First Android - Powered GPS Device Introduced

First Android - Powered GPS Device Introduced

Ever wonder why GPS devices, especially those that arrived before the free GPS apps, are really expensive? It is because its propriety libraries and interfaces are created from scratch and that comes at a price. That will seem to change with an upcoming GPS device that runs on Android.

GPS manufacturer Holux and sporting map app make SatSki have partnered up to develop the All Sports GPS, a smartphone-like device that features multiple mapping tools for the sports-minded individual, a location and distance-focues interface, and a variety of live maps to choose from. Users can choose their mapping service, whether it is Google Maps, OVI, OpenStreetMap, and others.

This Android-powered GPS is also integrated with Facebook and Twitter, enabling users to share their coordinates to friends. Although it has Android as its OS, the device does not seem to provide access to other Google services such as Gmail or the App Market. It does, however, include an All Sports App Market that contain some useful apps.

The introduction of the All Sports GPS makes you wonder whether the erstwhile GPS leaders such as Garmin and TomTom would also follow the path to assimilation with Android. No word yet on availability and pricing, even a detailed specs list is nada, but that will come later for sure.