TeleNav Shotgun GPS unit offers reviews on-the-go

by Scott Carmichael on

Something exciting is happening in the world of GPS units (ok, perhaps I am the only one excited by it).

We are slowly seeing a trend heading towards connected GPS devices. A “connected” GPS device is a regular GPS receiver, with built in 2-way communications, and a host of services that can take advantage of being connected.

TeleNav is one of the newest entrants into this market, but anyone with a US mobile phone has probably seen their name pop up a couple of times. After offering their navigation software on mobile phones for several years, they released the Shotgun GPS device last year.

The Shotgun features the TeleNav navigation system in a sleek receiver, along with integrated cellular connectivity.

The initial release of the Shotgun offered Internet searches, online trip planning and instant traffic information. Today, TeleNav announced an update to the unit which enables business reviews and mileage tracking.

The business review feature allows you to read reviews of many points of interest, as well as the ability to add your own review right on the device, and share it with others.

With the business mileage feature, you can assign trips to a client, job or other category, and instantly view and download the information online. The feature even offers the ability to download the mileage information as a PDF of Excel file.

The TeleNav Shotgun costs $299, and monthly service is just $11.99 (or $129/year). The unit comes with a 3 month trial to the online services.

I’m convinced that the future of the GPS unit is “connected”, and anyone with their own navigation unit will understand how frustrating it is when you are trying to find a local point of interest, but run into the limitations of an old and outdated database. When your GPS unit is connected, you always have access to the most up to date information.

We’ll have a full review of the TeleNav Shotgun posted as soon as we can!

Daily deal – Dash Express connected GPS unit – $199.99

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is for the Dash Express connected GPS device. This GPS unit is different than any other unit I’ve ever mentioned here on Gadling.

Inside the Dash Express is essentially a mobile phone, and with this, you are always connected to the Internet (as long as you are within coverage).

By being connected, the Dash Express constantly receives updates about traffic on your route. It receives this information from a variety of sources, including fellow Dash Express users. This feature makes the Dash Express the only GPS unit on the market that can report traffic on ALL roads, not just the major highways.

In addition to traffic information, the Dash Express also offers an online address search feature (through Yahoo), plus you can send an address from your computer directly to your car (Imagine not having to write down addresses before you leave!). The unit also has access to real-time local gas prices and movie times. To make the connected services even better, you can add “Dash Apps”, which are user submitted online searches. Dash Apps add powerful features to the Dash Express like speedtrap reports, local weather, and even local online Wikipedia searches.

In addition to the connected services, you also get text-to-speech for spoken commands, 3D map views, a theft deterrent option and an automatic day/night screen setting.

The Dash Express even allows you to “phone in” your destination with TellMe or 1-800-DIRECTIONS and have the address sent directly to the device!

The Dash express launched earlier this year for $399, but for just one day you’ll be able to pick one up for just $199.99.

There is of course one minor caveat; you will need a monthly subscription in order to use the online features. Subscribing is optional, but without the connected Dash services, the device is just another GPS unit. Subscriptions start a $12.99, and drop to $9.99 when you pre-pay for 2 years.

The Dash Express is on sale at Amazon.com, and ships for free.

Dash Express launches phone based voice recognition services

by Scott Carmichael on

Today, Dash Navigation announced partnerships with 2 voice providers (Tellme and Dial Directions) which will allow Dash users to wirelessly send information to their car via their mobile phones. The Dash Express is the first “connected” GPS unit, which receives things like traffic information and gas prices through a built in wireless connection.

The voice services mean you’ll be able to call either one of the services, speak your destination, and within a few seconds the address will be sent to your Dash Express. This removes the hassle of having to enter an address on the device, and means you’ll be able to select a destination while you are on the go (as long as you use a hands free headset or carkit!).

I took my Dash Express for a test drive with “Dial Directions“. The first step is to make sure your mobile number is registered on the Dash site, then every time you call one of the voice services, you are instantly recognized as a Dash Express user. This brief video clip shows the service in use:

As you can see, it works perfectly and didn’t even choke on my limey accent! The address arrived on my Dash Express even before I was able to hang up the call. I’ve seen other GPS units with voice recognition built into the device, but I have to say that this system works more reliably, and allows more than one service to be offered. I’ve got a full review of the Dash Express lined up for you, so keep reading my reviews!

Daily deal – Dash Express connected GPS unit for $249

by Scott Carmichael on

My daily deal for today is yet another GPS unit. However, the Dash Express connected GPS device is different than any other unit I’ve ever mentioned here on Gadling.

Inside the Dash Express is essentially a mobile phone, and with this, you are always connected to the Internet (as long as you are within coverage).

By being connected, the Dash Express constantly receives updates about traffic on your route. It receives this information from a variety of sources, including fellow Dash Express users. This feature makes the Dash Express the only GPS unit on the market that can report traffic on ALL roads, not just the major highways.

In addition to traffic information, the Dash Express also has an online search feature (through Yahoo), plus you can send an address from your computer directly to your car (Imagine not having to write down addresses before you leave!). The unit also has access to real-time local gas prices and movie times.

In addition to the connected services, you also get text-to-speech for spoken commands, 3D map views, a theft deterrent option and an automatic day/night screen setting.

The Dash express launched earlier this year for $399, but has now dropped to an extremely reasonable $249. There is of course one caveat; you will need a monthly subscription in order to use the online features. Subscribing is optional, but without the connected Dash services, the device is just another GPS unit. Subscriptions start a $12.99, and drop to $9.99 when you pre-pay for 2 years.

The Dash Express is on sale at Amazon.com, and ships for free.