Cydle T43H HD Radio/Traffic PND and M7 MID tipped for CES

Having announced a PND with integrated HD Radio last January, Cydle is following up this coming CES with a new version that throws "HD Traffic" status updates into the mixture.  The Cydle T43H is one of a number of new portable devices the company are planning, including the Cydle M7 MID and two PND/PMP combo devices, the T70 and T50.

The Cydle T43H has a 4.3-inch touchscreen, internal HD Radio/HD Traffic antenna and external aerial connector, PMP functionality and an SD card slot (up to 8GB cards supported).  It's already on sale, in fact, priced at $299 with no subscription fees.

As for the Cydle M7 MID, that has 8GB of onboard storage and an HDMI output, and is intended to be used as both a PMP and an internet device.  The company aren't clear on what connectivity is integrated – we're guessing WiFi and probably Bluetooth, too – but there's a screen cover that doubles as a desk stand, and it works in portrait and landscape orientations.  It should ship in Q2 2010, priced at $199.

Finally, the Cydle T70 and T50 are both PMPs – with 7-inch and 5-inch touchscreen displays, respectively – and have GPS as standard; the company will also offer optional HD Radio, Live HD Traffic update, Bluetooth, WiFi and mobile TV.  It'll also be possible to specify them with Cydle's "Black Box" system, which buffers video footage from the last 15 seconds of driving should an accident trigger a g-sensor; it's also available as a standalone product, the Cydle BX1, and as the T70BX.  No word on pricing for any of these new products, however.

Press Release:

At International CES, Cydle to Unveil World's First GPS-Multimedia Combo with Free HD Live Traffic Updates

Multifunction is the Byword as Company Extends its Line; New Units Blend GPS, HD Traffic, HD Radio, Video, Audio, Bluetooth and More

TORRANCE, Calif. –(Business Wire)– Dec 22, 2009 At 2010 International CES, Cydle (www.cydle.com), the emerging leader in car-based multimedia systems and one of South Korea's biggest electronics makers, is poised to launch a diverse suite of products that includes the world's first portable GPS with built-in HD Radio and free HD live traffic updates.

The company's line of wireless digital devices seamlessly integrate capabilities that combine navigation with entertainment – including GPS, Live HD traffic update, HD Radio, rich multimedia, Bluetooth, WiFi, black box, mobile TV technology and more.

"The car should be a haven," said Woody Lee, U.S. director of sales, Cydle. "Whether a driver needs accurate traffic information and alternate routes to get somewhere on time, wants to watch a video of his or her family while on a business trip, or simply wants to enjoy a favorite tune. We provide all of that, at the highest quality, from a single device."

Poised for rollout at CES in Las Vegas on January 7:

GPS with HD Traffic Update – new technology delivers Live Traffic updates 10x faster than competitors. Cydle's new T43H is the world's first portable navigation system with built-in HD Radio to include free HD Traffic, offering real-time updates 10 times faster than other traffic message channels. The T43H contains an Internal & External antenna and refreshes automatically to include the latest information about accidents, traffic speed and road construction areas. Drivers simply punch in the destination and get real-time alerts as they go.

The T43H goes beyond navigation to serve as a holistic entertainment device with a high-resolution 4.3-inch screen, combining a rich media video player, audio player and picture viewer into a single device. The T43H is available through select online retailers for $299. There is no subscription fee.

Combined GPS and Multimedia Players. Cydle will unveil two additional products that combine a GPS unit and a multimedia player with wider touch screens. Both the T70 (with a 7-inch screen) and T50 (5-inch screen) are basic GPS units; the T70BX also comes with the black box unit built-in. All are available with a range of options, including HD Radio, Live HD Traffic update, Bluetooth, WiFi, mobile TV, and black box (with the T70 and T50).

BX1 – a Black Box for the car. The new Cydle BX1 continually updates every 30 seconds to keep a running video of events while driving. When the G-force shock sensor detects an event, Cydle BX1 retains data from 15 seconds before and after the impact. The footage is saved to an SD Card, making it accessible and viewable on a PC. That information can help discover what happened and can be used as evidence in an investigation. The Cydle BX1 will be available in the United States in Q1 2010, with a suggested retail price of $149.

Mobile Internet Device. Cydle's new M7 Mobile Internet Device (MID) functions as an Internet search appliance, a digital photo frame and multimedia player (music and movies), and incorporates HDMI support. Eight GB of memory comes standard, expandable to 16GB. Highly portable and ideal for hands-free operation, the unit features an embedded screen cover that acts as a stand when the device is in use, and supports both vertical and horizontal views. The M7 is expected to carry a retail price of $199, with shipping slated for 2Q, 2010.

"With advanced technologies that uniformly make life easier for motorists specifically and for consumers overall, Cydle is en route to becoming the dashboard companion of choice for those who want to break away from the pack," Lee said. "At 2010 CES, we're ready to raise the bar – again."