German magazine Focus claims Apple is secretly developing a navigation system to end all navigation systems for Mercedes Benz. This “iNav” (hey, why not?) will supposedly debut in 2009 Benzies. No source was provided or details aside from the system being a Benzie exclusive for 6 months.

Since this is just a rumor, lets speculate shall we? If Apple were to make an “iNav”, it’s probable they’d team up with a luxury auto maker because only they would have the customer base to spend money on premium system. However, this leads to some interesting questions. Will it interface with iPhone? How will future iPods work with it? Will the core of the mapping system come from Google Maps? Is it going to be some crazy multi-touchscreen? Last but not least, will it tell me why I was so let down by the season finale of Heroes?

[Via Foursprung]

It’s certainly a possibility. According to a thread over at the AVS forums, Wal-Mart recently placed an order for blue laser HD-DVD cores from a Chinese company worth close to $100 million dollars. With Wal-Mart buying 20 million of these cores that certainly have something in mind.

Running the Chinese websites through various translators people seem to be guessing at a $299 price point. We’re getting there but it’s still a little too pricey for the average consumer. It may not end the format war but like it or not Wal-Mart has the ability to tip the scales one way or the other all on it’s own.

[AVS]