Dash Navigation has been acquired, without fanfare, by BlackBerry maker Research in Motion, according to GPS Business News. The site claims to have learned the information from a trusted source, who also comments that negotiations are essentially finished. Neither RIM nor Dash have spoken up to confirm or deny any talk of acquisition.
Dash Navigation announced on Monday that it will cease making it Dash Express GPS navigation devices for cars that include Web 2.0 services as part of a bigger company move to change its business model from a consumer-focused one to a business-to-business orientation. The company will instead sell licenses for use of its platform to other makers of automobile on-board navigation systems, smartphones and mobile Internet devices (MIDs), among other electronics. Earlier this summer, the company halved prices of its navigation units, which the company launched started selling near the beginning of the year for about $600.
Dash today has made a low-key price cut to the Dash Express that brings the price of the GPS unit down to $299. The cut lowers the price from its previous $399 and is a further cut from the initial launch price of $599. The price slash is spurred on by "outstanding results" during a temporary Father's Day promotion that brought the price down to a similar level, according to the company, which also suggests it should help add to the number of Dash users contributing to the Express' unique map data sharing features.
Mesa Dynamics has posted a beta of Amnesty Hypercube, which is designed to “free” Google Gadgets and other web widgets from the confines of a web browser to the desktop. Not to be confused with Dashboard widgets, web widgets are tiny applications -- often snippets of HTML code -- designed to be inserted in blogs or other web pages. Amnesty Hypercube allows these widgets to be launched from within Dashboard or from the desktop.
The recently launched Dash Express navigation system can now be used to do more than just upload maps or run live Yahoo Search updates thanks to its Internet connection, the company announced on Wednesday. Dash opened its service platform to third-party developers, allowing them to create applications for the portable navigation device. To show off what's possible, the company also announce five new such applications, called DashApps.
BT on Wednesday formally rolled out Total Broadband Anywhere, its own approach to merging Internet and phone service. The plan gives users both an 8Mbps DSL connection from the British carrier but also two phone offerings that promise to avoid the need for traditional cellphone or landline service. A home router known as the BT Home Hub provides the basic connection and creates a Wi-Fi connection in addition to including a cordless voice-over-Internet phone for making calls when at home; the feature allows much less expensive calling, particularly over long distances.
Users on Wednesday said that Dash had begun shipping the Dash Express, its Internet-connected GPS unit. The long-delayed 4.3-inch widescreen device draws attention as one of the first constantly Internet-aware navigators: fellow Dash owners can share points of interest and traffic data between each other and have map data updated almost in real time. Drivers can also run live Yahoo Search updates and send both addresses as well as Google Earth landmarks from their home computers.
Freeverse Inc. today unveiled two news games through it's Macfun.com game portal, Wedding Dash and Tiki Magic Mini Golf, and announced that all visitors to the site are entitled to download Big Bang Reaction. Wedding Dash puts players in the shoes of Quinn, a hopeful wedding planner, where they attempt to help Quinn run her business. Following a similar game flow to Diner Dash, Wedding Dash adds in the extra challenge of keeping the bride and groom happy. Players must juggle tasks from helping the couple choose a cake and flowers, to ensuring that tipsy guests and catty bridesmaids don't ruin the reception. Diner Dash's Flo also makes a cameo appearance, standing by to help Quinn in a pinch. Wedding Dash is available now for $20, and also has a playable demo for users to try before they buy.
