French company Kapsys has developed a screenless GPS system targeted primarily at pedestrians, but also for car navigation. We're guessing this is a tree-falling-in-the-forest type of social experiment, i.e., if you take away the most fun part of a gadget, will people still buy it?

Navigadget first reported on the system, called Kapten, which will employ a SiRF Star III GPS receiver, has up to 4GB of internal memory, Bluetooth capability, an FM radio and MP3 playback. It also weighs less than 50 grams and is small enough to fit on a key-ring.

Opinions on the Kapten range from wonder to skepticism. Says GizmoWatch: "We seem to have forgotten the power of speech. Kapsys hasn't." According to Slippery Brick, "It seems at first like a horrible idea, but speech can be just as powerful. ... It might also help you keep your eyes on the road."

The Technology, Gadgets and Curiosities blog says, "If you can envisage getting along with a GPS unit sans display and you're looking for a device that can not only guide you to your destination but can offer a little background music on the way, the Kapsys Kapten may well be worth consideration." 

Yeah, whatever. We still cry foul if there are no pretty pictures.

At least Gizmodo highlights a low point. The Kapten's instructions sound like, " 'Tournez á droite, dans 100 metres' since it's being released in France next month for around $220, and there's no info on whether it'll move outside the land of the moody pout."  

Actually, maybe that's not a bad thing.

Check out the best GPS (and the most useful ones) for the road in U.S. News nav system buying guide.