Dash Unveils the First Internet-Connected GPS Device

Every year, Robin Raskin hosts the Last Gadget Standing competition at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), which she explains in this post. Our mission is to select a handful of new gadgets we believe will stand the test of time, then we ask you to vote for the one device you think may actually be life-changing.

One of the gadgets we've selected this year is the Dash Express, which was announced this past Monday (you can read about some of the other contenders here). I sat down with Dash representatives, who explained some of the highlights of the system. Just to give you an overall idea, the Dash Express along with the Dash Service do more than provide driving directions from point A to point B.

In fact, this is the first Internet-connected GPS system to provide you with interactive features that let you send an address straight to your system, conduct Yahoo! Local Searches, download RSS feeds of recommended destinations, and even plan alternate routes along with times of arrival so that you can skip traffic.

I've been using a navigation system in my car for the last two years, and I can tell you I'm ready for the next generation of GPS devices. When I heard what the Dash Express can do, I knew I was getting a glimpse of the future of in-car navigation systems. Robin describes it as GPS meets social network, and I couldn't agree more.

One of the features I know will be life-changing to me is the ability to send an address straight to my car. A browser plug-in called Send2Car allows you to highlight any address online or in Microsoft Outlook, then send it directly to your car via Wi-Fi or GPRS, so you don't have to bother writing it down or programming into your system. If you're on the road, you could easily have someone send your system an address, or you can send it straight from computer before you get behind the wheel. The possibilities are endless with this feature. Just imagine being able to send Evites in the future with a "Send to Car" address button that, when clicked, would send turn-by-turn driving directions to your guests' systems.

Since the device is always connected, you could easily conduct a Yahoo! Local Search of unlimited points of interest along with key details to help you choose the right destination. For example, if you do a search for nearby gas stations, gas prices are also displayed to help you pick the closest gas station with the lowest gas price. If you're headed to the movie theatre, you can choose one based on movie times, and restaurants searches can be sorted out by a rating system so that you're always in the know.

The social aspects of the Dash Express are extremely practical, thanks to the systems' ability to accept RSS feeds. By logging on to MyDash portal, you're able to create your own feeds or import feeds others have created. This feature would be great for those who travel frequently, and want to find the local hot spots in town or even the best tourists spots. If the list doesn't exist, you could always create it yourself, and share it with others. I've always wanted a feature like this for open houses, garage sales, and road trips.

The Dash Express also provides you with up to three routing options along with traffic conditions and an estimated time of arrival so that you can select the fastest or shortest route. The latest updates are sent straight to your GPS system wirelessly thanks to AutoUpdate, so you'll always have the most current information. The Dash Express costs $599 and includes three free months of the Dash Service. There's no monthly subscription, but if you want to have all the interactive features, you're required to sign up for the Dash Service, which costs $9.99 per month with a two-year plan or $12.99 per month with no commitment. I asked Dash reps if the Dash Service was required, and they said it's not. Without Dash Service, the Dash Express would behave just like a standard GPS system.

So what do you think? Do you think the Dash Express is a life-changing product?