Dash Express
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)Today, Dash Navigation set free a wireless software update that brings a number of new features and fixes to its Dash Express GPS device. The June08 update will be delivered over the air to Dash owners, so there's no need to connect to a PC or purchase software DVDs; you'll simply receive a notification when you next start your device. But what exactly are you getting? In short, smarter routing options and hopefully, better performance. Here's the breakdown of features:
FasterFind: This should let the Dash Express get a faster GPS fix by using over-the-air GPS satellite position information powered by SiRFInstantFix technology. FasterFind will also help to pick up your position faster, even when you're driving through heavily wooded areas or in urban canyons with skyscrapers, which often cause portable navigation systems to lose a GPS fix.
MyRoute: For frequently visited locations, Dash will "learn" your preferred route and then add this as your first option, dubbed MyRoute, when you're setting out to the same destination. The system will calculate the estimated time of arrival of that route based on the traffic data. You can then compare it with the other suggested routes and see if MyRoute is still your best option.
Search along route: This feature allows for enhanced and optimized points of interest searches along your route. Results are shown by distance from your present location and the direction off the route.
The June08 update also brings some tweaks to the user interface and enhanced performance, including 50 percent faster map redraws, quicker toggling between 2D and 3D maps, and smoother map zooming. More than anything, we hope the tracking capabilities of the Dash have improved, as this was our biggest complaint when we reviewed the Dash Express back in March. We're planning to get the updated version of the portable navigation system soon, so fingers crossed. And of course, we'll report back with results.
Dash Express
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)Citing "outstanding results from our partners' recent Dads and Grads promotions," Dash Navigation today announced a $100 price drop for its Dash Express portable navigation system. You can now get the Internet-connected GPS for $299 rather than $399, though you will still have to pay for the Dash Express service after the three-month complimentary period is up ($9.99 a month with a two-year plan to $12.99 per month for month-to-month). Now, while we certainly think that the grads and dads promotion helped spur the price drop, we can't help but wonder if it also has anything to do with slow sales? Anyone out there own this thing? And if so, what's your experience been like?
Walt Mossberg reviewed the Dash Express earlier this week, an in-car slice of salvation for anyone that spends much time in the car.
What does it do?
...[E]ach Dash Express...becomes part of a network, connected to the company via the Internet. Each device not only receives and displays information, but transmits it as well, acting as a "probe," as Dash calls it, to measure local traffic speeds. This information is compiled by the company and then broadcast back to all other Dash units in your area, almost instantly painting streets on your map with color codes to indicate traffic speeds.
In other words, the Dash Express makes one's car a giving/receiving node on a traffic network, helping others while one is helped. It's an excellent representative sample of Tim O'Reilly's principle of the importance of data and of defaulting to collaboration.
Head over to Mossberg's full review for the nuances of the device. He tests it with just two nodes and finds that it does a great job even with limited adoption. Just think of how good it will be once thousands or millions of cars have the Dash Express on board?
Dash Express
(Credit: Corinne Schulze/CNET Networks)It's been almost two years since Dash Navigation first announced its Dash Express portable navigation system, and we're happy to say that you can now finally get your hands on this device. The Dash Express is unlike any other portable navigation system on the market today because it offers two-way connectivity (cellular and Wi-Fi), giving drivers access to a whole new world of information via the Internet and the network of other Dash-connected users. You can conduct live (and more relevant) Web searches via Yahoo Local search; get real-time traffic data; wirelessly send addresses to the system; and much more. It really adds value to portable navigation devices, and it's the type of innovation that we think will take GPS to the next level--so much so that we even gave it a Best of CES 2007 award. So did it deliver? Was it worth the wait? Well now, you'll just have to read our full review to find out, won't ya?
Dash Express
(Credit: Dash )It's been well over a year since Dash Navigation unveiled its Internet-connected GPS device, and after months of beta testing, we're finally one step closer to actually seeing the Dash Express navigation system hit the streets. Today, the company announced that it's taking preorders for the Dash Express from its Web site, carrying a price tag of $599.99 that includes a complimentary three-month subscription to the Dash Service. Afterward you can choose from several plans to continue the service: two-year plan at $9.99 per month; one-year plan at $10.99 per month; or month-to-month at $12.99.
The Dash Express is unlike other portable navigation systems as it offers connectivity via Wi-Fi and GPRS, so you have an always-on connection to receive the latest traffic and map updates and local search powered by Yahoo. In addition, there's a Send2Car feature so you or someone else can send addresses from your computer directly to the Dash device. The unit is expected to ship in mid- to late February.
Just out of curiosity, how many of you are actually interested in getting the Dash? Frankly, I think the unit price is a bit high (even knocking off $100 seems a bit more reasonable) and I'm just wondering if this type of system is ready for prime time yet. Although I think the offered features are great, I'm not sure how many people will be willing to pay the monthly fees when perhaps on a day-to-day basis a "regular" GPS device will suit you just fine. I don't know...I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Sign up to be a tester!
(Credit: Dash Navigation)Do you drive a lot? Thinking of buying an in-car GPS device? Or do you just love tech and have always dreamed of being a part of the product testing process? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you might be interested in a new program that Dash Navigation announced today. The company is recruiting 2,000 drivers to road test its innovative portable navigation system, the Dash Express, before the product is officially launched later in the fall. Just as a quick refresher, the Dash Express is the first Internet-connected car GPS system and offers Yahoo Local search, traffic information based on historical data and input from other Dash users, dynamic destination information (latest gas prices, movie times, and so on), a send-to-car feature, and automatic updates that are practically invisible to the owner. You can see the Express in action from our CES 2007 video below.
To sign up for the Dash road test, visit www.dash.net to fill out an application, and you'll then be notified by e-mail if you're one of the lucky chosen. Once you get the device, all you have to do is drive around and provide feedback on your likes and dislikes, rants and wishes. There will also be some weekly "homework assignments." About 200 drivers have already participated in early testing here in California, but according Dash CEO Paul Lego, in order to deliver the best product at launch, the company wanted to open up the program to everyone. Hey, sounds like a good deal to me.
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