Having decided to not launch any phones at MWC, Nokia have now launched a new phone at CeBIT instead!  The Nokia C5 phone is a S60 3rd Edition device, and will, like all new GPS-enabled Symbian devices, ship with Free Ovi Maps and Free Navigation.  However, as well as having a facility for updating your Facebook status built into the device, it also has finally brought the level of integration so far only seen on a handful of devices; it will allow you to see your friend’s Facebook status updates within the Contacts application.

The phone will also feature Nokia Messaging for email and IM, and will ship with a 2GB microSD card (and supports upto 16GB).  Even more interesting, when the phone ships in Q2 this year, it should cost around £100 on PAYG, which shows that Symbian is really becoming available across all devices within the Nokia range, and is no longer tied to the high end “smartphones”.

I’m impressed that they have added this level of integration into the device, although it remains to be seen how well Nokia can support this functionality over the months and years to come, especially if Facebook make changes which mean an update is required.  I also hope that Nokia release this application, or Contacts plugin for other devices, or at least integrate it into the firmware of other devices.

We’re hearing that Vodafone will be removing the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic from their range by the end of the week, and it’s likely as we progress into March that the other networks will follow suit.  As the phone has been out for a while, it seems it’s being replaced by the Nokia 5230, which although is a nice phone, has some less features compared to the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic.

Firstly, it’s got a 2 megapixel camera, compared to the 3.2 megapixel on the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic, and it doesn’t have WiFi (not a problem for many people, but still worth pointing out; whilst at home, my phones often download larger files and data, which would quickly cut into the data limits placed on phone contracts).  It does, however, have built in social networking features (although adding a copy of Gravity to a Symbian phone only costs around £8, and is well worth it in my opinion).  It does also have more flexibility when it comes to the home screen layout, which may appeal to many.  With the move to Ovi Maps v3 now being free for S60 5th Edition phones, both can have free Navigation, although with the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic you may well need to update the software and maps before you get free navigation, whereas it’s more likely (although not confirmed) that the Nokia 5230 will ship with the free version out of the box.

So, if you are after a new phone, the Nokia 5230 is worth a look, but if the lack of WiFi will be an issue, then you might want to act quickly before the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic disappears from the shelves for good!

If you own a Nokia N97, then you should find that the free Ovi Maps software is now available.  It’s not yet integrated into a firmware update, but instead is available from the built in Software Update tool.  However, you’ll need v20 firmware already installed, so where does the Nokia N97 UK network operator branded versions stand…?

Well, for most UK network operators, they have offered v20 for some time, and hence if you don’t already have the new firmware, you can apply it and then pick up the Ovi Maps update (although you need a fair amount of free space on the C: drive, so if it won’t install, hopefully the v21 firmware which will include the new v3.03 Free Ovi Maps should be out at some point in the next few weeks).

Most.  Not all.  This week, it’s Orange in the doghouse, for still being on v10 firmware, and not yet having made v20 available for their customers.  Nokia have said they are working to ensure v20 is available to all, but yet again, things are complicated by the UK networks.

It’s nice to see the Nokia N97 finally included in the list of supported devices for the Free Navigation Forever campaign from Nokia, but personally, I still want to see Nokia offering it to S60 3rd Edition FP1 devices…

This is only just been announced, so I’ll provide more comment later, but if you own, or are planning to buy one of these Nokia models:

• Nokia N97 Mini
• Nokia E72
• Nokia E52
• Nokia E55
• Nokia 5800 XpressMusic
• Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition
• Nokia 6710 Navigator
• Nokia 6730
• Nokia 5230
• Nokia X6

then as from today, you should be able to download a new version of Ovi Maps, which not just offers free GPS Navigation in over 70 countries, but offers more too…

• Free Drive navigation
• Free Walk navigation
• Free maps and map updates
• Free Events guides
• Free Lonely Planet guides
• Free Michelin guides
• Free Weather updates

That’s an impressive list, especially the guides and weather being free too.  This is obviously a reaction to Google announcing plans to make navigation free for all, but with Nokia supporting offline navigation (with all the maps and routing being stored on the device) this is likely to be a much preferred solution for many (especially those travelling abroad where roaming data charges would make Google’s solution impractical for many).

We’re also hearing that traffic and safety camera information will be free too!

Nokia have stated they plan to increase the range of devices further in the future (I, like many others have already commented on the lack of the original Nokia N97).

For more information, head to the Free Navigation Forever page from Nokia.

Update: We understand the Nokia N97 is likely to need a firmware update first to be able to support the new version of the Ovi Maps (this is more about a lack of free space on the C: drive than anything in particular within the firmware), and it’s possible that the new Ovi Maps will be included within the firmware itself, and that we may see that firmware before the end of the month.

Update: We have seen a number of comments from Nokia that imply more of their “older” devices will soon be included within this Free Navigation programme, and we hope it covers the majority of S60 3rd Edition FP1 devices, especially those like the Nokia E71 which are still on sale today as brand new devices.

Update: It appears there will be a Free version for the Nokia N900 Maemo device, but this is some way off.

Back in November, I covered some early information on the new Garmin Engine Diagnostic system (see here).  Well, Garmin have formally released more information about it, and I can now provide confirmation of my earlier article.

So, once you have performed a one time sync between your Garmin Nuvi and the unit above, the two devices will work wirelessly.  You simply plug the device into your OBD-II diagnostics socket, and mount it away from pedals and other switches, and it will then work without further intervention.

Garmin have said “Drivers also get more accurate ecoRoute data, making fuel conservation easier than ever, and they can monitor their engine data (including temperature, RPM, emissions) and diagnostics through the Trip Computer screen and customizable Gauges screen. Drivers can then view Diagnostic Trouble Codes – with on-screen descriptions of some error codes – and reset the “check engine” light. ecoRoute hd will be compatible with many current and future nüvi models, including 1260, 1370, 1390, 1490 and 1690.”

The list of diagnostic features includes:

• Intake air temperature information
• Coolant temperature data
• Throttle position and engine load
• Intake manifold pressure
• Battery and charging system information
• Mass airflow rate
• Timing advance
• Emissions

The device will be available in March 2010 in the US, and hopefully not long after in the UK.  A number of existing Nuvi units will be compatible with the ecoroute HD cable; to find out if your Nuvi will be compatible (although all existing units will need a software update to support the device), head off to www.garmin.com/ecoroute (although looking at the time of writing, it wasn’t clear whether all devices that have ever supported the ecoroute function will work, or whether the website simply hasn’t been fully updated yet!).

In a time of SatNavs becoming cheaper, something like this helps to differentiate Garmin from the competition…

A couple of short articles (from GPSReview.net here and here, who are reporting from CES), have stated that TomTom maybe bringing lifetime map and traffic updates to devices later this year.

In terms of map updates, it appears that some new devices launched in 2010 will feature lifetime map updates, although it’s not yet clear whether there are any real limits; it’s likely to be tied to the device, but even so, TomTom may limit the updates to a set number of years.  TomTom generally release quarterly updates, and have in the past offered an £80 offer for 2 years of updates, so although a great saving, it will still be helpful, and it will be interesting to see how the other manufacturers respond.  With Nokia and Google already providing free updates for their mobile offerings, it certainly looks like the cost of mapping data is getting cheaper…

For the traffic updates, things are less clear right now; TomTom have talked about a new traffic receiver with lifetime traffic.  It appears this maybe an RDS-TMC based receiver, and of course, this may be a US only offer.

Either way, it’s nice to see manufacturers like TomTom react positively to the likes of Nokia and Google, and to continue to try to differentiate their products with services that will make people continue to buy their solutions…

More information when we have it, and when we can confirm how this will affect new TomTom units and accessories sold in the UK.

Whereas 2009 seemed to be the year every smartphone was exclusively with O2, it appears 2010 maybe Vodafone’s year, as they currently have the exclusive on the Nokia E72, will be selling the iPhone 3G (and iPhone 3GS) within a couple of weeks, and they have announced they will be the network to bring the brand new Google Nexus One Android phone to Europe. Google have said:

“Manufactured by HTC, the Nexus One features dynamic noise suppression from Audience, Inc., a large 3.7″ OLED display for deep contrast and brilliant colors and a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ chipset for blazing speeds. Running on Android 2.1, the newest version of Eclair, the software includes innovations like a voice-enabled keyboard so you can speak into any text field, fun Live Wallpapers, a 3D photo gallery for richer media experiences and lots more. Of course, it also comes with a host of popular Google applications, including Gmail, Google Voice and Google Maps Navigation.”

The full tech specs include:

Size and weight

• Height: 119mm
• Width: 59.8mm
• Depth: 11.5mm
• Weight: 130 grams w/battery

Display

• 3.7-inch (diagonal) widescreen WVGA AMOLED touchscreen
• 800 x 480 pixels
• 100,000:1 typical contrast ratio
• 1ms typical response rate

Camera & Flash

• 5 megapixels
• Autofocus from 6cm to infinity
• 2X digital zoom
• LED flash
• User can include location of photos from phone’s AGPS receiver
• Video captured at 720×480 pixels at 20 frames per second or higher, depending on lighting conditions

Cellular & Wireless

• UMTS Band 1/4/8 (2100/AWS/900)
• HSDPA 7.2Mbps
• HSUPA 2Mbps
• GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
• Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n)
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• A2DP stereo Bluetooth

Power and battery

• Removable 1400 mAH battery
• Charges at 480mA from USB, at 980mA from supplied charger

Talk time

• Up to 10 hours on 2G
• Up to 7 hours on 3G

Standby time

• Up to 290 hours on 2G Up to 250 hours on 3G

Internet use

• Up to 5 hours on 3G
• Up to 6.5 hours on Wi-Fi

Video playback

• Up to 7 hours

Audio playback

• Up to 20 hours

Processor

• Qualcomm QSD 8250 1 GHz

Operating system

• Android Mobile Technology Platform 2.1 (Eclair)

Capacity

• 512MB Flash
• 512MB RAM
• 4GB Micro SD Card (Expandable to 32 GB)

Location

• Assisted global positioning system (AGPS) receiver
• Cell tower and Wi-Fi positioning
• Digital compass
• Accelerometer

This is an interesting development, if only because Google are happy to either sell the phone subsidised (currently on T-Mobile in the US, but Vodafone will be coming for European support in “Spring 2010″), or you can buy it unsubsidised (and unlocked) for $529, and you can even have up to 2 lines of text engraved on the back (although along with many engraved Apple products, this does limit your ability to send the phone back unless it’s faulty).

Expect to start seeing these phones in the UK very shortly…

This tip has come from the Maemo community, but applies to all Nokia devices, and may help if you are having a problem with GPS lock times. By default, your Nokia device will be set to the supl.nokia.com positioning server to help the A-GPS system locate you whilst the GPS catches up, but its been suggested that changing that to supl.google.com speeds up the intial positioning in the US.  Now, it’s not clear if this is due to Nokia having less A-GPS data for the US, or whether it’s to do with Google having less loaded servers, or Google having better algorithms for that initial position location, but it seems to be helping some people.  Although we have no evidence it will necessarily help in the UK, if you are having problems, why not give it a try, and report back on whether or not it helped…

When Mike Barrett (from Pocket GPS World) went to Florida recently, he took with him an iPhone loaded with a variety of SatNav applications.  He also took a TomTom with him, but wanted to see if he could survive without needing to resort to using it.  Did he succeed? Read his article here.

Two interesting new features have been added to Google Latitude.  Firstly, there is a history service, that will record your location history (ie the position updates you elect to send to Google in the first place), and let you view the information on the Google Latitude website.

Secondly is an alert service.  This will alert you by email or SMS when you and your friends are closeby. However, to save you being alerted when your work colleagues are nearby, it will use the location history information to try to determine your regular and “unusual” locations, and will only alert you to friends nearby when you are at an “unusual” location.  To determine the regular locations, it can take up to a week for Google to work these out, and only once this is complete will Google start sending alerts.

Alerts can be sent via email to your Google email address, or via SMS (which seems to offer most UK mobile networks), although there is no mention of whether they are any costs associated with the SMSes.

This can all be accessed via this webpage to configure the settings.  As these settings and information is all at the Google backend, no updated client is required.

Since the release of the new OS, v3.1, a number of applications have had some “issues”.  Well, some of them are now fixed, so we thought we’d lay out some of the updates that application vendors have informed us of…

Skype have released v1.2, which has the following new features:

• You can set up call forwarding from your iPhone – forward Skype calls to a phone number when you’re not signed in, so you can pick up calls even when the Skype app isn’t running on your device
• Improved performance and better audio quality when making Skype-to-Skype calls
• It’s even easier to send text messages (SMS) – you can now send SMSs from the Call tab

Devicescape have confirmed, that after their earlier problems, their Easy Wi-Fi client is now fully functional again, and have stated:

• First of all, Apple’s special support only applies to the original Easy Wi-Fi multi-network application (the one with the white icon).  If you’re using any of the other Easy Wi-Fi apps, like the AT&T or T-Mobile version, you’ll need to install the original version too.  It’s free in the AppStore.  You don’t need to use it: just the act of installing it has the effect of telling the iPhone OS not to do “smart” stuff with your Wi-Fi connection in hotspots.
• Previously, we recommended installing Boingo because we knew it had the same effect.  You don’t need Boingo anymore (unless of course you’re a user, and maybe you should think about becoming a user, it’s a great service!)
• Finally, if you’re one of the many iPod touch users who never upgraded from 2.x firmware, ignore all of this.  You’re fine.  The issue only occurs with iPhone OS 3.0, and if you upgrade you’ll be jumping past that version from now on.

Navigon have updated their Navigation application too (although not specificially for the new OS).   As well as recently adding text-to-speech and iPod controls, they have now launched lifetime traffic (it needs a one time fee to activate).

TruPhone have addressed their problems with the latest OS, and they have confirmed that v3.0.3 of their iPhone client now works fully with the new OS.

This is the new Garmin nuvi 1690, which launched a few weeks back in the US, but has now been launched in the UK as well.  The important part of this device is the use of a built in mobile phone connection, allowing it to have a whole range of “connected” services, like those of the TomTom LIVE range.

Garmin are providing the following services over that connection:

• Instant Traffic information
• Speed Camera alerts (continually updated apparently)
• Fuel prices
• Ciao! Friend Finder (Garmin’s Social Networking application which also features on the nuviphone range)
• Google Local Search and Telephone Directory
• Flight Status
• Weather Forecast
• Currency Exchange
• White Pages

There are also two other useful services in the range; Send To GPS allows you to “send” your route direct to your GPS, although we believe this will involve a direct connection between your PC and the SatNav unit.  The other is Panoramio, which will allow you to plan ahead and “conveniently go online to set your sat nav’s destination”.  Little detail exists about this function right now, and even on a UK specific page it mentions this service may not be available everywhere.

As a device it features a whole raft of standard features; Bluetooth (for Hands Free phonecalls), Lane assistance, photo navigation, Where Am I?, ecoRoute fuel saving routes, and Park Position Recall.  Also, Garmin will preload the device with Pan European maps, and have stated that the online nuLink services will be available in 15 countries (not all services are available in all countries though), which is better than TomTom managed when they launched their LIVE services, which were limited to the country the device was obtained from.

For example, England (sic), France, Spain and Netherlands all offer all the services mentioned, whereas Italy and Belgium offer all but Fuel Prices, and Germany offers all except Fuel Prices, Safety Cameras and Ciao! location sharing.  Some services (although Garmin do not state which) are also available in Austria, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden and Switzerland.

In terms of Ciao!, Garmin have stated “Ciao!, is a patentpending social network application that links multiple location-centric social networks onto one application, Ciao! currently aggregates information from GyPSii and uLocate’s Buddy beacon social network services. Ciao! is expandable and additional social network partners are expected in the future.”

The device ships with 12 months nuLink services, and will cost €79 per year to renew (no UK pricing released yet); unfortunately Garmin also failed to provide any indicative pricing for the unit either, but this unit is likely to be the first of many well connected devices from Garmin, and appears to be a good move for Garmin, especially in the run up to Christmas.

Since it’s initial launch we’ve had the Nokia 5800 XpressMusic phone, then we had the Comes with Music version released, and now we have the Nokia 5800 Navigation Edition.  This new version of the phone concentrates on providing a SatNav experience on the device, and to that end, ships with a lifetime voice guided Drive and Walk navigation license.  Of course, Nokia provide map updates for free for their devices, and software updates are free too, so this really does look like a good deal, and certainly could work out cheaper than buying a phone and navigation license separately (as long as you keep the phone for at least 2 years).  The Navigation Edition also features a slightly modified housing, with the silver effect instead of the red or blue colour band.

Unlike earlier devices in the range, this version will ship with the latest Ovi Maps pre-installed, although it’s not clear what mapping will be included on the device (additional maps can either be download Over-The-Air, or via a PC, which is often more convenient).

Just in case you thought that wasn’t enough, Nokia have also included within the box a car holder, easy mount (windscreen suction mount) and swivel adaptor, allowing you to mount the phone conveniently for use.  The box will also feature a car charger, a key component when using phones as a SatNav due to the additional battery drain of the GPS, the data connection (if used), and keeping the screen display lit.

This version of the device will retail for around £250, which is a good price given the accessories and navigation license that’s included, and will be available during Q3 (err, that means September we suspect), although if you can’t wait, you can either get the original Nokia 5800 XpressMusic from Vodafone, or, as from today, it is now also available from 3UK as well (with their usual additional apps).

If you do buy the original device, you should be able to buy the Car Holder / Swivel Adaptor / Windscreen Mount as accessories (often sold separately so watch out you know what you are purchasing!), and of course, you can purchase Nokia Navigation Licenses either from the internet (normally cheaper) or direct on the device itself, giving you the same overall experience, just without the silver colour!

Two big pieces of iPhone SatNav news have happened this week.  Firstly, the big news is the release of the TomTom iPhone application.  Costing £54.99 for the UK version, or £79.99 for Western Europe mapping, making it the most expensive iPhone SatNav solution, according to the Pocket GPS World iPhone SatNav Comparison page.

This app has features such as IQ Routing, but misses out on any LIVE Services, and no support for custom POIs, preventing the use of third party speed camera databases, such as the excellent one from Pocket GPS World, and there’s no news on the TomTom iPhone mount, except that TomTom have stated that their mount will work with other SatNav apps too.

Secondly, the other news is that Navigon have released an update to their application.  Some after the initial launch, Navigon have added support for multiple destinations, calling numbers included with POIs, and the ability to add them to your contacts.

Some content courtesy of Pocket GPS World.

3UK have today released the Nokia N86 for sale, both online and in their stores.  As well as the super-wide angle Carl-Zeiss lens on the 8 megapixel camera, the phone offers a whole range of features, from SatNav (via Nokia Maps including a compass), to the vibrant OLED display (with a hard scratch-resistant glass front), a kickstand, 8GB of memory, TV-out, and an FM transmitter.  If you are an existing Nokia N95 or Nokia N95 8GB and are coming out of your existing contract, and want to continue with the same form factor, then this device is most likely the one for you!

On top of all of this, 3UK have ensured that their Skype, Email on 3 and Windows Live Messenger clients are available at launch too (they’ve also got Facebook support, but that’s just a link to m.facebook.com).  In fact, most of the apps aren’t pre-installed, but linked from the Favourites, to allow them to be installed.  However, the BBC iPlayer client will be included as well.

In terms of colour, 3UK have the Indigo Black version available now, and are planning to have the white version around January 2010 (which may imply another network has a 3 month exclusive on the white version).

If you are interested in the Nokia N86, head over to the 3Store to find out more about this phone.

With the launch of so many iPhone based SatNav applications right now, it’s difficult to find a single source which has reviewed them all, and compares the features of each.  Well, Pocket GPS World have done just that, and produced a comparison table showing a whole range of features, and even includes a “Quirks” section.  The only main navigation app missing so far is the TomTom one (which is yet to be released), but there is a placeholder for it.

Not just is there lots of information, it’s UK-centric (including providing the memory requirements for both UK and full European mapping where appropriate).

Head over to their comparison chart for more information.

We briefly covered ALK’s new CoPilot iPhone SatNav application, but ALK have kindly provided us with more information.  Firstly, here’s a full list of the features that are available in the CoPilot iPhone version;

• Full spoken turn-by-turn voice directions
• Detailed street maps of UK and Ireland with full UK post codes stored on your iPhone
• Clear 3D and 2D driving views with SmartZoom™ speed-variable zoom and street names
• Navigate to a house number, street, intersection or address book contact
• Automatic portrait and landscape display switching
• Comprehensive multi-stop pre-trip planning and preview
• Route optimizer works out the best way around multiple stops
• Intelligent navigation provides guidance in tunnels and underpasses
• Automatic day/night mode
• Navigate to thousands of Points of Interest
• Lane indicator & CoPilot ClearTurn™ provides a more realistic view of motorway exits and junctions
• Real Signpost display matches real-life signs
• LiveLink™ location sharing and messaging: keep track of your CoPilot friends, live on-screen!
• Live 5 day weather forecast for your location or destination
• Roadside Assistance helps you contact your breakdown company and tell them your location
• Huge range of customization features to suit the way you travel
• Customized trip status displays, including eta, distance remaining and more

As well as the UK & Ireland version (£25.99), ALK are planning a full European version (£59.99) and ALK have stated that USA and additional European country maps will be available soon.  CoPilot have mentioned that they hope to bring safety camera alerts in a future version, but this is not yet definite.

On top of the TomTom SatNav solution we’ve already featured before, ALK have just released their iPhone SatNav to the UK iTunes App Store here.  Their CoPilot app features UK & Ireland data, turn-by-turn directions, a 3D Map display, and full UK postcode support.  It additionally includes ‘LiveLink’ location sharing and messaging, 5-day weather forecast, lane indicator and ‘clearturn’ displays.

It has been released at £25.99; the same price ALK have their Android version in the Android Marketplace, and if you are interested, there is a nice review of it over at PDA-247.

In terms of TomTom, it appears the package will cost around £114 for the software and the mount, and it’s already starting to get listed on some websites for pre-order, so we would expect stock to arrive soon, although possibly not in time for your summer holiday…

It also looks like iGO’s MyWay 2009 should be available soon too!

CoPilot content courtesy of Pocket GPS World.

Nokia have announced a three year agreement with RoadPilot, whereby RoadPilot will be providing Nokia with speed camera / safety camera information to allow Ovi Maps to offer this as a subscription service.

With the move of many users away from a traditional SatNav device to using their phone for navigation, it’s key that Nokia feel they have a solution to offer, and this is quite possibly the first of a number of relationships to cover a range of services for their platform.

Of course, you can also use other camera data, such as the Pocket GPS World data if you install SpeedCam as a solution which sits on top of Nokia Maps / Ovi Maps which we’ve covered before here, or another option is to simply buy a dedicated speed device such as these.

This is the new 2010 Jaguar XJ, revealed today by Jaguar UK.  Although we don’t often feature whole cars, we’ve certainly featured some elements of the tech included before, so we thought we’d look to see how well it brings the tech together…

The styling reminds us of both the Jaguar C-XF Concept car, and the current Jaguar XF, with maybe a hint of the Citroen C6 in those vertical LED rear lights…

Like the Jaguar XF, the new Jaguar XJ features the JaguarDrive, a fly-by-wire rotary gear selector, but also features “JaguarSense reading lamp and glovebox switches” (basically the switches are touch sensitive); if you want to customise the interior beyond the normal choices of colour (14 choices), trim and wood veneer (11 choices), you can also replace the word “Jaguar” in the top-middle of the dashboard with another word of your choosing…

Laser thin phospur blue lines of light highlight the centre-console switches, and around the JaguarDrive gear selector, the handbrake, door handles, door mounted switches and even the door storage panniers, and to save you needing to even take the car key out of your pocket, it can be specified with Keyless Entry and Keyless Start.

The Steering wheel features lots of control buttons using thumb-operated switches and five-way pads, which will include controls for an iPod.  Oh, and if that’s not enough, you can specify an optional heated steering wheel!

The instruments in front of the driver is actually all virtual, with the ability to replace the tachometer with another warnings or information required by the driver and the display features a “spotlight” feature to highlight the most important information.  The large touchscreen for the SatNav also gives access to many of the cars functions (as have previous Jaguar touchscreens), and for some countries (including the UK, but not the US) the touchscreen is a dual-view screen, allowing the passenger to watch a film or TV whilst the driver cannot (he instead gets SatNav or controls, but never the film / TV, which is illegal here), with an additional set of wireless headphones for the passenger to allow them to hear the different source too.

That’s not all in terms of multimedia, you can specify a rear entertainment package, a Premium Sound system (600W) or even a 7.1 Bowes & Wilkins 1200W system.  Finally, there’s also a DAB radio option, which we would recommend everyone takes, with the UK Government suggesting that DAB should be standard in most cars in the next few years to allow a potential shutdown of FM signals in the future…

Of course, these options don’t come cheap…

• DAB radio: £250
• TV support: £500
• Dual View screen £850
• Rear entertainment £1500
• B&W 1200W Sound System £2000

all of that, on top of the car instelf, which goes from £52,500 upto £88,000 (we should point out that many of those features above are actually standard on the higher spec cars (eg the 3.0litre £62,900 XJ Portfolio includes Dual View, B&W 1200W Sound System, a rear camera and even a panoramic roof with electric sun blinds).

For more information, head over to Jaguar UK’s website here.