GPS

TomTom's car kit for iPhone is now available on the TomTom web store and Apple online store for about $120. A bit pricey (in my opinion), considering you have to purchase the TomTom iPhone app separately for $100. However, you will save money by not having to pay monthly fees for GPS service on the iPhone.

The TomTom car kit for iPhone includes a secure mount that docks the iPhone on the windshield or dashboard. It can be docked in either portrait or landscape mode, and is easily removed with a twist.

It also has a built-in GPS receiver to reduce signal drop, and a built-in loudspeaker and microphone for hands-free calling while driving. Music from your iPhone can also be played through the AUX OUT port over your car stereo (cable not included), and it charges your iPhone while docked.Read more

Best Buy has announced the Little Buddy Child Tracker to its' Insignia product line. Little Buddy allows you to keep tabs on your child at all times by slipping this little device into their backpack or lunchbox. It combines GPS and cellular technology to give you real-time location updates via computer or smartphone. Simply log onto Insignia's GPS Locator website to see a map of their exact location, so you know they haven't wandered off.

You can also customize the device to a specific location and time for where your child is supposed to be — for example, in school — and the device will alert you with a text message if your child leaves the designated area during that time. You will also receive an alert when the battery is running low. Do you have more than one child? Multiple Little Buddy's can be used to monitor other members of the family as well. Read more

TomTom has introduced yet another new GPS to the marketplace. The XL 335S has all of the standard features you would expect in a PND, but adds text to speech to the mix and a new easy-to-use menu. The XL 335S also touts a 4.3 inch touchscreen, IQ Routes Technology and Advanced Lane Guidance.

Additional Features:

• Complete maps of the US and Canada
• Spoken instructions, including street and place names
• Seven million points of interest give you details of more restaurants, hotels, gas stations, etc. than ever before
• TomTom Map Share technology allows you to instantly modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more
• TomTom Help Me! Menu gives you direct access to safety and emergency services information
• TomTom's newest user menu has an elegant interface that features optimized icons for even easier navigation
• Fold and Go EasyPort mount folds to fit in any bag or shirt pocket
• TomTom HOME desktop application to keep devices up-to-date at all times.

No availability date has been given yet, but you can bet it will be in stores in time for the holiday season. The XL 335S will sell for $239.95.

TomTom just announced the new TomTom XL 340S LIVE, a mid-range GPS that features Local Search powered by Google, real-time traffic information and TomTom Fuel Price Service. AT&T will be providing the wireless connection to the device.

The TomTom XL 340S LIVE also includes IQ Routes technology, TomTom Weather and QuickGPSfix. All LIVE Services work right out of the box via a built-in wireless modem. Three months of service is included in the box.Read more

Garmin and AT&T just announced that AT&T will be the wireless network provider for the nuvi 1690, a portable navigation device (PND) with built-in wireless planned for release later this year.

The nuvi 1690 will come with Garmin's nuLink!, a service that will give customers mobile access to Google Local search and up-to-date local information, including traffic, weather, fuel prices, movie listings, flight status, local events, and white page telephone listings. The service also features Ciao!, Garmin's location-based social networking system.

The nuvi 1690 will come with two years of free Garmin nuLink! service, and will have maps of North America preloaded. It is expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2009 for $499.99. After the first two years of service, the price of the Garmin nuLink! service is $5.00/month. Read more

TomTom just announced the new XXL 530S and XXL 540S portable navigation devices which include IQ Routes Technology and a large five inch screen.

With TomTom's IQ Routes technology you'll always know the most efficient route to take. The technology is based on historical speed measurements for every time of day and for every road – including local roads.

The new TomTom XXL devices feature:

• Full maps of the US and Canada
• TomTom Map Share technology - modify street names, street direction, points of interest and more on the device
• TomTom Help Me menu - access local emergency service providers such as police, fire stations and hospitals.
• TomTom's newest user menu - features optimized icons for even easier navigation
• Fold and Go EasyPort mount - folds flat against the device, for easy transport
• TomTom HOME - the free desktop application to keep devices up-to-date

Zoombak announced today that their personal GPS tracking devices are now available at Best Buy. We told you about Zoombak tracking devices before, but to refresh your memory, Zoombak uses a satellite-enabled GPS and a location network server to find a lost pet, recover a stolen car, track your teen driver, find lost luggage, the list could go on and on...

But now, in addition to being able to locate the item, device, or person on demand from your PC, Zoombak lets you set up Speed Alerts and Safety Zones and receive an SMS Text message when a speed limit or safety zone has been broken. A great feature for those who have a newly licensed teenager in the house (like me).

Zoombak is available at Best Buy stores for $99.99 with a monthly service fee starting at $9.99, as well as being sold online at www.bestbuy.com.

The NAVIGON MobileNavigator transforms any iPhone 3G, equipped with the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system, and any iPhone 3G S into a complete navigation device.

NAVIGON's on-board approach has a clear advantage over off-board systems: After downloading the GPS application, the software and map data is saved directly on the device. This means that users don't have to pay subscription fees or wait for map downloads during the navigation.

The software includes many of NAVIGON's hallmark navigation functions such as Reality View Pro, Lane Assistant Pro, Speed Assistant and Day & Night Mode. It also features NAVIGON's sophisticated and elegant map views including branded POIs along the route. NAVIGON will even add more features with software updates later this year. The only requirement for using the MobileNavigator on the iPhone is the new Apple OS 3.0 operating system.Read more

The Pioneer AVIC-X710BT and AVIC-X910BT, build upon Pioneer's history of in-dash navigation systems by combining turn-by-turn navigation, audio and video entertainment and connectivity options including Apple iPod and iPhone, Bluetooth cell phones, MSN Direct, HD Radio and SIRIUS XM Satellite Radio.

Both models provide consumers with the latest and most comprehensive map database from Tele Atlas covering the entire United States, Canada, Alaska and Hawaii, enabling users to route to millions of destinations including more than 12 million points of interest (POI).

Some other features include:

• Map View Modes: includes 3D map mode, 2D North Up and the new 2D Heading Up modes
• Highway Sign Boards: Simulated highway signs appear onscreen when a major junction approaches for a quick visual aid while navigating
• Redesigned Map Interface: Key on-screen information layered on top of the map
• 3D Icons: More than 1,300 icons are displayed in 3D illustrations

TomTom has joined forces with Locutio Voice Technologies and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing) to bring the original voice of Homer Simpson to all TomTom devices via download. Starting today, TomTom users can go to www.tomtom.com/simpsons and download the voice for $12.95 or €9.95.

With an insatiable appetite as his motivation, Homer adds his own words of wisdom for TomTom drivers like, "Take the third right. We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm…ice cream." With Homer's unpredictable and comical commands leading the way, drivers are guaranteed an unforgettable journey.

TomTom portable navigation devices guide drivers with audible, turn-by-turn instructions and 3D maps which work right out of the box, with no additional fees or services required. They offer up to 70 preloaded voices in 36 languages, too. Which makes me wonder if I can download Homer's voice in Spanish or German… Either way, I think this is an excellent buy for people planning on taking a long road trip this summer.