If you are in need of a new GPS, try out the new Garmin that lets you record your own voice into the device. So, instead of the robotic and alien voice booming out directions as your drive, you will hear your very own soothing voice, that is, if you record it that way. But, take note that not all Garmin devices have this feature. Right now the Garmin nuvo 300 and 600 series don’t have it.

Check out the Press Release.

PRESS RELEASE

Find Your Voice, Find Your Destination with Garmin® Voice Studio™

OLATHE, Kan./January 5, 2010/Business Wire - Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), the global leader in satellite navigation, today announced Voice Studio, a free and easy-to-use PC application that lets anyone record their own voice to create custom pre-recorded navigation prompts for use on compatible Garmin navigation devices. The application will be featured in the Garmin booth (South Hall 4#35832) at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show.

“Voice Studio lets users customize their nüvi to give directions in familiar voices,” said Dan Bartel, Garmin’s vice president for worldwide sales. “Whether it’s a friend, a spouse, or the kids, now you’ll always be able to take that special person with you wherever you travel. And you can share your customized voices with other nüvi owners, too.”

Simply download the free Voice Studio application from http://www.garmin.com/voicestudio and install it on a PC. Users can then record a few dozen phrases, and edit them directly within the Voice Studio application. To achieve the best quality recordings, an external microphone is recommended. Once complete, the voice file is loaded onto a compatible Garmin personal navigation device. The entire process typically takes less than 30 minutes.

Combined with free and fun icons from the Garmin Garage (http://www8.garmin.com/vehicles/), Garmin customers can personalize their devices to a degree that no other navigation provider can match. Voice Studio is compatible with all nüvis except the nüvi 300 and 600 series. Voice Studio does not provide text-to-speech recordings.

To learn more about Voice Studio and Garmin’s other products, go to www.garmin.com and www.garmin.blogs.com.

Photo Credit: Autoblog 

I think it’s every man’s dream to own a Ferrari in his lifetime. However, due to financial constraints, not everyone is able to make that dream a reality. If you have this kind of frustration, don’t fret! Just get the next best thing that you can truly boast that “it’s a Ferrari!” The Ferrari Traffic Assist Pro has all the color and motif of a true-blue Ferrari. And aside from its great looks, the Ferrari Traffic Assist Pro is also efficient. It has 4.3-inch touchscreen, map data for Europe and the United States, handsfree set, Bluetooth, lane info assistant, and telephone and address book. This Ferrari gadget will only cost you $535.

Photo Credit: Automotogadgets

Driving without a map in an unfamiliar place is like driving during the night without headlights. This only one thing – you are headed for trouble! Trouble is not a good word to hear especially if you have your precious family with you in the car. To avoid this, you must ensure that a map is stuffed inside your dashboard storage. Or, if you don’t want to deal with paper maps, you can always have a portable GPS navigation system. This device is more convenient than a paper map anyway. By simply proving the device with the destination, it will automatically design a route, even speak out directions, and provide turns that you need to take.

However, here’s the problem. At present there is already a lot of GPS available that car owners find it hard to choose sometimes. Experts offer tips on how you can choose the best GPS for your car and your needs. Read on for the tips by Yahoo Autos.

Navigation is the priority. We recommend focusing first on how well the system works for navigation, using the ratings to prioritize nav features and map database coverage, over entertaining, nonessential extras.

Ease of use. Look for a unit that scored well for entering a destination. Some interfaces are more intuitive than others, and low-scoring units can be awkward, slow, or both.

Built-in battery convenience. Look for a unit with good battery life, especially if you want to use it for walking. While all systems include a plug for your car’s 12-volt outlet, a built-in battery leaves you the option to use the power port for another device, such as a cell phone, and it eliminates cord clutter. A battery also enables you to preload a route before you enter the vehicle. Some models are also packaged with a traditional AC plug for in-home use and recharging.

Spoken street names. A system that speaks street names rather than says simply “turn left” can help you negotiate an unfamiliar area and is especially useful in urban driving, where streets can be close together. It is a handy feature that reduces the need to take your eyes off the road to scan the on-screen map.

Avoiding traffic. A system with traffic-information capability can be helpful if you travel a lot in cities that have good traffic-monitoring coverage. Between the map and detour functions, the system can help you route around traffic congestion and alert you to accidents and road construction. But as with traditional radio traffic reports, there are some weaknesses in the nav-system-based services, specifically related to available data and the timeliness of the report. Unless specifically stated that a unit has an internal receiver, many devices need an external receiver or a cell phone to obtain traffic data and most will require a subscription fee for the information. (Typically, only the premium-priced units have a built-in receiver and that is noted on the product pages, accessed through the Ratings chart.)

Modern features. A full-featured model can effectively upgrade an older car with features like Bluetooth hands-free telephone capability, MP3 player, an iPod connection, and an FM transmitter.

Travel gear. If you travel outside the United States, look for a unit that offers maps for navigating overseas. Most will function in the U.S. and Canada, but some models, such as the Garmin 770 and TomTom Go 920t, will also work in Europe and other countries.

Size matters. The more portable the unit, the better-especially if you frequently pack it in a suitcase. Some are no bigger than a wallet and weigh less than 7 ounces, while others are as large as a paperback book and weigh considerably more-two pounds or more.

Mounting. Most models mount to your windshield using a suction cup attached to either a ball-in-socket, rigid, or gooseneck-type arm. We find the rigid arms are better at holding the units in place, especially over bumps. (Note: Windshield mounting is prohibited in California and Minnesota.)

Source: Yahoo Autos

Getting lost in unfamiliar tracks is a common problem for road trippers. It’s a sad thing if the place happens to be an off-beaten track and there’s nobody to provide directions. However, that won’t be a problem if the car is equipped with a GPS or Global Positioning System. But GPS devices are very numerous these days, so what could be the best choice? An excellent choice that a car owner can make is the next-generation GPS Clarion MiND. By the way MiND stands for Mobile Internet Navigation Device.

The Clarion MiND is a GPS that has multimedia capability. It runs on Intel Menlow platform and has Silverthorne processor and the Poulbo chipset. This device will always keep the users connected. It also allows access to navigation, digital music videos, hands-free phone connection through Bluetooth, built-in camera and various innovative features.

Viewing maps and other application is easy since MiND is equipped with an 800 x 480 touchscreen. Through its fast internet connectivity, the user can easily download Google Maps, Google Earth, YouTube, and MySpace. Its connectivity also allows easy download of the latest music and videos. It also provides POI and directions to make daily commute convenient. 

Here’s a list of some of this device’s highlights:
• 5.2 inch WVGA (800×480) LCD Display with Touch screen
• Intel Menlow (Based on Silverthorne processor and Poulsbo Chipset)
• 256MB DRAM
• 4GB Flash Memory for Storage
• WiFi
• Bluetooth 2.0 EDR
• CMOS Camera
• 3G Data Module (Future Capability)
• Mobile WiMAX (Future Capability)
MiND is the result of the collaboration between Clarion Co.Ltd. and Hitachi Ltd. Automotive Systems’ Car Information System Division.

Photo Credit: gpsdock