It's quite a well-known fact that electronic products tend to get slimmer and more slender with each new generation. Following this trend in design, Navman, which is currently owned by Mitac, the parent company of Mio Technology, has just launched the S-100 model, a PND (personal navigation device) that combines a very sleek and slim look with a host of advanced navigation features that will most likely raise some driver's eyebrows.

With a thickness of just around 13.5 mm, the device has been equipped with a 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD that can be used in order to access the "Spirit" software, with its Glide Touch user-interface that allows you to simply tap and slide the touchscreen to open, dock, pan and scroll menus. And since we're on the subject of hardware components, it's also interesting to note that the device has been equipped with the SiRFInstantFixII GPS chipset, which allows for faster satellite tracking and improved satellite reception.

Probably one of the most interesting and useful features provided by the S100 is Smart Economical Routing. This function calculates the most economical route for your journey following postcode or address entry and, by assessing the number of turns ahead, helps you use less fuel without significantly increasing the time to your arrival.

Another very useful navigation function is the European Local Search service, the result of a partnership with local directory search partner, Infobel, which helps you search for data regarding certain POIs in your immediate vicinity. And speaking of POIs, the device has also been equipped with a Capture button, enabling you to save your own POIs as you discover them.

The device also features NavPix technology, which allows you to navigate by using geo-tagged images, a pedestrian mode, as well as a Speaking Keyboard that speaks each letter and number as it’s typed, making inputting postcodes and addresses more accurate. Furthermore, for select locations, the device can even display certain major landmarks and buildings in 3D.

The Navman S-100 will arrive in Europe at some point in November and will sell for an estimate 200 pounds sterling (340 US dollars), which is actually quite an accessible price point, especially if we take into account the numerous advanced navigation features this thing can provide.


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