Web 2.0 Video

Posted by Gina Bender on April, 25 in Uncategorized

In case you weren’t at the Web2.0 Expo this morning…check out the video of Dash’s pres and COO Rob Currie talking about some of the interesting tidbits that we’ve been learning.

12 Responses to “Web 2.0 Video”

  1. Shocky Hungate Says:
    April 26th, 2008 at 11:22 am

    Rob done good. If you hadn’t seen these “wow” features by now, you would be knocked out, as many of us were a year ago.

    However, on second thought: With Dash advertising, it’s always about connectivity and traffic. That’s radically cool, but if you don’t fix the routing quickly, Dash will look second-rate when Garmin, Tom-Tom, Navigon, Mio add connectivity…which is happening as we speak. Traffic information too, is improving in other units. Also, not everyone lives in the South San Francisco commuter snarl.

    Dash has the field right now and has changed the game. But to keep it, you need to bring the rest of the unit up to speed. Routing is second-rate, or less. Fix it or be prepared to leave the field.

    I own a DE and have decided to ride it out. I’m over the “wow” reaction and now want a reliable guide. I don’t yet trust my DE to give me good routes. I have to spend time before my trips to carefully examine the route DE gives me and determine if it is going wrong. After Garmin and Navigons, this is a step backward.

    I have witnessed unprecedented customer-oriented commitment on the Dash Forums. If this extends upward to management, and if they can get over themselves about the connectivity and traffic features and instead knuckle down with routing…then, and only then, will DE survive and thrive.

    On the forums, Marketing and Customer service are saying what we want to hear. But whenever I hear Dash management, they are still selling the “sizzle”. We bought the sizzle, but the steak tastes funny. Not sure it’s edible.

  2. Prolific Programmer Says:
    April 27th, 2008 at 3:29 pm

    How about integrating yelp reviews into the place ratings?

  3. Rob Currie Says:
    April 28th, 2008 at 4:29 pm

    Thanks for your comments and for being one of our first customers. While we talk a lot about our connected features (these are areas that differentiate us from the rest of the GPS devices in the field), we’re very focused on ensuring that all of our core GPS functionality, including routing, is rock solid. As discussed in the MyDash forums, your concerns are an area of focus for us in our upcoming release. Please know that our customer-focus extends throughout every area of the company.

  4. Shocky Hungate Says:
    April 29th, 2008 at 7:14 pm

    Thank you, Rob. I am proud to be among your first customers. There is much to love about the Dash Express. However, I have yet to have an uneventful trip with it. It continues to mis-call exit streets and exit sign verbiage, even when it gives me a plausible route.

    Fortunately, I know my way around here (Portland, Or.)fairly well. Yet I still miss exits because I’m looking for something Dash calls out that isn’t on the sign. (”Take the exit for Bridgeport Road”, when the sign says “Lower Boones Ferry Road”).

    Just wanted you to know that even if you improve the routing algorithms, you still have another critical task, those mis-calls. The incorrect verbal calls are forcing me to have to look frequently at the screen, which, at high speed, is dangerous. I’d appreciate your follow-through with this issue as I feel it might get lost in the cacophony. It is an integral part of the routing instructions.

    Thank you for responding. I’m trying hard to keep my love/hate relationship with my long-awaited DE on the love side. Much of the design shows true “best in class” performance. I would not want to leave it now.

  5. David Says:
    May 6th, 2008 at 5:02 am

    I keep hearing tiny little teachers about what is happening in the Dash Forums, and yet without access to those forums, I am really not likely to purchase the Dash. Nearly all the USEFUL discussion is happening where I can’t get access to it!

    Is there any chance you will open those forums to other interested users? If not, you have probably lost me and many other customers.

  6. David Says:
    May 6th, 2008 at 5:03 am

    Whoops, “teachers” should say “teasers”!

  7. Jeff Says:
    May 6th, 2008 at 6:56 am

    I’m with David on this.
    I used to spend some time every day reading about the Dash Express in anticipation of buying one if the initial kinks were worked out.
    Now with the Dash forums being closed to prospective buyers like me, I find myself thinking of & wanting a Dash Express less and less.
    Is Dash worried about people like me reading about problems & issues that the current owners are having?

  8. Mark Williamson Says:
    May 6th, 2008 at 3:42 pm

    All - we understand the need to have a more public venue for discussion of the Dash products, and as I have posted in other places we do intend to do that, we just need to staff up a bit to make that happen. Thank you for being patient as we get this addressed in the not too distant future.

    Mark

  9. Tim Says:
    May 7th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

    I think Dash should be commended for how open and public they have been so far. While there are a couple of other GPS companies that have blogs, you don’t see too many negative comments that make it through comment moderation. ;)

    And the fact that Dash actually has any forums where owners can openly discuss the device is certainly a step above what other manufacturers are using.

    You also see Mark out there on many of the GPS sites and forums interacting with members– again, something else you don’t often see from other companies.

    So kudos to Dash for actually having company sponsored forums where customers can discuss the product. It seems odd that someone would consider not buying the device because the forums were not yet public when TomTom, Garmin, Magellan, Mio, and Navigon don’t even have official forums. Don’t get me wrong– I think the Dash forums should be opened up, but what they are doing is already above and beyond the outreach of their competitors.

  10. Jeff Says:
    May 8th, 2008 at 12:11 pm

    Tim, You make some good points.
    However, in the case of the big boys (Garmin, TomTom, etc.) there is plenty of discussion going on regarding their products on forums such as GPS Passion.

    Dash creating forums for their owners is great for the owners, but most are not carrying any discussion over to the other open forums for others to see.

    I think much of the buzz surrounding this groundbreaking product is being stifled by the Dash forums being a closed community. I know I have had a lot harder time finding any new information since the Dash Owner forums were created.
    Oh well. This is just one potential customer’s opinion.

  11. Tim Says:
    May 8th, 2008 at 1:18 pm

    Yup, I agree with you there, by having their own forums it has probably stifled some of the conversations that would have appeared on other sites. I imagine if G or T were to open their own forums it might detract a little bit from the other forums as well. I think we are on the same page, just coming from a different angle. Cheers!

  12. Shocky Hungate Says:
    May 16th, 2008 at 10:57 pm

    Tim and Jeff: You can buy a Dash Express and have 30 days to view the Dash Forum. If you decide you don’t like the Dash…return it within the 30 days.

    The Forum contributors, we owners and Dash employees, speak openly about what we like, don’t like and wish for. What you will find is a free flowing uncensored dialog. What you won’t find anywhere else that I know of is a company that listens and responds as Dash is doing.

    Some forum members returned their Dash. Most didn’t, prefering to ride it out with this most interesting company. Find out why.

    Dash will have software upgrades coming up this year, the first near the end of June. This bodes well for the future of Dash.

    There are a few fairly accurate review of Dash that you can Google for. GPSpassion has a few enlightening reviews and comments. But, the real nitty gritty is on the Forum. Try it.

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