Harman Kardon Launches Sleek Portable GPS Navigation and Multimedia Device
LAS VEGAS--Harman Kardon today announced the introduction of its Guide + Play GPS-500, a full-featured GPS navigation and multimedia device that incorporates high-fidelity audio, and full-motion video – but that’s small enough to fit in the palm of the hand. Functioning as a portable GPS navigation system, digital music player with full music-browsing capability and an easy-to-use video player, the Guide + Play GPS-500 is the must-have all-in-one solution for automotive or personal use.
Harman Kardon is a leading provider of audio products for the home, computer and automotive markets. With the GPS-500, Harman Kardon has leveraged its years of audio innovation to deliver a consumer-friendly, stylish and high-end portable GPS navigation and multimedia solution combination. Clean lines, a slim profile, a crisp WQVGA LCD screen and touchscreen operation, add up to a device as attractive as it is functional.
“Convergence of GPS and multimedia systems in a single device is of growing importance to consumers, but most combination GPS/multimedia systems on the market today lack many of the features – music-browsing control and capability, for one – found in a single device,” said Mike Giffin, president of the Mobile Systems Division for Harman Consumer Group. “The Guide + Play GPS-500 can be used while driving, working or relaxing, offering consumers ultimate mobility by enabling them to take their music collections on the road, watch movies on a plane or use the navigation system to find the nearest gas station or restaurant.”
Harman Kardon’s GPS-500 provides functionality and superior sound by incorporating the following:
1. Tightly integrated navigation and multimedia applications for simultaneous use. Both applications work together, ensuring that important navigation information is audible and displayed, even when multimedia functions such as digital-music playback are in use. Users may also set volume priority between the two functions.
2. An easy-to-use touchscreen interface that lets users find key features and toggle between device menus with ease. The GPS-500 also includes a “Points of Interest” search that lets users find directions to nearby popular points of interest, such as restaurants, coffee shops or bookstores, with a simple touch of a button.
3. A 4-inch widescreen WQVGA LCD display for high-quality viewing of maps and videos. The widescreen aspect ratio allows users to see a larger map view when in GPS mode than do most GPS devices currently on the market. Additionally, a 480 x 272-pixel screen resolution ensures a clear and crisp viewing experience for enjoying digital music or videos loaded onto mini SD cards of up to a 4GB capacity. Featuring PlaysForSure, the device supports multiple multimedia formats including MP3, MP4, WMA, ASF, WAV and OGG.
4. A pocket-sized, virtually invisible portable mount that secures the slim (19.6mm in depth) GPS-500 for automotive use. The mount features a ball-and-socket joint that provides an almost unlimited number of viewing angles, allowing users to position the GPS-500’s screen so that it can be seen from anywhere in the vehicle.
The GPS-500 has up to five hours of battery life, 2GB of internal flash memory, up to 4GB optional external SD card flash memory, and a USB 2.0 high-speed interface, and includes a carrying case that’s perfect for travel. The GPS-500 can be charged via a wall-mounted AC adapter, a USB port that is compatible with both PC’s and Macintosh® computers, or an in-car cigarette-lighter cable – all of which are included with the unit.
Pricing and Availability
The Harman Kardon Guide + Play GPS-500 is compatible with all automobiles. It features a pocket-sized portable mount and an internal FM modulator that enables it to be connected to any vehicle, regardless of make or model. The GPS-500 will be available at quality retailers nationwide and at www.harmankardon.com beginning March 2007; it has a suggested retail price of $499.95.
About Harman Consumer Group
The Harman Consumer Group (HCG) is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of high-fidelity loudspeakers, audio and video components, and multimedia systems for use in homes and automobiles, and with computers. The group’s brands include JBL, Infinity, Harman Kardon, Mark Levinson, Revel, Audioaccess and Lexicon.
HCG is a division of Harman International Industries, Incorporated. Harman International (www.harman.com) is a leading manufacturer of high-quality, high-fidelity audio products and electronic systems for the automotive, consumer and professional markets. The company’s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “HAR.”
Harman Kardon is a registered trademark, and Guide + Play is a trademark, of Harman International Industries, Incorporated.
Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.