Dash Express GPS to get Internet-based map feeds
updated 02:05 pm EDT, Fri October 19, 2007
Dash Express Geo-Feeds
Dash's upcoming Express GPS unit will be the first to include dynamic, user-contributed data from the Internet, the company announced today. The device should now support a special, modified version of RSS that will capture user-submitted points of interest such as uncommon tourist spots or a recommend restaurant. It should also now support easily accessed map formats such as KML for Google Earth, the company says. Certain major websites' location-based features will also be supported, including property values from real estate site Zillow or business searches from Yahoo. A computer-accessed web portal will let users customize the information that reaches the device.
The 4.3-inch GPS includes a touchscreen with haptic feedback in addition to the GPRS and Wi-Fi hardware it uses to establish an Internet connection. Traditional maps are sideloaded through USB, Dash says. The Express is still unreleased but should be available by early 2008 with a price to be finalized closer to the actual launch.
