HP to Release the iPaq rx1950 Navigator Solution

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/en/sm/WF06a/21675-21679-21679-21679-297609-12246240.html' target='_blank'>http://h10010.www1.hp.com/wwpc/uk/e...9-12246240.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"Simple 3-step installation – just plug in the power supply, insert the navigation SD card and go. A user-friendly interface design allows quick access to all key functions via the main menu touch-screen. Integrated Wi-Fi (802.11b) for high-speed wireless access to the Internet and e-mail. Compact, portable and stylish design (including CarCradle with loudspeaker) is not restricted to your own vehicle and is easily transportable between cars. ViaMichelin’s experience, up-to-date maps, quality GPS information and hardware mean users will always be in control of their journey and aware of many points of interest along the way."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/ekkie_hpnavigator.jpg" /><br /><br />There is no word yet on whether or not this will be available anywhere outside of Europe or if anyone will be even able to buy the GPS cradle separately as an add-on unit. I believe HP would be making a mistake if they were only planning on selling this as a bundle; I could easily imagine there being greater interest in the cradle (as an individual add-on solution) from current rx1950 owners than there would be for the entire bundle from non-owners. What do you guys think?

[cscullion]

I disagree... the market for a turnkey, aftermarket car navigation system is much larger than the user base of any particular Pocket PC device. In the add-on, in-car GPS market, this device may be unique in that it also provides WiFi. If a finger-touch email application is included, I can imagine PDA-non-users accessing their email in the parking lot of the restaurant or hotel they are visiting. The mistake I can forsee is not selling this in North America.

Very cool.

[gpspassion]

That's been available in Europe for 6 months now and it hasn't done very well, the main reason being the lackluster ViaMichelin software they are running. Good news is they'll have to find some other software if they launch in the US as they don't have a US version of the software ;-)

[PPCRules]

What do you guys think?
Okay, you asked.

I don't think it would be at all worth their while to offer it separately.

Take the number of rx1950 devices sold. More than half probably never add any application. Of the rest, few would consider a GPS use. Of those, they would be spread over other available GPS solutions. Of the few that don't already have something but want GPS, few would pony up the money for what this would cost. Net customers for a non-bundled cradle: fewer than 10. Then, of those 9, 7 would have problems getting it to work with their own device full of all kinds of other apps and would burn up a lot of customer service time.

Not worth the effort.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I think you all make great points, and certainly I opted for a standalone "turnkey" GPS unit myself, but here's where my rub is: if you really are in the market for a "turnkey" GPS solution, would you seriously consider THIS unit? ...especially considering that the prepackaged software is not one of the big names on the market, and according to cscullion's post, not a very good option at that. Aside from having the built-in PDA functionality, what's the market appeal to potential GPS buyers? Even considering the built-in PDA functionality, does this unit stand-up to other PDA units with GPS built-in?

I personally don't see a strong market for this solution, but given that HP has already pursued it, I think they'd be making a mistake by not making it alternatively available as a standalone unit. They'd be limiting their options and rely on the rx1950's appeal as a potential "turnkey" solution as opposed to giving a larger base of consumers a choice.

Honestly, the only biggest personal appeal I would see is with those who have already purchased an rx1950 (or are thinking of buying one) and like the idea of adding GPS functionality on top of that. ...but as a "turnkey" solution? With a GPS brand of software that has little market recognition? Personally, I don't believe this will catch a whole lot of attention.

[Menneisyys]

Honestly, the only biggest personal appeal I would see is with those who have already purchased an rx1950 (or are thinking of buying one) and like the idea of adding GPS functionality on top of that. ...but as a "turnkey" solution? With a GPS brand of software that has little market recognition? Personally, I don't believe this will catch a whole lot of attention.

This seems to be another cardinal mistake of HP. No current VGA devices (HP even considers the QVGA hx2795 to be the successor of the hx4700! (http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&amp;p=490&amp;more=1)), the sales war is lost against Dell, their PDA sales go downhill (it's worth comparing the number of active posters on MobilitySite (ex-iPAQ HQ) to that of AximSite.) etc.

I would be really sad if HP just quit the PDA market - some of their devices (iPAQ 2210, hx4700) were revolutionary.

[ctmagnus]

I would be really sad if HP just quit the PDA market

As would I. In fact, I've been so unimpressed with most new devices, and any that are reasonably easily obtainable in North America, that at this point I'm considering simply getting an extension to the CarePack warranty I have for my iPaq 5550 rather than getting a new device and having to put up with all the bugs and everything in WM5 and AS4.

[rob_ocelot]

I'm not sure I undestand fully if this product is something you would slide an existing Rx1950 (and by extension, the h4150) into or it's the Rx1950 guts in a new case that's ment to only be used in a car.

The descriptions make it sound like the latter. If it's the slide-in type design where you can separate the PDA from the GPS then it's a semi revival of the old Compaq sleeves, something HP quicky did away with when they bought Compaq.

[rob_ocelot]

I'm not sure I undestand fully if this product is something you would slide an existing Rx1950 (and by extension, the h4150) into or it's the Rx1950 guts in a new case that's ment to only be used in a car.

The descriptions make it sound like the latter. If it's the slide-in type design where you can separate the PDA from the GPS then it's a semi revival of the old Compaq sleeves, something HP quicky did away with when they bought Compaq.

&lt;EDIT>

It looks like it's a slide-in sleeve but it covers the button area -- ick. I guess with the Rx1950 not having Bluetooth this is about the only way to get GPS functionality.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

It looks like it's a slide-in sleeve but it covers the button area -- ick. I guess with the Rx1950 not having Bluetooth this is about the only way to get GPS functionality.
This is exactly what I'm getting at! IMO, the real value behind this solution lies with those who already own the device and really want GPS functionality.

If you were in the market for a GPS solution or a combo PDA/GPS solution, there are many better and/or more cost-effective avenues to pursue. The only thing HP has going for them on this bundle is their brand recognition.

It's likely all a moot point as I would be hard pressed to understand where HP thinks they'll make money (even IF the cradle were sold as a standalone unit).

[rob_ocelot]

If you were in the market for a GPS solution or a combo PDA/GPS solution, there are many better and/or more cost-effective avenues to pursue. The only thing HP has going for them on this bundle is their brand recognition.

It's likely all a moot point as I would be hard pressed to understand where HP thinks they'll make money (even IF the cradle were sold as a standalone unit).

I'm kind of scratching my head with HP's plan with this...

1) Release PPC without bluetooth (thus prospective GPS buyers will stay away)
2) Release GPS solution that would have been more flexible if bluetooth were present in the first place (let's ignore the fact that anyone in the market for a GPS would not have bought the Rx1950 anyway)
3) Underpants
4) ???
5) Profit