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June 3, 2008 11:31 AM PDT

Mio looking to capture new audience with GPS camera

by Bonnie Cha
(Credit: GPS Business News)

Mio Technology is hoping to take GPS to new places, more specifically, beyond the car. At Computex 2008 (Asia's largest technology trade show), Mio unveiled a new concept product called the "PND (portable navigation device) camera" that integrates a GPS radio into a digital camera. Details and specs are pretty light at the moment, but according to GPS Business News, the device will feature a 3.5-inch touch screen and with the two integrated technologies, the camera will be able to geotag your photos.

Now, this isn't a completely novel idea. We've seen GPS modules that you can add to cameras, such as the Pharos Trips & Pics and the Sony GPS-CS1KA, to get this functionality. However, Mio's device aims to do away with extra accessories and let you carry just one do-it-all gadget. No word on when the camera will be available and even if it will make its way to the States, but perhaps SiRF Technology founder Kanwar Chadha's prediction is coming true? Will 2008 be the year where we see major manufacturers integrate GPS into digital cameras? And do you think this is a good idea?

Bonnie Cha is a senior editor for CNET, covering smartphones and GPS. When she's not testing the latest gadgets, you can find her chasing after her crazy lab or surfing in the chilly waters of Northern California. E-mail Bonnie.
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by dhjellen June 4, 2008 8:28 AM PDT
Only one moe step to go:

automatic geotagging is a long overdue feature for the digital camera. Now we have the 'when' (timestamping) and the 'where' (geotagging) automatically tagged onto the digital pics. Now, if we can just get some facial recognition software that will auto-tag my photos with names of the people in them, then we wont have to manually tag any of our photos anymore.
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by MCwildside June 4, 2008 12:26 PM PDT
I think Ricoh has had the "do-it-all gadget" idea for some time. Starting with the i700g 6 years ago, then the ProG3 a few years ago and now the 500SE GPS-ready camera. (it even has a compass) But based off the price these are not for your average user.
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by Jim1348 June 4, 2008 9:03 PM PDT
I was actually wondering if any camera have wi-fi built in. That way when you take a snapshot of the kids at the zoo you can find a hot spot and e-mail the photograph directly to Grandma!
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by Jim1348 June 4, 2008 9:04 PM PDT
I was actually wondering if any camera have wi-fi built in. That way when you take a snapshot of the kids at the zoo you can find a hot spot and e-mail the photograph directly to Grandma!
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