Its running a pretty old version of android by now and they keep talking about updating to the previous version of Android that practically all smart phones are using now. It doesn't look like they have any plans to go to honeycomb which is the actual made for tablet android OS. Personally I would be checking out the samsung galaxy tab 8.9. The 32 GB be will likely to be about $499, 16Gb may be between $400 and $475. The 32GB galaxy tab 10.1 with the larger screen will be $599 which is what I'm using to estimate price, it will be released in the next two months for retail. It seems about perfect specs wise for size, speed, and memory. Its thinner and more powerful then the iPad 2. http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/22/samsung-galaxy-tab-8-9-and-new-galaxy-tab-10-1-thinner-than-the/
Although the google maps have replaced my old GPS unit, they are still pretty bad at doing the smart features like redirection without taking you for a loop. I might be willing to shell out for a nice GPS instead of a tablet unless he is looking for tablet features on the go as well that his phone won't provide. It would be fun after a long ride laid over at the hotel.