Becker has revealed that it will expand its GPS offerings in the US to include a new widescreen model with an above-average feature set: the Traffic Assist 7827 will come from Europe with the same 4.3-inch touch LCD but will be specifically tailored to North American conditions: a relatively large 2GB SD card will hold maps and points of interest not just for Canada and the continental US but also Hawaii and Puerto Rico. The mapping is detailed enough to include highway details and will recommend not just the overall route but the right lane.

The extra space additionally supplies room for MP3s and photos to be used in between destinations; in an unusual step, real-time traffic warnings are also completely free, Becker promises. It should lastly have support for speed limit warnings on most roads and will be showcased in January at the CES expo in Las Vegas. Ship dates are unknown but should be set within the first half of the year at prices below the $500 mark of the European model. [via Navigadget]