Clarion shows in-car GPS and Internet device

Wayne Cunningham | Aug 20, 2008

Clarion launched the production version of ClarionMiND at the Intel Developer Forum. This is a portable GPS device with full Internet connectivity that runs on Linux. Clarion showed off a concept of the device at CES 2008. The full product launch reveals a device that looks similar to current GPS devices, featuring a 4.8-inch 800x480-pixel touchscreen. And like some current GPS devices, the ClarionMiND offers media playback and Bluetooth for hands-free calling.

What sets it apart is Wi-Fi and software for various Internet applications, including a Web browser and email. It includes viewers for YouTube, Google Maps, MySpace, and weather. According to the press release, Clarion integrated Internet search and GPS functions, so that you can search for local businesses and feed the addresses into the destination entry. Along with in-vehicle navigation and Internet use, the device is also designed to work as a portable Internet appliance in the home or anywhere else.

The ClarionMiND runs on an Intel Atom processor and includes 512MB of DRAM along with 4GB of flash memory. There are two USB ports and an SD card slot. Clarion says that a vehicle dock will also be available, and that the device has an "Automobile Mode for safe access behind the wheels". We hope this last feature isn't too restrictive, although from the devices description, it can easily be defeated.

ClarionMiND will ship in the fourth quarter in the US. Availability in Asia is not known at this time.

Via CNET Car Tech

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