Now, don't get me wrong. I've got a lot of sympathy for any editor/journalist trying to keep up with the ridiculous pace at which new GPS products are released, but Consumer Reports' October 2007 issue is probably doing consumers more harm than good. The magazine recommended old, discontinued models for all three "CR Best Buy" choices.

Read on to view CR's top 10 GPS models, and how their selection compares with our own top ten list.

Continue reading "Consumer Reports Says Garmin is Best, Recommends Discontinued Models" »

Posted by Fletch at 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (8)

While Garmin, Magellan, and TomTom are busy slugging it out with each other, California upstart Dash Navigation is quietly laying plans for what many are calling the most ambitious GPS navigation project ever: WiFi connected, GPRS equipped, GPS devices that talk to each other, and the 'Net to deliver real-time road conditions, and choose the smartest route to get to your destination.

The device will know your usual commute, choosing alternate routes if necessary, will learn your own particular driving style, and even send you an SMS message to leave home early if needed. Sound too good to be true? According to Dash, it's coming, and sooner than you think. Read on for all the juicy details.

Continue reading "Dash's 2-Way Connected GPS is Really Happening" »

Posted by George at 10:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Garmin's showing our polite, leave-the-front-door-unlocked Canadian neighbors some love: nuvi 660 firmware update 4.10 adds support for Canadian traffic information. The update was officially posted on Sept. 6, and is available via Garmin's WebUpdater tool or direct download. Oh, there's a bunch of other fixes in the update too:

Continue reading "Garmin Firmware Update Adds Canadian Traffic Support" »

Posted by Fletch at 9:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Magellan announced six new Maestro GPS units. From the looks of it, the new models are almost identical to the previously released Maestro 3100, 3140, 4040, and 4050, except the new units sport an ultra-thin 0.7-inch thick case and include maps of Mexico. Read on for the specifics of each model.

Continue reading "Magellan's New Maestro's Are Thinner, Include Maps of Mexico. Yawn..." »

Posted by George at 12:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (15)

Replacing the current flagship GO 910, TomTom has released the GO 920. This model will share the same base features and Map Share function found in the less expensive GO 720. Unlike the 720, the 920 will include a remote control, support speech recognition to input directions and commands to the device, and offer dead-reckoning for improved GPS tracking through tunnels.

Continue reading "TomTom's GO 920 Adds Dead-Reckoning, Voice Recognition" »

Posted by Ken at 12:56 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Gotham City's 40,000 cab drivers are making good on their threat to strike if the city moves forward with its plans to install GPS tracking systems in 13,000 taxis. As of 5 a.m. this morning, the New York Taxi Workers Alliance has officially launched a 48-hour strike against the TLC (Taxi & Limousine Commission).

It remains to be seen how severe the impact will be, but the TWA is reporting that less than 10% of taxis have shown up for work today. According to the executive director of the TWA, "if you can't see the difference than either you're blind or you're a tourist." Nice.

Continue reading "NYC Taxi Drivers Going Ape Over GPS. Strike is On" »

Posted by Fletch at 11:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Verdict: Mo' Features, Mo' Problems

The TomTom GO 720 is a feature-packed GPS that promises cutting edge technology in an elegant package.

The GO 720's feature list is impressive (4.3" touchscreen, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, Traffic, FM Transmitter, Map Share, and more), but TomTom's past products have been rushed to market before they were ready, and poor customer support turned many buyers off.

Has TomTom turned a new leaf and delivered the goods with the GO 720, or is it more of the same bugs, delays, poor usability, and poor customer support that ruined the GO 910? Read on.

Continue reading "TomTom GO 720 Review" »

Posted by Fletch at 1:12 AM | Permalink | Comments (44)