VST Platinum Blog

Mobile Internet Navigation Devices are becoming more and more popular. However, much of this functionality, these days, is integrated into GPS systems or Smart Phones. Clarion has taken this technology to a new level and released, what they call, the ClarionMiND MID.

Clarion specializes in car audio and navigation systems. Because of their expertise, they were able to add some additional bonuses, to the MiND, that many other GPS systems do not have. One of these bonuses is the way the navigational unit interacts with your car via its docking station.

Any functional piece of technology must have a good engine. The MiND has Intel’s Atom CPU, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 2.0, together with a GPS receiver, 512MB of RAM and 4GB of flash-based storage.

The MiND would not be near as useful without its 4.8-inch touch screen with 800 x 480 resolution. This touch screen is a bit bigger than many smart phones and GPS systems, giving way to a more visible driving path while navigating behind the wheel.

With Wi-Fi, connectivity consumers can connect to the internet from nearly anywhere. Bluetooth technology allows for connectivity, to the internet, through the use of a cell phone. There are, obviously, limitations on connections. There are not quick fixes, for this model; however, later models should include either 3G or WiMAX technologies.

Clarions MiND MID operates on a Linux operating system, which gives consumers solid performance, along with a user-friendly experience. Users can access many different applications like Google Maps, Google Earth, MySpace, YouTube viewer, email clients, and many more. All of these are ready for you to use, right out-of-the-box.

Battery life, on many mobile devices, has increased dramatically over the years. However, Clarion did not put much effort into MiNDs’ battery. The average life span, on its battery, is anywhere from 90 minutes up to 2 hours. MiNDs’ battery life is based on what applications are running and how the settings have been set. Regardless, in comparison with other battery life spans, this definitely needs to be improved.

The MiND would not be a true navigational system without access to thousands of points-of-interests, right at your fingertips! Clarion went a little further with this unit however. The MiND ties into the audio system, of your car, whenever it’s docked in its docking cradle. This allows for higher levels of musical entertainment - while driving - in addition to a new level of expectation with GPS systems.

Currently the Clarion MiND MID is running around $649.99. This sticker price is for the base model. There have not been any figures released - as of yet - for the model that comes with 3G or WiMAX.

Clarion wants to provide users with an “always-on” experience; one where there is never a delay in the retrieval of information. Whether that information is directions to a specific location, or a definition found on Wikipedia, Clarion wants the MiND to bring the solution to the table. While they are close to their goal, there are still a couple little quirks that need to be fixed and additional technology that needs to be added to the device.

Tags: vst, entertainment