GPS Industry-What's Next?

 

Similar prognostications to the earlier article you posted

Similar prognostications to the earlier article link you recently posted. Looks like a number of the people in the GPS review and analysis business are all forecasting the demise of a good number of the marginal sales numbers GPS manufacturers.

It was interesting to see that Nextar, with a clever marketing idea, has passed Magellan and is now quite a distance back in sales numbers but has taken over 3rd place behind Garmin and TomTom.

Link: http://www.twice.com/blog/170000217/post/1400038540.html?nid...

--
Garmin Drive Smart 55 - Samsung Note 10 Smartphone with Google Maps & HERE Apps

Nextar

rjrsw wrote:

Similar prognostications to the earlier article link you recently posted. Looks like a number of the people in the GPS review and analysis business are all forecasting the demise of a good number of the marginal sales numbers GPS manufacturers.

It was interesting to see that Nextar, with a clever marketing idea, has passed Magellan and is now quite a distance back in sales numbers but has taken over 3rd place behind Garmin and TomTom.

Link: http://www.twice.com/blog/170000217/post/1400038540.html?nid...

I was quite surprised to see the article about Nextar too. Sales were up like 472% for November.

Has anyone figured out if

Has anyone figured out if you can load custom POI files to these units? I won one at as xmas party and not found any instructions on how to load custom pois

GPS-What is Next?

I have owned a Nuvi 650 for about 2 years and its fits my needs 100%. The only reason I would have for replacing it is when Garmin comes out with a voice recognition GPS that allows the user to input requests verbally. It also would have to be a a "reasonable" price point. Until that happens, I will stick with my 650.
JeffSh

Voice Input

JeffSh wrote:

I have owned a Nuvi 650 for about 2 years and its fits my needs 100%. The only reason I would have for replacing it is when Garmin comes out with a voice recognition GPS that allows the user to input requests verbally. It also would have to be a a "reasonable" price point. Until that happens, I will stick with my 650.
JeffSh

Doesn't the 8xx series do that now? Of course I think it will be awhile before it has a "reasonable" price point, but remember the 650 used to be very expensive also.

GPS Industry-What's Next?

I have been following GPS and other electronic devices for a couple of years now and clearly one of the trends is all in one devices. Not that they are for everyone, but they definitely have an appeal to many folks. Some of the more popular portable devices in the market right now are iPods and iPhones. It also appears that Garmin has some of the more popular GPS units right now. I keep reading online forums and magazine articles that iPod Touch and iPhone users would like GPS in their iPods and iPhones that have turn by turn directions with spoken street names.

On the other hand, I often read about GPS users that desire more current maps and real time traffic information. To get the more current maps and traffic information requires a connection. Traffic can be obtained from satellite via XM/Sirius or terrestrial broadcsater via analog FM RDS or possibly HD FM. The other issue given the current economy is people don't want another monthly fee. We already may have a monthly phone plan, cable or satellite TV, and high speed internet via cable, DSL, or satellite. There has also been a trend in the cell phone industry that pre-pay phones are starting to become more mainstream.

I think one of the killer applications could be the forthcoming Garmin Nuvifone or similar devices. Since many consumers seem to want choice, offer the Garmin Nuvifone both subsidized with a carrier, most likely AT&T from what we hear, and also as an unlocked version. Garmin may just find that if it is priced reasonably consumers may buy these to use as a GPS, but will also buy some pre-paid minutes from T-Mobile To Go or wherever to use as phone. If it has wifi built in, it will have the ability to Google an address, if within range of a wifi "hotspot" while parked and navigate to the address.

As far as audio entertainment goes, iTunes are very popular, but they are not the only game in town. I have tried Slacker Radio and if it were on a Garmin Nuvifone it could be just the thing for some people.

I just heard a few minutes ago that Dell will soon be offering some smartphones. It will be interesting to see what they offer. The folks at RIM (Blackberry) may be even more interested.

Now before I get the whole "separate is better" threat going, I am with you right now. I have a Nextel from work for phone service and use a separate Garmin StreetPilot 2730 for navigating. I like it that way now and I don't want to have to stop navigating to answer a telephone call. But even those of us that like are devices separate now, many of us can see the appeal of all in one devices. If you are only a casual GPS user and don't want to pay the $10 per month fee for navigating through your cell phone a reasonably priced smartphone that can be used with a pre-paid cell plan may be a good choice. If it also happens to have built in wi-fi that allows access to the internet and has FM radio and MP3 capability for entertainment, it would be very handy for traveling on a plane, etc.

I have read that some people in the industry feel the cell phone market is currently saturated. If that is true, that everybody that is going to get one already has one, then they have to focus not on new customers, but rather on current customers.

Even though I love Garmin devices, I hope that Tom Tom, Magellan, Pharos and others introduce their version of an unlocked Garmin Nuvifone. Actually, the Pharos Traveler 619 GPS Smartphone (PTL619) is pretty close. It is a reasonably priced unlocked smartphone that has built in GPS. Add a few other features and maybe some Apple iPhone users will take notice.

The other thing that I have noticed is brand loyalty. I hear that there is pretty strong brand loyalty with Blackberry, iPhone, and Garmin users. You might continue to see alliances between GPS software and phone manufacturers. For example, I think Tom Tom has an arrangement with Tom Tom.

One other trend that was interesting to watch was the PDA devices. I doubt that there are many stand alone PDAs that are available new right now. They seem to have been integrated into smartphones/PDA phones.

I definitely think that this will be an interesting year for GPS devices, smartphones, and crossover devices.

GPS Industry

Jim1348 wrote:

I definitely think that this will be an interesting year for GPS devices, smartphones, and crossover devices.

I agree. It will only get better and cheaper, although with the world economy the way it is right now, there will probably be companies shutting down or getting out of the GPS market, which may make for less competition.

A unit that recharges your razor and stores makeup would be >>

nice...maybe one that will brew you a fresh cup of coffee while you drive...or, better yet, maybe one that will project the proverbial sign of disapproval, holographically, thus allowing a driver to keep both hands on the wheel wink

Ted

--
"You can't get there from here"

i predict...

i predict...
1. GPSes will become cheaper
2. GPSes will become flimsier
3. GPSes will become bigger
4. GPSes will break more often
5. GPSes will piss people off
6. People will stop buying GPSes
7. GPS makers will collapse

ive gone thru all 7 steps and will NOT buy a GPS any longer. my samsung smartphone works great as a GPS and excepting traffic, does everything my nuvi 760 could do. and does it better (no dumbed down interface). plus my samsung is made out of METAL. when was the last time you saw a modern GPS made out of anything but flimsy plastic ?

a race to the bottom will end with the GPS manufacturers bottom lines in the toilet. i wish they would stick to adding value instead of stupid interfaces on shitty cheap hardware designed to fail in a month. we need a manufacturer with the guts to sell high quality ruggedized GPSes with non-dumbed down interfaces. or at least with hidden interfaces which can switch between stupid and advanced modes.

--
GPS Models : 60CSX w/2GB Kingston (stolen), 32GB Samsung INNOV8 with Garmin Mobile XT(8GB), NUVI 760 w/16GB PSF16GSDHC6 (DIED in 30 days), V (died), Nokia N8 with Garmin Mobile XT(48GB), Blackberry Torch with Google Maps.

Prices Always Go Down on Electronics -

Ya, I paid 3 times what they're going for now for my Nuvi 660. They all come down in price if you wait a little bit. I like to wait so they get the bugs out before I buy.
I know I have to wait longer for something new, but it's more reliable when you do that.
Makes sense to me.

Ya think?

zurk wrote:

i predict...
1. GPSes will become cheaper
2. GPSes will become flimsier
3. GPSes will become bigger
4. GPSes will break more often
5. GPSes will piss people off
6. People will stop buying GPSes
7. GPS makers will collapse

ive gone thru all 7 steps and will NOT buy a GPS any longer.
a race to the bottom will end with the GPS manufacturers bottom lines in the toilet. (edited)

Just be sure when your samsung smartphone falls to the bottom of the toilet with your GPSr, that you get it out before the white dots turn blue or pink. And don't forget you won't be able to use it in your car in most states I'm thinking in the next few years.

And the really crazy thing about this whole thing is, Cell phones follow 1 - 7 also! except I can say I won't buy one cause I will, just like GPSr's.

--
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.

Mutlifunction devices have their limitations...

TMK wrote:

A unit that recharges your razor and stores makeup would be >>

I always think back to the show Get Smart and the shoe phone. A great shoe that was a terrible phone. Sort of like the first blackberries that had phones in them. it takes awhile to properly develop the technology. And I am no longer up to reading the instruction manuals required to work some of the new phones.

650

JeffSh wrote:

I have owned a Nuvi 650 for about 2 years and its fits my needs 100%. The only reason I would have for replacing it is when Garmin comes out with a voice recognition GPS that allows the user to input requests verbally. It also would have to be a a "reasonable" price point. Until that happens, I will stick with my 650.
JeffSh

Dear Jeff,

I agree with you. Perhaps it is the bias of owning one but the 650 looks sturdier than what has come later (except for the motorcycle models, e.g. Zumo 660). I shall stick with the 650 until I see some feature that really moves me. Of course, I have also stuck with the Sanyo RL-7300 mobile telephone for the same reasons.

david

--
nüvi 1490T, V1, Sanyo PRO-700a, maps, sunglasses, hot co-pilot, the open road

It's all about Mobility

The GPS and the cell phone are definitel here to stay, they give us mobility. They are a great combo when changing directions on the fly. You can change your destination on the fly, and make all the calls necessary to make new arrangements for the new destination.

I think it's advantageous to have both with you, and expect the industry will think it's smart to put the two together in one package. I think the units will get thinner and stronger, and there will be a flip or slide to cover the screen.

I think some day the mount will become as important as cup holders are today. This need has been ignored for many years, along with a standard simplified source of power. Where do you put your cell phone when you get in he car?

I think some day you'll walk into a coffee shop and there will be one of those USB outlets, on the wall next to your table, which will deliver power and internet access to any portable unit. I can see them on plains and trains too.

You sit down over a cup of coffee, check your email, make some phone calls to make, or verify your arrangements, and finally, plot your destinations for the day.

--
Nuvi 265WT & Edge 705

700MHz band WiMAX Wireless Network

plemirande wrote:

The GPS and the cell phone are definitel here to stay, they give us mobility. They are a great combo when changing directions on the fly. You can change your destination on the fly, and make all the calls necessary to make new arrangements for the new destination.

I think it's advantageous to have both with you, and expect the industry will think it's smart to put the two together in one package. I think the units will get thinner and stronger, and there will be a flip or slide to cover the screen.

I think some day the mount will become as important as cup holders are today. This need has been ignored for many years, along with a standard simplified source of power. Where do you put your cell phone when you get in he car?

I think some day you'll walk into a coffee shop and there will be one of those USB outlets, on the wall next to your table, which will deliver power and internet access to any portable unit. I can see them on plains and trains too.

You sit down over a cup of coffee, check your email, make some phone calls to make, or verify your arrangements, and finally, plot your destinations for the day.

This is why they are shutting down the analog TV spectrum, the frequencies will be auctioned off (sold) and they are perfect for the wireless communities of the future. The auction will consist of 60MHz of spectrum in the 700MHz band. Making hooking to the web no problem for anyone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WiMAX

I still believe GPSr's will always have a future as stand alone, and current laws being enacted will curtail the combo units, I think what you might see is a spike in the built on board units and the price of them coming down as an option along with ease of updating via Bluetooth or Wireless USB-IF.

The sooner the shut down the analog signals the sooner this stuff will come.

--
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.

This is why???

BobDee wrote:

This is why they are shutting down the analog TV spectrum, the frequencies will be auctioned off (sold) and they are perfect for the wireless communities of the future.

I don't understand your leap from one subject to the other. What is the 'This' when you say above: "This is why?'

--
Nuvi 265WT & Edge 705

The Auction is over

BobDee wrote:

This is why they are shutting down the analog TV spectrum, the frequencies will be auctioned off (sold) and they are perfect for the wireless communities of the future. The auction will consist of 60MHz of spectrum in the 700MHz band.

The auction took place some time ago. One of the big winners was Verizon. And their future is in LTE, not WiMax.

--
*Keith* MacBook Pro *wifi iPad(2012) w/BadElf GPS & iPhone6 + Navigon*

Definitely won't by WiMax

kch50428 wrote:
BobDee wrote:

This is why they are shutting down the analog TV spectrum, the frequencies will be auctioned off (sold) and they are perfect for the wireless communities of the future. The auction will consist of 60MHz of spectrum in the 700MHz band.

The auction took place some time ago. One of the big winners was Verizon. And their future is in LTE, not WiMax.

All the work being done on WiMax is at different frequencies - close to 2100 MHz. 700 MHz WiMax would be an orphan as no other country would support it from what I'm getting from the industry press.

--
ɐ‾nsǝɹ Just one click away from the end of the Internet

No USB - WiFi

plemirande wrote:

I think some day you'll walk into a coffee shop and there will be one of those USB outlets, on the wall next to your table, which will deliver power and internet access to any portable unit. I can see them on plains and trains too.

You sit down over a cup of coffee, check your email, make some phone calls to make, or verify your arrangements, and finally, plot your destinations for the day.

No, the technology will definitely go wireless. And it's there already with WiFi. It costs $50 to provide WiFi to a coffee shop. It costs hundred$ per booth for an electrician to provide a physical outlet for data. WiFi is standard on just about all new laptops. Even my iPod has WiFi. The iPhone has both technologies so you can use free and faster WiFi when it's available and cellular data acces$ when it's not. Some other technology may come along, but I guarantee it will be wireless.

Good point on the cost difference

johnc wrote:

No, the technology will definitely go wireless. And it's there already with WiFi. It costs $50 to provide WiFi to a coffee shop. It costs hundred$ per booth for an electrician to provide a physical outlet for data. WiFi is standard on just about all new laptops. Even my iPod has WiFi. The iPhone has both technologies so you can use free and faster WiFi when it's available and cellular data acces$ when it's not. Some other technology may come along, but I guarantee it will be wireless.

With that much difference in cost, the WiFi service is more likely to be free.

--
Nuvi 265WT & Edge 705

More Info

bungelead1 wrote:

Has anyone figured out if you can load custom POI files to these units? I won one at as xmas party and not found any instructions on how to load custom pois

Need more input. smile model?

Did you read any of the FAQ, there is a lot of info in there.

--
Jerry...Jacksonville,Fl Nüvi1450,Nuvi650,Nuvi 2495 and Mapsource.

Charge and load at the same time

adcusnret wrote:
bungelead1 wrote:

Has anyone figured out if you can load custom POI files to these units? I won one at as xmas party and not found any instructions on how to load custom pois

Need more input. smile model?

Did you read any of the FAQ, there is a lot of info in there.

Many people don't know that the charging port is also the data port.

--
Nuvi 265WT & Edge 705

Nextar X03-1 is the model

Nextar X03-1 is the model number. Contacted Nextar directly and was told no new maps available or poi updates. No date for release as of yet. Was also told that loading custom POI would lock up unit and void warranty. Just wondering if anyone tried to load new files. If they did how they did it and how it worked out?

GPS Industry-What's Next?

I have made some posts recently in another area here about reverse geo-coding. I see some room for improvement in that area right now. I metropolitan areas the street addressing is quite good, but in some more rural areas addresses can be further off. I think if the accuracy improves it would be great. It isn't sexy like lane assist, MP3, XM. Bluetooth, etc., but simple improvements in how the devices geocode and reverse geocode would be great.

Look for (SuperSpeed USB 3.0)

GPSr's will start sprouting usb3 ports having transfer rates (up to 4.8 Gbps) and accommodate up to 900 mA for the most power hungry device, and supply quick battery charges.

* Microsoft announced that Windows 7 would have USB 3.0.
* SuperSpeed support for Windows XP is unknown.
* Linux will most definitely support USB 3.0.
* Apple remains silent on the issue of SuperSpeed USB.

SuperSpeed USB 3.0 expected to be available in the third quarter of 2009. I would expect GPSr manufacturers to start releasing products with the new bus shortly thereafter.

--
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.

USB 3.0

BobDee wrote:

GPSr's will start sprouting usb3 ports having transfer rates (up to 4.8 Gbps) and accommodate up to 900 mA for the most power hungry device, and supply quick battery charges.

[snip]

SuperSpeed USB 3.0 expected to be available in the third quarter of 2009. I would expect GPSr manufacturers to start releasing products with the new bus shortly thereafter.

Considering Garmin only started using USB 2.0 in 2008, I seriously doubt they will be quick to adopt USB 3.0. Probably around 2015.

Very Slow Improvement

I have had GPS units for at least 10 years and have seen little improvement... Bigger screens, color screens, and voice are the big changes... What are needed is more accurate units, much faster units, smarter routing units, and by far much much better maps in the units...

Dana

Not to change the subject...

I'm very new here so forgive me if this isn't the time and place but this may come under the heading of future improvements.

Am I missing something? It occuured to me that let's say for example one is driving north and is looking for a gas station. Is there a way to search for only the gas stations that are north of you? If not, this would be a nice feature to have available.

Your turn.

Nuvi 750

.

kilrbe1qazxcvb - if you have selected a destination (or are driving a route) you have the option to search for POIs near your current route. Where To - Near (bottom of screen) - My Current Route.

Then when you search it will only return POIs which are in the general direction of your route. It will not return POIs behind you.

Thank you

Hi gadjet guy and thank you for your answer and patience. Your solution makes perfect sense although I must admit it would have taken me quite some time to figure this out by myself.

You made my day.