GPS Tracklog

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GPS predictions for 2009

Disclaimer: These are predictions and nothing more, so keep your sense of humor and please don’t sue me.

Auto GPS predictions

• A nuvi 8x5 series will bring lane assist and voice recognition together in one unit
• Garmin discontinues the nuvi 200 series; all Garmin nuvi models will now have text-to-speech
• Crowdsourced HD traffic comes to the US with the stateside introduction of the TomTom GO LIVE series
• TomTom releases a GPS receiver that utilizes alternative positioning information for improved accuracy in urban canyons
• More manufacturers display multiple route options visually, ala Dash and Insignia
• Navigon folds, caught between Nextar on the low end and MiTAC’s aggressive promotion of the Magellan line
• Red light camera alerts will move closer to the mainstream
• More downward feature creep -- expect to see Lane Assist on some mid-range Garmins, more units with lifetime traffic, larger screens, etc.
• Garmin announces a desktop application (possibly a revamped MapSource) that allows planning routes with POIs and transferring them to Garmin units with current City Navigator maps; it will be set up to allow users to opt into sharing anonymized tracklogs ala TomTom HOME
• Said application will support wireless transfer of data via ANT or Bluetooth

Dash gives up on hardware to become application service provider

Dash Navigation has pulled the plug on the Dash Express, ceding the hardware market to others. Instead, they will focus on licensing all that real time traffic data and the great deal of knowledge they've gained developing their network.

While this is bound to sting for existing Dash Express owners (and how much continued support Dash will offer is unknown at this time), the move definitely makes business sense. Who knows, maybe Dash will end up supplying the 3G iPhone's navigation app.

Voice commands for Dash via cell phone

The Dash Express is getting a couple of voice applications this morning -- free services provided by Tellme and Dial Directions. The only configuration required with either is to register your mobile phone numbers with Dash Navigation at my.dash.net.

Dash Express becomes the first GPS to learn your shortcuts

Dash Express users will be getting a major software update today, delivered wirelessly of course. There are lots of changes, so we'll delve right in and start with the most important.

MyRoutes automatically learns your preferred routes

How long have we pined for a GPS smart enough to learn our favorite shortcuts? Well wait no longer boys and girls -- the Dash Express gets bragging rights as the first GPS to do this. The MyRoute shortcut is shown in pink in the image above. Some details...

New Internet content for Dash Express

Dash Navigation is announcing today that they are opening their API to third party developers. Bringing Internet-based content to your car, the first five "DashApps" are:

Dash Express review

UPDATES:

• Dash has discontinued manufacture of the Dash Express
• The price on the Dash Express has now been reduced to $299.99
• Read about how the Dash can now learn your favorite routes
  

I’ve had the Dash Express for over a month now and have been enjoying testing it out. The Dash is a revolutionary new type of GPS navigation device that brings Internet search to your car along with crowdsourced live traffic. The cellular connection built in to every Dash unit sends anonymous location data to Dash servers. This data is then translated to traffic flow speeds that are updated on all Dash units every 15 minutes. If there are enough Dash users on the road in your area, you will receive traffic data superior to that offered by any other GPS device available in North America.

In this review, we’ll look at the Dash service plan, their hardware, interface, how well the crowdsourced traffic feature works, the unit’s Internet search capabilities, and how the Dash Express compares to other GPS navigators in terms of features. I’ll conclude with a list of pros and cons, as well as  a recommendation on who should consider purchasing a Dash Express.

Dash dishes

My link roundup, Waypoints, is on hiatus for a few weeks, while I try to dig out from the pile of review units I've received. And I thought the following was interesting enough for a weekend post...

The video below is a presentation Dash gave at the Web 2.0 forum. The first half is more of the same, but it starts getting interesting around the 2:55 mark. Those searches may be anonymous, but they do know collectively what Dash users are looking for, as well as when and where. Check it out...

Dash changes the GPS competitive landscape

The Dash Express, the hot new GPS featuring two-way connectivity, has caused a paradigm shift in the GPS industry. We have yet to see how broadly the Dash will be accepted, though they seem to have had a strong launch, with high initial shipments according to the sales rankings at Amazon (updated hourly).

There are a couple of key components to two-way connectivity:

• Internet search – At least two other GPS companies are moving to integrate this into devices in the U.S., as discussed below
• Crowd-sourced traffic - For now, Dash is the only manufacturer trying to bring us this feature, providing traffic updates via anonymized cell phone data relayed from other Dash users (though there are companies focusing on this technology that other GPS manufacturers could partner with)

While not a benefit of two-way connectivity, Dash's built-in wifi will also give them the ability to push large map and firmware updates to the units.

Let’s look at the status of other GPS manufacturers as they move (or don’t move) to implement two-way connectivity:

Dash coverage map

The cellular connection for the Dash Express, the new GPS navigator featuring two-way connectivity, is provided by Jasper Wireless. The coverage map above, shows where Jasper Wireless works. A version of the map that you can pan and zoom is featured on the Dash service page. Please note that although the map shows Jasper coverage in Mexico, Dash says that "currently, Dash Express is only available in the United States." It is unclear whether or not service stops at the border.