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Both pure navigation devices and mobile devices with added navigation features will win out in the near future, GfK say following the results of its navigation devices survey (held in Germany, France and UK).

The analyst says ultimately customers will go for the device best suited for their specific needs.

Pure navigation devices (including portable and vehicle-integrated models) offer superior screen sizes and map format variety-- 89% of survey respondents cite these reasons for their prefering such devices for car journeys. The survey continues that 70% of mobile-only users would also prefer to have one of these devices in their cars.

Customers taking part in the survey say pure navigation devices are superior than phones, especially for longer vacation trips-- 80% of respondents declare their satisfaction with navigation devices for vacation trips, while only 66% are satisfied with mobile phones.

When it comes to finding the way around as a pedestrian, 70% of all survey respondents prefer to navigate via mobile phone solution, while 60% of respondents using only a portable navigation device (not a phone) would prefer to use a mobile phone's navigation feature.

Currently it appears that pure navigation devices will continue going strong-- but 53% of German survey respondents predict new navigation features on phones will compete for market domination. This opinion is less so in the UK (48%) and France (39%).

GfK suggests navigation devices must attract young customers (who tend to go for mobile phones) if they want to remain relevant in the long term-- including internet access (location-based services) and even alternate payment models (getting the device for free but paying for services/maps used).

Go The Right Navigation System for Every Application

Kyocera unveils a first-- the Echo, a dual-touchscreen Android smartphone.

The set carries x2 3.5" touchscreens (each with 480 x 800 resolution), which one can open into a 4.7" 960 x 800 surface. The screen can either close for use as a regular touchscreen handset, unfold into a flat tablet-style surface or prop up into a laptop-like configuration.

Connecting the screens is what Kyocera describes as a sliding liquid-metal hinge.

Powering the device are a 1GHz Snapdragon processor running Android 2.2-- customised to handle dual-screen support for 7 core apps (for example, the email app can show mails one screen, and a keyboard on the other). Kyocera also says the phone can run optimised apps simultaneously, with each app on a different screen-- or at least appear to do, as it switches apps in and out of hibernation.

Finally the set also comes with other smartphone standards, including 5MP camera, GPS and 3G/wifi connections

Go Kyocera Echo

Razer launches Ferox, a pocket sized twin-speaker set the company describes as a modern day boombox for gamers.

The speakers offer omni-directional sound through strategically positioned 30mm neoymium magnet drivers. Auto-expanding resonance chambers produce a subwoofer-style strong bass, while digital amplification enchances power efficiency while lowering distortion levels.

Loudspeaker output stands at 2x 3W, with 150Hz-20KHz frequency response. Inputs come through 3.5mm audio jack and USB.

Powering all is a rechargeable battery pack offering 12 hours' battery life.

Go Razer Ferox

Global shipments for entry-level smartphones are to reach over 185m units by 2015, thanks to operators' low cost own brand devices.

Juniper Research's report also says these devices' prices are also set to go cheaper, due to increasing competition and lower cost chipsets. Vodafone and Orange both have own brand handsets, carrying the Android OS-- thanks to OEM agreements with Huawei and its likes.

Mobile internet is also reaching low-cost handsets due to compression and remote browsing, together with lower price points.

Go Entry-Level Smartphones to Reach Over 185m