Compact GPS runs Windows CE


personal navigation device
location based services

Aug. 28, 2007Horizon Melody Ltd. has introduced a compact automotive GPS system with a 3.5-inch touchscreen. The Windows CE 4.2-based GPS-3505 comes with a car bracket and power adapter, and includes both a built-in speaker and stereo output, the company says.(Click here for larger a image of the GPS-3505)The GPS-3505 is powered by a Samsung 2440 SoC (system-on-chip) with an ARM9v4 processor, and is equipped with 64 MB internal RAM and flash memory. It sports a 320 x 240 pixel display that can be used both for navigation and for playing still photos in JPG and BMP file formats. The company cites support for JPG resolution up to 1280 by 960 pixels, presumably achieved by panning around the image.The device's GPS capabilities are derived from the very popular SiRFstarIII architecture, claimed capable of tracking more than 20 satellites and acquiring signals down to -159 dBm. According to SiRF, this makes real-time navigation practical in challenging environments such as "urban canyons" and dense foliage.Horizon Melody says it has paired this chipset with a highly sensitive antenna. Also included are maps that cover either all European countries (such as the UK, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Spain,Portugal, Italy, Netherlands,Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Finland, and Denmark), single countries such as Australia or Russia, or combination packs that include North America and Mexico.Key features and specifications, as listed by Horizon Melody, include:
Processor -- Samsung 2440 (ARM9v4-based)
Memory -- 64 MB DRAM; 64 MB flash
Display -- 3.5-inch touchscreen, 320 x 240 pixel resolution
Wireless -- SiRF StarIII GPS chipset
Audio -- supports WMA9, MP3, and WAV formats
Video -- supports WMV, ASF, and MP4 at sizes up to 320 x 240
I/O ports:
USB host (version not stated)
3.5 mm jack for audio output
Expansion -- SD/MMC, supports up to 2 GBThe GPS-3505 appears to be available now, though pricing was not stated.