Well in Japan, the Nintendo DS is a GPS. In a interesting move by Toyota, the Kuruma de DS cartridge (translated, Use the DS in the Car) is a new GPS device intended to be used by the passenger. The DS will hook up to the vehicle using a blue tooth chip, which as we all know is a rather simple system to attach. Now you have a wireless handheld device that gives you all the control of a GPS! But you can see why it has to be a passenger only utility, since it takes two hands to use! Probably would help if your used to using a Nintendo DS in the past.

With interesting features such as sightseeing info and trivia questions prompted by your current location, it’s obvious that this was developed as not only a practical tool but as a source of entertainment. The written text is read by your Miis, and you can set up the sound for your DS to go through the vehicles speakers if you wish.

But you want to know what really shocks me? See the full story for the price breakdown! 

As of the press release for this exciting new peripheral, the Smart Navi chip was going for about ¥206,850 which equals roughly $2,586. And than you have to purchase the program that utilizes the DS, (Kuruma de DS) which grosses for another ¥7,329 or $92. And neither of the prices actually include the price of the Nintendo DS, which I’ll add in for a low, low price of about $90. So after the Navigation system, the Nintendo DS hookup, and the Nintendo DS itself, you’re looking at the pretty penny of  $2,768 for the complete set up.

Now that’s one nice navigation system. For that kind of money, I hope I get some kind of Blue Koopa Shell insurance.

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