Sure, it’s not just a suction cup with an iPhone jack in it – this thing has its own GPS receiver, a built-in loudspeaker and microphone, and an auxilliary out for playing music through your car stereo.

But the truth is that you can pick up an (admittedly entry-level) dedicated satnav for that price. Plus, the cradle doesn’t actually come with the TomTom software, or even a code to download it. Which kind of makes this a rather expensive option.

[TomTom]

[TomTom]

The new costing is as following:
MY30: $249
MY50T: $349
MY55T: $449
MY500XT: $549

The offer kicks off on November 1 and ends January 31 next year, although I can’t imagine the price will go back up then — you just won’t get the mapping updates free anymore.

[Navman]

Other than the big screen, it’s a pretty typical satnav from TomTom, with TomTom Home support, iQ routes, MapShare and all those other things that are probably really useful if you’re driving around unfamiliar territory.

The XXL540 will launch at the end of this month, with RRP still to be announced.

[TomTom]

According to Cade Lucas at The Age, the Victorian road authority has backed down on plans to make all use of GPS in mobile phones while driving illegal. It will now be legal if you have your phone in a dedicated cradle.

You can still use Bluetooth handsfree, as well as controlling music (but not video) while the phone is cradled as well, but all other uses of the phone while driving are illegal. Should you be caught once the rules come in on November 9, you’ll be looking at a $234 fine and three demerit points.

At least common sense prevailed…

[The Age]

The idea is to help create a familiar setting for when you’re driving through an unfamiliar city. Or something like that anyway. The first device to boast the feature that is the Uniden TRAX 5000, which hits shelves next week. It’s Sydney and Melbourne only at the moment, but there are plans for Brisbane, Perth, plus Auckland and Wellington in NZ.

I can’t say this particular feature has me ready to upgrade my satnav any time soon. How about you?

The app costs $90 and includes mapping for Australia and New Zealand. There are turn-by-turn voice directions, both 2D and 3D views, the ability to call a POI, continual guidance in tunnels, lane indicator display, and real signpost display, which apparently matches real world signs.

If you’ve tested it out, let us know what you think in comments…

[CoPilot Live (iTunes Link)]

Outside of that groundbreaking feature, there’s a pretty standard couple of devices here: Text to speech, 2D and 3D views, 3.5 and 4.3-inch screens for the G35 and G43 models respectively and a 30-day trial of SpeedAlert. The maps come from Aussie company Metroview, who I’ve never heard of before, although that doesn’t necessarily mean anything.

The key issue here though is price: $169 for the G35 and $229 for the G43.

[Laser]

Both the Go 750 and the Go 950 feature the voice control, which can be used for planning a route, making a handsfree call or changing preferences. They both feature TomTom’s iQ Route software and have a new menu system that includes a frequent destinations menu.

The difference between the two is in the mapping, with the 750 only having Australian mapping, and the 950 including maps for Australia, New Zealand, the US, Canada and 45 European countries. They’ll be available later this year at a yet-to-be-determined price…

[TomTom]

There are three models in the new range: the Moov A350, A430 and A470, which have price points of $199, $299 and $399 respectively. Features are all pretty generic, with Navteq mapping, resistive touchscreens and the option for SUNA traffic in the two “premium” units. Unfortunately, they decided to stick with the Moov branding though, which still makes me think of sunny days as a kid drinking strawberry flavoured milk, running around and then throwing it all back up again…

Ready, set, go with Mio

Mio’s new GPS devices are sleek, clear and simple, yet packed with features to help you get ‘back’ to where you are going.

If you are looking for an uncomplicated and easy-to-use GPS that is filled with useful functions then look no further. Mio’s latest Moov series is packed with advanced features that boast an equally impressive price tag. The new range gives you all the convenience, and the latest in technology, that a GPS has to offer without breaking the budget.

With the very affordable Moov A350 priced at $199, it has never been easier to hop in your car and get “Mooving” with Mio. The new series comprises the Moov A350, Moov A430 and Moov A470 with all models featuring clear large LCD screens with resistive panels, tap touch screens and a two year warranty. The A470 also features an exciting new extra wide 4.7” screen.

Moving from screen to screen can be tricky with some GPS, but with all models designed with a handy ‘back’ button, Mio helps you to get back to the main menu and back to where you are going!

“Our newest range reflects what we think a GPS device should be, made up of the latest technology and most useful features but easy-to-use and available at exceptional prices. Mio’s advanced technology is now available with an even bigger screen and more features. We have introduced Google live points of interest search capabilities on the top range model, allowing you to discover and explore more with your Mio,” says Marcus Fry, General Manager of Mio.

All models offer a 30 day latest map guarantee powered by NAVTEQ, including downloadable map updates and global maps. SUNA live lifetime traffic updates are also optional for both the A430 and A470. SUNA gives its users real time traffic updates, alerting drivers to the causes of any road delays, giving them an approximate time of the delay and an alternative route option to reach their destination on time. Real time traffic updates are available in metropolitan areas including Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne and newly launched cities of Canberra, Adelaide and Perth.

Mio comes with an impressive 600,000 points of interest built into the A430 and A470 models and 100,000 POI’s for the A350. The best that your city has to offer is at your fingertips with no
additional downloads required. So while you are out there discovering new and fun locations, your Mio Moov will also alert you to practical things such as the nearest parking station, petrol station and tourist attraction. And with so many points of interest to get through, Mio Moov comes with a multiple stop journey function so you can plan as many detours as you like along the way.

The A470 offers Bluetooth Handsfree capabilities, allowing you to conduct live searches for venues and locations via Google and receive live weather updates.

An ultra handy Navpix library is also featured in the Mio Moov series, so you can find and explore new and exciting destinations recommended by friends and family using photo navigation. Drivers can simply download geo-tagged images from Flickr, Google Earth and the MioMore desktop software and save them in an album.

A multi-lingual speaking keyboard will also guide you every step of the way with the option for Australian pronunciation in either a male or female voice. With spoken street names and extended lanes information on both the A430 and A470, Mio Moov will get you there safely with turn-by-turn guidance.

Mio Moov’s safety features include visual and audio alerts for over 11,000 safety cameras, school zones, railway crossings and accident black spots. A digital log book is also featured in all models, including road toll alerts, so you can keep track of your business trip costs and fuel spending.

All models include an in-vehicle mounting bracket, charger, desktop DVD and USB active sync cables for the A430 and the A470.

Recommended retail prices:

Mio Moov A350 $199 (Including 1GB of memory)
Mio Moov A430 $299 (Including 1GB of memory)
Mio Moov A470 $399 (Including 2GB of memory)

Availability
The new Mio Moov series will be available in Harvey Norman, Clive Peeters, Retravision, Supercheap Auto, Ryda and Bing Lee nationwide from August 2009.