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GPS items big this Christmas

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By TONY HOLT, Hernando Today

Published: November 23, 2007

Updated: 11/22/2007 08:11 pm

SPRING HILL - The hottest, hippest gadgets on the market in time for the holiday season may actually be for adults.

Christmas came early for those dedicated AT&T and Apple users who jumped at the chance to purchase the iPhone when it debuted five months ago. Shoppers may cause another surge in sales for the shiny and glossy new device in the next five weeks.

But the iPhone will not be getting all of the attention. There are several new AT&T phones that have a global positioning system, or GPS.

As of now, 17 percent of U.S. residents have GPS in the cars or on their mobile phones. That number is expected to spike significantly in the next year, according to AT&T spokeswoman Gretchen Schultz.

"GPS is huge for us right now," she said. "So many want it and so many request it."

"Travel is becoming so common these days," Schultz continued. "People are starting to rely on it more and more. Pretty soon, no one will be walking into a gas station looking for directions."

She gave demonstrations on several phones, including the Erikson W580 ("for the sports-minded people"), LG 515, iPhone and Tilt Smartphone - which is among the among the devices that includes GPS.

The Tilt also talks - and has Ms. Pacman.

Accessories to hand-held devices will also be a big seller this year, Schultz said. AT&T and Apple have introduced a new Bluetooth (or earpiece) to the iPhone which is expected to be a hot seller.

"It has a sleek new design for all those Mac users," she said.

Schultz pulled out one phone after another. She tapped her long fingernails onto the digital keypads, showing off each unique feature.

"With the way the trends are right now, GPS is going to be the hot-ticket item this Christmas," she said. "You can still have your phone, music, email, Web and now GPS. Why not get it all at once? ... There is a lot out there for those who just want to have fun with their new phones."

Reporter Tony Holt can be contacted at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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