Daily Danet Product Review: ObamaNAV GPS Navigation System
We here at the Daily Danet were very excited to get our hands on the brand new, shiny ObamaNAV GPS Navigation System by Chicago Machines. We were promised that the ObamaNAV would have state of the art, high fidelity clean and articulate audio instructions, as well as Chicago Machines’ new “AdvisorSync” system.
The audio did not disappoint. During start-up, we were impressed with the smooth, dulcet tones of the ObamaNAV. It alerts the user to it progress during the start-up process: “Now is the time to Change™ your navigator. The navigation of the past is not what we need to move forward,” it said, increasing the anticipation.
The problems, however, begin when the device is asked to perform basic Navigation functions. Take this exchange between us and the ObamaNAV:
Us: “I would like to go to Yankee Stadium.”
ObamaNAV: “Now is the time for us to go to Yankee Stadium. For too long, we have avoided the roads that lead us there. Now is not the time for us to fall back on the directions of the past. Today, we begin to move forward.“
Us: “Great, directions please.”
ObamaNAV: “Because there has never been a trip this size at this time of day, obtaining directions has tested the limits of human technology. From day one, I have assembled a team of our nation’s best scientists and geographers to tackle this challenge — a team led by Dr. Steven Chu, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist and our nation’s Secretary of Energy. Scientists at our national labs and experts from academia and other oil companies have also provided ideas and advice. As a result of these efforts, in the coming weeks and days, these efforts should provide up to 90 percent of the directions needed for this trip.“
Us: “Directions to Yankee Stadium.”
ObamaNAV: “Let me be clear, BP is the responsible party…“
It continues like that for several minutes.
When you finally get the system to provide you with directions, it only allows you to make left turns. A very loud, repeating klaxon sounds if, at any point, you attempt to make a u-turn, even on a dead end street.
Finally, the AdvisorSync is a disaster. It is advertised as an augmentation to the ObamaNAV’s GPS system, in the event the system itself cannot guide you. Unfortunately, the AdvisorSync merely locates and synchronizes with the nearest GPS systems. This is helpful only if everyone around you is headed in the same place. Ultimately, a GPS system should be able to navigate itself.
I’m afraid we have to give the ObamaNAV a D, our lowest rating.
ObamaNAV: “I give myself a solid B+.”