Hasta La Gadget!

We always get a kick out of Art.Lebedev products around here, and this latest one is no exception. The Russian designer has unveiled Navigarius, a GPS device concept that uses a round screen in place of the traditional rectangular one.

Navigarius also features includes touch screen controls, a USB port, a microSD card reader, and a power adapter for a car’s cigarette lighter, as Coolest Gadgets reports. In addition, there’s a tiny curved mount that’s smaller and much nicer looking than the gargantuan ones often bundled with these things (and that still fall off the windshield anyway, despite their over-engineering).

There’s no word yet on whether this thing will even make it into production, much less a release date or price. But I can think of a number of car interiors (think Audi TT or Mini Cooper) that this would fit right into in terms of design–which I’m sure is the point. One more pic with the mount attached after the break.

And a tiny ray of light shines from Verizon’s cold, cold heart: the famously restrictive carrier has issued a software update for its Samsung Omnia SCH-i910 smartphone that unlocks the GPS radio.

That means subscribers can install third-party applications–either free or paid–that make use of GPS, and are no longer forced to pay $10 per month for VZ Navigator for location-based services. It’s a little later than a company rep had previously announced in Verizon’s support forum, but better late than never, right?

Of course, VZ Navigator still works on the Omnia. It’s a solid app for voice-enabled, turn-by-turn directions. But this latest software update for the Omnia lets subscribers install apps like Google Maps for Mobile or Windows Live Search and hook into the GPS radio, in the same manner that someone on Sprint, AT&T, or T-Mobile could already do with the Omnia and other smartphones.

If you’ve got a CDMA-based Omnia on Verizon, head to Samsung’s site to grab the CF03 update.

On Wednesday, Garmin issued a mandatory software update for several GPS models that had been plagued by a software glitch that caused them to ask for a software update, then spontaneously shut down.

On Tuesday, the company had said it was aware of the problem, apologized, and said it was working on a fix. A day later, Garmin said that the new firmware update may now be downloaded
using Garmin’s WebUpdater, and will fix the update issue that may affect the Garmin nüvi 7×5 series, the nüvi 800 series, the nüvi 8×5 series, the zümo 660, and the GPSMAP 620 and 640.

For those nüvi 7×5 customers who alrwady have a GPS that shut down and cannot be restarted, Garmin recommends that they access this FAQ for advice, or, in the worst case, send their units back for a free repair. If the 7×5 turns on, but cannot access a GPS satellite, Garmin recommends that users download the firmware update.

Additional updates may be provided via the WebUpdater, Garmin said. Users who have registered their device will be apprised of such updates via email.

“We know our customers rely upon their Garmin GPS device(s), especially
during the summer travel season, and we regret any inconvenience this
situation may have caused,” the company said in a statement. “We are committed to developing products that
are known for their quality and reliability and will continue to work
diligently to earn the trust of our customers.”

Would you let this man direct you from Point A to Point B?

Homer Simpson is the latest “celebrity” voice to join the TomTom GPS voice lineup, the GPS maker announced on Tuesday. Users can visit the TomTom site and download the voice for $12.95, or €9.95 in Europe.

As you might expect, the voice of Homer (actually voiced by Dan Castellaneta) provides some occasional commentary, such as: “Take the third right.” “We might find an ice cream truck! Mmm…ice cream.”

TomTom already offers seventy official voices for its navigation devices, although user-based uploads can add more.

“Celebrity voice downloads are one of the many features TomTom offers to our customers to personalize their driving experience,” said Jocelyn Vigreux, president of TomTom, in a statement. “With Homer Simpson’s voice helping them to navigate their trip, TomTom customers will not only travel safely and with less stress, but will also be highly entertained along the way.”

The voice was licensed by Locutio Voice Technologies and Twentieth Century Fox Licensing & Merchandising (Fox Licensing).

Pioneer has unveiled three in-dash navigation systems at its Road Show in Long Beach, Calif., today. The flagship $1,600 AVIC-Z110BT offers simultaneous map and route guidance info, iPod and iPhone connectivity, Bluetooth, HD and satellite radio, and voice control, all with a 7-inch motorized LCD screen. With an optional MSN Direct tuner, the unit gives updated traffic, weather, and local event info.

Meanwhile, the 5.8-inch, $900 AVIC-X710BT and $1100 AVIC-X910BT are mid-range units and include three sets of RCA outputs and a 50 watt x4 amplifier; the X910BT includes 3D landmark icons in the display and a built-in MSN Direct tuner. The low(er)-end, $599 4.3-inch AVIC-U310BT is a 2-DIN unit with voice-controlled turn-by-turn navigation, wireless Bluetooth, and iPod and iPhone control.