http://www.navtones.com/blog en will@navtones.com Copyright 2010 2010-01-06T21:18:48+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C5/hasselhoff_joins_navtones_world_hunger_ends http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C5/hasselhoff_joins_navtones_world_hunger_ends#When:21:18:48Z The man, the myth, the American Treasure, the one-and-only David Hasselhoff, aka "The Hoff", aka "El Hofferino", aka "His Hoffness" joins the cast of celebrity navigators at NavTones.com.  This is a special occasion for us here at NavTones because The Hoff is the first ever celebrity voice for Garmin GPS systems. READ Or, click here to read the official press release.The man, the myth, the American Treasure, the one-and-only David Hasselhoff, aka "The Hoff", aka "El Hofferino", aka "His Hoffness" joins the cast of celebrity navigators at NavTones.com.  This is a special occasion for us here at NavTones because The Hoff is the first ever celebrity voice for Garmin GPS systems. NavTones has supplied TomTom users with the world's most entertaining voices since 2006, but adding Garmin to the list of supported products is a real honor for the Los Angeles team.  The Hoff has one of the most distinguishable voices of any contemporary celebrity and was recently voted one of the most "GPS Friendly Celebrities" by Michelle Lanz of MSN.com.  The Hoff will have you in stitches as you travel on your route, with random sayings such as "In Hoff we trust" and "Wow, you're amazing.  Sorry man, I was talking to the chick".  The Hoff also has an active 'Fan Page' at NavTones.com where users can add themselves as fans, upload personal pictures or YouTube videos, or simply leave comments for others to read.  Compatible with all TomTom GPS devices and most Garmin nuvi models, the GPS voice download of David Hasselhoff is just $6.95 through January 31, 2010 and is available here. Celebrities, David Hasselhoff, Navtones 2010-01-06T21:18:48+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/garmin_unveils_ecoroute_hd_aka_the_moving_mood_ring http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/garmin_unveils_ecoroute_hd_aka_the_moving_mood_ring#When:20:08:11Z We've come a long way since carburetors and whitewalls, ToTo.  Being the hip person that you are (you found us, right?), you're probably aware that your car has an onboard computer that keeps most of its systems in check.  All those gauges on your dash get their information from this computer, and the cars of today would be two-ton paperweights without them.  But, what you might not have known is that there's a simple way for you (or your mechanic) to access the information output of this computer.  Well, thanks to the clever folks over at our partners, Garmin, getting a realtime glimpse of your engine's status is just a plug-and-play connection away... READ We've come a long way since carburetors and whitewalls, ToTo.  Being the hip person that you are (you found us, right?), you're probably aware that your car has an onboard computer that keeps most of its systems in check.  All those gauges on your dash get their information from this computer, and the cars of today would be two-ton paperweights without them.  But what you might not have known is that there's a simple way for you (or your mechanic) to access the information output of this computer.  Well, thanks to the clever folks over at our partners, Garmin, getting a realtime glimpse of your engine's status is just a plug-and-play connection away. There's a hidden outlet on all modern cars called the OBD port.  OBD: On Board Diagnostics.  That's the port that outputs all sorts of realtime information such as the readings you see on that sweet display to the left.  Engine load, RPM, and coolant temp are just a few of the internal readings that can be relayed to devices with an OBD hookup.  But before you go off thinking that an OBD readout is a completely useless endeavor to a non-gearhead, consider this:  Many OBD readers have the ability to diagnose fault codes and reset them. Garmin has really elevated the game with this new product.  From the limited information available, it sounds as though they plan on shipping a dongle that plugs into the OBD port and wirelessly relays the reading to the screen of your nüvi 1260, 1370, 1390, 1490, or 1690.  This is truly a bold innovation and a great use of screen space that has, until now, been reserved only for navigation. So, the next time you forget to put the gas cap back on after a fill-up and the 'Check Engine' light comes on, don't panic.  Just reach for your Garmin ecoRoute HD, reset the light, and wave to 'Mikey's Auto Repair' with a smile on your face and cash in your pocket.  The Garmin ecoRoute HD will be available in March 2010 at a MSRP of $149. Via SlipperyBrick Industry News, Apps, Garmin 2010-01-06T20:08:11+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C/gary_busey_spotted_in_malibu http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C/gary_busey_spotted_in_malibu#When:21:52:11Z Gary Busey has been spotted in Malibu.  Gary, Gary, Gary!  Use the squeegee on the CAR.  Relatively speaking, the windshield is fine. Since you obviously don't want to ride in Gary's car, how about taking him in yours?Gary,  Gary, Gary!  Use the squeegee on the <i>CAR</i>.  Relatively speaking, the windshield is fine. Since you obviously don't want to ride in Gary's car, how about taking him in yours? 2009-10-28T21:52:11+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C5/first_official_picture_of_the_new_a-team http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C5/first_official_picture_of_the_new_a-team#When:17:16:47Z Here’s the first promotional picture of the new A-Team movie. The movie is due for release on June 11th 2010 and is shaping up to be next year’s summer blockbuster. One of the biggest challenges facing all involved with the new A-Team movie is living up to expectation set by the original 80’s TV series. Continue>Here’s the first promotional picture of the new A-Team movie. The movie is due for release on June 11th 2010 and is shaping up to be next year’s summer blockbuster. One of the biggest challenges facing all involved with the new A-Team movie is living up to expectation set by the original 80’s TV series. We’re slowly starting to get a feel of what the new A-Team is going to be like though. Thanks to this photo and other previous leaked pictures we’re beginning to piece together a general style of the new movie. From what I’m seeing, I’m happy to say that it appears the new A-Team movie is paying homage to the original TV series rather well. OK, so the new B.A. Baracus played by Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson doesn’t seem to wear as many gold chains as Mr. T did, but he does however proudly sport the trademark Mohawk haircut. Hannibal, now played by Liam Neeson seems to constantly be wearing leather gloves and have a cigar hanging from his mouth. Sharlto Copley who takes on the role of Murdock continues to wear a baseball-cap and a brown leather jacket. While Bradley Cooper whose cast as Faceman continues to be the sharply-dressed member of the A-Team. Previous photos even show that they’ve kept the red and black GMC van as their transportation. Now I’m sure the van will be kitted out with more up-to-date technology and have some gadgets that will blow your mind, but the exterior basically remains the same. There is one rumored change that might not sit too well with any diehard fan. A helicopter was spotted during the filming and suggestions are that B.A. Baracus overcomes his legendary fear of flying. I personally think this might be a good thing because who else other than Mr. T can deliver the line “I ain't gettin' on no plane you crazy fool,” with such heart and conviction? What are your overall thoughts? Do you like the fact they’ve kept some original A-Team characteristics or do you think they’d have been better updating everything? Do you think they’ve cast well for this movie? Who would you cast different if not? Will ‘Rampage’ be able to deliver a line like everybody’s favorite tough guy, Mr. T? Should Mr. T at least have a cameo role in the movie? First promotional picture of the new A-Team. Pictured (left to right) are Bradley Cooper (Faceman), Quinton Jackson (BA Baracus), Sharlto Copley (Murdock) and Liam Neeson (Hannibal) The Old A-Team, from left; Faceman (Dirk Benedict), Murdock (Dwight Schultz), B.A.Baracus (Mr. T) and leader Hannibal (George Peppard) Celebrities, Mr T., Projects 2009-10-26T17:16:47+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/gps_news_weekly_round-up6 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/gps_news_weekly_round-up6#When:22:57:38Z Another working week is behind us and our only worries now are; what am I’m going to do this weekend? That sentence is a little contradictory because if I’m honest with you, I’m not worried if I do nothing this weekend. That’s enough about me, what’s been going on in the world of GPS I hear you cry? Continue>Another working week is behind us and our only worries now are; what am I’m going to do this weekend? That sentence is a little contradictory because if I’m honest with you, I’m not worried if I do nothing this weekend. That’s enough about me, what’s been going on in the world of GPS I hear you cry? Let’s jump in with TomTom’s new integrated navigation solution, the TomTom Go I-90. A traditional integrated navigation system will come pre-fitted in your new car. What the Go I-90 does is allow you to have your all-in-one integrated navigation solution fit into any car, old or new. Not only will the new integrated TomTom slot into any double-DIN opening, but you can also remove it from the vehicle and take it with you, giving you flexibility. The Go I-90 will give you full radio when integrated and has USB connectivity allowing you to connect your i-Pod/MP3 player. TomTom also claim the Go I-90 has improved hands-free calling so the driver can make and answer phone calls safely. The device comes overflowing with features including TomTom’s Map Share, Safety Alerts, Help Me button and more. The TomTom Go I-90 is currently only being sold in Europe and will cost you 599, that’s about $895. Garmin and ASUS’s first collaboration, the nuvifone G60 was released earlier this month and was unfortunately received with mixed feelings. One of the main reasons why the Smartphone came under such heavy attack was because of how long it took them to actually release the device. It was originally thought that Gamin and ASUS’s next Smartphone collaboration, the ANDROID phone would be unveiled next year. Jonney Shih, head chairman of ASUS told us during a press meeting in Taiwan that this was not the case and the ANDROID phone would be "unveiled this year." Let’s hope this is true and they don’t keep us waiting as long as they did for the G60. Maybe Jonney Shih from ASUS had read the report from the NPD Group and this is why he wants to get the device out so quickly. NPD Group, the leading global provider of consumer and retail market research information, produced a report that suggested that GPS sales would increase by 8% during this year’s holiday season. The report however is a little bit misleading as the revenue will actually be down by double this. How’s that possible I hear you shout, well…  The report showed that retail prices for PND’s are down by about 25%, thus meaning that even though sales are expected to be up because of all the great deals you can get, revenue will actually fall by 16%. They even suggested that some brand-name GPS device will be sold for as little as $69. I’ll leave you with the news that TomTom’s navigation app for the iPhone is now available through Apples App Store. Not only is the navigation app available through Apple but we have finally seen the release of the TomTom car kit for the iPhone too. As predicted the TomTom car kit for the iPhone will cost you $119.95. I reported last week when the car kit was released in Europe that once the mount is out for sale in the U.S. I won’t mention it again. I may have spoke to soon though because TomTom also announced today that the navigation app for the iPhone is now available in Brazil and Mexico. The app will cost $79.99 in Brazil and $59.99 in Mexico, but what about the car kit??? Industry News, Weekly Round-up 2009-10-23T22:57:38+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C14/cool_site_of_the_day27 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C14/cool_site_of_the_day27#When:22:46:36Z Today’s “Cool Site Of The Day” is… Do It Do It Done. Doitdoitdone.com is a nice, easy to use, straightforward, online to-do-list. Just add your list of things to do and when you’re done, click a line through them. Continue>Today’s “Cool Site Of The Day” is… Do It Do It Done. Doitdoitdone.com is a nice, easy to use, straightforward, online to-do-list. Just add your list of things to do and when you’re done, click a line through them. I like Do It Do It Done because I’m terrible at getting things done. Like most people, I have a million things to do and end up going around in circles trying to get them taken care of. Thanks to this site, and I’ve honestly started to use it on a regular basses, I just add the tasks I want to complete, hang on to the URL, click back to the site when I’m ready and then cross them off and feel quite proud of myself. So what are the other advantages of using Do It Do It Done: You can access it from anywhere you have access to the net. You can share the list with anybody you like just by sending them a link. You and your friend can both add items and cross them off You can save paper (it's a bit "eco"! Less trash to mess your desk or washing machine! (you know you've done this!) You can make as many as you like! No registration needed! Check it out for yourself at: Doitdoitdone.com Below: My To Do List For Today. Navtones, Cool Site Of The Day 2009-10-23T22:46:36+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C5/kim_cattrall_to_star_in_west_end_production_of_private_lives http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C5/kim_cattrall_to_star_in_west_end_production_of_private_lives#When:18:34:40Z Kim Cattrall is set to star in a new production of Noel Coward’s 1930 comedy Private lives. The show will begin performances London’s West End on February 24th 2010 and will run through until May 1st. Cattrall last appeared in the West End for the comedy production of “Whose Life Is It Anyway” back in 2005. Matthew Macfadyen who'll be starring alongside Cattrall in Private lives is also no stranger to treading the boards. Macfadyen's last appearance on stage was in “The Pain And The Itch” at London’s Royal Court in 2007. Continue>Kim Cattrall is set to star in a new production of Noel Coward’s 1930 comedy Private lives. The show will begin performances London’s West End on February 24th 2010 and will run through until May 1st. Cattrall last appeared in the West End for the comedy production of “Whose Life Is It Anyway” back in 2005. Matthew Macfadyen who'll be starring alongside Cattrall in Private lives is also no stranger to treading the boards. Macfadyen's last appearance on stage was in “The Pain And The Itch” at London’s Royal Court in 2007. I’m assuming that Cattall and Macfadyen will take the leading roles meaning that Cattrall will be cast as Amanda and Mcfadyen as Elyot. The play follows Amanda and Elyot who is a divorced couple who meet and again while on their respective honeymoons to a new spouse. Realizing they are still in love and should never have divorced, they abandon their new partners and run off together. This fast paced comedy then has the couple back to their arguing ways and caught up in aggressive augments that had doomed their originally marriage. Personally I love going to the theater and seeing a really good show. This production has all the hallmarks to be just that, a really good show. The play by Noel Coward is fantastic piece of work and the two lead roles will enjoy being back on stage having been away for a few years. If I happen to be in London during the run of Private lives and you want to know where to find me, you’ll find me at the Vaudeville Theatre watching this play. To book tickets for the West End run at the Vaudeville Theatre, contact the box office on 01225 448844, or visit www.nimaxtheatres.com Celebrities, Kim Cattrall, Projects 2009-10-23T18:34:40+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/tomtom_app_for_iphone_available_in_brazil_and_mexico http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/tomtom_app_for_iphone_available_in_brazil_and_mexico#When:16:15:12Z TomTom’s announced that starting from today its TomTom navigation app for the iPhone can be purchased through Apples App Store. As well as making the navigation app available through the App Store, TomTom have also made maps for Brazil and Mexico available to TomTom app for iPhone users. Continue>TomTom’s announced that starting from today its TomTom navigation app for the iPhone can be purchased through Apples App Store. As well as making the navigation app available through the App Store, TomTom have also made maps for Brazil and Mexico available to TomTom app for iPhone users. "With the TomTom app for iPhone, millions of iPhone users can now benefit from the same easy-to-use and intuitive interface, turn-by-turn spoken navigation and unique routing technology that our 30 million portable navigation device users rely on every day," said Elias Kabeche, Area Director Latin America for TomTom. "As the world`s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, TomTom is the most natural fit for an advanced navigation application on the iPhone." The TomTom app for iPhone is available for $79.99 in Brazil and $59.99 in Mexico. To learn more, click here. Speaking of the TomTom app for iPhone, the TomTom car Kit for the iPhone was released for sale in the U.S. this week and can be purchased for $119.95. For further details on the TomTom car kit, click here. Industry News, Apps, TomTom 2009-10-23T16:15:12+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C14/cool_site_of_the_day26 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C14/cool_site_of_the_day26#When:22:12:49Z Today’s “Cool Site Of The Day” is… Where The Hell Is Matt? Wherethehellismatt.com is a site that follows the adventures of Matt. A self proclaimed “32-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut” shot to being semi famous in 2005 with his “Where The Hell Is Matt” dancing video. Continue>Today’s “Cool Site Of The Day” is… Where The Hell Is Matt? Wherethehellismatt.com is a site that follows the adventures of Matt. A self proclaimed “32-year-old deadbeat from Connecticut” shot to being semi famous in 2005 with his “Where The Hell Is Matt” dancing video. Matt basically travels the world (now thanks to StrideGum.com) and records himself dancing. The dance he does is somewhat bad but impressive and is guaranteed to make you smile. I like Matt’s site because he hasn’t just stuck up all the videos of himself dancing around the globe, but has also given us his very entertaining journal, interactive maps and more. Check it out for yourself at: Wherethehellismatt.com Matt’s Original 2005 Dancing Video Navtones, Cool Site Of The Day 2009-10-22T22:12:49+00:00 http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/Holiday_GPS_Sales_Expected_To_Be_Up_By_8_Percent http://www.navtones.com/blog?detail/C11/Holiday_GPS_Sales_Expected_To_Be_Up_By_8_Percent#When:19:00:55Z According to reports from the NPD Group, the leading global provider of consumer and retail market research information, GPS sales are set to increase 8% this holiday season compared to last year. That figure however is a little misleading. The sales may go up by 8% this year but the average retail prices on PND’s are down by 25%, meaning that the revenue will actually fall by 16%. Continue>According to reports from the NPD Group, the leading global provider of consumer and retail market research information, GPS sales are set to increase 8% this holiday season compared to last year. That figure however is a little misleading. The sales may go up by 8% this year but the average retail prices on PND’s are down by 25%, meaning that the revenue will actually fall by 16%. Over the holiday period it’s expected that retails will slash their prices making a new GPS a good, affordable gift for someone. Special promotions on Black Friday will see brand-name GPS devices being sold for as little as $69. GPS devices you may never have heard of (non-brand name) and may never hear of again after the holiday period will be sold for as low as $49. I’m sure this aggressive pricing will make both the buyer of the GPS device and the receiver very happy. For around $50 a new GPS is a wonderful gift. Industry News, Other 2009-10-22T19:00:55+00:00