The year has almost reached its end; and with more than 120 newsposts, 11 reviews and 7 specials we’ve tried to keep you updated with all the new developments in the area of personal navigational devices. We will of course continue to do so in 2008.

And what can we say about the huge number of posts on our forum? Thanks to your efforts and enthusiasm we have become the spot where many can find an answer to their questions regarding personal navigational devices, and hence learn to use their new toy to its fullest potential. We are very grateful for everyone who has gone out of their way to help others here.

Only a few days left to go, and a new, fresh start with hopefully new navigational news and developments. We’re looking forward to more devices by all the usual manufacturers, new software and new maps, but we’re especially hoping for those new features, some long awaited and some we can only guess at! These are the things that we’ll report on right here on yourNAV.

Highlights

Picking out just a few highlights of 2007 is not a simple matter. But traditionally we cannot ignore CeBIT. Of course, there’s also the introduction of the new TomTom devices in Cannes, and what to think of the battle for Tele Atlas?

But we’re sure everybody has their own personal highlights to reflect upon; and so, with that in mind, we contacted a few navigational companies, and asked them if they would respond to the following questions, as a sort or closure for 2007.

1. What was the most important event in 2007 for you?
2. What will be the most important development in the area of navigating in 2008?
3. What can consumers expect from you in 2008?
4. What is your personal message for the yourNAV users?

You'll read the responses below...

But before we post all the answers to these questions, the yourNAV team would like to wish you all an excellent 2008, with lots of goodwill to you and all your loved ones! Cheers!

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Garmin

Paul van Ginneke
Communications, Public Relations & Webmaster

1. That must be that Garmin became the ‘number one’ in total number of PND’s sold worldwide in 2007.

2. The break-through by Garmin of the so-called ‘Mobile’ navigational products. In other words: the integration of navigational solutions with smart phones.

3. Garmin will continue to release innovative products for personal navigation. The recently introduced Edge 605/705 is a good example of this.

4. We trust that in 2008 yourNAV will continue to be the site where all the news on Garmin can be found.

HP

Kees Verton
Manager categories & marketing Personal Systems Group

1. In the navigational area, this was the introduction of the HP iPAQ 314 Travel Companion; a complete and total navigational system with our own navigational software, but also the option to use familiar ‘office’ applications.

2. The ever-increasing convergence between ‘personal’ devices like smart phones and navigational devices. We’ll end up with one handy device that will be a complete navigational, phone and email solution. The HP iPAQ 614 and 914 already offer all these features in one.

3. More and more navigational solutions on more and more devices; on PDA’s, smart phones, but also out of the box navigational systems (HP iPAQ 314)

4. A very good 2008! With no doubt a lot of gadgets with an increasing number of navigational features, so everybody can navigate prepared and safe through the coming year.

Mio Technology

Paul Notteboom
President

1. Our high point for 2007 was releasing the C620, the first GPS device with true 3D features to the market. Navigating with this device has become easier than ever, as well as height data, the most important buildings in the area are completely built in 3D as an extra point of reference.

2. A lot is currently happening on the market, but we expect a lot of Location-based Services in particular. Together with the further development of connected GPS devices, these units will be useful for a lot of other information, providing tasks other than navigating alone.

3. In 2008, Mio Technology will release a new range of products, building further on MioMap 2008. The focus has been put at ease of use and a multitude of features.

4. We would like to wish all yourNAV users a great 2008, in 3D!

Sony

Bart Robers
Productmanager eVehicle

1. For Sony nav-u, the most important event in 2007 was the release of the NV-U92, with its 4.8 inch touch screen and UltraFix suction cup for dash mounting. Winning a ‘Media Total’ Award and a European ‘Eisa’ Award were the absolute highlights for us.

2. The focus will be on simplifying the use of the navigational system. We’ll be concentrating on developments in the area of ease of use and accuracy of use here.

3. The consumer may expect a whole bunch of new Sony nav-u developments in 2008, particularly in the design, ease of use and special features domains.

4. Buy nav-u, the European navigational system of the year!

TomTom

Éric Pité
Vice President Product Management

1. Looking back on 2007, the successful introduction of the new TomTom GO series worldwide and of TomTom HD Traffic in the Netherlands have been the highlights of the year. We have put a lot of time and energy into developing new services that should ease the navigational experience for the users, such as text-to-speech. Apart from that, the introduction of Map Share –the creating and sharing of map corrections- has also been an incredible development in the effort to supply better maps. Finally, an independent survey this year has taught us that navigational systems do add to traffic safety. With the introduction of extensive safety applications and the ‘Help Me!’ menu on all new systems, we continue to see traffic safety as a high priority.

2. With regards to the general trends in navigation, we expect a further mass adoption of navigation. At TomTom, the following themes are important in 2008: keep releasing ever improving maps, maintain safety as a priority, provide better traffic information (in Europe) and more user content and continue easy access for users to the TomTom network and community via TomTom HOME.

3. See question 2. We never give exact comments on the TomTom road map.

4. Thank you so much for you devotion and enthusiasm this year. I wish all the yourNAV users a lot of safe kilometres in 2008.