Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/06/ces_pioneer_presents_hybrid_satnav/
CES Pioneer this morning presented what it claimed is the first ever "hybrid" navigation system, a GPS box designed to work with almost any mobile media source, including iPods and Bluetooth-equipped mobile phones.
Through a combination of USB and Bluetooth for connectivity, SD memory cards and any audio input, the AVIC-F500BT can operate as both an entertainment centre and as a sat nav device. When a device is connected physically or wirelessly, the gadget recognises it as a source and controls it via the touchscreen and/or voice.
Pioneer's AVIC-F500BT: simple UI
According to Pioneer, this is the first product of its kind to include the VoiceBox Conversational Voice Search Platform, which interprets what you tell the device.
The 5.8in WVGA display shows maps and POIs with two view modes: overhead and 3D. When a destination is entered using the touch screen, a step-by-step route guide is displayed, followed by audio prompts through the the in-car speakers. Standard, by-the-numbers sat nav, in other words.
The unit will be available in the US this coming Spring 2008, though Pioneer didn't say how much it will cost.
GPS is killing children (8 January 2008)
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/01/08/gps_kiddy_killer/
Sony drives back into sat navs (7 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/07/sony_satnav_nvu73t_nvu83t/
CES moots move from expensive Las Vegas (7 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/07/ces_says_vegas_very_expensive/
Panasonic preps Blu-ray, iPod-friendly home theatre kit (6 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/06/ces_panasonic_home_theatre/
Sennheiser to show 'CD quality' wireless 'phones (6 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/06/ces_sennheiser_to_launch_mxw1/
Panasonic shows 32GB SDHC at CES (6 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/06/ces_panasonic_32gb_sdhc/
Netgear preps power-passing powerline adaptor (6 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/06/ces_netgear_goes_homeplug_av/
Netgear extends next-gen Wi-Fi into 5GHz band (6 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/06/netgear_goes_5ghz/
HD DVD bash knocked on the head (6 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/06/eb_hd_dvd_gloom_at_ces/
Sling unveils 1080i-streaming Slingbox ahead of CES (4 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/04/ces_slingbox_pro_hd_unwrapped/
Sony confirms Skype coming to PSP (4 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/04/sony_confirms_skype_for_psp/
Asus to show second-gen Eee PC next week (2 January 2008)
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2008/01/02/asus_preps_2nd_eee_pc/