Nowadays it seems you can’t turn a page of the paper or read a website (like this one!) without seeing something to do with GPS devices (they’re all the rage with the kids these days). This is especially the case when it comes to in-car navigation devices. In respect to these direction-giving wonders, there are several manufacturers in the market and each one likes to think that it brings some unique feature, something that gives them the competitive edge in the field. But if that’s the case, with each company with a supposed ace up its sleeve, than Dash Navigation Inc. is packing a royal flush.

While providing the world’s first internet connected GPS device, Dash has seen fit to open up the, uh, Dash-board of its veritable Dash Express to 3rd party developers. These 3rd party applications are called DashApps and they offer web based content on the go. So what could Dash Inc. cook-up with some 3rd party developers for the launch of DashApps?

Coldwell Banker: House hunting? Look up available locales on the web than create a route to their location *But first, ask yourself why you are looking up available homes while you are aimlessly driving around the city? Seriously. Why?

WeatherBug: Access live local weather with MyWeatherBug.

Trapster: Ever wished you could avoid speed traps? Ever wish you knew which stoplights had red light sensors so you could blow through the ones that didn’t? Meet your new friend Trapster’s ‘Find Traps Now.’ Now you can safely speed and comfortably fly though those pesky red lights…ah the future…

Funambol: Link up with nearly any online calendar (e.g. Google, Yahoo, Outlook) and find the best route to your next meeting or hot date!

Mediaguide: Just what was that crazy pop tune you just heard on the radio that you can’t get out of your head? Use Mediaguide’s ‘BakTraxRadio’ function to list the last three songs played on any FM or AM station!

Well, there you have it. What may very well be the future of in-car computer systems.

(I really think the slogan for this launch should be: Because you don’t have enough occupying your attention while you drive….)

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