Verdict: Easy enough for newbies

Several years in the making, Garmin has finally released a major map update in the form of "City Navigator North America NT 2008."

Just what's involved in updating the maps? How Do I know if I Need the Update? Do I need an SD Memory Card? A PC? Is there MacOS Support? How long does it take? Do I need to backup my address book? What's different about the new maps? Read on.

Continue reading "How to Install Garmin's Map Update 2008 (Step-by-Step Instructions)" »

Posted by Fletch at 12:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (71)

According to a recent survey in TWICE (This Week in Consumer Electronics), 50% of U.S. consumers said they would opt to buy a PND (Personal Navigation Device) over cell-phone based subscription services.

Continue reading "Cellular Navigation Poised to Grow 5x in 4 years (but study find US consumers still want portable GPS devices)" »

Posted by Fletch at 3:44 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hidden deep in Mountain View, CA is Google's secret lair of specially modified Chevy Cobalt cars, equipped with roof-mounted cameras capable of shooting 360° photos. But why?

Continue reading "Google's Secret CameraCar Armada Sighted" »

Posted by Fletch at 11:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (21)

Garmin has finally released updated maps -- a good thing since the previous maps were getting a little moldy (they were several years older than Magellan's or TomTom's maps). With a new map database, however, comes the risk of changing Garmin's legendary rock-solid routing engine logic.

How do the new maps stack up against the old ones and is it worth the $70 upgrade cost?

Continue reading "Garmin's new 2008 (v9) Maps vs. v8 Maps: is it worth upgrading?" »

Posted by Fletch at 4:32 PM | Permalink | Comments (30)

Last week I attended LG's fancy-pants night at Christie's Auction House in Manhattan and got a sneak peak at the upcoming LN790 GPS. I originally reported that the LN790 will have a split-screen mode where the unit would be able to play video on one side and show navigation information on the other. Turns out this was incorrect: the LN790 will NOT have a split screen mode after all.

Nevertheless, the LN790 WILL still support Divx and XviD video playback, making the LN790 a great multimedia player in addition to being a very capable navigator.

The LN790 is expected to hit the street in September for $699 list, $599 street.

Posted by Fletch at 4:30 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Garmin has (finally) officially released updated maps for its entire GPS line-up, and is selling the map update via it's website for $70.

Continue reading "Garmin Officially Releases Updated Maps" »

Posted by Fletch at 7:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (14)

It's official: LG's LN790 is a pirate's video enthusiast's best friend, supporting both DivX and XvID video playback. Even better, the LN790 will reportedly have a split-screen mode with half the screen showing video playback and the other half showing the map (sounds safe, doesn't it?).

Continue reading "LG's LN790 Does Video, Photo, Music" »

Posted by Fletch at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Reminder: we're giving away a FREE GPS (Pocket LOOX N100) to the sender of the most original photo involving a GPS. Photos must be submitted by July 31st. Obviously, no photoshoping allowed - these must be actual photos. We'll announce the winner next month, and send the lucky contestant his/her new GPS.

Posted by Fletch at 8:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

TomTom announced today that it has agreed to acquire Tele Atlas, the second largest mapping data provider behind NAVTEQ, for $2.77 billion. TomTom will pay 21.25 euros per share (20% more than Tele Atlas' closing price on Friday).

With Google rumored to be looking at NAVTEQ with bedroom eyes, this may have just been a pre-emptive strike before Google owns every map in the world...

Continue reading "TomTom Acquires Tele Atlas for $2.7 Billion. Google to Acquire NAVTEQ next?" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

LG (with help from PR firm Ogilvy) put together an extravagant night of live music, food, open bar, and a sneak peak at LG's new product line, including a hands-on session with LG's yet-to-be-announced LN790 GPS, at Christie's Auction House in Manhattan.

Continue reading "GPSmagazine Attends LG Masterpieces Event at Christie's Auction House (and gets first grope of LG's LN790 GPS)" »

Posted by Fletch at 12:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)