GPS predictions for 2012

GPS predictions for 2012:

As I’ve been doing in recent years, I’ll play the fool once again, by trying to predict what we’ll see in the GPS industry over the next twelve months. I’m certainly being a bit more cautious than the first couple of times I did this, but it also seems harder to predict things now; I don’t know if that is due to the advent of mobile or because so many of the obvious improvements have been made or for some other reason. I‘m also posting this earlier than in past years, since I’m expecting CES news releases that are under embargo to start hitting my inbox any day, and I don’t want to feel limited in what I can say here.

Auto GPS predictions

• Garmin will expand their line of products offering HD traffic, but probably not until at least spring if not fall


• The nuLink 2390 (or something similar to it) will be released in the US with live traffic cameras


• Garmin will introduce a 7” dezl 700 series for trucks and RVs


• A major manufacturer (probably Garmin or Magellan) will release a PND in the US with a driving recorder


• File under less likely – Family/shared data plans, that allow you to have multiple devices on one data account, will breathe new life into connected PNDs

Handheld and fitness GPS predictions

• Garmin will release new Montana series models with preloaded highway and 24K topo maps


• The current Montana line will see a significant price drop


• Garmin will introduce several new models around late May/early June


• Magellan will introduce their first fitness device, the Switch UP

More GPS predictions

• GPS tracking will continue to show up in new places and at least one major news story will center around it’s use (in addition to the this one…)


• The US Supreme Court will effectively outlaw the warrantless use of GPS tracking devices


• LightSquared will implode and file for bankruptcy, although the battle isn’t over as their wireless spectrum will eventually be bought by another company


• We’ll see more innovative uses of Bluetooth, WiFi and ANT+


• Domestic surveillance by drones will become more commonplace and controversial


• GLONASS receivers will become more common as well

Sound off

What have I missed? What are your predictions for the coming year?