It also can browse Web sites if used with a Mobile Communication Unit (MCU) and a digital mobile phone. The
MCU is available as an option.
The optional MCU is a signal converter designed to connect the car navigation device
with a digital mobile phone. Exclusive software for receiving/sending email and for browsing Web sites is
provided by SmartMedia, a stamp-size recording medium. This software was developed jointly by Matsushita
Communication and Applix Corp.
Users can select menu items on a liquid-crystal display for Internet access (See
chart.), mail editing, sending and receiving email and Web browsing, using an infrared remote control.
Because of a low transmission speed of 9,600bps, it is not suitable for Web browsing that loads images. To
use the Internet access menu, the users need to subscribe to an Internet access service separately.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. reportedly will open an exclusive Web site for the car navigation
device on its Internet access service, Hi-Ho. The company has not decided on a launch date.
Because of the ample memory capacity of 4.7GB on the DVD-ROM, the device can display a Virtual City Map, or
3-D road maps for buildings and landmarks. The 3-D display of rampways, junctions and branch-offs of highways
is also possible.
This is Matsushita Communication's second-generation DVD-ROM car navigation device, following the CN-DV007D
launched in June 1997.
The body of the new CN-DV2000D measures 178mm wide x 50mm high x 170mm deep, and weighs 1.9kg.
The CN-DV2000D is expected to be launched on May 1.
The body itself is priced at 188,000 yen (US$1,400). The body with a 7-in. color TFT-LCD, the CN-DV2000VD
model, is priced at 284,000 yen (US$2,140).
A monthly production of 20,000 units, both models combined, is projected.
In addition, although the price is undecided, the MCU is expected to hit the market on June 1.
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Chart: DVD car navigation "CN-DV2000D/ CN-DV2000VD"
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(Hi-Tech News Center)
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