Magellan announces the RoadMate: a GPS unit built specifically for truckers
Magellan isn’t normally the name that comes to mind when we think of GPS technologies, but the company has a pretty nice announcement for us at this year’s CES 2015. The navigation company has just announced their GPS unit for truckers. Officially dubbed the RoadMate RC9485T-LMB, it’s designed specifically for truckers and commercial drivers, and aims to provide a better navigation experience for those going on long trips.
The RoadMate allows for multiple driver sign-in support, as well as customizable routes and truck preferences. Atop all of these already handy features, the GPS device offers:
- Multiple-Stop Routing lets drivers plan their trip with multiple stops in the order they want or automatically optimizes for the most efficient route, helping to save time and money.
- Free Lifetime Traffic Alerts, sent directly to their GPS unit, lets users plan more precise travel times and ETAs by avoiding traffic jams and other delays.
- Junction View displays a realistic image of the road and highway signs to help guide drivers to the correct lane that the vehicle needs to be in for safe merging and exiting.
- Landmark Guidance gives users an easier way to navigate to their destinations by telling them to turn at familiar landmarks, such as gas stations, stores or other large, easily-seen places instead of only street names that may be hard to locate and/or read.
- Highway Lane Assist helps when navigating complex highway interchanges, ensuring that a driver stays on the correct roadway.
- Exit POIs indicate where truck stops, food, lodging, rest areas, and weigh stations are located at an approaching exit. Integrated Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology allows drivers to safely talk hands free on compatible Bluetooth phones.
The Magellan RoadMate will be available to the public sometime in Q1 of 2015, and will retail starting at $299.99. We wouldn’t doubt it if we saw these devices on the road everywhere within the coming months. Check back to Android Authority for the best coverage here at CES 2015!
Magellan, a leader of innovative GPS devices and content services for vehicles, fitness, outdoor, and mobile navigation, announces its latest commercial series GPS, the RoadMate RC9485T-LMB, at International CES. The Magellan RoadMate RC9485T-LMB is a 7″ Android truck GPS navigation system optimized for independent truckers and professional commercial drivers. It will be demonstrated during CES in the Magellan booth, LVCC South Hall 2 – MP25441.
With an extra loud speaker, an external Audio/Video input for a backup camera and a 7″ glass capacitive touch panel, the RC9485T-LMB ensures a safe and convenient trip for all drivers. Its OneTouch favorites menu offers ease-of-use and allows for a personalized travel experience.
The RC9485T-LMB is compatible with the Magellan SmartGPS Eco cloud, giving drivers easy access to time and money-saving content such as: real-time fuel pricing information, weather (including five-day forecast and overlays), truck speed limit warnings and IP traffic.
“Our new RoadMate RC9485T-LMB Android navigation device offers comprehensive navigation solutions by providing best-in-class software as well as unsurpassed connectivity, and real-time content delivered by our SmartGPS Eco cloud,” remarked Stig Pedersen, Magellan associate vice president, product management. “We are very excited to be showing our new device at this year’s CES and look forward to the positive response from attendees.”
The Magellan RoadMate RC9485T-LMB offers users a host of truck navigation features. These include:
- Multiple Driver Log-in allows drivers to log HOS (hours of service) and driving status, track hours and record state mileage for IFTA fuel logging. Drivers can also conveniently export all logs for reporting and tracking of each trip.
- Customizable Truck Route sets up vehicle profile and calculates routes based on height, weight, width, length, and hazmat restrictions; it guides users according to their route preferences and vehicle profile.
- Multiple-Stop Routing lets drivers plan their trip with multiple stops in the order they want or automatically optimizes for the most efficient route, helping to save time and money.
- Free Lifetime Traffic Alerts, sent directly to their GPS unit, lets users plan more precise travel times and ETAs by avoiding traffic jams and other delays.
- Junction View displays a realistic image of the road and highway signs to help guide drivers to the correct lane that the vehicle needs to be in for safe merging and exiting.
- Landmark Guidance gives users an easier way to navigate to their destinations by telling them to turn at familiar landmarks, such as gas stations, stores or other large, easily-seen places instead of only street names that may be hard to locate and/or read.
- Highway Lane Assist helps when navigating complex highway interchanges, ensuring that a driver stays on the correct roadway.
- Exit POIs indicate where truck stops, food, lodging, rest areas, and weigh stations are located at an approaching exit. Integrated Bluetooth® 4.0 wireless technology allows drivers to safely talk hands free on compatible Bluetooth phones.
Pricing and Availability
The Magellan RoadMate RC9485T-LMB will be available in Q1 with an MSRP of $299.99. Additional information about Magellan’s navigation products is available at http://www.magellangps.com.
About Magellan
Headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, MiTAC Digital Corporation, manufacturer of the Magellan (www.magellangps.com) brand of portable GPS navigation devices, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of MiTAC International Corporation. Magellan, the industry leader for innovative GPS navigation devices since 1986, globally markets award-winning products in multiple categories including auto, RV, commercial, outdoor, fitness and mobile. Continuing its spirit of innovation, Magellan is developing new cloud-based technologies, wearables, OEM, and B-to-B solutions to meet the changing needs of today’s consumers.
CES 2015: Volkswagen Adding CarPlay Support in Late 2015 [iOS Blog]
Car manufacturer Volkswagen today revealed that it would add support for CarPlay and Android Auto to its vehicles at the end of the year, bringing Apple’s in-car experience to the popular car brand. It’ll debut alongside VW’s new in-car infotainment system, referred to as MirrorLink.
Later this year, VW will introduce the second generation “modular infotainment platform” (MIB II) in the United States. Along with the new infotainment system, MirrorLink™ will also be made available for the first time, integrating the apps and operating layout of numerous smartphones (including Samsung, HTC, LG and Sony) into cars. When MirrorLink™ is introduced, two other interfaces will also be launched under the App-Connect label: CarPlay™ (Apple®) and Android Auto™ (Google®). Simultaneously, VW will also launch CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ in the European market.
When CarPlay was first announced, Volkswagen was one of the few major car brands not involved. The company isn’t listed on Apple’s CarPlay partners page on its website either. However, the CarPlay integration debuting alongside VW’s new infotainment system indicates the German manufacturer may have been waiting until it sorted out the future of its in-car technology before committing to Apple’s.
While VW cars in both Europe and North America will get CarPlay support in late 2015, it’s unknown how much VW’s new infotainment system will cost.
BYOD continues to grow, starting to cover wearables and IoT
A new report from Tech Pro Research shows that nearly three quarters of surveyed companies permit or are planning to permit employees to bring their own devices, BYOD, to work. Acceptance of BYOD is greater in smaller organizations than larger organizations, with IT, technology and education entities leading the way. Government entities tend to be the most reluctant to permit BYOD. For those companies and organizations not pursuing BYOD, security continues to be the primary reason cited for their hesitancy.
In addition to security concerns, respondents to the survey indicated IT support was viewed as a significant drawback to allowing BYOD. Other issues like loss of control over hardware, lack of standardization, and regulatory compliance issues were also major concerns for those who had ruled out BYOD.
As we have seen over the past year, and especially during CES 2015 going on this week, wearables and the Internet of Things are getting a lot of interest from companies that want to get in on these markets. The relative youth of this market category shows up in the survey responses where only 29% had added IoT and wearables into their BYOD plans and policies. Still, that seems like a healthy number for a market that is not yet clear. As more consumers get their hands on these devices and start to figure out how to use them, even for work purposes, this number will likely increase.
source: Tech Pro Research
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With 4K in mind, Sony refreshes its Action Cam and Handycam lines
CES 2015 wouldn’t be the same without Sony announcing new products. As such, the electronic giant is today revealing updated Action Cam shooters and Handycam camcorders. The main change across the board is the addition 4K to both lines, though there are still some models that will be limited to 1080p — not surprisingly, those are going to come with a lower price tag than its higher-resolution siblings. For starters, there’s the Action Cam FDR-X100V and FDR-AS100V, with the former being the one that supports 4K at 30 fps. Other than that main differentiator, both the FDR-X100V and FDR-AS100V feature a high-precision, ultra-wide angle lens, Advanced SteadyShot (to help with stabilization), stereo microphone, manual settings and the ability to control your frame with a companion mobile app.
Moving on, the Handycam FDR-AX433 and HDR-PJ670 are making their debut here in Las Vegas too. The AX433 is the model that comes with 4K shooting, alongside Balanced Optical SteadyShot and 4K photo capture. The HDR-PJ670, meanwhile, misses out on 4K but does have Balanced Optical SteadyShot built-in, a lens that’s 26.8mm at its widest angle, 50Mbps high-bitrate recording and the ability to livestream via Ustream.
Sony’s pricing the Action Cam X100V and AS100V for $500 and $400, respectively, with both set to arrive sometime in March. The AX433 and PJ670 camcorders, meanwhile, are going to sell for $1,100 and $700, while the entry-level models will start at $230. Those are due to ship in mid-February.
Filed under: Cameras, Misc, Peripherals, Sony
Work Wide updated to v1.2.0.6 to provide fixes for app launching bug
With Work Wide having recently rolled out a pretty massive update that brought support for more devices, new styling, full-screen mode and more, the latest update that is available in BlackBerry World and appearing as an update right now may seem rather tame in comparison. It’s a simple bug fix release to address some issues BlackBerry OS 10.2+ and 10.3.1 saw within the app.
Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro announced for that perfect selfie
Selfies are a big thing, whether you like it or not, and Lenovo are embracing this trend with the Vibe X2 Pro, a smartphone that they are claiming delivers the perfect selfie everytime.
That’s largely due to the Lenovo VIBE Xtension™ Selfie Flash, which is a pocket-sized flash that plugs into the audio jack to give the user a quick way to create the perfect lighting conditions to capture a selfie.
The Selfie Flash works by using 8 diffused LEDs to supplement available light for natural color tones, even in low light condition. The rechargeable flash provides up to 100 selfies in a single charge to snap and share pictures day and night, while the 100% shutter sync times seamlessly to capture picture-perfect selfies.
The VIBE X2 Pro itself features a 5.3-inch FHD display with a 64-bit Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ Octa-Core processor that cutting edge performance and battery life, so Lenovo claim, as well as dual (front and back) 13-Megapixel cameras.
The Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro will be available beginning in April, 2015.
The post Lenovo VIBE X2 Pro announced for that perfect selfie appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Samsung Milk expands into VR and TV
Last year Samsung gave Galaxy users access to its Milk Music and Milk Video apps. In large part, both apps were received well due to their clean design, premium feel and excellent content. Samsung announced today that those two apps will expand onto their TV’s as an app and will be released this Spring.
Samsung also announced that they will be released Milk VR, an app specifically designed for the Galaxy Note 4 and Gear VR. According to the press release, the Milk VR app should be released sometime today so for the few of you who got your hands on the Gear VR, you might need to check the Galaxy App store a couple times today to be the first to get the app. Samsung has committed to released new content for Milk VR five days a week. Content availability will decide whether or not VR is just a fad or is a success, as I have tried a few apps with Google Cardboard and loved it but content was highly limited so i hope Samsung delivers on its promise.
Content through Milk VR will be available in 4K and 2k resolution giving users the best possible viewing experience.
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Got Milk? Samsung Wants You to Have It on TV and the Web
Samsung’s Milk Media products will live in the shadows no more. Its Milk Music service, a station-based streaming client akin to Pandora, was launched in March 2014 exclusively on Samsung phones.
At CES, however, Samsung, announced its intention to bring Milk far and wide, and Milk Music is now available for download on Samsung TVs. A web player will be launched this spring.
Not to be outdone by its aural sibling, Milk Video, a video aggregation app (think of one place to view all the videos you see across dozens of platforms), was launched on mobile phones in November and will come to Samsung TVs in a few months.
While there’s no word yet on the phone apps ending their exclusivity on Samsung devices, the web music player will be available to the general public, independent of one’s ownership (or not) of a Samsung phone. As a Samsung exclusive, Milk Music was initially launched without ads in an attempt to woo people over to using Samsung devices. Samsung has stated that the app will not always be ad-free, which one could assume might correspond with the web interface launch.
One might also surmise that with new Samsung TVs shipping with the Tizen OS, this marks the beginning of Samsung’s long march toward independence from Android. Only time will tell.
Prepare yourselves for Milk.
Keep up with all things CES 2015 right here.
Come comment on this article: Got Milk? Samsung Wants You to Have It on TV and the Web
Apple to Announce Q1 2015 Earnings on January 27 [Mac Blog]
Apple updated its investor relations page today to note that it will announce its earnings for the first fiscal quarter (fourth calendar quarter) of 2015 on Monday, January 27. The quarterly earnings statement will be released sometime 1:30 PM Pacific/4:30 PM Eastern, with a conference call to discuss the report taking place at 2:00 PM Pacific/5:00 PM Eastern.
The earnings release will likely provide a look into initial sales of the iPad Air 2 and iPad mini 3 during their first quarter of availability as well as sales of the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus throughout the holiday season. Apple reported a record $182.8 billion in sales for fiscal 2014, with a record 169.2 million iPhones on the year.
MacRumors will provide coverage of both the earnings release and conference call on January 27.
Alcatel Smarwatch first look
At CES 2015 Alcatel has announced its plans for a smartwatch, simply dubbed the Alcatel OneTouch Watch. While this isn’t an Android Wear device, Alcatel is hoping that its own unique UI and operating system — paired with an affordable price of $149 — will be enough to intrigue the “everyday consumer”. We managed to get a little time with Alcatel over the weekend, and so let’s take a quick look.
One of the first things you notice about the device is its circular design, which is still pretty uncommon with smartwatches with the G Watch R and Moto 360 being the two best known examples of this form factor. Like the 360, but unlike the R, Alcatel’s Watch manages to keep the display size as small as possible but with a sacrifice: it has a “flat tire”, meaning a portion of the glass doesn’t actually display anything. The Alcatel OneTouch Watch is noticeably smaller than the Moto 360, offering a 1.22-inch LCD display with a 240 x 204 resolution.
As for the Watch’s construction, it is made of metal and its watchband will come in a few different varieties such as metal and different band colors. That said, the band inside isn’t actually removable due to the fact that the band actually has its charging cable integrated, allowing you to remove a cap at the end of the band that then can plug into a standard size USB port.
Turning to the software, it does about what you’d expect: displays notifications, tells time, lets you control basic functions like music, change watches, track steps and calories, and so forth. There’s even a heart rate monitor and other similar functions. It is worth noting that outside of Android support, the watch also offers support for those multi-platform users that happen to also have Apple devices.
For those interested in the Watch, it’s expected to arrive in March, again at the price point of $149.
AIVAnet 