CeBIT 2008 - Previewing The Trends

Medion GoPal P4425 - Navigation Starts Up Faster

Medion GoPal P4425: A finger print sensor as anti-theft protection

Portable satellite navigation devices can really put a dent in your budget. For €380, you get anti-theft features such as a fingerprint scanner. This feature is definitely a sensible one, as recent studies have shown that more satnav systems are being stolen nowadays than card stereos. Thus, a fingerprint sensor is an effective countermeasure, since the GoPal P4425 becomes unusable if it is stolen.

The new InstantFixII generation of firmware that GPS chip maker SiRF uses in its newest parts is also interesting, as it can calculate the trajectories of GPS satellites up to 3 days ahead. This allows the GoPal to determine its exact position practically immediately upon being switched on. Previously, this used to take several minutes. Obviously, this feature will only work if the GoPal is not turned off for more than three days at a time.

The P4435 is equipped with a 4.3" wide-screen display, TCMPro traffic program and a Bluetooth hands-free system and comes with maps of European countries. Beyond that, it also features a text-to-speech engine that will read out street names, a multimedia play, and FM transmitter, and voice control.

Medion is displaying its products in Hall 15 at stand F30.

Tom's Hardware CeBIT Team

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