Dual XGPS300 GPS-Cradle For iPod Touch Coming Q1 2010

It isn't the first time we've seen Dual's XGPS300 cradle – the company first started talking about their GPS sleeve for the iPod touch last November – but now we have a firmer release schedule.  Designed to allow iPod touch owners access to true-GPS, making sat-nav applications a whole lot more useful, the XGPS300 will apparently drop in Q1 2010.Demo video after the cut

As well as a GPS chip the XGPS300 has an integrated rechargeable battery and an amplified speaker, together with line-out and microUSB connectors.  Dual will package the sleeve with an adjustable in-car cradle, which suction-adheres to the windshield for hands-free use.

Buyers will be able to download and install a custom release of NavAtlas with turn-by-turn directions and mapping data from NAVTEQ, which will be available in the App Store.  However other GPS-enabled applications should be able to access the sleeve's GPS data too, so you're not limited to NavAtlas.  We're expecting the Dual XGPS300 to come in at around $179.99.

Press Release:

DUAL ELECTRONICS DEMONSTRATES FIRST GPS NAVIGATION SOLUTION FOR IPOD TOUCH® – FOR IN-CAR OR HANDHELD USE

– GPS Navigation & Battery Cradle for iPod touch® Includes NavAtlas® Turn-by-Turn Navigation App and Works with Most Other Location-Based Apps—

HEATHROW, FL, January 5, 2010 – Dual Electronics Corp. demonstrates their award-winning GPS Navigation & Battery Cradle for iPod touch® (model XGPS300) at the 2010 CES Show in Las Vegas. The Cradle, which resembles a battery case in size and weight, provides a complete, portable GPS navigation solution for iPod touch, including the NavAtlas® turn-by-turn navigation app with TTS technology, and a car mount. The Cradle, which also provides GPS coordinates to most other location-based apps, allows iPod touch owners to use their devices with apps for hiking, golfing, social networking, geocaching, finding a restaurant and much more. The Cradle will be available at retail in the first quarter of this year.

"There are approximately 24 million iPod touch owners worldwide who are missing out on the ever-growing number of location-based apps" said Jim Braun, President and CEO of Dual Electronics. "We are excited to be the first to offer a solution that not only expands the capabilities of their devices, but also does it in a way that is consistent with why consumers love their iPod touch – the Cradle is simple to use, multifunctional and completely portable", added Braun.

The Cradle features a built-in GPS Receiver, and comes with Dual's NavAtlas® app – a fully-featured turn-by-turn navigation app with TTS technology and the latest U.S and Canada maps from NAVTEQ. The Cradle also includes a Rechargeable Battery, Amplified Speaker, Audio Out connection and Mini USB port. An Adjustable Windshield Mount is included for in-car use. The NavAtlas app, which works exclusively with the Cradle, includes all the features commonly found in PNDs and more, and will be available on the iTunes App Store for free.

"We are excited to have Dual bring our high quality navigable map to the iPod touch user base and are looking forward to Dual's future releases of navigation, which will integrate additional elements of our extensive library of map data and related content," said Jeff Mize, Executive Vice President, Sales, NAVTEQ. "Dual is not only bringing a creative solution to market but also a timely one as we see consumer demand for and understanding of the utility of navigation continuing to grow."

The Cradle is ideal for in-car or handheld use, and it complies with the requirement from Apple to provide GPS location data to any app which requests it, including apps for hiking, golfing, social networking, geocaching, as well as other navigation apps.