Portable Nav 2.0 Brings Phoning, Texting And Searching

Portable navigation systems are flying off the shelves, but the latest generation offer two-way communication and could manufacture their predecessors seem like a dead-end street. Traditional portable navs get GPS info to keep you on track, but one that’s already available and a few coming down the road additionally send info via a cell-phone connection.

Mio’s announcement that its Moov 380 with a built-in SIM card is coming to the U.S. means that Dash Express won’t be the only Internet-connected portable nav. Mio says the Moov 380’s GPRS connectivity will allow making phone calls, sending and receiving text messages and performing local searches via the World Wide Web. The device will function at 2.75G to 3G speeds, and Qualcomm is a development partner.

But even with two-way connectivity, marketing a portable nav that requires

a contract with a wireless carrier could be a tough sell.

The Moov 380 isn’t billed as a replacement for a mobile phone, like Garmin’s nuvifone, and Dash’s monthly subscription fee of $12.99 would likely be lower since it only requires a input plan. Plus, the Moov 380 is likely to come across stiff competition by more established nav types like Magellan, whether the company ever releases its Maestro Elite 5340+GPRS.

The Moov’s SIM card capability means it could work with At&T, T-Mobile or other GSM carriers, and that Bluetooth compatibility isn’t essential.

Regardless of whether the Moov 380 is successful — or ever sees store shelves on these shores — it’s a sign that portable navigation is heading in the right direction.

Photo by Mio.

Original post by Doug Newcomb