Blaupunkt Brings VoIP to Your Car

Blaupunkt TravelPilot 700

Today’s GPS devices incorporate all kinds of features, starting with the almost-mandatory Bluetooth support and ending with talking units that can help you reach a certain destination easier than any time before (at least, this is what they’re saying). However, only a few of them actually thought that bringing VoIP to a GPS device would be useful, with Blaupunkt among the first one to introduce such a feature.

Basically, VoIP functions let you calls, usually without any charge, over the Internet to any computer connected to a particular network (take for instance Skype: users can place phone calls over the Internet for free using a headset, a microphone and obviously, the Internet connection).

But how could such a feature work on a GPS device, often installed inside cars? Well, Blaupunkt brings the answer too, using the newly-launched TravelPilot 700 navigation system.

In short terms, the device uses the WLAN module (wireless connectivity is mandatory for a VoIP-capable GPS unit) to connect to wireless networks for establishing VoIP connections.

“The device can be configured quickly and used internationally – including unlimited surfing on the Internet, which means that the TravelPilot 700 can be used to access Internet radio and podcasts as well as e-mail. In addition, Internet telephony (Voice over Internet Protocol) provides free telephone service to all over the world via computer networks (VoIP-to-VoIP),” Blaupunkt said in a press statement.

Other feature highlights of TravelPilot 700 include route guidance in 42 European countries including Russia, video camera for “providing route guidance on the actual road picture”, DVB-T TV reception in digital quality as well as Bluetooth support for pairing with the cellphone.

Unfortunately, there’s no word on the price of the upgraded GPS unit but it’s likely to be a bit more expensive than the standard TravelPilot 700 priced at approximately 550 euros.