January 11th, 2006
Pioneer’s Latest Navigation System Learns While You Drive
By Michael Santo
Contributing Writer, RealTechNews
Unlike a navigation system or something like Mapquest, humans learn the shortcuts for trips they often make, the side streets they can take that cut a few minutes off a trip. Well, Pioneer’s latest in-dash navigation system has the ability to learn as well.
Standard features include a text-to speech engine with enhanced pronunciation of locations, improved voice recognition, real-time traffic information display through XM satellite radio service, Bluetooth wireless connectivity as well as a 30 GB hard drive with 10 GB of space for digital music playback. According to the manufacturer, the device monitors driving patterns - for example, if the driver avoids or prefers certain streets - and uses that information for future route guidance. Source: TG Daily
We Say: Pricing will be about $2250, and the Z1 will be available starting in April. There will also be lower-end models available. Fortunately there won’t be any interconnection between units … I don’t mind if my unit learns my shortcuts, but I wouldn’t want it broadcasting them all over the place!











