Magellan Maestro 4350 & 4370 Announced - Traffic, Improved Interface

Magellan has announced a new unit at the high end of the line, the new Magellan Maestro 4350. It includes some pretty innovative features including a "One Touch" interface that allows you to get what you need in rapid fashion with a single click. The One Touch interface has you setting up various points of interest in a single location that you acces with a single tap. The Maestro 4350 carries forward the AAA TourBook data which is an expanded information set of specific POI locations such as hotels and restaurants. The Maestro 4350 also includes traffic alerts in a new interface, with several other improvements to the unit's interface to speed data entry and give a better overall look and feel.

The Maestro 4350 is available now with a list price of $499, but is already seen online at about $400.

The Maestro 4370 uses a high quality WVGA screen for even better looking maps and navigation. The Maestro 4370 will be available at BestBuy exclusively.

Full press release follows....

Magellan Maestro 4350 Features Instant Access To Users' Favorite Places, Searches, and POIs

Magellan is introducing the industry's first vehicle navigation device with a OneTouch user interface. The new Magellan Maestro 4350 series, featuring an evolutionary new interface which eases use and reduces driver distraction, is available nationwide.

Magellan's Maestro 4350 device offers a revolutionary and patent-pending new OneTouch interface that puts the user's favorite destinations and searches just one click away. After users identify and store preferred banks, restaurants and other destinations in the device, the OneTouch feature lets them instantly access directions to those located closest with one quick menu click.

"The new OneTouch interface represents the next generation of navigation, enabling instant access to the device's features and the ability to search for points of interest right from the main display," said Mike Wagner, senior director of product marketing, Magellan. "The OneTouch menu delivers revolutionary new screen flow and ease of use that is designed to maximize functionality while reducing driver distraction. One benefit of the OneTouch interface is the ability to pre-program the unit to find a specific brand of business, wherever they are, with a simple click. When a traveler is ready to find their favorite cup of coffee, they click on the OneTouch button they created and the GPS unit immediately finds the closest location options and routes for their selection."

OneTouch Gives Easy Access to Travel Experience Drivers Want

The Magellan Maestro 4350 OneTouch menu gives drivers a personalized travel experience with all of their favorites close at hand:

Instant access to favorite businesses, restaurants, banks, gas stations, services, searches and more, so drivers can find the things they care about with a simple click wherever they are.
Instant access to specific address destinations so drivers can quickly route to the same address when needed.
Instant access to applications to play music, make phone calls, or find addresses.
Instant access to all Points of Interest (POI) from a single source so drivers can perform one search and get results from both the standard POI database and Magellan-exclusive AAA TourBook(R) guide travel information database. Results are organized in a tabbed format.

Get Around Traffic

Integrated live traffic receiver and subscription service is paired with a new live traffic user interface that gives drivers easy access to all traffic information and offers alternative routes so drivers can pick the best route at the time.

Intuitive and Clutter Free

-- Enhanced pedestrian mode and "Find Your Car" capabilities.
-- 3D landmarks to give drivers visual cues for maneuvers and destinations.
-- Map information is built as layers, with the most-often-used information given prominent position for easy access.
-- Larger fonts for easier viewing.
-- Intuitive, context-driven touch zones for a completely interactive map screen.
-- New address book makes address entry a snap with smart address summary that lets users save complete itineraries.
-- Simple data entry enabled by one of the largest keyboards in its class and unique QuickSpell(R) functionality that allows quick single-address entry or convenient multi-destination trip planning, including route optimization.

The Maestro 4350 also features Magellan's first pedestrian mode offering. The pedestrian mode optimizes a route for walking and adjusts arrival times to match walking versus driving speeds. Using this mode, users will be able to navigate their way from the parking garage to their favorite restaurant and back with voice prompted guidance designed for walking speeds.

Additionally, the Maestro 4350 features an audio, video and picture player.

The Maestro 4350 OneTouch ships with a windshield mount and cradle, a cigarette lighter adapter, protective pouch, A/C power adapter, USB data cable and an adhesive disk for dash mounting and can be purchased online at http://www.magellangps.com/.

November 6, 2008

Magellan Maestro 4350 & 4370 Announced - Traffic, Improved Interface