Willcom D4 gets MapFan Navii GPS navigation kit

A GPS receiver accessory has always been available for the Willcom D4, but the slide-and-tilt UMPC has never had any special navigation software to go with it. That changed a few months ago when Willcom announced that it had chosen Increment P's MapFan Navii to transform the Atom-based computer into a full-fledged portable navigation device and capable GPS unit.

MapFan Navii has an array of features and can be purchased separately (13,800 yen) or bundled on a 4GB microSD card with a starter kit that includes a flexible USB adapter (the D4, you may recall, is equipped with only a miniUSB port) and GPS receiver with miniUSB host attachment. This kit sells for 24,800 yen (~$254). A separate car mount is available separately for 1980 yen (~$20).

I don't follow GPS and PND news, but $250+ for an add-on kit and software seems rather ridiculous, especially considering that the Willcom D4's operating system is Windows Vista. It's just a "regular" computer that can accept any USB GPS receiver (with a miniUSB adapter) and run just about any navigation software. Why the overpriced mock-exclusivity, Willcom?

If you're still interested or you at least want to see some in-the-wild photos, check out the following reviews (Japanese) of MapFan Navii for the D4:

• Willcom Blog
• Car Watch
• +D Mobile (ITmedia)

:: Visit the Willcom D4 forum to connect with other users ::

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