Windows CE device merges GPS, TV, karaoke

location based services

Jul. 23, 2007The Korean firm Thinkware has released a GPS system with a built-in TV receiver and integrated karaoke functionality. Running Windows CE 5.0, the iNavi G-1 plays a wide variety of audio and video formats, and even includes several built-in games.(Click here for larger view of the iNavi G-1)The iNavi G-1 reportedly employs the T-DMB (Terrestrial Digital Multimedia Broadcasting) standard for TV reception. It incorporates PIP (picture in picture) and NIP (navigation in picture), allowing users to watch TV and navigate simultaneously.Thinkware says "Geomatic sensor" technology allows users to keep getting directions even in no-signal areas such as long tunnels or between highrise buildings. Additionally, the unit can receive travel data in TPEG (Transport Protocol Experts Group) format.
The iNavi G-1's GPS in action(Source: Thinkware)The iNavi G-1 is claimed to support a wide variety of file formats for multimedia playback. These include: MP3, OGG Vorbis and WMA for audio; JPEG and BMP for still image; and DivX, Xvid, MPEG1, MPEG4, and WMV9 for video.Other specifications include:
Processor -- RMI Alchemy Au1200, clocked at 500MHz
Memory -- 128MB DDR RAM; 64MB NAND flash
Display -- 7-inch, 800 x 480 pixel TFT display
Expansion -- SD/MMC card interface
Audio -- 2 speakers (3W total), mic and line inputs
I/O ports -- USB 2.0 (client and host)
Dimensions -- 7.6 x 4.7 x .82 inches (119 x 119 x 21 mm)
Weight -- 15.6 ouncesThe Alchemy Au1200 SoC (system-on-chip) processor, announced by AMD in 2005 and later acquired by RMI, features an integrated graphics controller along with multimedia hardware acceleration. It reportedly saves power by eliminating the need for DSP-based graphics co-processors.The iNavi appears to be available now, for prices approximately equivalent to $600 (2GB version) or $650 (4GB version).