Category — Sony

The folks over at CNET have taken a run at Sony’s NV-U44 and found that it’s a solid entry-level device, and a great buy for those looking for nothing buy basic navigational features.  This isn’t a device for multimedia freaks.  In fact, all’s it has is a Photo Viewer that allows viewing of JPEG photos.

So let’s start with the bad.  First off, the predictive text entry feature is predictably unpredictable.  At times, the predictive search results in a sudden jump to a new page, resulting in accidentally picking the wrong prediction at the last moment.  The best bet here is to type slow.  Secondly, while gesture control is a cool feature, it isn’t well documented in either the instruction booklet or on Sony’s website.  Nor are gestures such as an inverted ‘V’ for returning to the home page particularly intuitive.

The list of good features is quite a bit longer.  For an entry level device priced at an MSRP of $249 (but often priced less online), the NV-U44 offers the text-to-speech feature of its main competitors, TomTom’s ONE 130S and Garmin’s nuvi 255W.  However, Sony’s 3.5-inch navigator offers dual view with lane guidance easing the process of moving through complicated junctions and intersections.  Combined with text-to-speech, the NV-U44 actually allows you to keep your eyes on the road more than its competitors.  In my opinion, that’s invaluable not only to the device’s usability, but also to the safety of those on the road.

All in all Sony’s NV-U44 is probably one of the best entry-level devices on the market right now.

Sony NV-U44-$199.99 at Amazon

via cnet

Sony’s NV-U94T PND is the company’s flagship addition to its Nav-U line and is accompanied by the NV-U84, NV-U74T, and NV-U44 models. The NV-U94T succeeds the NV-U83T with faster routing and PositionPlus, a technology that uses accelerometers and for some reason, a barometer, to find your position when the satellite signal is lost. In the NV-U94T’s cradle is a RDS-TMC real-time traffic receiver, allowing real-time traffic updates on the PND’s large 4.8-inch widescreen display. Other features of the Nav-U flagship model include a database of more than 5 million POIs, increased use of branding icons to improve on-screen navigation, MP3 and non-DRM AAC audio playback, MPEG-4 video playback, JPEG playback using a Memory Stick Duo card, Bluetooth, and a design that’s 30% thinner than the NV-U83T.

The NV-U74T features a 4.3-inch screen features a built-in RDS-TMC traffic receiver, but loses both audio and video playback. The NV-U84 keeps the large 4.8-inch screen, but loses some top-end specs such as Bluetooth, PositionPlus, and real-time traffic updates. Finally, the NV-U44, also known as the runt of the litter, is nothing more than an entry-level device sporting only a 3.5-inch screen and none of the high-end features of the other models. It does however add wine red and silver color options to the gunmetal gray standard color of the other models.

Available in September, the NV-U94T, NV-U74T, NV-U84, and NV-U44 will be priced at $400, $350, $300, and $250 respectively.

via crave

Early in 2009 Sony’s Playstation Portable (PSP) will be getting a GPS add-on according to PSP senior marketing manager John Koller, not quite the August release date we heard about back in May.  While this is an interesting development in and of itself, the real potential for innovation here comes with the possibility of all kinds of interesting location-based games and interactive features.  Sony is already working on ways of integrating GPS technology into PSP games and when asked if we may see a location-based game for the PSP next year, Koller had this to say: “Yeah, we’ll probably lead the way on that.”  Can we expect a first-person shooter?  Oh, that joke was in such poor taste.

via mtv multiplayer

(Photo Credit: Mistr Webmastr)

If you’re looking for a new USB modem with GPS and 3G data capabilities, Sony Ericsson’s new MD400g may be the gadget you’re looking for.  Along with its sister MD400 (which doesn’t have GPS), the MD400g supports 3G data up to 7.2 Mbps over pretty much any HSDPA network including those in North America.  Both modems come with a hybrid Memory Stick Micro and microSD slot for storing and transfering data between modem and cellular phone.  A GPS utility comes with the MD400g that works with Google Maps for live positioning and both modems work with both Mac OS X and Windows operating system, sometimes even enabling autoinstallation and autoconfiguring to work with the appropriate network.  Available in black or white, the Sony Ericsson MD400g and MD400 USB modems will be available in Q3 around the world.  So far Sony hasn’t come out with any info regarding carrier availability or prices in the United States.

via electronista

Unwired View has got their paws on some live pics of the Sony Ericsson P5i Paris phone with integrated GPS.  The embedded navigation feature is most likely a AGPS chip like the one used by Nokia’s N95.  Slim and to tell you the truth, kind of ugly, the P5i Paris phone features a 2.8-inch touchscreen, HSDPA/HSUPA connectivity, Wi-fi, a 360 Mhz CPU, Symbian 9.3, and a UIQ 3.2 OS.  Oh, and a 5 megapixel camera.

via unwiredview

Sony will be discontinuing all European GPS models in 2008 and has no plans to offer any new or updated models, though they say they “will not discontinue the GPS business”.  With TomTom enjoying a 50% market share in Europe, it’s increasingly difficult for Sony to operate a profitable business in the territory as both development costs and price competition skyrocket.

Sony hasn’t ruled out future product launches in Europe should the proper competitive and market conditions arise.

via pocketlint

Sony’s NV-U73T and NV-U83T portable GPS navigation systems will be immediately available for purchase at online and brick-and-mortar retail locations. First announced at CES 2008 last early last month in Las Vegas, both Sony models feature technological improvements that emphasize driver safety such as text-to-speech and nearly 5 million points of interest and preloaded maps of both the United States and Canada. Though both the NV-U73T and NV-U83T features the high-end SiRF StarIII GPS receiver, they also feature Sony’s Position Plus technology including pressure, gyro, and acceleration sensors providing more accurate positioning in classic trouble spots such as in tunnels, under bridges, and in between tall buildings.

The NV-U73T has a 4.3 inch touchscreen and will be priced at a reasonable $300, while the flagship NV-U83T has a 4.8-inch, 16:9 aspect ratio touchscreen with integrated Bluetooth for hands-free calling and a slightly more expensive $400 price point. Both models have certain features that can be utilized by the motion of your finger without any screen contact and a 3D dual view mode for navigating complicating intersections.

Via Crave