Best Buy.
(Click here for a larger view of the Insignia NS-CNV20)Available with a 3.5-inch touchscreen display as the NS-CNV10, or a 4.3-inch display as the NS-CNV20, Insignia's GPS systems use the Windows CE core operating system, have a simple user interface, offer preloaded maps and voice prompts, and employ an unspecified GPS chipset. So far, they sound just like dozens of other PNDs (personal navigation devices), but the company has added an unusual twist -- a built-in cellular modem.
According to Insignia, the NS-CNV10 and NS-CNV20 are unlike the few previous "connected" GPS devices in that their SIM cards and modems are integral to the PNDs, rather than being housed in a mounting cradle. Therefore, cellular connectivity is usable even when the battery-operable devices are removed from a vehicle temporarily, the company says.
Instead of using a buyer's own cellular plan, Insignia's PNDs use an unspecified MNVO (mobile network virtual operator), a subscription to which is bundled with the devices' purchase prices. Meantime, the company says, software and services have been provided for the devices by the San Jose company
deCarta, which announced its "CNAV" (connected navigation) service for PNDs just last week.
Insignia's PNDs receive realtime traffic informationVia the cellular modem and a proxy server maintained by deCarta, an Insignia Internet Connected GPS can access the internet and perform the following operations, according to the companies:
- Receive realtime traffic information (above) provided by Traffic.com
- Use Google Search to find local POIs (points of interest) in a wide variety of categories
- Get "up to the minute" local gas prices provided by Gasbuddy.com
- Send destination addresses from the Google Maps website to the device wirelessly
Like other PNDs, Insignia's devices ship with a built-in database of POIs -- two million of them in this case, the company says. But, the NS-CNV10 and NS-CNV20 can also look up many more POIs by connecting to Google, adds Insignia.
Google Search can be used to supplement built-in POIsAccording to the company, the devices' Google Search capability (above) offers top-level categories such as restaurants, lodgings, things to do, and public services, with subcategories for criteria such as type of food. Since these POIs are live web results, they're more up-to-date, and can be sorted by popularity, the company says.
Another Google-related service touted by Insignia is the ability to send destinations to a device from Google Maps. An extension of Google's native ability to email directions from its website, the service uses a unique email address, in a format such as abc123@insigniagps.com, that users register for their PNDs.
Of course, entering a destination address is a basic function provided by the onscreen keyboard of any PND. But, integration with Google Maps adds convenience, and also allows a spouse, secretary, or boss to send new destinations to a user while he or she is on the road, says Insignia.
Features and specifications provided by Insignia for the NS-CNV10 and NS-CNV20 include the following:
- Processor -- n/s
- Memory -- n/s
- Display -- 3.5 inch (NS-CNV10) or 4.3-inch (NS-CNV10) touchscreen display
- Wireless:
- 24-channel GPS receiver with unspecified chipset
- Bluetooth
- Other I/O:
- mini-USB port receives data and can accept power from a wall charger
- 6-pin connector accepts power from bundled mount
- Expansion -- SD slot
- Battery -- Internal battery, rated for two hours of operation
- Dimensions/weight -- n/s
According to Insignia, the NS-CNV10 and NS-CNV20 are available now, priced at approximately $400 and $500, respectively. Pricing includes a one-year cellular subscription, plus one year of quarterly map updates, the company adds. Renewal pricing was not provided, however.
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