Finland’s Nokia might be the world’s largest cell phone manufacturer, but they’re also in the peripherals business, and they’re hoping to carve out a place in the personal and in-vehicle GPS markets. Today, the company announced two new Bluetooth headsets and two new GPS units aimed to do just that.
First up, the Nokia 500 Auto Navigation is an in-vehicle GPS with a 4.3-inch LCD display, hands-free design, and Bluetooth capability to let the device function as an in-car speakerphone in conjunction with a compatible mobile phone. The device is a followup on last year’s 330 Auto Navigation, and will offer market-appropriate pre-loaded regional maps and point-of-interest databases, Traffic Message Channel Service, and a split-screen display that shows information alongside a main street display with route and destination details. The 500 Auto Navigation also features an integrated music player and (where regulations permit) an integrated FM transmitter for pushing tunes directly to a vehicle’s audio system. The 500 Auto Navigation should land in Europe during the fourth quarter of 2007 at a price around €300, with releases in other markets expected to follow in 2008.
Nokia also unveiled its LD-4W Bluetooth GPS module. The LD-4W offers up to 10 hours of operating time, has an LED indicator to let users know the GPS is active, and complements Nokia’s range of mobile devices; no built-in display, touchscreen, or media player functionality here: the device is meant to be used in conjunction with other Nokia devices and the Nokia Maps service, so most of the driving gets done from a mobile device, not the LD-4W itself. Nokia expects to offer the device globally; starting price in Europe will be around €125.
Meanwhile, Nokia also announced two new Bluetooth headsets, the BH-902 and BH-903. The BH-902 features an OLED display for handling calls and letting you know if you’ve received a text message, and the unit features integrated DSP processing to enhance audio quality. The BH-902 offers 8 hours of battery life and comes with a neckstrap, clip, and flexible in-ear earplugs; Nokia expects to offer the headset globally, but the European pricing should be around €115. The BH-903 aims toward music fans, supporting A2DP, AVRCP, PBAP, HFP, and HSP profiles so it can easily be paired with Bluetooth music devices as well as mobile phones. The headset offers 15 hours of operating time, acts as a remote with an OLED display, and offers automatic call/music switching. Again, Nokia expects to offer the BH-903 globally, but the European retail price will be around €200.
