Navman iCN700 Series With NavPix

Typical GPS systems require you to enter your destination by street address which can be a tedious process.  Navman is out to change that with their NavPix enabled GPS systems, the iCN720 and iCN750.  The GPS units have a built in 1.3MP camera that allows you to take pictures of your house, favorite restaurants, landmarks, etc., while it tags each picture with the relevant locational data.  Prash Vadgama, president of Navman believes that “images are an obvious and unmistakeable way to identify a destination”.  He continues by saying, “Each NavPix image has the exact geographical location of where that picture was taken embedded in the image data. You then use that image as an alternative way to choose and set your destination in the Navman iCN700 series”.

Since you won’t have pictures of every destination in advance, the Navman website will have images of famous landmarks and interesting places, as well as a method to create your own geo-referenced images which can be downloaded to your GPS.  In addition to letting you create and store your own images online, Navman will allow users to trade pictures, further enhancing the reach of the NavPix feature.

Available in Europe in May 2006 with no word on US availability.  Full specifications after the jump.

Read More | Navman via gizmag

Hardware
Weight - 300g
Size - 136mm x 77mm x 31mm
Memory - 64MB SDRAM, 64MB DOC, 512MB CF + SD/MMC expansion
Camera - 1.3 megapixel (Photo import/export via USB)
Hard drive - 4GB
Processor - PXZ270 316MHz Intel
Battery - Rechargeable integrated Li ION - 2-4hrs life (depending on use)
High-quality Loudspeaker
GPS Receiver - SiRF Star III Generation 2
Screen - High resolution 4” (105mm) colour touch widescreen
Power - 12V in car power connector + mains adapter
PC Connection - USB 1.1
Software Features
Download from NavPix™ album
“Go to” a photograph
New user interface
Drive-Away™ (works straight out of the box)
Back on Track™ (allows you to return to the original route if you take a wrong turn)
Park and Fuel locator buttons
“Get me Home” button
POI (points of interest – transport related POIs)
Nearest POI/POI import
Full postcode search facility
Voice guided instructions
Favourite destinations stored
Multiple routing options e.g. shortest/fastest, nearest POI
Live traffic update through optional module (subscription free)
Location of safety cameras (free databases upload from the web)
Navigation Views
Turn-by-Turn
Next manoeuvre
3D Moving map (adjust 3D zoom mode downwards to achieve 2D moving map mode)
2D Mini map
Route summary
User-customisable routing options
Mapping - European Model
2005.1 Tele Atlas map data
SmartST™ 2006 for iCN 700 Series Navigation Software
SmartST™ 2006 navigation core
Pre-installed European maps (16 countries)
2005.1 map data set