Contrary to some reports of the Mac mini's demise, Apple updated our little buddy with 1.83 GHz and 2.0 GHz Core 2 Duo processors. The upgraded Mac mini includes up to 2GB of RAM, integrated GMA 950 graphics, gigabit ethernet, 802.11g wireless and bluetooth 2.0. You can also upgrade to a 160GB hard drive for all your music and video needs.

Our buddies over at RouteBuddy Ltd. have just released an major upgrade to RouteBuddy. Here's what they have to say about the 1.3 update...

RouteBuddy Ltd is pleased to announce the release of RouteBuddy 1.3, a major update to their powerful GPS mapping program for Mac OS X.

RouteBuddy provides native Mac OS X support for Garmin and NMEA GPS devices, and allows users to manage and display their GPS data using high-precision vector-based road maps.

This release provides turn-by-turn routing, and visual navigation to waypoints or points of interest. Navigation support includes off-route recovery, and spoken turn instructions using Mac OS X's built-in speech synthesis.

German magazine Focus is claiming that Apple is working with Mercedes on a car navigation and sound system that will be introduced in 2009.

The system is reported to include navigation, communication and maintenance. Mercedes will exclusively offer the new Apple system for six months (presumably followed by other auto manufacturers). The article also mentions the possibility of Google maps being the source of navigation data.

German car customizer, Mattes Interieurtechnik, has created a customized Mercedes CLS with a nicely integrated iMac personal computer in the rear seats.

The iMac's compact all-in-one design lends itself to such an installation, and the firm makes sure the integration is complete with slick leather covering around the machine.

A wireless mouse and keyboard mean there are no exposed wires to contend with. Of course, the customized CLS also gets a completely revised interior, with some pretty fancy upholstery and trimmings.

The new GPS-enabled mapping application, that we mentioned a couple days ago is now available.

RouteBuddy is a GPS mapping application for OS X. All the essential functions of your GPS device are supported; all you need is a Mac, a GPS, and of course RouteBuddy.

It looks like us Mac users are finally getting a robust GPS-enabled navigation solution for our Mac'd rides! The new application is called RouteBuddy and has many of the features that you would expect from a navigation application like live tracking of GPS data, instant recognition of GPS devices, and the personalization of waypoints with notes and custom icons.

RouteBuddy also imports GoogleMaps® and Yahoo Maps® GeoTagged URLs as well as instantly viewing your location in Google Earth® or Google Maps®.

Matt Burriola installed a Mac mini into his 2005 Mazda 3 sedan and documented the entire installation process. His goal for his project was to create a system with better than stock sound and capability, while maintaining a clean, stock appearance.

Despite not using an Apple since high school, Matt was inspired while doing other mods to the car (adding window tint and an alarm), and decided to go for it.

First, Matt took apart his cupholder assembly, cigarette lighter panel, and the center console. Once in there, he thought that the Mac mini was too big too fit in there without a bunch of hacks, and decided on a glove box install instead.

Check out this sweet Mac mini install inside a 2006 BMW 325. Hal Fitzgerald spent four months hunting for the right installer to complete his project and the results are impressive.

All the computer hardware including the Mac mini CPU, a Newertech MiniStack 250GB drive with USB and Firewire hub, and a Carnetix P1900 power supply are mounted in the trunk where the CD changer would normally go. The audio is fed out of the Mac mini right into the factory 1/8" changer input. Hal had a custom mount built to support the 7" Lilliput touchscreen.

Joshua Driggs, aka ZapWizard has a great Flickr photo set that shows how he installed a Mac mini along with a Griffin iTrip into his Mazda.

He was taking a 4,000 mile trip and wanted to Mac his ride – and he did it in 3 days! He explained that he didn’t have the cash or the time to replace his head unit, so he integrated an iTrip FM transmitter directly into the Mini.

Today Apple unveiled two new Intel-based Mac mini systems that are up to four times faster than previous G4 models. The high-end model sports a 1.66 GHz Intel Core Duo processor and the lower-end model comes with a 1.5 GHz Intel Core Solo processor. Both systems now include built-in 10/100/1000 BASE-T Gigabit Ethernet, built-in AirPort Extreme WiFi, built-in Bluetooth, four USB 2.0 ports (up from two in previous models), one FireWire 400 port, an optical digital and analog audio in/out, and built-in mono speaker.