Hasta La Gadget!

The Suzuki SX4 is a low-end economy crossover with some pretty advanced tech built-in, including a removable Garmin navigation system with the same robust feature set you’d expect from a regular standalone PND. However, that doesn’t mean the two manufacturers thought everything through. As Edmunds.com found during its long-term test, the unit lets you issue voice commands, and can also stream MP3s from an SD card through the stock car stereo.

So far, so good. But it’s not so simple; first, the unit can’t play anything imported in the default iTunes AAC format and only works with MP3s. Not only that, but you must navigate through many submenus to get to the MP3 player. That’s still not the end of the world–until you cue up a song.

Once you motor away from a stop, that’s it; the system locks the Garmin down into “Safe Mode,” which is intended to prevent you from controlling the GPS while driving. Except that it also takes away control of the MP3 player! Plus, if you choose a song and then set out, it will only play that one song–it doesn’t move to the next one automatically. And it won’t let you re-establish control of the MP3 player unless you stop the car, or pull the unit out of its housing and reseat it. Priceless. (Thanks to Warren W for sending this in)

October 19th may be under a month away, but that’s still an eternity in “waiting years.” Thankfully, Motorola has posted up a handy guide that spells out exactly what kind of pre-loaded software comes with the CLIQ, and we’ve got to say — the list is fairly impressive. For starters, users will get access to LastFM, an array of Google features, Yahoo! Mail (funny, real funny), Digg, Mint, Facebook, Twitter, Travel Channel, MTV and Amazon’s MP3 Store. On top of all that, Moto’s throwing in QuickOffice — a piece that demands $9.99 on the iPhone — as well as TeleNav Navigator, which has also found itself on a few other Android-based smartphones over the centuries. Hit the read link for the full list, but only if you don’t mind the tease.

[Via Phandroid]

Filed under: Cellphones, Software

Motorola impresses with pre-loaded apps list for CLIQ originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pioneer has unveiled an iPhone app designed to work with two of the company’s new in-dash navigation systems. The AVIC FEEDS app links an iPhone to the AVIC-U310BT (pictured) or AVIC-Z110BT head unit, letting iPhone owners find points of interest or search for destinations on the phone or access them via Bluetooth from the nav system.

The idea is to eliminate the need for finding something at home, or manually having to key in address information on the navigation screen. Another nifty touch: the app also grabs iPhone photos taken with the camera that are geotagged with geographical data and saves them as POI entries.

While the head unit provides voice-enabled, turn-by-turn directions, iPhone owners can do other things–like drive, I would hope. The AVIC-U310BT costs $599, while the flagship AVIC-Z110BT costs $1,599. The app is free, though it does nothing without one of the two head units.

Back in June, Pioneer announced three home theater A/V receivers with comprehensive iPhone and iPod touch integration.

TomTom felt the need to out its new GO lineup at IFA earlier this month, but evidently these critters didn’t quite make the cut. The new XXL range is comprised of the XXL 530S and XXL 540S (shown above), both of which pack 5-inch touchscreens and the outfit’s own IQ Routes technology (which surveys a variety of factors in order to get you from point A to point B in the quickest fashion). Both units also include full maps of the US and Canada, Map Share, a ‘Fold and Go’ EasyPort mount and a refreshed user menu that we’ve been badly longing for. The 540S ups the ante with advanced lane guidance, maps of Mexico, a sleeker design and seven million POIs. Both PNDs should splash down next month in the US and Canada for $279.95 and $299.95, respectively.

Filed under: GPS

TomTom intros 5-inch XXL 530S and XXL 540S navigators originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 10:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here lately, all of the buzz surrounding TomTom has been focused intently on the outfit’s iPhone app and accompanying car kit. But over in Berlin, the company seems entirely more interested in showcasing some new wares that fall into its core product category. Making its debut at IFA, the GO x50 lineup is comprised of the GO 950, GO 750 and GO 550, all of which tout the company’s IQ Routes technology to get you from point A to point B in the very least amount of time. The trio promises to calculate routes faster than ever before, and they also include the planet’s largest collection of historical speed profiles. Once you’re on your way, the units can tap into RDS-TMC services in order to take current road conditions into account and get you from point A to point B in the least amount of time. Also of note, these three now feature voice command and control, and each ships with an active dock with integrated RDS-TMC information. The x50 lineup is scheduled to ship this autumn for undisclosed amounts, with the GO 950 packing maps for the US, Canada and 45 European nations and the GO 750 / GO 550 offering maps in select regions of Europe only.

Filed under: GPS

TomTom unveils GO 950, GO 750 and GO 550 with IQ Routes at IFA originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Sep 2009 07:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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