You have to wonder about the plummeting price of portable navigation devices, or as we in the know call them, PNDs. They burgeoned on the market last year. It seemed like every weekend we saw ads proclaiming incredible discounts. As a result, it’s no surprise that in 2007 revenue for these little navis rose 54.4 percent compared to 2006, according to research firm iSuppli Corp.
A combination of strong previous sales and the incredibly cheap prices might spell trouble for PNDs this year. First, most folks who wanted PNDs had no reason not to buy one last year with prices as low as $200 for an entry-level model. Second, with the fierce competition to provide low-cost units, profits are lowered, thus scaring off investors.
Nonetheless, as I hear time and time again, navigation units are among the greatest inventions of our time (this usually comes from perpetually lost co-workers). This year, iSuppli Corp. predicts growth will slow to 18.2 percent, not bad by any measure.