March 24, 2008Introducing Dash Express, the first two-way Internet-connected GPS navigation system. Dash delivers traffic and destination information in exciting new ways, and offers a wide range of new capabilities available from the car that makes a typical GPS practically obsolete. Dash is the smartest way to get from A to B, and find everything in between.
Overview· Dash Express provides current and truly accurate traffic dataDash Express leverages the most comprehensive traffic solution ever—the innovative Dash Driver Network—to provide the most accurate and current traffic information available.
· Live Internet content in your carUnlike other GPS devices that can only access content from a static, pre-loaded database, Dash gives you the most current, locally relevant information by using the power of the Internet, including Yahoo!® Local search and other websites you know and trust.
· So advanced, it's always up to dateDash Express automatically downloads the latest software, features, maps, and traffic data to the device. Why drive around with an obsolete GPS device when you can have Dash?
· Plan ahead and personalize from your PCUse Send2Car to send any address from the Web or e-mail directly to your device in seconds. You can even use the MyDash website to find or create new search lists and categories, and send them right to your device.
TruTraffic: The most comprehensive traffic resource availableDash Express has the smartest, most advanced traffic solution available—the innovative Dash Driver Network. Combined with comprehensive historical and sensor-based traffic information, the Network provides users with the most detailed, accurate and current traffic picture available today.
The Dash Driver Network DifferenceDash approaches traffic in an entirely different way — by collecting it from other people driving real commute routes, during real commute times. Each Dash Express anonymously and automatically sends its position and speed back to servers at the Dash Network Operations Center. The Dash servers then update all other Dash devices in the area with current road speeds. That way, members of the Network always have the best, most up-to-date traffic available.Dash devices receive traffic info from road sensors, commercial fleets and other sources through our partnership with Inrix, the premier traffic flow data provider in the U.S. However, even the first Dash devices in an area get traffic data that's superior to other GPS devices, as Dash uses these initial cars to calibrate the sensor data. This lets Dash assign it a high (straight line) or medium (dotted line) confidence rating, giving you all the information you need at a glance. The larger our network grows, the better traffic information becomes.
In addition, Dash frequently updates each Dash device with the most comprehensive historical traffic database in the industry — a combination of third party and Dash driver data. Dash knows how fast every road segment you drive historically moves during each of 672 separate 15-minute time periods during the week. Dash Express users will begin to see the benefits of the Dash Driver Network with only a few devices in a given market. And every additional device in the area just makes the Network better. It takes a surprisingly small number of drivers in a major city for Dash to provide live up-to-the-minute data for most roads during commute hours. The Dash Driver Network also allows us to provide coverage on nearly 2 million miles of US road, and offers the only source of traffic flow data for surface streets.All of this adds up to the best traffic data in the industry. The kind of timely data you need to make good driving decisions, as well as accurately estimate and track your arrival time once you’ve selected your route.
Routing: Choice is good
Most portable GPS devices offer only a single route to your destination. Dash presents up to three different routes, provides the distance to your destination, and uses real traffic information to calculate travel times for each route. Even after you’ve selected a route, Dash automatically alerts you if traffic conditions change significantly.You can also get a quick snapshot of traffic in your area. Dash allows you to visualize current traffic conditions on both major and secondary roads by color: stop-and-go traffic is red, moderate congestion is orange, somewhat better is yellow, and free-flowing roads are green. Solid lines represent live traffic derived from the Dash Driver Network. Dashed lines mean traffic data is either 3rd party sensor or historical data. As the Network grows you’ll see more and more of the dashed lines become solid. You’ve never had this much traffic information on the road before. And knowledge is power.
Flow data vs. incident dataFreeway breakdowns and accidents are nice to know about, but what really matters is the speed of traffic around them. Most GPS devices that show traffic rely primarily on 'incident data,' which only tells you where and when an incident happened, not how it's affecting traffic now. Dash uses the speed of traffic, or flow data, to help make the arrival times the most accurate on the road.
Faster Traffic updatesFor Dash drivers, live traffic information is broadcast instantly over a high data-rate cellular (GPRS) connection, rather than via a carousel on a one-way analog FM signal like some other "connected" devices. As a result of the two-way, "always-on" connection, the depth and breadth of information Dash can receive is far superior to most other GPS devices.
Internet ConnectedNo matter where you’re headed, with Dash you'll always be able to find exactly what you need, because Dash connects you to the vast and always-updating Internet. A typical GPS device only accesses a canned database of information that stopped being current the moment it was pre-installed at the factory. Dynamic data is fresh dataUsing Dash, you can connect to Yahoo! Local search and find unlimited, up-to-date information all in real-time, and rated by real users. Yahoo! community ratings make sure where you’re headed is really somewhere you want to go. With a touch of a button, you can find everything from the cheapest gas station to the latest concerts, the best restaurants, the closest yoga studios, dog-friendly parks or even nearby apartments for rent. And, all of this searching is done from a single, keyboard-based interface. With Dash, you don't have to learn the confusing folder/category structures that many GPSs use. Dash lets you search for content the same way you would on a PC—simply type a word and in seconds Dash dynamically returns the latest results.
Two-way ConnectivityDash Express wirelessly connects to the Dash Service using both cellular GPRS and Wi-Fi radios. For cellular, Dash uses a GPRS network composed of multiple carriers, so the coverage range is larger than any single national carrier. Although Wi-Fi has a more limited range, it typically transmits data faster than GPRS, making it ideal for downloading new software and features to the device. In addition, Dash has a powerful (high gain) Wi-Fi antenna that lets it connect to networks from much greater range than even your typical laptop so you can connect to your home network from an impressive distance away. In many cases, you’ll even be able to transfer information from your driveway.Dash Express constantly looks for, and connects to, whichever network is available (GPRS and/or Wi-Fi). Sometimes, it even connects to both at the same time, so it's always ready to send or receive information.In the rare event that you're outside our coverage area, the Dash device still functions as a traditional, unconnected GPS. Using maps, historical traffic data, and points of interest stored in the device, Dash has all the information it needs to help you navigate around and get the information that's important to you.
Control Dash From Your ComputerThe Dash experience extends beyond the device itself. Whether at home, the office, or out of town, you can log into your MyDash account from any Internet-connected computer to easily manage and send information to your device.Send2Car does what it says, and moreThere are two easy ways to send addresses to your Dash Express. Just log into MyDash, type an address, click Send, and the selected destination appears on your device within seconds. (If the device is off at the time, the address will be cached and re-sent the moment it is turned on.) You can even rename the address, and add notes and phone numbers. Imagine sending a Dash friend the address of your favorite restaurant with a note to "meet me there at 7 pm."There is also a software plug-in for most web browsers and Microsoft Outlook. Simply highlight the address, right-click and select "Send2Car". The Dash Service quickly validates the address and transmits it to your device, all in seconds—no typing required. And, if you’re already on the road, someone else can send addresses to you just as quickly. Send2Car is the fastest, most intuitive way to send addresses to your Dash Express.
Saved Searches, MyLists & MyFeedsWith MyDash, you can easily add the power of the Dash community to your device. Browse our library of user-created and locally relevant searches, such as "Great Steakhouses," "Bay Area Athletic Events", and "Apartments for Rent". You can even share your own local expertise with other users.Save time by creating shortcuts to your most commonly used Yahoo! Local searches. Enter your search terms on MyDash and send them to your device. Seconds later, those search buttons will appear on your device, allowing you to perform the searches you want with just one touch right from the car."MyLists" let you group addresses into a single search category. From your favorite coffee shops to the locations of your son’s basketball games, with MyDash you can create and send MyLists to your device so you can easily organize and route to the places that matter most to you.If you want to see other Dash users’ recommendations just browse MyDash for publicly available MyLists and send what you want to your device. You can share your own local knowledge as well, or keep your MyLists private so your favorite local dive doesn’t become a permanent hot spot.Continually refreshed location-based content is showing up all over the Web, from the latest concert dates and times, to the most current airport delays. "MyFeeds" allows you to view up-to-date content at the touch of a button — just enter the URL for the source of the information on MyDash and send it to your device. Every time you hit the button, the Dash service will go straight to the source to get the most recent content and display it on your device.
Auto UpdatesWith the exclusive AutoUpdate feature, the Dash Service updates and improves your device without requiring you to connect to your computer or take it back to the dealer. Dash updates software, maps, and historical traffic information seamlessly.This two-way connected feature not only saves you time and hassle, it ensures the accuracy, timeliness and relevance of your Dash Express content, maps and software. Most other GPS devices rely only on static map and traffic data that are pre-loaded at the factory months before.
Theft Resistant
The unique "theft-deterrent" feature can remotely disable your Dash device instantly, removing your personal data, shutting the device down, and making it a worthless target to would-be thieves.
The Dash Service
All the Internet-connected benefits of this system require a subscription to the Dash Service. Superior traffic information from the Dash Driver Network saves you valuable time, Yahoo! Local search gives you the convenience of finding exactly what you’re looking for, and access to the MyDash website lets you customize and load locally relevant content onto your device. The Dash service also gives you free map updates (which can cost over $200 on some other systems) plus the latest software and feature updates from Dash. Once you experience connected personal navigation, we’re certain you’ll never look back.Each device comes with a FREE three-month trial period. To subscribe, select from one of these service plan options.
· Purchase a two-year prepaid plan for the equivalent of $9.99 a month
· Purchase a 1-year prepaid plan for $10.99 a month
· Purchase a month-to-month plan for the rate of $12.99 a month.
As part of any Dash service, you get unlimited usage of all Dash connected features, including cellular connectivity, all map and software updates and unlimited access to MyDash. There are no extra cellular or WiFi charges—Dash takes care of it all. For comparison, each map update alone for other automotive GPS devices typically costs from $149 to over $200.
A service plan is not required. Even if you choose not to subscribe after your initial trial period, you’ll still have a great GPS device in Dash. It will simply be missing the life-changing connected features including live traffic, search, and Send2Car. However, the onboard maps, routing, address book, address entry (using its touch screen keyboard) and points of interest will ensure you still have a great GPS experience.
Note: Currently, Dash Express is only available in the United States.
Features· TruTraffic: Get true, up-to-the minute traffic information from other Dash users
· Pre-Loaded Maps: Built-in maps enable you to travel all 50 states
· 2d, 3d Maps, Detailed Directions/Maneuver List: Route to your destination using the 2d map (both car up and north up), 3d map or detailed turn-by-turn directions list
· Traffic Alerts/Detours: On-screen traffic alerts tell you when there is a significant traffic delay and gives you the opportunity to detour/reroutes
· Alternate Routes: Get up to 3 routes for all your destinations so you can choose the best route for you
· Customizable Traffic View: Customize the level of traffic information you would like to see on the map
· Map It: Map to any destination (even if you don't want to route there)
· Address Entry: Enter addresses in numerous ways (house number, street, or cross-streets, or select from your recent destinations, favorites, or address book)
· Address Book: Store and access all of your addresses right on the device
· Favorites: Store your favorite addresses and searches for easy access and routing
· Yahoo! Local Search/Unlimited Points of Interest (POIs): Pre-loaded with a database of POIs plus accesses unlimited POIs that are never out of date via Yahoo Local Search
· Send2Car™: Send addresses to your device from any internet-connected computer
· MyDash: Dash user website to let you customize and manage the content on your Dash
· MyLists: Customize the information on your Dash with search lists created and updated by you or other Dash users
· AutoUpdates: Get the latest software, maps and features
· Wi-Fi Settings: Configure your device to connect to up to 2 access points, as well as open networks
· Partner Content Platform: Enables users to get content from third party web services in a number of ways. Supports standard geo-data formats such as GeoRSS and KML while also providing a developer API so third party developers can build additional great services for Dash users.
· QWERTY Keyboard: Intuitive and easy to read word entry
· Automatic Day and Night Mode: Screens can automatically switch between day and night mode depending on the time of day
· Gas Prices: Search for gas stations and get gas prices, so you can compare prices - and then let Dash route you there
· Movie Listings: Search for movie theaters, see what's playing (when and where) and get ratings - and then let Dash route you there
· Theft Deterrent: Call Dash to remotely disable your device if it is stolen
· Text to Speech: Voice guidance gives you the street for your next turn
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