Tire-maker and blimp-flyer Goodyear has entered into a a trademark licensing agreement with a company called The NCC to offer a brand of eight Goodyear-branded GPS navigation systems, including features like a remote control that the companies claim have never been available on GPS devices.
“The Goodyear name has always stood for Innovation and Technology,” said The NCC’s director of operations Barry Rosenstock, in a release. “The GPS systems are a giant step forward in terms of safety and show the company’s continued passion to get drivers where they need to go.”
Described as “rugged,” the Goodyear GPS systems will feature 4.3-inch touchscreen LCD displays, built-in speakers, text-to-speech navigation, MP3 and video playback, AV inputs for external devices, 2 GB of built-in memory and support fo external storage via SD cards. A remote control to enable hands-free communication while driving: one touch of the remote and users can answer and hang up on calls, and the remote can be fastened to a sun visor, near the gear shift, or any other convenient location. “Managing your cell phone by remote control is an entirely new concept in GPS,” said Rosenstock, “But it speaks to consumer demand for driver safety and convenience, which is what these devices aspire to provide.”
The company also says selected models will feature Bluetooth wireless communications, MSN Direct service for traffic and weather information, and even access to local information like movie showtimes. And all the GPS as are protected in a protective Goodyear-rubber casing.
The NCC—which originally stood for “The National Christmas Company” got its start in the late 1990s making holiday lights, but has been manufacturing products for Stanley and Westinghouse; the Goodyear GPS’s mark its first foray into consumer electronics.
The GPS units will be on display at CES in Las Vegas; the companies haven’t released any pricing or availability information.
