A new portable navigation device has been released by TomTom to go with their batch of portable navigational solutions with the announcement of the TomTom XL335S. Among the features of this latest device are a 4.3” touchscreen, text to speech and innovative IQ Routes Technology and Advanced Lane Guidance. This latest navigation device should be a benefit for drivers for proper travel guidance, especially in areas they are not familiar with. The TomTom XL 335S retails for about $239.95 and will be available in the U.S. and Canada.

(Source) Press

Tags: benefit, Canada, GPS, guidance, iq, navigation device, Portable Devices, text to speech, tomtom, xl

In what seems to have first been a concept, LG Electronics has formally announced that its wearable 3G Touch Watch Phone (GD910) will officially be launched in the global market next month for around $1,200. With the intro of this new watch, a new type of shape, size and interface is expected to storm into the market, something similar to the James Bond movies we have been used to see. been used to see.

Boasting a 13.9mm-thickness, the 3G Touch Watch Phone delivers functions of a cell phone on a small size device like a watch. In particular, it supports 7.2Mbps HSDPA(High Speed Downlink Packet Access) network as well as video telephony with a built-in camera. It also comes equipped with a 1.43-inch full touch screen, the 3G Touch Watch Phone features mp3 playback, waterproof support, TTS(Text To Speech) function, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

That is quite a list of features that should make the initially seen concept model into a living demand. The price tag may be heavy on the pocket but that is the price you have to pay for a loaded phone oozing with new features and of course overall design.

(Source) Aving

Tags: access network, concept model, design source, functions of a cell, gd90, global market, high speed downlink packet access, james bond movies, LG, new features, new watch, phone features, playback, price tag, shape size, text to speech, touch screen, video telephony, watch phone

Nokia has released a new software to help improve their Nokia 5800 XpressMusic device. It can be downloaded at the Nokia Software Update website totally free of charge.

Among the expected improvements that the software bring includes:

Faster user interface and faster download times

New camcorder features: second camera support for still image capture in addition to video calls, burst mode that allows people to take multiple pictures one after another without needing to repress the picture taking button

Mobile Dictionary: built-in dictionary functionality with voice playback of words utilizing text-to-speech technology, support for 38 languages

Application Update: with Application Update people can check for available updates for applications and update them directly in the device. Applications can also be kept up-to-date by setting the checking to automatic.

Nokia regularly releases firmware updates for many device models and improves the overall experience by adding new functionality and improving performance.

(Source) Press

Tags: camera support, device applications, device models, dictionary, functionality, image capture, improvements, improving performance, new software, Nokia, Nokia, nokia 5800, nokia software update, speech technology, text to speech, voice playback

Acapela is a popular company in the vocal solutions market, and to make that popularity grow they decided to launch a simple yet useful application for the iPhone. Also known as “Text to Speech”, the Acapela is targeted for iPhone community developers.

The new application comes with 18 languages to meet the needs of the market, and with 33 different voices so devs can pick the best one according to the situation.

What kind of applications can be used with Acapela? Education software, games, productivity, and many more.
Why is it useful? Because it adds a new dimension to the iPhone - vocal - and overall makes usability much better.

If you’d like to see Acapela on action, visit their website for an interactive demo.

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Tags: acapela, Apple, iPhone, Mobile News, Mobile Software, text to speech

HarmanKardon announced its latest products in the portable navigation series of Guide + Play. The new devices include the GPS-310, GPS-510 and GPS-810 models and feature a slim profile. These models build on the GPS-300 and GPS-500 previously in the Guide + Play range and offer enhancements including text-to-speech, real-time-traffic, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a rotary wireless controller.

Featuring a 4-inch widescreen WQVGA LCD offering 480×272 pixel resolution, the display on the GPS-310 incorporates alpha blending , which enables prompts and icons to be rendered transparent so that you can concentrate on the map at all times. Well, you have to concentrate on the road too, don’t forget that. Memory expansion is possible and all three models support SD/SDHC (high capacity) memory cards. The bundled music player can handle MP3 and WMA formats. Thanks to TTS (text-to-speech) on all the models, you can now hear the street and highway names instead of listening to distances.

The GPS-310, GPS-510 and GPS-810 offer a USB 2.0 interface to transfer audio and map data. The GPS-510 and GPS-810 also support real-time traffic information services and come with a 90-day trial subscription from the Clear Channel Total Traffic Network. They also have video playback capability and support WMV9 and MPEG4 formats.

As can be surmised, the GPS-810 is the top-end model and offers Bluetooth hands-free calling as well as a wireless FM transmitter to beam audio to your car stereo. All models will be available beginning November 2007 at Best Buy and other retailers across the USA.

Pricing:

GPS-310: US $349.99

GPS-510: US $449.99

GPS-810: US $599.99 (more…)

Tags: GPS, GPS, guide+play, harman kardon, text to speech, touchscreen, widescreen, wqvga

Nokia is making its presence felt in the personal navigation market and the new Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is another addition to its lineup. The first handsfree PND from Nokia, it is geared towards in-car navigation and communication. The navigation device doubles up as your Bluetooth handsfree kit for compatible mobile phones. The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation features a 4.3" wide color screen, which is convenient to view not only maps but also your contacts. Nothing out of the ordinary, it features turn-by-turn voice directions, but as an added bonus, it features text-to-speech for speaking out street and city names. POIs and the like are the usual lot on pre-installed maps, which will be based on the target market.

An interesting and useful feature is the integration between the device’s navigation and communication features allowing you to receive contact details for the POIs that are en route to your destination - this lets you call in advance and make a reservation, for example. The Nokia 500 Auto Navigation also supports Traffic Message Channel service letting you avoid jams. The useful split screen interface on the device gives additional info to aid you in nnavigation.

The device does not fall short on entertainnment, and comes equipped with an integrated FM transmitter. Targeted for a Q4 2007 release in Europe, the Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is expected to retail at € 300 (excluding taxes). It should hit the US and other markets after that - which may mean a holiday season release or an early 2008 release.

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Tags: 4.3 inch, auto navigation, bluetooth, color screen, GPS, GPS, handsfree, nokia 500, portable, text to speech, wide