson is probably one of the last people we'd ask for directions (unless we need to walk over to Moe's for a night cap) but that isn't stopping TomTom from using his very recognizable voice. The lovable Simpson's dad wll provide instructions in the usual Homer prose, including the usual references to food and general stupidity. The TomTom website has samples of Homer's unique direction-giving style on their website.

Homer is just one of over 70 different celebrity voices that are available on the TomTom website, and you don't need to buy a special edition nav unit to experience it. Registered users of TomTom devices can purchase Homer's voice online for only $12.95, but you'll have to download TomTom HOME on your computer if you haven't already done so.

We're guessing that there will be plenty of Simpson's fans that'll be more than happy to download Homer to their TomTom, but we're not sure how this will play out for the rest of us. After all, Homerisms are pretty damn funny, but when we hear the same things over and over again, the novelty wears out pretty quickly. Hit the jump to view the press release.

[Source: TomTom]

Continue reading Woohoo! Homer Simpson's guidance comes to TomTom

Woohoo! Homer Simpson's guidance comes to TomTom originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: BMW announces SYNC-like voice recognition technology for nav, audio

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, BMW

Click above to view two videos of BMW's new voice recognition system after the jump

Issuing voice commands to your vehicle's infotainment system used to be an arduous task that rarely, if ever, produced the desired effect. New systems, like Ford's SYNC, have cured many of those ills and BMW is on track to bring voice recognition to the next level later this year.

Beginning in September, BMW will roll out its new voice control system, allowing users to issue direct spoken commands to manipulate both the navigation and audio controls.

The most revolutionary - if obvious - implementation of the system will be with navigation, letting the driver to speak the destination by specifying the place, street and number. With audio, the user can select an artist, album, title or even the genre of music, but at launch it will only be accessible through the vehicle's built-in media library, with external media player support coming 2010.

For all the details, make the jump for BMW's press release, along with two videos showing the new system in action.

Continue reading VIDEO: BMW announces SYNC-like voice recognition technology for nav, audio

VIDEO: BMW announces SYNC-like voice recognition technology for nav, audio originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

EXCLUSIVE: Sneak peek at Hyundai Genesis Coupe's next-gen nav system

Chris Paukert — Wed, 27 May 2009 19:27:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, I.C.E., Technology, Hyundai

Hyundai Genesis Coupe navigation system prototype - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Hyundai's sparkling Genesis Coupe debuted earlier this year, we heard from many of you who were excited about the rear-drive model's performance prospects. More than a few we spoke with, however, expressed disappointment that it did not arrive in showrooms with an optional in-dash navigation unit, particularly since Hyundai was plainly targeting premium competitors like the Infiniti G37. Well, we've just returned from the company's HATCI facility (Hyundai-Kia American Technical Center, Inc.) in Ann Arbor, and we're happy to report that we've been given an in-depth look at a prototype of the company's next-generation system that will find its way into the Genesis Coupe beginning later this summer.

Fair Warning: The accompanying photographs are of a rough engineering prototype unit, but we thought our readers would appreciate the early look. As is typical of such mules, the instrument panel is more than a bit tired looking from having its "head unit swapped out more often than you change your underwear" (so says Dan Bedore, Hyundai's quick-witted P.R. manager).

Click on the jump to get the full skinny.

Gallery: Hyundai Genesis Coupe navi sneak peek

Continue reading EXCLUSIVE: Sneak peek at Hyundai Genesis Coupe's next-gen nav system

EXCLUSIVE: Sneak peek at Hyundai Genesis Coupe's next-gen nav system originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 May 2009 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

OnStar getting upgrade for pinpoint accuracy in emergencies

Chris Shunk — Thu, 14 May 2009 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Safety, GM

In the event of a crash, vehicle sensors gather up information and connects an OnStar adviser to a vehicle. OnStar can then contact emergency services and provide information regarding the severity of the crash, with information about airbags deployed and type of impact.

In the past, OnStar advisers would have to give emergency services a detailed description of the location of the accident.
Subscribers to the telematics system will benefit from new technology that will enable OnStar to electronically transmit precise longitude and longitude coordinates directly to the 911 center. Where available, the Automatic Location Identification (ALI) data display will show the authorities exactly where you're located, with almost zero opportunity for error.

While OnStar didn't always sound like such a great deal, real-time directions and accident assist makes it a near must have for anyone owning a GM vehicle. Now GM just needs to sell the service to other automakers so the General can make a tidy profit off of its investment. Hit the jump to see the GM OnStar press release.

Continue reading OnStar getting upgrade for pinpoint accuracy in emergencies

OnStar getting upgrade for pinpoint accuracy in emergencies originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 May 2009 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Can GPS units makes you more fuel efficient? Navteq seems to think so...

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 01 May 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Green, Technology

A recent survey conducted by research firm NuStats and funded by GPS-maker NAVTEQ found that drivers equipped with in-car navigation units use 12% less fuel than their non-guided counterparts. The study focused on three groups of drivers in Germany. The first used no GPS at all, the second had a basic GPS and the third had a GPS unit that included traffic information. None of the participants had previously owned navigation units.

Once the participating drivers that had been given GPS units got used to relying on the computer's directions, some interesting results were observed. Drivers with navigation units ended up driving shorter distances and spent less time behind the wheel. As a result, these drivers used less fuel than motorists without GPS units. Want to know more? See the full press release after the break.

[Source: NAVTEQ via Jalopnik]

Continue reading Can GPS units makes you more fuel efficient? Navteq seems to think so...

Can GPS units makes you more fuel efficient? Navteq seems to think so... originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 May 2009 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

"Ya'll turn left now, ya hear?" - NASCAR-branded Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat-nav hits the market [w/VIDEO]

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Motorsports, Lifestyle

Follow the jump to hear Dale, Jr. giving you directions on the RightWay Spotter GPS

The Dale, Jr.-edition Spotter GPS has Junior gearing you up for the ride with "You drive, I'll ride shotgun." The portable device offers turn-by-turn directions and features Junior-isms like "Hang a right" and "Park it, we're here." The RightWay Spotter comes installed with 1.7 million points of interest, which includes a point-of-interest tour of Charlotte, North Carolina that can also lead you to some of Dale's favorite places. If that weren't enough, the GPS plays MP3s and videos, displays photos, and has an e-book reader, all for $299.

Admittedly, we were kinda hoping it would only instruct left turns, which, in the words of our tipster, might go something like this:

"Alright y'all are gonna go down here a ways, then turn left. Keep going then turn left. Merge over to the high side and and at the next corner turn left. Then make an immediate left. Continue down this stretch of road then y'all need to turn left...

Follow the jump to watch a video of the real Dale, Jr. telling you how it's done. Thanks for the tip, Derek!

[Source: Twice]

Continue reading "Ya'll turn left now, ya hear?" - NASCAR-branded Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat-nav hits the market [w/VIDEO]

"Ya'll turn left now, ya hear?" - NASCAR-branded Dale Earnhardt Jr. sat-nav hits the market [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Example #4,239 why sat-nav isn't always to be trusted

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:33:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, UK

Anyone who uses a satnav regularly knows the feeling of looking at the directions being given - or actually trying to follow them - and wondering "WTF?" Try an experiment and plug one of your regular destinations into your satnav and see what it spit out; seven times out of ten you'll wonder "Why would it tell me to go that way?"

A driver in England has once again followed the instructions from his car's GPS system as if he were Abraham heeding instructions from The Almighty. Headed to a friend's house, the driver was told by his GPS to go up a steep walking path, and he did so. Luckily the path was lined by a fence, because when the driver crested a hill, he slid down the path and into the fence, which stopped him from going over a 100-foot cliff.

Fortunately, he was unhurt, although charged with careless driving. Never forget: trust your good sense before you trust your satnav...

[Source: The MIrror]

Example #4,239 why sat-nav isn't always to be trusted originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Mar 2009 19:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

NaviGONE: Portable GPS system theft reportedly up 700%

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Audio, Gadgets, Lifestyle, Carsumer Advocacy

More and more people are adding electronic gadgetry to their car's arsenal after their initial purchase, which often makes sense since it almost always costs less to add audio equipment or GPS navigation from an aftermarket company than it does to spec if from the factory.

Sadly, recent statistics prove that you'd better be careful with that shiny new piece of technology. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, 24,700 portable navigation systems were swiped in 2008, representing a whopping 700% increase over 2006. While the number in thefts has rocketed skyward, the number of units sold have likewise gone supernova, leading us to wonder if the actual percentage of thefts over units in service has changed appreciably overall.

Apple's iPod is also attractive to thieves, who stole 17,000 of the little music players in '08. Perhaps the rise in iPod thefts helps explain why half as many car stereos (14,000) were stolen last year than in 2006, although we are willing to bet that automakers' continued move away from standard-sized, non-integrated head units is also a major factor.

Our common sense advice? Add-on nav systems and iPods are portable for a reason... remove them from your car when you leave it parked. Disaster averted.

[Source: Ecommerce Journal]

NaviGONE: Portable GPS system theft reportedly up 700% originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

OnStar for everyone! GM offering service to other automakers

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:29:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Technology, GM

GM is out to win hearts and minds, one OnStar-equipped vehicle at a time. The General is talking to other carmakers about offering OnStar, which would be a return to previous practice. The service was linked with six other brands in the past, including Audi, Acura, and Lexus, but the ties were cut around the time cellular communications switched to digital from analog.

Now OnStar is ready to start adding friends to its profile again, and not just in the U.S. and Canada: the General is looking at expanding into other countries. GM says the driver aid has been getting more profitable for GM over the years, and that's in spite of reduced car sales. About 20% of used car buyers have been adding the service, which has kept the six-million-strong subscriber base growing. This looks like a good situation all around: GM makes money, customers get services, call centers don't need to be replicated. We just hope that the partners keep in-car navigation as well -- that turn-by-turn stuff is for the birds.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

OnStar for everyone! GM offering service to other automakers originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 07:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

CES 2009: Navigon takes routing personal

Chris Tutor — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, CES

Navigon and Rand McNally have teamed up to develop some interesting new GPS features that make it easier for users to personalize their trips.

Landmark View 3D is s a $40 upgrade for Navigon's 2200T model and has the ability to display 600 North American landmark buildings in 3D to aid directions... or at least add some novelty to your nav. In keeping with the tourist theme, scenic routes and city guides will be available for $20 each. The scenic routes will feature weekend getaway suggestions, picturesque tours and regional trips. More than 1,400 cites are covered in the guides and routes can be customized to fit your interests. And for another $30 a year, Navigon owners can now be alerted to red light camera locations.

Headed overseas? Add maps of 38 European countries to your Navigon for $130. The update comes pre-loaded on an SD card and covers 4.5 million miles of road and millions of points of interest. The new features will be available for download from the Navigon Fresh software website sometime in the Spring.

CES 2009: Navigon takes routing personal originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 10 Jan 2009 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Radio Shack gets exclusive right to sell Mio Knight Rider GPS

Chris Shunk — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:58:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Technology, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the Mio Knight Rider GPS

The Mio Knight Rider GPS is coming soon to a store near you, as long as that retailer is a Radio Shack. The tech store and Mio struck an exclusive deal for the $279 navigation system, which features the original voice of KITT, William Daniels. We were able to try out the Knight Rider GPS when we had KITT in the Autoblog Garage, and it scored some extra novelty points while also working well as your standard, run of the mill nav system. Anyone who went for a ride in our KITT Shelby GT500KR tester was almost as interested in the talking nav system as the car itself. It's a little disappointing, however, that you can only get one at Radio Shack, though the sub-$300 price tag makes it all better.

Gallery: In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR

[Source: CNET]

Radio Shack gets exclusive right to sell Mio Knight Rider GPS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Sep 2008 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments