Best Buy Bows Insignia PNDs With Google
By Amy Gilroy -- TWICE, 10/2/2008
Richfield, Minn. — Best Buy will offer two house-brand portable GPS devices under its Insignia brand for the first time.
On Oct. 19, the company will begin selling two high-end portable navigation devices (PNDs), some of the 
industry’s first to include built-in cellular modems and a local Google search. The devices will carry no service fees for the first year, said a Best Buy spokeswoman.
The new units include a 4.3-inch Insignia NS-CNV20 at $499 and a 3.5-inch Insignia NS-CNV10 at $399. Their integrated modems allow real-time traffic and live Google local searches plus access to Google Maps to look up a route on a home PC and forward the information to the PND.
Currently, only Dash Navigation has shipped at PND with a built-in cellular modem and live-search capability in the U.S., rendering Best Buy a cutting-edge player in the high-end or midlevel PND market.
The 4.3-inch Insignia PND will also include Bluetooth. Both models will be in most, if not all, Best Buy locations and online at www.bestbuy.com, said a spokeswoman.
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This is why they are the #1 Electronics retalier. The only people who don't like it are the people who have not enjoyed the 5yr year over year stock growth of BBY. :)
Fred Jacobs - 2008-6-10 21:49:00 EDT -
Best Buy has house-branded products in most key categories. Generally speaking, they're aimed at the budget-conscious buyer. Not sure how that's arrogant beyond belief.
In fact most large retailers have house-brand alternatives. When I see house branded cereal at Albertsons, the arrogance of corporate office has never crossed my mind.
Steve - 2008-6-10 11:12:00 EDT -
Why Best Buy would compete directly with their suppliers is just beyond belief. Best Buy has the advantage of understanding roadmaps / competitive positioning of all PND/Navigation suppliers. To take this collective insider knowledge and develop a product strategy that ultimately competes is arrogant and unfair. Shame on them.
Nav Guy - 2008-3-10 18:00:00 EDT
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