Navigon Launches 8410 Sat-Nav

Navigon may have fallen short of greatness with its MobileNavigator for iPhone app, but on paper its latest flagship, dedicated sat-nav looks like it should suffer from no such disappointments. If you’re inclined to take Navigon’s word for it, the 8410 is both “sleek and technologically innovative.”
A 5in glass-fronted touch-sensitive display “that responds to the slightest touch” is a good start to backing up Navigon’s claims. However, if pushing icons is just too much effort then the presence of Voice Interaction Pro vocal commands will be welcome, with this iteration promising even to understand colloquialisms. If paired with a phone, via Bluetooth, voice dialling of contacts in also possible from the 8410.

The more usual array of features, such as lane assistance and point of interests, are present, too, and in select European cities photo-realistic mapping is available. As if all that wasn’t enough, the 8410 can double as a media player and a DVB-T model is available, making the sat-nav usable as a TV in addition to its normal duties.

At £399.99 the Navigon 8410 is hardly at the budget end of the sat-nav spectrum, taking on the similarly priced (and fantastic) TomTom Go 930. You’ll be able to get your hands on the 8410 come September should you be interested.

New GPS texter gets you out of tight Spot

It’s everyone’s nightmare scenario: you’re in Asda and they’re all out of chocolate profiteroles.

Not to worry. Just stagger outside, hit the SOS button on your brand new Spot Satellite GPS Messenger unit and help will be on its way before you can say, “Wasting police time.”

This new personal tracking and emergency unit can send text messages anywhere in the world via the Globalstar satellite constellation, alerting local emergency services in a flash.

Small wonder

The latest Messenger, announced today, weighs just 150g, making it 30 per cent smaller and lighter than the original Spot device. A new GPS chipset allows it to track your position under tree canopies or in genuine (rather than urban) canyons, and should also enable better and faster satellite acquisition.

The Spot isn’t just for disasters. In its Tracking mode, the Spot sends regular position updates to allow friends and family to track your journey across suburban wastelands to Safeway, Lidl and Morrisons in your search for cream-filled pastries.

There’s a new custom messaging mode that sends a pre-set email to personal contacts, plus an OK button for when you finally reach your destination.

Since its original launch in 2007, the Spot Messenger has helped in more than 250 rescues – which is either a good thing or demonstrates how easily people are tempted into attempting adventures beyond their abilities.

The new Spot Satellite GPS Messenger will be available in the autumn, price TBC.

Google Maps now offers Walking Directions

Well, isn’t this pretty nifty?! You can complain all you want about elevated gas prices, but the facts remain. You can whine until the cows come home, but none of your woes will change the price of fuel. It’s time to stop complaining and start taking action. Driving less and walking more is a way to not only save some money, but a fine way to save the environment and get some exercise as well.

And wouldn’t you know it? Google has added a cool new feature onto their direction mapping service. Just like when you get directions by car, you enter your place of origin and your destination, but once you hit submit and get the automobile results, you’ll see a “Walking” option on the upper left pane, next to the “For car” option.

Now as Google usually does with new services, the Walking directions option is still in beta, but while taking it for a test-run, the infrastructure and delivery seemed pretty tight. The service lists the itinerary pretty much like its car companion, though cutting out the unsafe walking roads. We don’t want to be walking through any freeways.

All in all, Google has made a pretty cool addition to their family of tools and services. The walking directions will surely inspire some people to let the car sit for awhile as they go for their new found walking treks. If you want to give the service a test run for yourself, just head over to Google Maps.

Google Maps now offers Walking Directions

Well, isn’t this pretty nifty?! You can complain all you want about elevated gas prices, but the facts remain. You can whine until the cows come home, but none of your woes will change the price of fuel. It’s time to stop complaining and start taking action. Driving less and walking more is a way to not only save some money, but a fine way to save the environment and get some exercise as well.

And wouldn’t you know it? Google has added a cool new feature onto their direction mapping service. Just like when you get directions by car, you enter your place of origin and your destination, but once you hit submit and get the automobile results, you’ll see a “Walking” option on the upper left pane, next to the “For car” option.

Now as Google usually does with new services, the Walking directions option is still in beta, but while taking it for a test-run, the infrastructure and delivery seemed pretty tight. The service lists the itinerary pretty much like its car companion, though cutting out the unsafe walking roads. We don’t want to be walking through any freeways.

All in all, Google has made a pretty cool addition to their family of tools and services. The walking directions will surely inspire some people to let the car sit for awhile as they go for their new found walking treks. If you want to give the service a test run for yourself, just head over to Google Maps.

Becker GPS Z100 Crocodile

Don’t worry, this GPS navigation device won’t eat you up if you fail to make the right turn at it’s instructions. The Becker GPS Z100 Crocodile is dubbed so since it comes with an outer casing that resembles a croc’s scales. Features include a 4.3″ widescreen display, maps of 40 countries in Europe thanks to Navteq (that comes in a 2GB SD memory card), an SD memory card slot, support for live traffic information and is powered by the SiRF Star III GPS receiver chip with the SiRF InstantFixII functionality. There is no word on pricing or availability, but this makes it look more of a ladies’ GPS system no thanks to the croc-like case.

Becker GPS Z100 Crocodile

Don’t worry, this GPS navigation device won’t eat you up if you fail to make the right turn at it’s instructions. The Becker GPS Z100 Crocodile is dubbed so since it comes with an outer casing that resembles a croc’s scales. Features include a 4.3″ widescreen display, maps of 40 countries in Europe thanks to Navteq (that comes in a 2GB SD memory card), an SD memory card slot, support for live traffic information and is powered by the SiRF Star III GPS receiver chip with the SiRF InstantFixII functionality. There is no word on pricing or availability, but this makes it look more of a ladies’ GPS system no thanks to the croc-like case.

Becker GPS Z100 Crocodile

Don’t worry, this GPS navigation device won’t eat you up if you fail to make the right turn at it’s instructions. The Becker GPS Z100 Crocodile is dubbed so since it comes with an outer casing that resembles a croc’s scales. Features include a 4.3″ widescreen display, maps of 40 countries in Europe thanks to Navteq (that comes in a 2GB SD memory card), an SD memory card slot, support for live traffic information and is powered by the SiRF Star III GPS receiver chip with the SiRF InstantFixII functionality. There is no word on pricing or availability, but this makes it look more of a ladies’ GPS system no thanks to the croc-like case.

GPs ready to quit over changes

More than 100 doctors were considering quitting general practice because of changes that would boost the roles of nurses and allied professionals, a survey has shown.The national survey of 359 general practitioners found 39 per cent of those polled were considering early retirement because of ”issues currently in the reform spotlight”.

GPs ready to quit over changes

More than 100 doctors were considering quitting general practice because of changes that would boost the roles of nurses and allied professionals, a survey has shown.The national survey of 359 general practitioners found 39 per cent of those polled were considering early retirement because of ”issues currently in the reform spotlight”.

Mio Knight Rider GPS

If you ever dreamed as a kid (or as an adult) of owning a car like KITT of Knight Rider fame, you’re dream is about to come true … sort of. Unless you’re rolling in money, you can’t have the actual Trans Am or David Hasselhoff, but you can have the next big thing. Word on the street is Mio Technology is prepping to release a Knight Rider-themed portable navigation system that uses the actual voice of William Daniels (the actor who provided the voice of KITT).