1. Introduction

Another year has gone by, leaving us with another year of GPS toys to ponder. The question often asked of me on occasions is which GPS I recommend buying? So come the holidays, or birthdays, or anniversaries, friends come a-knocking to find out my opinion on these gadgets. With only a few pages to work with, I won't be doing in-depth reviews by any means - there simply won't be room here for that. As a designer of GPS gadgets, however, I certainly have my opinions, as well as a viewpoint to share. Thus, while I will mention specific GPS gadgets, I'll be providing a designer's perspective, in order to give you, the buyer, some insight into the buying process. I'll be putting special emphasis on new toys showing up at CES 2007.

Function And Style

Starting a few years ago, the consumer GPS products universe began to rapidly diversify into a number of pretty unique areas; these include, among others, outdoor sports, road navigation, aviation and marine applications. More recently, as these areas have grown more refined and price competitive, gadgets in these categories have become all about lifestyle statements. So for 2007, choosing a GPS comes down to two main aspects: first, understanding what you want to get out of a GPS device; and second, determining what your choice of GPS says about you.

As with cars and phones and other mature products, what you buy and are seen carrying makes a statement about you. Driving a Cabrio versus a Hummer H2, using a Blackberry Pearl versus a RAZR: it's all about understanding what you want out of the product and the image you're trying to convey. Whether you're shopping for yourself or another person, it is the same with GPS.

As we delve into fashion and function, I'll make two statements. First, GPS "add-ons" like serial, CF and Bluetooth GPS products are rapidly going out of style. This year, with few exceptions, fully integrated GPS devices are easier to use. If you have a PDA you're stuck with, or somehow think using a laptop would be a great idea in the car - think again. They are unwieldy, difficult to read at a glance, and unsafe.

Perhaps the higher sensitivity of an outboard GPS is needed, or your business uses a special application that requires it; even so, unless you have a compelling reason to go this way, save yourself some trouble and pick up an integrated device. Second, in-dash GPS navigators are not that hot. Starting this year, GPS devices are going to be rapidly evolving in terms of function and style - until the dust settles, don't get stuck with something permanent in your dash that can't be easily removed.

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