Comments on: Why the GPS Party Is About to End http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/ Tracking the Internet Evolution Sat, 17 May 2008 05:49:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=MU By: London Calling » Is the GPS party about to end? Report points to SiRF job cuts and asks what has changed in the GPS world http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-877582 London Calling » Is the GPS party about to end? Report points to SiRF job cuts and asks what has changed in the GPS world Fri, 09 May 2008 13:43:56 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-877582 [...] at Gigaom, a story about SiRF Technologies laying off workers has started a discussion around “the end [...] [...] at Gigaom, a story about SiRF Technologies laying off workers has started a discussion around “the end [...]

]]> By: boyberm http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-871861 boyberm Sat, 19 Apr 2008 01:42:29 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-871861 <p>I bought this <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/magellan.gps.navigation.system-20" rel="nofollow">Magellan GPS system</a> to aid in my in-town and away travels. It's user friendly and fairly intuitive to use. The speaker was decent. I didn't find the issues with the volume others experienced.</p> <p>What I would change to make it better is a free subscription to live traffic update. Also, regarding the traffic update I found that it offered me detours for traffic that had already dissipated. That was a bit troubling. The only other issue I had was the bluetooth volume. Now that was EXTREMELY LOW. I could barely hear anything and that was sitting still!</p> <p>Overall, a good quality product for the money.</p> I bought this Magellan GPS system to aid in my in-town and away travels. It’s user friendly and fairly intuitive to use. The speaker was decent. I didn’t find the issues with the volume others experienced.

What I would change to make it better is a free subscription to live traffic update. Also, regarding the traffic update I found that it offered me detours for traffic that had already dissipated. That was a bit troubling.
The only other issue I had was the bluetooth volume. Now that was EXTREMELY LOW. I could barely hear anything and that was sitting still!

Overall, a good quality product for the money.

]]> By: M http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868934 M Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:00:03 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868934 <p>Om, it doesn't look like the "GPS Party Is About to End" after reading Best Buy's earnings report:</p> <p>"Consumer electronics, which represented 42 percent of fourth-quarter revenue, declined 4.6 percent on a comparable store sales basis. Within consumer electronics, a low-double-digit comparable store sales increase in flat-panel TVs and a triple-digit increase in GPS products led the revenue category."</p> <p>"...the company’s revenue mix continued to reflect a shift toward higher-ticket items, such as video gaming consoles, notebook computers, flat-panel TVs and GPS devices."</p> <p>"Revenue growth of 9 percent from new store openings and comparable store sales gains from notebook computers, GPS devices, video-gaming, home theater and mobile phones. These gains are expected to be partially offset by comparable store sales declines in music and DVDs."</p> <p>Does triple-digit growth signify a slowdown?</p> Om, it doesn’t look like the “GPS Party Is About to End” after reading Best Buy’s earnings report:

“Consumer electronics, which represented 42 percent of fourth-quarter revenue, declined 4.6 percent on a comparable store sales basis. Within consumer electronics, a low-double-digit comparable store sales increase in flat-panel TVs and a triple-digit increase in GPS products led the revenue category.”

“…the company’s revenue mix continued to reflect a shift toward higher-ticket items, such as video gaming consoles, notebook computers, flat-panel TVs and GPS devices.”

“Revenue growth of 9 percent from new store openings and comparable store sales gains from notebook computers, GPS devices, video-gaming, home theater and mobile phones. These gains are expected to be partially offset by comparable store sales declines in music and DVDs.”

Does triple-digit growth signify a slowdown?

]]> By: heuristocrat http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868883 heuristocrat Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:12:52 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868883 <p>Michelin is laying off 1/2 their employees because they are closing their GPS unit.</p> Michelin is laying off 1/2 their employees because they are closing their GPS unit.

]]> By: jeffrey lebowski http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868812 jeffrey lebowski Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:14:04 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868812 <p>if you think sirf is the only company supplying garmin with gps chipsets, you haven't been paying enough attention.</p> if you think sirf is the only company supplying garmin with gps chipsets, you haven’t been paying enough attention.

]]> By: growththruperformance http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868758 growththruperformance Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:59:52 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868758 <p>M is right. I have the misfortune of often having to speak to stock analysts at trade shows about GPS. These people simply don't understand GPS and its applications. Sell Garmin at your peril.</p> M is right. I have the misfortune of often having to speak to stock analysts at trade shows about GPS. These people simply don’t understand GPS and its applications. Sell Garmin at your peril.

]]> By: growththruperformance http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868756 growththruperformance Tue, 01 Apr 2008 20:56:22 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868756 <p>PDAs did not 'cannibalize' computer sales. MP3-capability on phones did not cannibalize MP3 players. Navigation cellphone apps will not cannibalize on PNDs. If you have a need for a PND, you also have a need for a decent screen, decent functionality and decent loud speaker. Navigation via cell phone is a novelty. -Fun and great to have, -if you don't have to pay too much extra for the phone, but not a solid navigation tool.</p> PDAs did not ‘cannibalize’ computer sales. MP3-capability on phones did not cannibalize MP3 players. Navigation cellphone apps will not cannibalize on PNDs. If you have a need for a PND, you also have a need for a decent screen, decent functionality and decent loud speaker. Navigation via cell phone is a novelty. -Fun and great to have, -if you don’t have to pay too much extra for the phone, but not a solid navigation tool.

]]> By: Matt Anderson http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868690 Matt Anderson Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:08:02 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868690 <p>All the haters need to check out Garmin's web-site to see how they're selling pure software for Blackberries, Nokia and now Samsung. Garmin also has a growing fleet management line of products to assist businesses. Nuviphone, dedicated PNDs, Avionics, Marine, hiking/fishing, pet monitoring - the diversity of their product offerings is amazing. They are poised to make big money off those who want dedicated PNDs AND those who want smart/cell phone GPS. Buy the stock now while the media herd universally adopts the Jim Cramer universal gadget theory of Garmin's demise. The fools don't understand Garmin's business and spend too much time with urban techno yuppies who think nothing of plunking down $800 every year on the latest unigadget. The rest of us prefer more cost effective technology solutions that are user friendly and tailored to our needs.</p> All the haters need to check out Garmin’s web-site to see how they’re selling pure software for Blackberries, Nokia and now Samsung. Garmin also has a growing fleet management line of products to assist businesses. Nuviphone, dedicated PNDs, Avionics, Marine, hiking/fishing, pet monitoring - the diversity of their product offerings is amazing. They are poised to make big money off those who want dedicated PNDs AND those who want smart/cell phone GPS. Buy the stock now while the media herd universally adopts the Jim Cramer universal gadget theory of Garmin’s demise. The fools don’t understand Garmin’s business and spend too much time with urban techno yuppies who think nothing of plunking down $800 every year on the latest unigadget. The rest of us prefer more cost effective technology solutions that are user friendly and tailored to our needs.

]]> By: M http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868688 M Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:38:00 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868688 <p>Quite frankly, the people who put these kind of articles out are complete idiots and know absolutely nothing about GPS. The analysts and authors telling you GPS is done, or sales are decreasing, or cell phones will take over, are totally wrong. Stop reading the BS and do your own research instead of relying on some moron telling you what he thinks.</p> <p>Sadly, the only positive thing to say about this article is that he didn't use some lame cliche headline like, "Garmin is lost" or "GPS trying to find its way." It's not clever people- enough with the stupid headlines, really.</p> Quite frankly, the people who put these kind of articles out are complete idiots and know absolutely nothing about GPS. The analysts and authors telling you GPS is done, or sales are decreasing, or cell phones will take over, are totally wrong. Stop reading the BS and do your own research instead of relying on some moron telling you what he thinks.

Sadly, the only positive thing to say about this article is that he didn’t use some lame cliche headline like, “Garmin is lost” or “GPS trying to find its way.” It’s not clever people- enough with the stupid headlines, really.

]]> By: MSharma http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868684 MSharma Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:25:56 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868684 <p>Agree with all the pro GPS people - Scionguy, Daniel, et el.</p> <p>A GPS device is something that you dont miss much until you have it, and than you cant live without it. Sort of like the first time I got a cell phone. For a decent length of time I kept telling myself I did not really need one - albeit this was many many years ago.</p> <p>The utility is tremendous. Even if you do not travel. And if you do travel at all, it is an indispensable piece of equipment.</p> <p>As for cell phone based GPS - I dont think that is a viable option at all. The screen is too small, the UI is not meant to do GPS things, and all the other good reasons that others pointed out.</p> Agree with all the pro GPS people - Scionguy, Daniel, et el.

A GPS device is something that you dont miss much until you have it, and than you cant live without it. Sort of like the first time I got a cell phone. For a decent length of time I kept telling myself I did not really need one - albeit this was many many years ago.

The utility is tremendous. Even if you do not travel. And if you do travel at all, it is an indispensable piece of equipment.

As for cell phone based GPS - I dont think that is a viable option at all. The screen is too small, the UI is not meant to do GPS things, and all the other good reasons that others pointed out.

]]> By: Mike http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868641 Mike Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:30:07 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868641 <p>This whole idea that GPS is dead is crazy. If that would have been the case with the cell phone industry where once you have one yu're done buying we'd all still have bag phones. But that wasn't the case it's all about new technology and that will be the case with PND's they used to do a bread crumb trail with the early ones and no map, no road, no turn by turn beeps, no voice turn by turn, and all that has been developed over a short 10 years. Now comes talk to your garmin tell it you want to eat mexican and it will show all in your area. Want to google for a nic-nac shop in St. Cloud, Mn. go for it. want to avoid road construction no problem. In my opinion we are just getting started in GPS and Garmin is the leader in this game. 50% market share. some day GPS will replace Air Traffic Control and Drive your car. May sound far fetched but just think where it was 5-10 years ago do a timeline on it and then you'll have an idea how early we are in this market. jmho</p> This whole idea that GPS is dead is crazy. If that would have been the case with the cell phone industry where once you have one yu’re done buying we’d all still have bag phones. But that wasn’t the case it’s all about new technology and that will be the case with PND’s they used to do a bread crumb trail with the early ones and no map, no road, no turn by turn beeps, no voice turn by turn, and all that has been developed over a short 10 years. Now comes talk to your garmin tell it you want to eat mexican and it will show all in your area. Want to google for a nic-nac shop in St. Cloud, Mn. go for it. want to avoid road construction no problem. In my opinion we are just getting started in GPS and Garmin is the leader in this game. 50% market share. some day GPS will replace Air Traffic Control and Drive your car. May sound far fetched but just think where it was 5-10 years ago do a timeline on it and then you’ll have an idea how early we are in this market. jmho

]]> By: Mischa, Santa Cruz, CA http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868638 Mischa, Santa Cruz, CA Tue, 01 Apr 2008 07:02:34 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868638 <p>I agree that this industry has a long way to go yet. Anecdotes tell me while the early adopter phase is certainly over, the growth ahead will be astounding. I see this more like an ipod chip supplier losing the work to another company, bad for Sirf, absolutely not a canary in the coal mine for Garmin.</p> <p>It is time for Garmin to rise from its ashes. They already have taken this one out back for a brutal pummeling. Just like ipods, people are going to keep buying these PNDs long after you would logically suspect we were near a point of saturation. Glad to see I am not alone in this thinking.</p> I agree that this industry has a long way to go yet. Anecdotes tell me while the early adopter phase is certainly over, the growth ahead will be astounding. I see this more like an ipod chip supplier losing the work to another company, bad for Sirf, absolutely not a canary in the coal mine for Garmin.

It is time for Garmin to rise from its ashes. They already have taken this one out back for a brutal pummeling. Just like ipods, people are going to keep buying these PNDs long after you would logically suspect we were near a point of saturation. Glad to see I am not alone in this thinking.

]]> By: Kyle http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868555 Kyle Tue, 01 Apr 2008 01:26:19 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868555 <p>Michael is correct -- most manufacturers are making their own high-sensitivity chips or sourcing them from other, lower cost providers. So using SiRF as a harbinger of the end of GPS is way off base... the market has a lot of room to grow.</p> Michael is correct — most manufacturers are making their own high-sensitivity chips or sourcing them from other, lower cost providers. So using SiRF as a harbinger of the end of GPS is way off base… the market has a lot of room to grow.

]]> By: Michael http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868486 Michael Mon, 31 Mar 2008 21:37:53 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868486 <p>This SiRF story has gotten way overblown in sizing up the GPS industry. Did anyone ever think of the scenario within a classic value chain? Is it possible that SiRF could not provide the level of differentiation to prevent its customers from jumping ship and buying from their competitors? Many of the big GPS players - that are listed in your article - are sourcing from other vendors now. So, you jumped too early on this one. Sure, a slowdown is likely at some point, but your strong correlation between SiRF's recent regression and the strength of the industry is completely off.</p> <p>Nevermind that LBS is the future of the mobile world...</p> This SiRF story has gotten way overblown in sizing up the GPS industry. Did anyone ever think of the scenario within a classic value chain? Is it possible that SiRF could not provide the level of differentiation to prevent its customers from jumping ship and buying from their competitors? Many of the big GPS players - that are listed in your article - are sourcing from other vendors now. So, you jumped too early on this one. Sure, a slowdown is likely at some point, but your strong correlation between SiRF’s recent regression and the strength of the industry is completely off.

Nevermind that LBS is the future of the mobile world…

]]> By: Saurabh Kaushik http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-868437 Saurabh Kaushik Mon, 31 Mar 2008 18:17:37 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-868437 <p>".. If I would change the scenarios a little bit. Instead of developing applications which send Location Coordinates to server applications, develop only server side application which work with Location Based Browser (LBB)..." http://www.nanosaka.com</p> “.. If I would change the scenarios a little bit. Instead of developing applications which send Location Coordinates to server applications, develop only server side application which work with Location Based Browser (LBB)…”
http://www.nanosaka.com

]]> By: Dimitrios Matsoulis http://gigaom.com/2008/03/25/why-the-gps-party-is-about-to-end/#comment-867843 Dimitrios Matsoulis Fri, 28 Mar 2008 11:35:34 +0000 http://gigaom.com/?p=11932#comment-867843 <p>There is so many countries where GPS is still not used that the future of GPS sales id ensured for at least a decade. Plus the fact the GPS technology is going to evolve, use the web a lot and make people change devices to the near models. http://electronrun.wordpress.com/</p> There is so many countries where GPS is still not used that the future of GPS sales id ensured for at least a decade. Plus the fact the GPS technology is going to evolve, use the web a lot and make people change devices to the near models.
http://electronrun.wordpress.com/

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