Dash Unveils the First Internet-Connected GPS Device : Gina Hughes : Yahoo! Tech:
". . . , the Dash Express along with the Dash Service do more than provide driving directions from point A to point B.
In fact, this is the first Internet-connected GPS system to provide you with interactive features that let you send an address straight to your system, conduct Yahoo! Local Searches, download RSS feeds of recommended destinations, and even plan alternate routes along with times of arrival so that you can skip traffic.
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If you're on the road, you could easily have someone send your system an address, or you can send it straight from computer before you get behind the wheel. The possibilities are endless with this feature. Just imagine being able to send Evites in the future with a "Send to Car" address button that, when clicked, would send turn-by-turn driving directions to your guests' systems.
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if you do a search for nearby gas stations, gas prices are also displayed to help you pick the closest gas station with the lowest gas price. If you're headed to the movie theatre, you can choose one based on movie times, and restaurants searches can be sorted out by a rating system
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The Dash Express also provides you with up to three routing options along with traffic conditions and an estimated time of arrival so that you can select the fastest or shortest route. The latest updates are sent straight to your GPS system wirelessly thanks to AutoUpdate, so you'll always have the most current information"
It isn't cheap and the fancy stuff requires a monthly fee, but this looks like a service that could be worth the price to anyone who ever drives outside of their comfort zone. Look for it here
Update April 2008 - units are shipping:
Dash Express Review : Gina Hughes : Yahoo! Tech:
"The Dash Express is rather big (4.8'W x 4.1'H x 2.8'D) compared to other GPS devices on the market, but that's due to a large battery, and three antennas inside that support Wi-Fi, GPRS, and GPS. The touchscreen display is a decent 4.3-inches, with a 480 x 272 resolution. There's a speaker on top of the device along with a touch-sensitive volume button on the left and a menu button on the right. The power button is located on the right side of the device, and USB connection on the left. The complete unit includes a mounting arm and cradle, a mounting arm extension, car power adapter, wall charger, and USB interface cable. What's nice about the device is that it can be mounted on the window or the dash.
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Unfortunately, as a GPS device the Dash Express wasn't all that impressive compared to my car's in-dash system. The voice prompts are very computerized, sometimes incomprehensible, so I relied on the direction icons most of the time. I also thought the system was slow to update when it starts mapping your route, and sometimes while its on the road, which can be frustrating.
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Overall, I really enjoyed the Dash Express experience. I like having that constant connection to the Internet, and being able to send RSS feeds, and address from my computer just makes you look at GPS systems differently. The Dash Express is currently available at Amazon for $399.99, which includes three months of free Dash Service. After that, you have to pay a monthly fee of $12.99 or $9.99 if you sign up for two years."
