Magellan today announced a new vehicle mount for the iPhone 3G, iPhone 3GS and second generation iPod touch. With a built-in GPS receiver for improved navigation accuracy, the Premium Car Kit features an amplified speaker for crystal clear directions and enhanced Bluetooth hands-free calling and clear turn-by-turn directions.
For iPod touch 2G users, the GPS receiver in the Magellan Premium Car Kit allows true navigation functionality, turning the iPod touch into a complete car navigation system. Once the iPod touch is connected to the Premium Car Kit, a separate Bluetooth enabled mobile phone can be connected to it via Bluetooth for hands-free calling.
“Building on the ease of the Magellan RoadMate app, we are proud to introduce a cutting-edge Premium Car Kit that gives our consumers the entire in-car navigation experience from their iPhone or iPod touch,” said Peggy Fong, Chief Operating Officer for Magellan, in the press release
Features of the Premium Car Kit include the following:
• Secure vehicle mounting for iPhone or iPod touch
• Accommodates most silicon skins and hard shell cases
• Adjustable mount securely rotates iPhone to either portrait or landscape mode for optimal positioning and widescreen route display
• Recharges battery via the vehicle power outlet
• Amplified speaker with volume control for loud and clear phone calls and directions
• Noise canceling microphone for full duplex speakerphone operation
• Auxiliary audio output (for connection to your car stereo)
• Works with all navigation applications (including the Magellan RoadMate for iPhone application)
• Bluetooth enables hands-free calling
Available now for pre-order, the car kit will retail for US$129.99.
More info here.
Source: MiTAC Digital Corp.
They heard the beat of the TomTom.
I currently have no auto GPS. I’d like to hear from Tom Tom and Magellan users, especially those that use both. Which of these integrated car kits is better for iPhones? Looks like a good topic for a shootout article.
Canada is passing laws in many of the provinces making it illegal to use a phone while driving. This device will be very handy. (Er, hands-free-ey)
And it appears one still needs the software, a separate purchase running $79.99. So why not just get a dedicated GPS?
I use Navigon GPS software on my iPhone GS, and it works perfectly well without fancy, GPS-augmneted car holders. Granted, I have not tried it in street canyons of New York City – that’s next weekend – but in open spaces of upstate New York – no problemo!
GPS in congested cities (like L.A. where I live) really require accurate GPS. 70 feet off and a poor GPS system can show you on a bordering utility road instead of the Freeway you are actually driving on. And the turn commands can be delayed just enough to have you missing every turn (I really hate the “Please make a U-turn” command). I know that my iPhone’s accuracy on it’s own is not sufficient to accurately guide me around So. Cal. at driving speeds.
@Raymond in DC,
“So why not just get a dedicated GPS?”
I’m just guessing here but maybe so you don’t have to deal with two devices. I mean, if you already own an iPod, here’s one more thing you can do with it. Is it as good as a dedicated GPS? That I don’t know but I can understand why someone might want to try this.
These prices are absurd. The touch/iPhone already provides the computing power, a screen and the APIs for a great interface. There’s a huge installed base of users, many who do not currently have a standalone unit.
The first company that comes out with one of these where the dock is about $50 and the software is at or under $49.99 will win the game. To me, that’s the magic price point where hundreds of thousands of people will actually take a look. Get it down to $50 and $25, even better.
I would buy this or the TomTom one if it were a $100 package. At current prices, I think they’re nuts.
I use the MotionX GPS Drive app. They are the same folks who made that realistic dice rolling app. Anyhow, MotionX works great for me, and it’s dirt cheap! Uses Bing for maps, so if you are MS-averse, there ya go. Anyway, don’t take my word for it, take Andy Ihnatko’s, he loves the app, and that is why I tried it.
Far too expensive!
Dedicated auto GPS systems are very cheap now.
@KenC You mean Google? Or something else? You must know Bing *is* MS…
I’d even go for $129.95 for the software and hardware package.
Yes, it’s handy, but I think the prices are reflecting the “new package” pricing to offset the fairly minimal R&D;costs.
I look for these packages to be half the price within about a year.
As Midwest Mac said, hundreds of thousands would buy at a lower price point. He/she said under $100. I’d venture that those same numbers would buy at $129.99, although $99.00 for the package would sell like hotcakes.
Here’s hoping! I’d love to have my 2G touch as a GPS/Bluetooth phone device, but not at those prices.
Mind you, if it is that good of a Bluetooth phone device, it does compare with a lot of the visor clip-on Bluetooth devices for the car, and this has an added GPS.
Well, I just think we’re being gouged on both fronts. The GPS app/hardware we’re seeing and the add-on Bluetooth devices for the visor in the car.
So, bring the price down and I’m in!
Later…
Right now you can get TomTom US maps only for $49.99.
A dashboard mount with power connection runs 50 to 75 dollars.
So far some of you guys wtf are you waiting for?
Oh. You don’t have an iPhone? OK
Lot more to these car kits than meets the eye.
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=129583
Geta… Geta… Geta… Geta…GARMIN, already. For those prices, sheesh.
Bah. I am betting Google shows up with a product that changes the landscape. However, it remains to be seen if google will continue to support the iphone now that android is out.