Amazon should make a tablet with GPS

[enigma9o7]

I see there's an option to mount an ipad, however an ipad with GPS Is super expensive. How bout getting Amazon to make a (cheap) fire tablet with GPS, so we could use it for navigation/entertainment in the Slate instead. And include a good satnav app that can download and use offline maps (since fireos doesnt support google maps). And of course Slate offer a mount for it if it doesnt work with the ipad mount. As I think Slate has some connections at Amazon thru their CEO, this should be doable, no? And probably some other people besides slate drivers would buy em too.

 

[Paul]

Cheap android tablet with Google maps? Use the hotspot on your phone.

 

[MIDgrid]

Cheap android tablet with Google maps? Use the hotspot on your phone.

The option to use Google maps via cellular Internet access is very attractive and works well for us in areas with good cellular coverage (e.g. paired with Apple CarPlay). However, that only works part of the time for our travels - so we rely on a little Garmin GPS for our SUV and a larger Garmin tablet for our small motorhome. It would be attractive to have an Amazon GPS tablet with Google maps option since we'll need a GPS-based navigation system for our Slate Truck.

 

[solartogo]

Amazon tablets may not have GPS, but don't most Android tablets from other vendors have GPS? So they could be used for navigation? And while I'm using an Android phone for navigation, when out of cell range, you can either pređownload maps for Google Maps, or use other systems like Here We Go maps (which is what I use) that have the option for predownloading maps.

 

[Paul]

The option to use Google maps via cellular Internet access is very attractive and works well for us in areas with good cellular coverage (e.g. paired with Apple CarPlay). However, that only works part of the time for our travels - so we rely on a little Garmin GPS for our SUV and a larger Garmin tablet for our small motorhome. It would be attractive to have an Amazon GPS tablet with Google maps option since we'll need a GPS-based navigation system for our Slate Truck.

In Google maps you can download areas of the country to the memory of the device when you have wifi also will save data from loading when you have cell data. You won't have live traffic data, but you wouldn't have that with a Garmin unless it was a sat link or something. So you could just use a cheap large android tablet for GPS (make sure it has GPS) and not connect to cell. I love that you can come up with your own solution with Slate and upgrade at will. Spend a lot -- spend little, no subscription mandates like GM. I'm curious if there's going to be a accessory device, or someone comes up with a dedicated solution that maybe pairs with the Bluetooth speaker, that's purely an FM radio. I was thinking of solutions for this when you just don't feel like going to the effort of streaming. I honestly just bounce around between music and NPR with the FM radio in my car now locally. Podcasts, books and streaming music on longer trips.

 

[KevinRS]

I have a 10.4 inch ONN tablet I got when walmart had an online special for it for $50(regular 129), and it does have GPS and bluetooth. I would have to add hotspot to my phone plan to have internet on it, but that kind of tablet should work, without asking amazon to make a special one, or pay hundreds for an ipad.

 

[AZFox]

Hopefully a reputable manufacturer will make a suitable CarPlay / Android Auto screen.

There are lots of choices on Amazon from unfamiliar brands.

 

[solartogo]

I have a 10.4 inch ONN tablet I got when walmart had an online special for it for $50(regular 129), and it does have GPS and bluetooth. I would have to add hotspot to my phone plan to have internet on it, but that kind of tablet should work, without asking amazon to make a special one, or pay hundreds for an ipad.

Your tablet would work without adding hotspot to your phone, if you preload "Here We Go" maps or similar program with downloadable maps. Download the ones you need in advance while on WiFi, and no need for a cellular connection, the GPS receiver will work fine to do the navigation.

 

[crownmountain]

If out have an IPhone and an IPad with latest IOS when you connect from the IPad to the IPhone using hotspot you can see the map in mirror mode. Which gets you the GPS from the phone.

 

[Paul]

If out have an IPhone and an IPad with latest IOS when you connect from the IPad to the IPhone using hotspot you can see the map in mirror mode. Which gets you the GPS from the phone.

It's pretty much the same thing with any Android phone hotspot. Only it would be way less expensive to get a generic Android table with GPS and dedicate it as your head unit.

 

[KevinRS]

Your tablet would work without adding hotspot to your phone, if you preload "Here We Go" maps or similar program with downloadable maps. Download the ones you need in advance while on WiFi, and no need for a cellular connection, the GPS receiver will work fine to do the navigation.

One of the benefits to an online device for navigation is they get real time traffic updates, so if there is a traffic accident on my route that's going to add an hour or more to my hour trip, it calculates a new route. Honestly I'll probably just use my phone, but I know I have the option, and I'll see how things work out actually driving the truck before I decide on putting a tablet in it.

 

[Paul]

One of the benefits to an online device for navigation is they get real time traffic updates, so if there is a traffic accident on my route that's going to add an hour or more to my hour trip, it calculates a new route. Honestly I'll probably just use my phone, but I know I have the option, and I'll see how things work out actually driving the truck before I decide on putting a tablet in it.

I agree with you there and most phone data plans are very generous with the handset and less so with the hotspot. So just get an XL sized phone and skip the tablet. The traffic redirect heads up are like the most useful thing about maps.

 

[KevinRS]

My current phone plan gets unlimited data on the phone for $35, upgrading to add 25 GB hotspot data would make it $50, Or I could change to the flexible plan for a $20 base charge + $10/GB for phone and hotspot data.

 

[Luxrage]

Dittoing the offline maps mode. Google maps will happily download me the entire DFW metroplex all the way up to the Oklahoma state line for around 450Mb. Far smaller than I would have expected for such a massive city. I wouldn't be against a little android tablet permanently stuck to the truck. I've got an old Lenovo tablet that I would gladly sacrifice to the cause. My only concern being heat in a hot truck for that battery. I have seen many of the random overseas head units are all just running android, YouTube and all.

 

[AZFox]

So just get an XL sized phone and skip the tablet.

Dedicating a speically-configured XL phone to the Truck is a good idea.