E-Z Life

Filed under: GPS

We get plenty of emails from big-time drug smugglers in Miami who want to know: “When will Garmin provide a comprehensive, affordable GPS solution, at home both on the road and the water?” Looks like we’re one step closer to an answer with the GPSMAP 600 series. These rugged, portable touchscreen nav units feature a 5.2-inch display (800 x 480) and come with two mounts: when placed in either the marine or auto mount, the device will start up in the appropriate mode. On the road, the domestic GPSMAP 640 ($1,199 MSRP) provides the maps, turn-by-turn directions, custom POIs and proximity alerts you expect. On the water you get aerial POI views and optional BlueChart g2 Vision for underwater 3D perspective. Rounding things out, XM WX Satellite Weather data, XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic are available with the optional GXM 40 antenna and subscription. The international GPSMAP 620 ($999 MSRP) is a bit scaled down, with street maps and marine chart data available through the SD card slot. There you have it, kids — and keep an eye out for Crockett and Tubbs!

[Thanks, Rich]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Digital Cameras

Here she is — the world’s first DSLR to capture 720p HD movie footage. But let’s be honest, the high-def action is just a cherry on top of Nikon’s D90 ($1,299 kit; $999 body only), as the expansive Live View LCD, high ISO options and heralded image quality are the real draws. You’ve already heard what the experts in the field had to say, but if you’re just lookin’ for some old fashioned gadget glamour shots to get your weekend started right, take all the time you need in the gallery below.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Cellphones

Details on this one are about as light as can be at the moment, but The Wall Street Journal has it that HP is aiming to expand its iPAQ smartphone line into the consumer market with a new model that it’ll market to both average consumers and corporate users alike. According to “people briefed on the plan,” the phone will have both a touchscreen and a keypad and, naturally, it’ll run Windows Mobile 6.1 — oh, and it’ll be able to “send and receive emails, and access the Internet.” While there’s no indication of a price just yet, word is the device will be available in Europe first within the next two months, with a worldwide release to follow sometime thereafter.

[Via Gearlog]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: GPS

Best Buy sure looks to be aiming high with its first Insignia-branded GPS units, which will apparently not only pack all the expected run-of-the-mill specs but two-way, Dash-like communication as well. That desirable feature will be included on both the 4.3-inch NS-CNV20 and 3.5-inch NS-CNV10 models, each of which make use of that cellular connectivity to provide real-time traffic information and access to Google Local Search, among other things, all of which will be free for the first year (no word on pricing after that). In addition to a larger screen, the $499 NS-CNV20 will also give you some built-in Bluetooth, but if that’s more than you need, you can save a $100 and opt for the $399 NS-CNV10. Look for both to go on sale October 19th.

[Via GPS Tracklog, thanks Rich]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Wireless

As fantastical as NFC and contactless applications are, they’re still relatively unknown in the grand scheme of things here on this side of the drink. Thankfully, AIRTAG is stepping up in hopes of giving us Earthlings (and by that, we mean North Americans) a few more options. The conceitedly-named AIRTAG KIT is hailed as an “NFC development kit for end-users, professionals and developers” that will enable them to “program tags to NFC standards, to communicate with all NFC mobile phones and to develop secured applications compliant with the industry standards.” It’s still hard to say how many devs will shell out €249 ($344) for the privilege of expanding the protocol, but at least it’s out there for those who get curious.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments