Panasonic today announced the launch of its first portable navigation device (PND) Strada CN-GP50U for the U.S. market. Strada which is already a best-seller in Japan, has a sleek, slim design and boasts a 5-inch touch panel display for clear viewing and optimum ease of use.

The other features of the PND include digital networking, voice command and GPS Assist — an electronic compass to compensate when GPS reception is interrupted, as in a tunnel.

The Strada CN-GP50U is the ultimate travel companion, providing quick and easy access to maps and 1.8 million searchable Points of Interest in 51 categories, such as gas stations, airports, hotels, restaurants, hospitals, ATMs and historic landmarks. The pre-loaded NAVTEQ® mapping software provides map data for the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico, plus detailed maps of 86 U.S. cities. Users can easily upgrade their software using an SD Memory Card or USB port. There’s even a voice guidance feature, which can be activated in several languages.

The display also serves as a handy digital camera photo viewer or slide show viewer. The Picture Viewer function can also be used to customize the opening screen image to a favorite snapshot (jpg or bmp) stored on an SD Memory Card.

The Strada CN-GP50U PND delivers everything consumers are looking for in a cutting-edge portable device — one of the widest screens on the market, sleek styling for added portability, an SD Memory Card port for swift downloading and a highly friendly user interface.

It has Bluetooth for hands-free calling and is one of the few PNDs with a GPS-assist, electronic compass feature. The Voice Command function allows drivers to set a destination verbally while keeping both hands on the wheel. When driving a route for the first time, Lane Assist helps avoid last-minute lane changes using voice guidance and by highlighting the correct lane in orange. There’s even an icon and warning tone to alert the driver when the speed limit is exceeded.

The Strada CN-GP50U PND delivers everything consumers are looking for in a cutting-edge portable device — one of the widest screens on the market, sleek styling for added portability, an SD Memory Card port for swift downloading and a highly friendly user interface.

The new CN-GP50U PND will be available through car stereo retailers and also through a broader distribution, which might include Panasonic TV retailers in December 2007 for US$499.95 (Rs. 19990/-)

Written by Mahesh Chawla in GPS