By Craig Zammit

SYDNEY: LG Electronics Australia has revealed to current.com.au its plans to enter the satellite navigation market with the release of the world’s slimmest GPS devices, with two new products due to hit the shelves next month and a third product to be released later this year.

The LN500 with 3.5-inch TFT LCD (RRP $549) and LN800 with 4-inch TFT LCD (RRP $649) are slated for release at the end of May when they become the slimmest GPS devices on the market, measuring in at only 1.8cm in depth.

Both models will operate via touch screen and will additionally feature text-to-speech technology, allowing drivers to be informed of actual street names, as opposed to the standard ‘turn next right’ style of command.

The new LG GPS range will each feature in-built antenna with enhanced reception, 512MB internal memory, SD card slot for memory expansion and three ‘quick buttons’ for easy access to volume and menu options.

Additional features will include detailed maps to allow drivers to avoid congested roads, tolls or determine the quickest and shortest routes, a trip planner, history/favourites feature, the ability to inform the driver of which roads to avoid for most preferable course and a points of interest function, guiding the user to the nearest petrol station, hospital or similar destination.

Battery life for the LN500 will peak at four hours, while the LN800 with hold six hours of charge and also feature an auto day/night mode change.

LG Electronics also plans to release a Bluetooth enabled, multi-media GPS device later in the year.