Sony Ericsson announces GPS accessory

location based services

Sony Ericsson HGE-100
Yesterday night in Berlin, Sony Ericsson announced the HGE-100, a GPS accessory doubling as a hands free kit. Plugging through the phone's connector, this light and small GPS (48g - 61mm x 28mm) enables satellite navigation and sport monitoring on compatible phones (Sony Ericsson mobile phones with Java support from K800 onwards). The HGE-100 will be available during the third quarter 2007 for around €70. While few information are available today, it seems that the satellite navigation software does not offer a 2D or 3D display of the route, but rather text and voice instructions, the latter given through the headset. Sport enthusiasts can also “Use the GPS Enabler as their personal trainer by using the ‘Tracker' GPS sports application installed within the HGE-100. It monitors speed, distance, route and calorie burn, recording and analysing data”, said Sony Ericsson.

The positioning of this product is original, definitely targeting younger people than the current users of satellite navigation systems. As a matter of fact the car environment is not the first place where to use this product, but rather on foot, cycle or even bus, as mentioned in the press release.