6 of the 50 most popular products offered through the main Brazilian online sale site, MercadoLivre.com (e-Bay subsidiary), are automobile GPS devices fitted with Digital TV OneSeg ISDB-T receiver and 4.3″, 5″ and 7″ inch screen. More than the 90% of new GPS sales in such site include TV, which shows one of the main applications of OneSeg mobile system to be utilized.
Specialized Brazilian publications like InfoGPS have highlighted the phenomenon that became clearer in Christmas 2011. Although Telesystem relies on models more highly praised by specialists, its prices are above the USD 1,000 thus leaving room for Chinese Foston products which clearly lead MercadoLivre sales, with prices below USD 200 even for GPS devices fitted with 7″-inch Digital TV LCD and rear-view camera for parking.
Some of the Digital TVGPS brands highlighted by InfoGPS, in addition to Telesystem, are Multilaser, Aquarius, Mio, Unicoba and Airis, at prices that range from USD 230 to USD 970.
Most users are taxi drivers, who install the GPS mainly with the purpose of receiving speed control radar alerts and avoiding fines. They also choose TV services to rely on news and entertainment during leisure moments and in traffic jams, which are very common in the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Other taxi drivers utilize the system for their clients’ entertainment, by orienting the device towards the back seat and paying attention only to radar alerts. However, pursuant to Ruling 242 of 2007 issued by the National Traffic Council, it is prohibited to turn on the TV while the car is moving. This regulation specifies that any device producing entertainment images can be installed in the switchboard if the screen provided the screen is off while the car is moving.
