Automakers may charge a bundle for optional GPS navigation systems, but Palm is offering Treo smartphone owners a deal for $299: The new Palm GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition offers voice-guided, turn-by-turn directions to gas stations, restaurants, airports, and thousands of other continental U.S. and Canadian destinations.
The Palm kit combines a 1GB memory card preloaded with maps and a new SiRFstarIII GPS receiver. The latter communicates via Bluetooth with a Treo 650, 700w, or 700p, which obtains real-time location information and displays 3D maps on the smartphone's screen.
Once a destination has been programmed, an exclusive version of TomTom Navigator 6 software gives directions in one of more than 30 available voices, automatically recalculating a route after a wrong turn or traffic tie-up. New software features include trip planning based on preferred arrival time, speed-limit information, and integrated navigation to the Treo's contact list.
The GPS Navigator Smartphone Edition kit comes with a vehicle device cradle with windshield mount and a charging system.
