Dash Unveils the First Internet-Connected GPS Device
Tue Dec 18, 2007 5:26AM EST
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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?
Comments on Dash Unveils the First Internet-Connected GPS Device
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2 Posted by kattomx2 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:47PM EDT Report Abuse
Yeh---I've been looking for a GPS just like everyone else, but please. We all have access to the web and allot of us have treo's and blackberries. Which accesses info anywhere. So my point is why pay the extra 9.99 or 12.99 a month for something MOST do not need. Unless you just want to say you have it. Garmin makes a great GPS that gives you real time info (gas, hotel, restuarant and other) with out the monthly charge. Those are worth checking out.
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3 Posted by alexabrams222 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:50PM EDT Report Abuse
I have used GPS for years. This is nect level if readily available to users at reasonable price.
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4 Posted by janidr on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:28PM EDT Report Abuse
Wonderful feature. This can change the way we travel. Price will eventually go down
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5 Posted by tinwings2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:11PM EDT Report Abuse
So far this sounds like the best of the ten, but I do I really want a two year commitment at ten dollars a month? A lot can happeen in two years. See cell phone network providers for details. How about partnering up with existing Internet providers? Maybe even offering a bundling deal with the bigger providers at a reduced rate?
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6 Posted by tinwings2002 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:11PM EDT Report Abuse
This may indeed be the best idea of the ten, but the very first thing I wondered about while reading the article was Internet connectivity. Ten dollars a month for a two year contract seems very optimistic to me. I typically avoid commitments this long for technology. And $13 for an open commitment seems steep too. In two years time someone else could come up with a GPS that tracks traffic, in real time, without a special purpose optional connection. Why not partner up with some existing providers at a reduced rate? Google already tracks traffic on Google maps and that's just the cost of your existing internet connection. Granted it's a bit behind actual events, but it's better than the news.
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7 Posted by steve_scsavoia on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:43PM EDT Report Abuse
I'm a Marketing Director for a healthcare organization. I'd like some opinions so please post your comments with your reply. My question is, do you see this technology as a future advertising channel for a captive audience? For example, if a GPS user types in locations for the nearest drug stores within a 5 mile radius of their current location...could there be an ad opportunity to have a small pop up window or some vehicle to promote XYZ company's healthcare or beauty product that drug stores sell to the public? Could the message be audible, visual, or would it be sent to the user's e-mail address? I'd like your thoughts on this. Maybe I'm just way off but you never know!
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8 Posted by law_donald on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:57PM EDT Report Abuse
NO but I want to own it not rent it
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9 Posted by skhan66 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:25PM EDT Report Abuse
For that price, i think the dash service should be free.
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10 Posted by inarmsway on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse
My Garmin Nuvi does everything this does and more and I dont have to pay anything for monthly service. Also, i am skeptical about the internet speed on this thing. if its anything like my iphone (which i LOVE by the way) the mobile internet feels slower than dial-up on my first 56k modem. Everyone and their brother wants to be a GPS player these days and most of them dont last long. i would go with a Garmin, they are the original GPS guys and everything else is a compromise..
1 Posted by dalebondz on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse
Being connected to the internet is a plus, however, for the amount you will actually use it for internet use, $9.99 or $12.99 can't be justified. Maybe more like $2-$3/month would be more acceptable. The idea is great though, but with the internet price being so high, I would probably go with a standard GPS.