A New Direction
We’ve made the difficult, yet exciting, decision to shift gears to focus our company on extending the Dash experience to a variety of devices and platforms. Rather than continue to ship our own hardware, we’ll be licensing our application and service to a diverse group of device manufacturers.
This path offers us great opportunities as navigation and location-based services have exploded across the industry landscape. Not to mention that by delivering the Dash service through multiple platforms, we’ll be able to accelerate the growth of the Dash Driver Network - benefiting both our existing and future customers.
We thank our current customers for their support and remain committed to continuing delivery of an unprecedented experience.
More info on this new direction can be found within our press release.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:46 am
What does this mean for existing subscribers?
Will you honor 2 year service subscriptions? Will Dash Express owners benefit from any future software improvements?
I just purchased two Dash Express and am considering returning them. It seems like this device will be good for 2 years, max.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:49 am
I just purchased one as well and it is sitting in the box. I am thinking of just returning it as well. Any thoughts?
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Are you really sure the new maps are going to be delivered at this point? With a significant reduction in workforce and new management that commitment to new updates and new maps can waiver. I really want to know if it is a safe bet to keep the Dash or look for something else.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:02 pm
My trial period is up in the next month… is there a plan to extend trial periods or give credits to existing customers to maintain their business during this transition? Thanks.
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 pm
[...] Official Blog Post: http://blog.dash.net/2008/11/03/a-new-direction/ [...]
November 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
I’m also concerned about this news. I’ve had my Dash since it was released, and love the device.
While I do believe maps will continue to be updated, I’m wondering what will happen even after my two year subscription is up. Will innovative updates continue to be made to the Dash device, or is the Dash essentially feature complete at this point with only minor updates and bug fixes coming?
Thanks.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:06 pm
My trial expires tomorrow. You repeatedly suggested that I renew and I did. The very next day you give out this message. I feel a little betrayed.
November 3rd, 2008 at 2:24 pm
Dave, your PR department needs to make it clear point by point how this is going to affect current customer’s of Dash..
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Agreed. It is time to eliminate the uncertainty we all feel.
November 3rd, 2008 at 3:08 pm
We have no intention of interrupting service to our existing customers. The 2.5 software update, with new maps, is still scheduled for release later this year and work on 2.6 is already underway.
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:41 pm
I have to agree with some of the others here. My trial ends this week. I was all prepared to buy my trial Dash and a subscription before this message. Now, do I go and invest in what is now a dead hardware platform? I hate to say this but this does cause me concern.
November 4th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Seems clear enough, either their new business model will succeed and we will continue to see service and updates or it will fail and the company will go out of business, leaving us early adopter types in familiar territory. No way to predict an outcome unless we see a significant new customer for their service announced. As Steve Jobs pointed out re the iPhone price drop: so it goes on the bleeding edge of technology…
November 4th, 2008 at 7:59 am
Hey Dave, thanks for generic comment so OK lets break this down.. are you saying in so many words that Dash Express updates are good for two years.. right or wrong ??? so you guys are going to fully support the unit for two years ? so what about people that have paid for two year prepaid plain ??? why has anybody in your company sent any information via email or even mail explaining the situation .. come on guys were is the customer service
I hope you know that I love the product but I’m not feeling the love from Dash
Malcolm
November 4th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I’m very sorry this happened as I was looking forward to Dash getting better and better and eventually wanting to buy one.
Might have gotten one sooner if I had been able to join the Dash member online conversations, and I think I speak for a lot of people who get excited by discussing the product ahead of buying it.
November 4th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
I agree, this is a sad thing indeed.
Any chance Dash would be willing to publish an API and “instructions” to change the GPRS modem so that if, by chance, Dash does go dark, some of us can access the GPRS modem (on our own data accounts) and connect it to an interface and personal server so we can supply services for ourselves?
I personally do not care about the traffic data, it has never been good or accurate from day one. And since you have no routing based on traffic anyway, I do not care about it going away, as I never count on it. But it would be sad to loose the search features for along route and nearby. The ability to search and route is extremely important to me.
Perhaps, since Dash hardware is no longer a product, Dash would be willing to OPEN it up and let those of us who have one start hacking it as an OPEN SOURCE platform for the Dash Platform. Might be just the way to get people to use the Dash Platform. Make it Open Source!
November 4th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
You say it won’t interrupt service — but, how LONG will that ’service’ continue?? (For us month to month-ers)?
November 4th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
Yea, I forgot to ask that too. When my “trial” ends, do I start spending money on a system that may be dead soon, or dump it and spend that same money on a new unit that will be supported for a while?
Any chance that Dash would consider extending “free trials” for a few more months while the dust settles so that we can see that it will be around a while and worth a monthly or yealry investment, please?
November 5th, 2008 at 10:46 am
[...] dash via gigaom Close this WindowBookmark and Share This Page Save to Browser FavoritesAskbackflipblinklistBlogBookmarkBloglinesBlogMarksBlogsvineBUMPzee!CiteULikeco.mmentsConnoteadel.icio.usDotNetKicksDiggdiigodropjack.comdzoneFacebookFarkFavesFeed Me LinksFriendsitefolkd.comFurlGoogleHuggJeqqKaboodlekirtsylinkaGoGoLinksMarkerMa.gnoliaMister WongMixxMySpaceMyWebNetvouzNewsvinePlugIMpopcurrentPropellerRedditRojoSegnaloShoutwireSimpySlashdotSphereSphinnSpurl.netSquidooStumbleUponTechnoratiThisNextWebrideWindows LiveYahoo!Email This to a FriendCopy HTML: If you like this then please subscribe to the RSS Feed or Email Feed.Powered by Bookmarkify™ More » Sphere: Related ContentRelated Points Of InterestOctober 28, 2008 — Dash Express $199 Only Today…September 25, 2008 — TechCrunch Giving Away Free Dash Express For Nothing But CreativityAugust 26, 2008 — Trulia Launches iPhone App: Will This Piss Off Your Real Estate Agent?July 23, 2008 — GPS Wars: Does Verizon’s VZ Navigator 4 Compare To The Dash Express?July 10, 2008 — TomTom HD: Crowdsourced Real-Time Traffic Coming To United States [...]
November 5th, 2008 at 11:08 am
So, where is the info we seek?
I have to join the ranks. I feel betrayed.
November 5th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Indeed! Making the API’s open source would seem like a great way to ensure the likelihood of the survival of the platform with no real downside on the partnering initiative side…
November 6th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
[...] is a pity that Dash is getting out of making their own hardware. I am sure they will survive and hope to use their technology someday [...]
November 6th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
I think “betrayed” is too strong a word, guys. “Very disappointed” is more like it. I’m sure that Dave Zatz and the rest of the Dash crew feel the same way (especially those who are filing for unemployment this week) that their desire to follow their original dream and business model has had to be abandoned.
MyRoute, Live Yahoo Search and Real-time street-level traffic are all incredible contributions to the world of GPS, not to mention all the other goodies and possibilities that made us take the “early adopter” plunge.
In any other market, in any other economy, I’d be pretty happy to say that despite the loss of their hardware division, Dash is here to stay. Dash got dealt a bad economic hand in a tough and saturated marketplace. GPS is moving from proprietary units to phones as more and more are being sold with GPS capabilities. The other players in the market are all trying to out-gimmick the others at this point. It seemed that only Dash was offering something unique and viable but the timing was bad. I suppose there was some writing on the proverbial wall, but it was difficult to make out what it said for a while.
All that said, I want very much to continue my subscription when the trial expires in 32 days, but without further information from Dash regarding plans, commitments, partnerships, etc. it’s going to be hard to convince me and other recent adopters to sign up rather than sell our units on ebay or tear them down for parts for that DIY project we’ve been tinkering with in our basements. Faced with that knowledge, it’s a safe bet that a lot of people are going to abandon ship and things will get worse at Dash before they get better without a reasonable amount of transparency.
Memo to Dash: We bought in. We were excited by your product and your possibilities. We told all our friends about you. Give us a good reason to stand by you now when you need us most.
We’re waiting.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:50 pm
I picked a heck of a day to ship my locked up Pearl of Wisdom back to Dash… The same unit that never did remember my route as advertised. Could have saved UPS charges and enjoyed tossing her out the window. Thanks Dash. Lesson learned by me anyway! By the way, Kevin, in customer service could have saved me some the shipping charges if he’d just told me you guys had gone down. Jim Tennier
November 6th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
As Dave mentioned, we remain fully committed to our customers. We’re just finishing up our next software update- which includes new maps of the US and Canada as well as a number of routing improvements. This will be sent out via DVD in the next several weeks. If you are customer, please make sure that you’ve added your address to your myDash account as we’ll need this info to ship the DVD to you.
We understand that some of you are frustrated and worried. We intend to continue to both provide and enhance the Dash Service moving forward. We hope that you’ll bear with us through this transition. We value the support of our community.
Best,
Rob Currie, CEO of Dash
November 9th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Thanks Rob, I hope DE’s new ‘direction’ like the ‘improved routing’ you’re about to roll out, are both a rousing success. All kidding aside I’m sure I speak for many here when I wish you the best of luck in keeping the platform alive.
November 9th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
while I’m sad to see the hardware platform suffer I hope this means that the capabilities will come to other platforms… for instance I’d love to see the Dash Express maps/routing/lookup as the navigation option on an internet connected CarPC running Centrafuse… not sure what it would take to port it to Windows but I’d be happy to pay a subscription for up-to-date maps, traffic data and (eg) speed camera locations
November 10th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I am proud of being a plunging Dash owner. And however saddened by the discontinuing of producing hardware, I take pride in taking part of the future of GPS. It looks now that the only sensible thing to do is take on the cliche’ “If you can’t beat em, join em”. Garmin, Tom Tom, Magellan and all other manufacturers I failed to mention, can now take advantage of the Dash Network technology. And this makes sense. I can’t say that I will continue using my DE hardware when other devices have DN incorporated with its functionality. But as long as Dash is continuing to support and update the hardware to accomodate the modern bells and whistles of the modern and for now, rival GPS units, I will continue being a part of the Dash Driver Network. My only hope is, will Dash take the same approach as previous, in continuing to upscale the existing hardware. But in reality and knowing that no more hardware will be produced, I hardly doubt that Dash will take the updates any more serious than Pontiac continuing to supply parts to a Fiero. But I’m going to remain optomistic and take heed to what Mr. Currie has stated.
Thanks and may God bless the future of the Dash Express Driver Network.
November 10th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
This sucks.
November 10th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I for one am happy that they have chosen a path that might keep them in business and producing for my DE. I can also say that my route work for me everyday, traffic mapping in the bay area is great. I drive 3500 miles a month in the SF bay area and I really enjoy the DE. Good Luck to DASH.
November 11th, 2008 at 5:50 pm
Where are you guys so I can chuck this big clunky thing thru your window like the old lady on the tire commercials.
November 12th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Businesses fail and / or restructure. I’m disappointed that Dash is taking that route, but it happens. My local Pizza Hut and Taco Bell both closed down recently .. it’s not a betrayal… they just weren’t producing enough sales to justify their existence.
I think (i.e., hope) that they will deliver on the software and map updates later this year and that the DE will be a viable GPS unit for several months or more after that based on those updates, regardless of what happens with the new business model.
Longer term, we own an orphaned device, and at some point it will not longer be supported at all. But in the short-term — it works now and will probably be better in a few weeks, so I don’t see a need to toss my DE in the trash and run out and buy a competitor’s product.
November 12th, 2008 at 10:03 am
I think the ‘new direction’ of the company will bring benefit to everyone. By getting a larger saturation of devices (e.g. cellphones, other manufacturers, etc.) we will be able get more accurate realtime traffic data. I think one of the reasons for the inaccuracy of the traffic data is the fact that we have not reached a critical mass of users.
November 12th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
I’m disappointed since I’ve been watching Dash with an intent to jump in with multiple units at Christmas this year… I was concerned with the limitations of web based PR and sales, while competitors with less interesting products are available at gadget stores, automobile electronics stores, big box stores, etc… plus advertising through several mediums. As Sony learned when they sold off VHS and kept Beta to themselves, it’s hard to compete with availability. The Tom-Toms and Garmins of the world are everywhere… and Dash needed either more presence in the brick and mortar world, or a deal with a big auto manufacturer for use in new cars.
I hope it’s not the end of the Dash app… but I fear that it will be a while before it starts appearing in other devices… and I seriously doubt Dash on a Magellan will be nearly as flexible and fun as the Dash device seems.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:45 pm
With respect, the Dash hardware is nothing to be thrilled about so I’m not all that sad to see it go. On the other hand, the Dash experience itself is great. Who knows what this means? I’m hoping personally it means the same great Dash features, updates, apps, etc., with routing quality and hardware that can finally rival Garmin. Maybe that can happen if Dash licenses its software and “network” to someone who is better at producing quality GPS hardware.
November 15th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
[...] Everything goes great for the two and a half weeks that I have it until I see this message on the official Dash Express blog: [...]
November 16th, 2008 at 6:24 am
Unless they can get other companies to report traffic history that nifty feature will be all but useless.
November 17th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Just saw that Tom Tom has apparently licensed the ‘Dash’ experience and are selling it with their GPS’s that are marked ‘Live’.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:58 am
So Dash (who ever is left), can we see that new update soon? I sure hope you have actually incorporated traffic into routing, one BIG missing piece of your design. What good is traffic if you do not route around it? I also hope you have improved routing, because frankly, Dash routing really was bad (Oakland to San Francisco via Richmond and Marin!!! Really?) I hope you have improved traffic display too. On my unit, almost everything is dashed lines. With no new hardware, you need to alter your algorithms to be more reliant on street sensors and 511 data, because that is all you will have. If Tom Tom is truly using your license, will us Dash users get to see their traffic, or only other Tom Tom users?
There are so many questions, and not many answers here. I would like to continue using my device, because I like Send to Car, live search based on route, and all the on-line options.
And I still ask for an Open Source model, or at least open APIs, so that IF you do abandon this hardware, you will let us owners get access to the modem and data stream so we can use them and pay for them ourselves, and send our own data to the device to keep them alive.
November 18th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I for one am happy with the Dash experience and not really worried about the change. I have a year subscription. This situation reminds me of what happened to me as ReplayTV early adopter. ReplayTV has a tough time, stopped producing their own recorders, licensed, and eventually the software and support changed hands several times. During the whole time I never had uninterrupted service. I kept it for 7 years. By the time Dash stops support you will want a new device/service anyway. So enjoy it and don’t worry.
November 18th, 2008 at 10:15 pm
Bob, Tom Tom’s Dash experience is only available in the UK. Not the US.
November 19th, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I really don’t understand why all the anger and fuss. The Dash is the only device I currently own that has anything close to these type of abilities. (I have such an old base-model phone I can’t even browse the internet on it.) So if Dash is going to continue keeping up the software, and applications will still be available to download, I am happy.
Meanwhile they are expanding to other devices, which will allow the Dash driver network to expand. Seems to me like that is a good thing, so we can have more up-to-date traffic data.
Am I just short-sighted? Can someone explain to me what all this upset is about?
Side note to Owen: I have no idea why your device tells you to go through Richmond to get from Oakland to SF. I’ve driven all over the Bay and never encountered anything like that.
November 20th, 2008 at 1:49 am
WHAT’s HAPPENING ??? Is dash staying in business? I’m reading these notes and it sounds like I bought a service policy and unit from a company that’s shutting down.
Can someone tell me where I can find out what’s happening with DASH, and did I buy something that’s going to be out of business in “6 months”.
So far it seems like a very good unit, but I’ve only had it less than a week.
November 20th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Hi Jerry L,
No, Dash is not shutting down. We will continue to deliver the same service to our existing customers, while discontinuing our hardware. With this recent announcement, we look to expand our software and service to other hardware platforms (ie. smartphones, PDAs, etc.)
November 21st, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Just goes to show that you can have a great product but if no-one knows about it then it’s not much use. Where was the advertising? I heard of Dash via CNN. Lots of cheap late night ads on radio like Ebay did might have resulted in a different company.
November 22nd, 2008 at 6:58 pm
I hope whoever takes over the hardware, offers a larger screen. The industry standard size is too small. An inch or so larger would make a huge difference for those of us over 40 y/o!
November 26th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
Map updates will be sent by DVDs? So no more online updates for us?
November 30th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Focusing on the web/software sounds like a good business decision to me. The device itself is too big, as far as I’m concerned. I take it traveling (I mostly know how to get to places in my own town) and having something smaller would be a big improvement. Having something I could put in my pocket & use for walking as well as driving would be just about perfect (ok & mark interesting locations, like the hotel I am leaving, so I can get back to it).
November 30th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
I was planning on buying 2 units from Amazon. Are these items still supported by the DASH service? Can I still subscribe?
December 2nd, 2008 at 11:40 am
Lets forget about, all this nonsense already! Who wants my 2 month old Dash express? The thing had a complete melt down after two months. Custmer service is worthless for help! So I am stuck with a GPS that can’t navigate or get past the Safty Agreement! Nothing works!! Piss off after now find out about this crap! I knew I sould have lessened to my friends, and got a GARMIN! You people in carge need to look to the future, and fix the problems with your product frist, and don’t sell out, and dump you bullcrap on all of us little people! The one’s who made you rich!
December 2nd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
Hi Anna,
If you’re having an issue with your device, please call us at 877-500-3274.
Kevin
December 7th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Nice post. Thank you for the info. Keep it up.
December 11th, 2008 at 10:45 am
According to Rob Currie’s memo of November 6th, we can expect a DVD in the mail with the latest update.
I sure hope to get this soon, since I like my dash still very much, but I am getting worried that I also have a dead end product.
Regards, Frans
December 16th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Hey Dash, I will wear my suddenly vintage “Dash Beta Tester” T-shirt with pride!
December 17th, 2008 at 7:14 am
I got mine on Monday. Couldn’t update till Tuesday and I got to work because it’s PC only, unfortunately. So far, so good. Not many outward changes and, alas, a road I reported as not connecting is still on the map as connecting. Still like my device, though.
December 25th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
You had a great start to a good idea…… keep it going
I submit a few ideas some friends and I thought would make a good product many years ago… what we called the SyderWeb
Purpose:
To provide a low cost, always on and interactive communication system for the mobile population.
System components:
1. Vehicle mount Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive node
2. Vehicle mounted hardware component
• Proprietary software interface to create and receive text messages
• Voice recognition for transcription to text and to issue system commands
• Removable Storage chip
• Heads up display or dash mounted color display
• GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver
• Cellular capability
3. Secure Internet address to create/modify user profiles including monetary transaction information with retail merchants.
4. Stationary mount Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive node with service/support component to insure compatibility with existing office and retail systems.
5. Cellular provider partnerships
6. ISP partnerships
Concept:
The Vehicle/Stationary mounted Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive node will create an unbroken network connection within 20 to 200 feet of any other node.
In every metropolitan area, vehicles are positioned end to end for hundreds of miles every day. The network will be created via the Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive node and an always on connection will be created instantaneously every time the Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive nodes are interconnected.
This means that in any major metropolitan area, it is possible that this always on network connection could cover an area of hundreds to thousands of square miles.
This concept is cost effective because there is no need to invest in a costly infrastructure to send and receive messages, as the network will exist between vehicles and businesses along the transportation corridors at the times when all transactions take place.
For example, the uniquely identified owner of the Vehicle/Stationary mounted Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive node will send a text message to another unique user of the system. The system will be able to identify if the intended recipient is connected to the network, and if so, the message will be delivered within the Infrared/Laser data network. If the intended user is not connected to the Infrared/Laser data network in his/her metropolitan area, an option will be given to the owner to transmit the message through a chosen cellular provider and ISP partnership.
The message would be routed to both the Internet and the recipient’s independent Infrared/Laser data network. This message could be routed through the existing cellular network to the mobile recipient in another independent Infrared/Laser data network and the message could be routed through an Internet service provider to the recipients e-mail address.
Messages sent to E-Retail outlets can be received similarly.
Possible use scenarios:
• User can verbally transcribe a text message to store electronically or send while driving.
• User can create standard messages to be sent. (i.e. two dozen donuts of the users choice to be prepared at the Morrison Avenue Krispy Kreme store for pick up at 7.12 am on every Monday) .
• User can create custom shopping lists of any kind to be sent to specified locations while driving.
• Entire address books of information can be made available to the mobile user and retrieved by voice command.
• The unit can actually collect location based data such as weather, road conditions, important feature locations ( speed trap ) that can be stored or transmitted or both.
• Advertisers can target the mobile market interactively with promotions, for the system to sort and download to your home PC, similar to the way a F1 car transmits its telemetry to the pit crew.
• Through the use of the GPS capability of the system, location based messages, reminders, or advertisements can be delivered to the mobile market.
• The mobile population will use car-to-car messaging within the Infrared/Laser data network in similar fashion as cell phones.
• The Infrared/Laser data network has the possibility of replacing obtrusive roadside billboards and annoying radio advertising, as an interactive communiqué can be delivered onto the dashboard or heads-up display of the mobile population.
Possible Revenue Streams:
• Profit from Vehicle mount Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive node.
• Profit from Stationary mount Infrared/Laser data transmit/receive node.
• Profit from Subscription fees for use of Infrared/Laser data network.
• Profit from merchant fees for entrance to Infrared/Laser data network.
December 30th, 2008 at 7:23 am
[...] Now that Dash Navigation is ditching their hardware, I’d like to see that service available on my iPhone and BlackBerry next [...]
January 1st, 2009 at 8:43 pm
It would be great if we knew who is buying the Dash technologies, I love the concept and would buy from the company that embraced the Dash technologies
January 2nd, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Are you already out of business? Called January 2 to report service not working and got a message that the customer support is closed for the Thanksgiving and will reopen December 1…
January 8th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
So what’s the status on the map update? I see here it was supposed to go out on a DVD, but I thought that updates came down over GPRS or WIFI?
For the most part I’ve enjoyed my dash, but not knowing aobut what’s going on for the future is concerning to say the least.
January 15th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
[...] it also seems as if the connected GPS category went into hibernation. No Nuvifone, no Magellan, no Dash. However, the TomTom Go 740 Live did make it’s US debut and Internet radio may be coming to [...]
January 16th, 2009 at 10:45 am
Dash doesn’t have the name recognition or market penetration to compete with the likes of Garmin or TomTom which are well on their way to producing internet connected devices of their own. They sell more units so they get higher profits from hardware sales. It makes sense for dash to start renting their expertise to these companies and make profits on software licensing (the microsoft way) while they are ahead of their competitors. Not to do so would be a huge risk.
More devices on the road is a good thing for customers and Dash needs more manpower because the status of plugins and the handling of updates leave a lot to be desired (Mailing DVD updates is silly.How about a torrent with a DVD image that we can download online and burn ourselves? The cost is close to nil!)
That said, Dash should think about rewarding early customers who put up with the kinks and the unseemly hardware. Maybe a reduced Monthly rate or a small period of free service? Never underestimate the power of grateful fanatical followers
In any case, I’m still happy with my purchase and I wish the Dash Express team the best of luck! I will continue supporting you guys and recommending your services in the future.
January 30th, 2009 at 10:24 am
[...] to concentrate on licensing their application and service to unnamed device manufacturers. The last post on their blog is dated November 3, 2008. There’s been a flurry of comments asking for more clarification, but [...]
January 30th, 2009 at 11:40 am
Whoa, Technologizer.com just wrote about Dash and how they aren’t talking to their customers.
http://technologizer.com/2009/01/30/the-loneliness-of-the-early-adopter/
Dash, you need to do a better job with that.
Mike
February 9th, 2009 at 1:54 am
Damn I was wondering why I could no longer find the purchase page for the Dash Express. Glad I didn’t fall for the $400 Crash Express!
Seriously I had high hopes for this platform and was just holding out a bit for it to mature, and reduce the $400 dollar hardware entry free.
I didn’t pay any money and am pissed off by the news as this was the first nav system that realy made some good since with wireless connectivity. I was looking foward to joing the Dash network not is all but not!
February 15th, 2009 at 7:09 am
The “routing” aspects of the Dash are in most cases poor, in some cases, bizarre - does anyone else notice this?
Can it be fixed, improved or just smashed when you are headed to an appointment and it runs you well outside your needed route adding alot of time and aggravation to your trip
March 4th, 2009 at 9:33 am
I agree,bizarre and ridiculus is the only way to describe some of the routings. my Garmin never did that.
March 7th, 2009 at 9:12 am
what kind of other devices?
March 18th, 2009 at 1:36 pm
Wishing for a Dash Navigation app on iPhone 3G now Apple has announced turn by turn apps are allowed. I’ve got unlimited data on my contract so would be perfect for realtime traffic data etc.
March 20th, 2009 at 11:57 am
Yes, if the dashers have not seen it yet, go 21 minutes into the Apple March 17th event video…
April 29th, 2009 at 10:30 pm
I was hoping that TomTom’s release of the GO 740 Live in the United States would put some pressure on DASH to release the long awaited “2.6″ update, and to re-establish active communication with its loyal subscribers. But, alas, nearly a month has passed with absolutely NO statements from DASH. I am disappointed, but not surprised. DASH has been doomed since the infamous “new direction” message delivered on 11/03/08.
May 7th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Seems like the TeleNav Shotgun us the new “Dash”? Doesn’t yet have all the Apps Dash has but the reviews seem decent so far. http://www.telenav.com/campaign/telenav-shotgun/internet-connected/
May 9th, 2009 at 8:48 pm
They had a great concept, but were not able to get elbow into the market vs the established players. The live traffic, open platform for apps and OTA updates were/are too valuable to lose, let’s hope someone buys Dash + it’s tech + core staff while there’s something intact. After all the staff go it quickly becomes harder to get these things running again.
May 17th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I love my DASH Unit.To me,It’s the best Navigation system on the market.I hated to hear about the new direction that DASH is going in,they have something here that nobody had or did not include in there GPS units.They still could have made the units and incorporated any new technology that they come up with,plus they still could have sold there application and service to other companies,that doesn’t mean that those companies would use or incorporated that in there own units.I hope they read this BLOG because I would like for them to reconsider and make the units.They are doing the loyal dash customers a disservice.I would be willing to invest into DASH NAVIGATION if it meant keeping a Real GPS afloat.
June 4th, 2009 at 9:57 am
RIM just purchased DASH!
Isn’t That Exciting news? (According to GPS Business News)
Will the DASH be builtin to my Blackberry?
Let’s hope so!
Remember… DASH is a Software company, not hardware… let someone else figure out the Hardware, and keep giving us this Should-Be-Nobel-Prize-Winning-Features!
June 20th, 2009 at 11:02 pm
*sigh* No chance of this on iPhone now then
August 26th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
[...] A couple years ago a new dedicated GPS device hit the market called the Dash Express. Dash planned to crowdsource their traffic data. Each Dash Express GPS unit reported location and speed back to the service. Dash then aggregated this data and pushed the results back to every Dash unit. In theory, users would get extremely current and accurate traffic data. In reality, the concept requires a large install base in your area to be effective. If I remember correctly, the Dash unit was nearly $400 at launch, and required a $14/month service plan. In November of 2008 Dash must have seen the writing on the wall, because they quit being a hardware company and started focusing on pushing their system of aggregating traffic da…. [...]
November 11th, 2009 at 6:55 am
[...] to approach the new technologies around in a defensive fashion. Companies such as Navigon and Dash have already realized there is a lot of money to be earned in the software side of things. Garmin will be better off if [...]
November 28th, 2009 at 12:11 pm
I’ve been worried that the glut of other GPS competitors would make DE sales too low to survive, despite the unique benefits of the DE. I’m sticking to the bitter end and hope the new model gets more data points into the network, even if it means I’ll someday be one of them using a Garmin again. Until then, hang in there Dash, I’m not ready to bury my DE anytime soon.
December 29th, 2009 at 11:14 pm
Get real, people. THERE IS NO NEW DIRECTION! The DASH website has had absoutely NO new press releases since “W” was still president! It is sad to see a promising new technology (the DASH network) slowly die, but at least it has not been as abrupt as when GM killed the EV-1 vehicle! (And look what happened to GM!)