So TomTom’s beginning to realize that some people haven’t grown up with the internet and such and that they’re having some problems wrapping their heads around the whole GPS concept. To that end, they’re taking the bull by the horns and introducing the starter edition of the TomTom, the TomTom Start. It’ll run you a hundred and ninety nine dollars per (which is actually quite a bit more than other, more “advanced” models that have been out for years), and will offer a three and a half inch touch screen, a supposedly easy to use menu (though that’s subjective at best), and voice over for street names. In addition, the new gadget comes equipped with an EasyPort mount which, makers claim, can easily be slipped in pockets, bags and glove compartments, ostensibly so you can find your way back to your car should you go on a walking tour or something.  Not necessarily a bad idea, that. I’m not sure if this’ll be as “easy” as they claim, but it’s definitely something worth keeping an eye on.

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TomTom, which you may be surprised to know is actually based out of Amsterdam, just recently announced its newest line of navigational hardware, the GO I-90.  It’s a double DIN navigation and radio tool that allows for easy, point to point directions between any two points most anywhere in the world, as long as they’re somehow connected via roadway.

Oh, but this isn’t just another navigational device, either–TomTom brass promises that the device offers  “full radio integration with the car speakers for high quality audio when using spoken instructions, or making hands-free phone calls.”

So not only does it get you from point to point, it also lets you call ahead to tell that point you’re arriving.  That’s actually pretty cool.

As if that weren’t good enough, users will be able to add annotations to the maps via TomTom HOME and Safety Alerts, telling other motorists about accidents, road construction, and those pesky speed traps.  You can also hook your MP3 player to it.

There’s a lot to like about this device, and its ninety nine dollar price tag is just icing on the cake.

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For a while there, drivers in Victoria in Australia were about to be forbidden from using their cell phones as navigation devices while driving.

This actually may have been a good idea, if somewhat unenforceable–you’d have to actually see into every car to find out who was doing it, especially if they kept the phone below the window line–because, after all, most cell phones are distractions waiting to happen in cars, and distractions are just accidents that haven’t happened yet.

But VicRoads, the agency that oversees Victorian road use, realized they were sort of tossing the baby out with the bathwater, and instead agreed to allow the devices if they were in cradles or remotely operated.

This is probably all for the best anyway as, when it comes to car navigation, you really want something that announces your turns and such, not something you have to read, especially while you’re driving.  You want your attention focused as fully as possible on the road ahead, not on some LCD screen in your car.

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Nissan has recently announced that their new line of navigation systems will feature technology greatly increasing the systems’ use.

The new technology works to further protect the driver’s safety as it will warn the user of potential road hazards such as low visibility intersections, speed traps and school zones. Not only this, but if you don’t listen to the navigation system it will take control of the engine/transmission to curb your speed if you go too fast towards things such as toll booths or sharp curves.

This updated navigation system will reportedly make its debut on the Nissan Fuga which is set to his the Japanese market towards the end of the year.

via WorldCarFans

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Ford, together with Microsoft, first announced their Sync system a few years ago and the system made its debut on the 2008 Ford Focus. Ever since its debut Sync has been offered in just about every Ford, Mercury and Lincoln model.

Well, Ford and Sync have come a long way as the automaker has recently stated that they have shipped their 1 millionth vehicle that was equipped with Sync. In fact, the millionth vehicle was given to Microsoft’s CEO, Steve Ballmer, as a gift.

Futhermore, Ford also says that they have updated Sync’s software so that it can now check the weather, breaking news events, traffic reports and turn-by-turn navigation. Ford currently only offers the Sync system in English, Spanish and French but hope to expand it to German, Mandarin, Arabic, Italian, Dutch and Russian in an attempt to expand their market share.

It’s nice to see at least one US automaker is doing good in these tough economic times.

Read (KickingTires)

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The following gadget might be just what the doctor ordered for your traveling needs. In case you drive your car a lot and especially in case you’re always heading to a new direction, you might want to invest in the G-Fi. The G-Fi is a concept from PosiMotion. It’s the first router that won’t get you online. But it will get you GPS information to any of your Wi-Fi devices. That’s right, the G-Fi receives satellite signals and then gets them to your laptop, smartphone, MID, etc.

The G-Fi is as big as an iPhone and it can be neatly placed in your glove compartment. Its battery will get you 4 hours of life and it can be recharged via the included adapter or an USB port.

PosiMotion also have a couple of applications for the iPhone called the G-Spot (no it’s not what you think) and the G-Park which can be both used for free with G-Fi. But the G-Fi doesn’t come for free. As a matter of fact it doesn’t come cheap either. It costs $179. Too much?

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Despite current financial difficulties Ford upgrade its future vehicles. The company announced that it will double the number of vehicles that will receive the rearview camera system next year.

The system will show you that rearview image straight in your rearview mirror instead of the center console. The whole system will be available without an additional navigation system. The camera will cost just $695 and it will surely get you a better image at what’s happening in the back there. Would you be interested in that for your future Ford?

via Kicking Tires

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3rd Dimension, Inc have created an iPhone application which will get you live video streaming of traffic in selected areas. That means you will be able to get a preview of what is expected in terms of traffic on certain routes.

Unfortunately the application is limited for now to a few areas: Detroit, Harford, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Knoxville, LA, New York and Washington D.C., but more cities are to be added in the future.

The application comes as a free iTunes download. But if you’ll have time to browse through various locations while driving it probably means you aren’t doing much driving at all. Stuck in traffic is what they call it. Otherwise I don’t think you’ll be able to actually check video feeds while speeding through the city.

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