Dutch satellite navigation specialist TomTom today said it will ship an updated TomTom Go range of in-car route-planning devices on 1 April. No fooling, the new 510, 710 and 910 models will feature a “world first” 4in screen, “greatly improved” GPS performance and a new computer dock.The new Gos will sport a new design centred on that 4in widescreen display, which TomTom claimed will make the line-up even easier to use. The Home dock connects the devices to a computer and the company’s new TomTom Home software, a kind of iTunes for GPS devices, allowing the user to download and copy over maps, point-of-interest databases and, indeed, music, since the new machines will operate as MP3 players.TomTom said the 510, 710 and 910 will include pre-loaded safety camera database. Like previous models, the new range incorporates Bluetooth to allow each unit to be paired to a mobile phone and used as a speakerphone. TomTom said it had improved this feature, along with the Go’s GPS reception and speed.Again, the devices will be differentiated in part by the maps they ship with - the top-of-the-range 910, for example, will bundle maps covering the whole of Europe, the USA and Canada - another first for the product category, TomTom claimed.TomTom did not provide pricing details, saying only that all will be revealed “soon” - undoubtedly at CeBIT next week. R
Lapping up the Sun’s rays to power our consumer gadgets is all the rage. The latest solar-powered device is called the Boblbee and promises to both charge and protect your iPod.You may run out of food and water whilst out and about, but the Boblbee will ensure that you never run out of enough juice to power your iPod. It uses a silicon structure in its curved top tto lap up the sun’s rays, generaling between eight and 10 hours of power. Green LEDs on the device’s front when the device is charging.The BoblbeeRumour has it that the Boblbee only accommodates the ‘lesser’ iPod Nano, although the size alone makes us think otherwise. The package opens like a clamshell handset allowing the music player to dock snugly inside. It has two headphone jacks on its exterior, enabling two users to listern to the iPod whilst it’s still inside the case.Boblbee’s own pics show the device sat inside a carry-pouch, suggesting that you can listen to your favourite tunes as you scramble up Ben Nevis, then charge up while enjoying the majestic views. Or maybe not.The Boblbee in a sort of carry pouchSadly, the Boblbee is only available in Japan at present and the price isn’t confirmed, so it looks like good old mains power will have to remain your primary iPod power option for the time being.
If you like music to have some religious significance, then the cross-shaped Keo player hits the nail on the head, so to speak.Keo MP-301: wear it around your neck to give religious beliefs an audio backingThe MP-301 has track selection buttons on either side of the cross, whilst the top section offers a menu button. The elongated down section of the player has a volume button and blue backlit display. A play button rests right in the centre of the cross.There’s 1GB of storage built into the player and manufacturer Ice Tech claims the MP-301 will give around 12 hours’ audio playback. After that, you’ll need to recharge it over USB to bring it back from the dead.Several audio formats are supported, including MP3 and WMA, whilst the player also functions as an FM radio and digital voice recorder. The player also displays text files, but Register Hardware thinks the screen may be a tad too small to easily read anything but the briefest of Biblical quotations.Ice Tech’s cross-shaped MP-301 is available now for around $50 (?25/€32). A UK price hasn’t yet been proclaimed from on high.
