Garmin Debuts iQue 3600 GPS Handheld
CES 2003: Garmin today unveiled its iQue 3600 personal digital assistant with built-in Global Positioning System (GPS) capabilities at the 2003 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The iQue 3600 is the first product to combine the Palm OS and GPS navigation functionality in a PDA.
The iQue 3600 uses Palm OS 5 and is powered by Motorola's new DragonBall MXL microprocessor, The iQue 3600 boasts internal memory of 32 megabytes, SD memory expansion slot, and a 320x480-pixel transflective TFT display with more than 60,000 color combinations. Additionally the product integrates Garmin's new Que Technology the company's premier application that delivers the benefits of GPS-based location awareness to PDA users.
GPS Navigation
The differentiating feature of the iQue 3600 is its integrated GPS capabilities. Garmin's innovative Que technology delivers location awareness, electronic mapping, automatic route calculation, turn-by-turn voice guidance and map data interface to the iQue 3600. Que technology enables users to see where they are, find a street address or point of interest, know where the next turn is via visual and voice guidance, get back on track when they've strayed off course and navigate efficiently to their desired destination.
The iQue 3600 features a unique, flip-up GPS antenna that locks in place at two different angles to optimize GPS signal reception and viewing, and it folds discreetly in the back of the unit. When the antenna is in the upright position, it will automatically turn on the GPS navigation function and begin acquiring satellite signals. Likewise, when the antenna is in the closed position, the GPS function will automatically shut off to preserve battery life. The iQue 3600 provides the user with typical accuracy of 20 to 30 feet, or less than 10 feet when receiving corrected GPS data from the Wide Area Augmentation System in the North American coverage area.
Integrated Features
One of the key benefits of technology integration on the iQue 3600 is its patent-pending contact-locator feature. Enabled by Garmin's Que technology, this feature connects the Palm Address Book and Date Book to the GPS electronic map to give the user the ability to navigate directly to a specific address within the user's contact database. Additional integrated features are expected to be available through third-party software developers.
Mapping
On the iQue 3600 installation CD, users can choose a basemap of North America, South America, Europe or regions in the Pacific Rim. The basemap provides the user with generalized information about highways, major city streets, railways, rivers, lakes and state, provincial and national borders. The user-configurable basemap makes the iQue 3600 a versatile companion for the international frequent flyer who travels between New York and London or San Francisco and Hong Kong.
Users gain the additional benefit of detailed street information on the included MapSource CD-ROM. When the street data is downloaded into the iQue 3600, users can look up addresses, restaurants, hotels, local attractions, transportation hubs, emergency services and much more. Once the user has identified an address, he or she can navigate to it with a simple stylus tap via the device's automatic route generation, which guides the user along the shortest or fastest route based on researched traffic patterns. Instead of looking at street signs in an unfamiliar city, users can enjoy the ride with the iQue 3600 by following the audible and graphical turn-by-turn directions. An optional car kit comes with an automotive mount and speaker system to amplify the voice guidance feature.
The iQue 3600 is also compatible with Garmin's extensive line of additional MapSource products, including U.S. Topo, Fishing Hot Spots and BlueChart cartography for even greater versatility in navigation.
Specifications of the iQue 3600:
- Operating system: Palm OS 5
- Data input: Soft Graffiti (writing area can be minimized for full-screen utility)
- Embedded features: MP3 player, voice recorder, infrared communication, vibrating alarm and thumb wheel
- Audio hardware: Microphone, speaker, headphone jack
- GPS features: Location awareness (10 feet or less with WAAS), address look-up, auto routing, turn-by-turn navigation with voice guidance, off-route recalculation, Contact Locator
- Processor: Motorola DragonBall MXL ARM 9
- Processor speed: 150 MHz
- Unit size/weight: 5.0" x 2.8" x 0.8"/ 5.2 oz.
- Screen dimensions: 3.8" diagonal
- Display information: 320x480-pixel, transflective TFT with 16-bit, 60,000+ color display; bright white LED backlight; and soft graffiti area
- Internal Memory: 32 MB DRAM
- Expandable Memory: Secure Digital slot
- Battery: Lithium Ion
The iQue 3600 will carry a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $589 and is expected to be available in the second quarter of 2003.
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RE: ...and the price will be only 600,00 US$
To their tremendous credit they have already prepared developer support links. While the SDK isn't quite available yet, they are taking signups for any of us who are interested... I'm already registered.
:)
RE: ...and the price will be only 600,00 US$
They are accepting preorders now.
I am not afiliated with them, but am just a happy customer. These guys have a great rep.
RE: ...and the price will be only 600,00 US$
Interesting new entry
But setting that aside, the Garmin PDA looks quite nice. I like the soft Grafitti, the MP3 capability, the SD slot, and the other various specs, but one thing jumps out at me. 150MHZ?
Does anyone have any performance statistics on the new DragonBall MXL series processors versus TI's ARM CPU or xScale at similar speeds? I haven't seen any comparisons at this stage and it would seem to remain informed consumers, we all are going to need to see some sort of benchmarks or other accepted measuring sticks.
Anyone seen any independently acquired data of this sort?
Ick
RE: Interesting new entry
-Bosco
Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods
Members: abosco and ImpReza M3
RE: Interesting new entry
Tip DS
RE: Interesting new entry
RE: Interesting new entry
So you're right, the paranoid folks shouldn't use cellphones at all, much less E911 enabled ones. But GPS is no privacy invasion.
RE: Interesting new entry
In the benchmarks I've seen, the 200 Mhz xScale (Sony NX) blows the 145 Mhz (Tungsten T) out of the water when running benchmarks under PACE (the code that lets the ARM processor execute the M68000 instruction set), but is slightly slower in native ARM benchmarks. This may be because the benchmark was optimized for the TI ARM family (I don't know if it was optimized, just saying that it could have happened). You can optimize ARM code for any one of the ARM families, but this usually comes at the detriment of the other families.
Frankly, my NX already runs fast enough, and too fast at some things, in fact. Tank Pilot is unplayable on an NX, because things just go too fast. Remember, this isn't a resource-hungry PocketPC PDA we're talking about, and the ARM processors are dramatically faster than the EZ/VZ dragonballs, more than just the Mhz increase would indicate.
RE: Interesting new entry
Whoa!
Just another example of Palm OS 5's power when combined with ARM.
It's good to know that OS 5 isn't limited to 16 MB like some people have been speculating, either. Any word if it will use OS 5.0 or 5.1?
-Bosco
Proud Member of the Top Non-Mods
Members: abosco and ImpReza M3
RE: Whoa!
The 2003 National Championship WAS ROBBED!!! Terry Porter, you suck you freakin REF! OSU STOLE the Chanpionship, period!!
RE: Whoa!
320 x 480 screen?!! that must be higher than anything else on the market (with the exception of the new Sharp C700).
Stewart Midwinter
PDA user since 1992
Handera HE330 and Compaq Aero 2110
RE: Whoa!
Matt, the C Programmer, who codes for a SMAUG MUD (mudconnect.com).
Make MUDs accessible from PDAS!
Almost Perfect...
Take out the GPS
Make the device slightly smaller
Include bluetooth
Include a back button
Make these changes and I'm buying one ASAP.
Are you listening SONY!!!
RE: Almost Perfect...
Matt, the C Programmer, who codes for a SMAUG MUD (mudconnect.com).
Make MUDs accessible from PDAS!
RE: Almost Perfect...but this is the best one yet
RE: Almost Perfect...
Larger screen
Soft graffiti
32 MB ram
Features that I wish were on the Tungsten though :-(
RE: Almost Perfect...
- D
Looks good
Relatively light at 5.2oz. Hope it has high power IR for remote control.
Overall, looks very promising. I had several Garmin GPS's and they have good quality and design.
RE: Looks good
Heh, combine it with 802.11b or Bluetooth, and we'll finally have a solution to the age-old problem of losing the remote... "it's not lost, It's at 85 degrees 7 minutes 34.3 seconds longitude, 42 degrees 28 minutes 18.9 seconds latitude."
RE: Looks good
> It's at 85 degrees 7 minutes 34.3 seconds longitude, > 42 degrees 28 minutes 18.9 seconds latitude."
What I want to know is:
How did I misplace my Palm-remote in CHINA!!
I thought losing it in the couch was bad enough!
;-) Chris
What a gorgeous Handheld!
Anyone see any mention on whether this is SDIO? I would hate to loose my bluetooth SD card...
Way to go, Garmin!
Visit us at www.tdscomputer.com
Universal Connector?
RE: Universal Connector?
The one thing that makes me hesitate me about this unit is Garmin's spotty record in the past for customer support and for having waaaaaay overpriced accessories. I mean, they charge for a 16 mb proprietary memory card for the Streetpilot series what you can buy a 64mb SD card for use in a semi-equivalent Magellan handheld GPS unit. The Garmins are always the most desirable hardware but they really nickel and dime you to death on any accessory.
Finally, I can't help but shake the feeling that Handera's "consulting services" have been used in the design of this new iQue...hmmmm....
RE: Universal Connector?
RE: Universal Connector?
If so, I think this is win-win for Palm and Garmin. It means Garmin gets instant access to a bunch of accessories, and it means that Palm will get some additional revenue from the license without encouraging a compeitor to their core device line.
--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: Universal Connector?
here is the link: http://www.gpscentral.ca/products/garmin/iQue3600.htm
RE: Universal Connector?
--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com
RE: Universal Connector?
And heaven knows we don't want yet another jogwheel API that developers have to include in order to get this PDA's jogwheel supported everywhere, so they need to adopt someone's.
The same applies to how to minimize the grafitti area as well.
Most of the things that Sony did better than HandEra involve the fact that Sony was pixel doubling, but HandEra was only increasing the resolution by 50%, so graphics looked distorted. There was also compatibility issues caused by programmers that bypassed the OS and didn't bother doing the least bit of checking as to the real screen resolution (No, PalmOS is NOT limited to 160x160, even in early versions of the OS. The pixel-doubling/density games all came about because software assumes that all Palms have a 160x160 display). Again, Sony handled that better by having dedicated hardware to double the pixel sizes.
RE: Universal Connector?
1. I bought an open box Street Pilot Color GPS unit about 2 years ago and had a hard time getting any support from Garmin--they kept trying to convince me to order accessories I didn't need/want. I actually haven't used the unit in ages, since the exorbitant price of aftermarket accessories stunned me so. So I suppose I should give them another look and hopefully will have a better experience.
2. I apologize if my comments about Handera's input to the design of the iQue made it sound like I was slamming HE. To the contrary, I applauded them back in the day for really advancing the state of the art in Palm technology (dual expansion slots, multiple power options, etc), making many innovations that have still not appeared on another device to date. I just think that it would serve Garmin well to make some mention of Handera's involvement (assuming it is true) in their press materials, since to many of the techie-types, the Handera involvement is a good thing indeed.
It'll be nice to see that they are still "in" the game, so to speak, and have not just faded away due to the less than stellar sales of the HE 330.
RE: Universal Connector?
1. I bought a used GPS III shortly before the GPSIII+ was introduced. Garmin allowed us GPS III users (whether we bought new or used) to upgrade to a brand new III+ for around USD$100.
2. When I had a problem receiving a signal with my III+, it was way past its warranty so I opened it up (no warranty left to void) to see if there was a loose connection or something else I could easily fixed. There wasn't. So I sent it in to Garmin. They sent me an email saying that they would repair it under warranty, even after I told them it was definitely out of warranty. They even sent it back via priority courier for free.
...lars
RE: Universal Connector?
1. I bought a used GPS III shortly before the GPSIII+ was introduced. Garmin allowed us GPS III users (whether we bought new or used) to upgrade to a brand new III+ for around USD$100.
2. When I had a problem receiving a signal with my III+, it was way past its warranty so I opened it up (no warranty left to void) to see if there was a loose connection or something else I could easily fixed. There wasn't. So I sent it in to Garmin. They sent me an email saying that they would repair it under warranty, even after I told them it was definitely out of warranty. They even sent it back via priority courier for free.
...lars
I Like It!
Looks like I can finally upgrade my Palm IIIxe.
Did I mention that I like it?
-Chris
Aviation Uses?
Developers, are you listening?
RE: Aviation Uses?
Paranoia's just another word for 'heightened awareness'
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...and the price will be only 600,00 US$
If thats true, it will give Sony, Palm and all others a hard time.......!!!!!!!!
Tomorrow will have a look on it in Las Vegas.....
Georg